Chicken doesn’t have to be boring. It’s a protein-rich, blank canvas for creative cooking. If you’re ready to go beyond topping salad greens with it, try one of these healthy recipes that either pairs chicken with yummy, easy-to-make sauces or remakes comfort-food favorites like chicken tenders.
1. Kale & Sun Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken | The Healthy Maven
Simple but flavorful kale and sun dried tomato stuffed chicken is lean and protein-packed. Chicken breast is pounded thin and stuffed with superfood kale, tomatoes and creamy goat cheese. Recipe makes 4 servings at 2 pieces each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 342; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 117mg; Sodium: 968mg; Carbohydrate: 11g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 48g
2. Skinny Chicken Parmesan | Skinnytaste
Want to indulge in chicken parmesan while still skimping on the calories and fat? Yes, please! This take on chicken parm is crispy baked chicken breast smothered with a layer of marinara sauce and sprinkled with mozzarella cheese. Oh, and butter is still involved where it really counts. Get started on this kid-friendly dish your whole family will love. Recipe makes 6 servings at 1/2 chicken breast each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 163; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 27mg; Sodium: 751mg; Total Carbohydrate: 11g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugars: 5g; Protein: 11g
3. Chicken in Balsamic, Orange & Rosemary Sauce | BBC Good Food
If you’re looking for a fast but tasty way to jazz up chicken breasts on a weeknight, this recipe is it. The elegant sauce pairs sweet orange juice with acidic but sweet balsamic vinegar and piney rosemary—a perfect balanced flavor combination to make another chicken dinner anything but boring.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 259; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 63mg; Sodium: 300mg; Total Carbohydrate: 11g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugars: 5g; Protein: 34g
4. Baked Honey Mustard Chicken | The Honour System
Juicy baked honey mustard chicken is easy to throw together and pop right into the oven. Just mix up your marinade, pour over the chicken and bake. Dinner’s ready in an hour with minimal effort. Recipe makes 4 servings at 4 ounces each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 282; Total Fat: 5g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 98mg; Sodium: 295mg; Carbohydrate: 19g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 18g; Protein: 39g
5. Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders | Eating Bird Food
Enjoy this healthy and crispy alternative to greasy chicken tenders. This recipe for baked chicken tenders uses crispy brown cereal and tangy Greek yogurt for a gluten-free crunch minus the deep frying. Spice up the chicken with harissa or any hot sauce of your choice, but you can also eliminate the hot sauce if you’re making this for the little ones. Recipe makes 4 servings at 4 tenders each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 172; Total Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 47mg; Sodium: 585mg; Carbohydrate: 12g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugar: 3g; Protein: 25g
6. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad | Cooking Light
If you’ve got a hankering for chicken caesar salad but prefer a version with healthy fats, try out this salad dressing. It mimics the flavor of a typical caesar salad dressing, but in vinaigrette form. Recipe makes 4 servings.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 272; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 6g; Cholesterol: 72mg; Sodium: 322mg; Total Carbohydrate: 13g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Protein: 31g
7. Southern Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken | Clean Eating
Take a trip to New Orleans with this satisfying Southern comfort meal without all the calories. Plan your prep time so that the polenta will be done just as the slow-cooker mixture is finishing up. Recipe makes 4 servings at 1 cup chicken mixture + 3/4 cup polenta each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 417; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 80mg; Sodium: 474mg; Total Carbohydrate: 43g; Dietary Fiber: 8g; Sugars: 3g; Protein: 31g
Source: MyFitnessPal
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