60 Best Chicken Recipes

60 Best Chicken Recipes

Be truthful. When your family hears that they’re having chicken for dinner–again–do they sigh and groan just a little? Chicken is one of the most commonly served meats, and for good reason. It’s lean and healthy, super versatile, and moderately priced. The bad part about chicken, though, is that it’s easy to fall into the chicken rut. It gets boring. Well, Chelsea’s here to save the day! I’ve got 60 chicken recipes, and every single one of them is a winner-winner-chicken-dinner choice! You could serve one each day for two whole months and never repeat a recipe. So what are you waiting for? Get your shopping list ready and at the very top of it, write in big letters: CHICKEN. You can thank me later!

What kind of chicken? Most of these recipes use boneless chicken breast or thigh meat, and of course, we’ll never turn down some delicious rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. We’ll use this meat to create the largest panoply of recipes–salads, potpies, soups, skewers, casseroles, stir-fries, wraps, tacos, low-carb dishes, pasta dishes, easy dishes, slow cooker dishes…about the only type we aren’t including is vegetarian dishes. Go figure! Do you like ethnic foods? We have Mexican, Italian, Asian and even American dishes that have gotten five-star reviews. Let me stop now so you can keep scrolling to see what I’m talking about. Poultry Power!! I tell you, it’s a winner for us! 

Grilled Chicken Breast Recipes

It’s easy to get lazy when cooking chicken because there’s nothing much easier than slapping a couple of chicken breasts in a pan and heating them through. But with just a little extra attention,  chicken breasts can provide a variety of taste sensations. Marinades, sauces, and different heat sources can make a real difference!

1. Grilled Chicken Marinade

The very best Grilled Chicken Marinade! You can whip this marinade together in minutes and take any chicken to a whole new level! 

One reader said: “I haven’t even cleared the table yet, but I had to leave a comment. The recipe is aptly named. This is amazing chicken! My thought on tasting the first bite was that the marinade makes the chicken taste almost like steak. Tender, moist steak. Delicious!! I’ve saved the recipe in 3 locations so that I don’t misplace it!”

2. Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa

We’re combining all the best flavors in this Grilled Chicken Breast with Avocado Salsa. Be prepared for the freshest flavors and most amazing texture to your chicken!

One reader said: “Absolutely unreal. I own a catering company and try TONS of recipes. This was full of fabulous flavors & textures, and to top it up it was beautiful!!!! Thank you”

3. Grilled Curry Chicken

Get all the flavors of an intricate curry recipe with half the work. Just whip together this easy curry marinade, marinate, and grill your chicken! You’re going to go crazy for this one!

One reader said: “This was a great way to change up our standard grilled chicken! It turned out so delicious! I will be making this all summer long!”

4. Grilled Fajita Chicken

The BEST fajita marinade for grilled chicken breasts or thighs. Serve this grilled chicken with all your favorite fajita toppings and enjoy a healthy, well-rounded, and delicious meal!

One reader said: “Chelsea, thank you so much for this fajita recipe, I made it last night for dinner and it was outstanding! The flavours in the marinade are fantastic. I will be making this again soon!”

5. Chicken Kabobs

These Chicken Kabobs are made with ripe mangoes, juicy marinated chicken, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and zucchini. We also mix up a delicious four-ingredient sriracha sauce for dipping!

One reader said: “That marinade was incredible! It was such a great flavor for the chicken.”

Chicken Salad Recipes

Chicken salad may conjure up images of creamy mayonnaise-based concoctions, and trust me, there’s something about a pure chicken salad that makes a summertime lunch even better. But there’s more than one way to fix a chicken salad! Use fresh veggies, light vinaigrette dressings, and creative combinations and you’ll be serving up delicious dinners all year long. As an added bonus, many of these chicken salad recipes can use up leftover meat and veggies!

6. Chicken Spinach Salad

This Chicken Spinach Salad is filled with seasoned chicken breasts, strawberries, oranges, blueberries, feta, and toasted almonds. And it’s all topped with the best four-ingredient balsamic vinaigrette. It’s the ultimate, well-rounded salad!

One reader said: “This salad is one of my family’s very favorites, even our 7 and 4-year-old love it?? It’s so good I’m even making it for company today.”

7. Spring Cobb Salad

Spring Cobb Salad is insanely delicious and has all the best ingredients! We’re topping this salad with chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, veggies, and of course, topping it with my personal favorite: creamy balsamic dressing!

One reader said: “This salad is absolutely delicious! The dressing was the best I have ever tasted. Thanks for the great recipe!”

8. Chicken Taco Salad

Chicken Taco Salad is healthy, perfectly seasoned, and filled with all our favorite taco toppings! No need to skip Taco Tuesday–  fit this chicken taco salad right into your diet!

One reader said: “This really was the yummiest taco salad!! All of the ingredients went so perfectly together. Yum!!”

9. Applebee’s Chicken Salad

You’re not going to believe how delicious and simple this copycat Applebee’s Chicken Salad is! We use a few store-bought shortcuts and this yummy salad can be on the table in minutes!

One reader said: “Nothing beats this Applebee’s Chicken Salad! It’s delicious and so quick and easy to make. I will even go as far as to say it’s better than the actual Applebee’s Chicken Salad!”

10. Chopped Chicken Salad

This Chopped Chicken Salad is a nutritious and hearty salad that comes together so quickly! It’s all drizzled in an amazing lemon-Dijon vinaigrette and it’s truly irresistible! 

One reader said: “So healthy, quick, easy, and delicious!!”

Chicken Pot Pie Recipes

Chicken salads may be what you think of in the summer, but chicken pot pie is the ultimate wintertime comfort food. Pot pies fill the same need as salads: they take bits and pieces of leftovers and combine them into a meal. Pot pies use warm, soothing sauces and gravies instead of chilled dressings, but they’re just as scrumptious in their own way.

11. Corn Chowder Pot Pie

Corn Chowder Pot Pie is channeling all the best parts of a Chicken Corn Chowder! It’s insanely comforting and delicious. And our secret to keeping it simple? Puff pastry dough!

One reader said: “I have never in my life had a better pot pie. Mind = blown!”

12. Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

This crazy simple Chicken Pot Pie Pasta is made in one pot and is packed with delicious ingredients! We employ some shortcuts so you can have this comforting dish on your table in 30 minutes!

One reader said: “Everyone loved this! Even my husband took some to work the next day (he very seldom takes leftovers). It made a lot so I shared it with some friends. They thought I spent a lot of time ‘slaving’ over a hot stove to make it. Now everyone wants the recipe!”

13. Chicken Pot Pie

This is our favorite Chicken Pot Pie with a flaky pie crust, perfectly seasoned cream sauce, and robust filling.

One reader said: “Delicious!! I’ve made many chicken pot pies over the years and have tried numerous recipes. This will be my go-to from now on. Savory and hearty filling. Wonderful flavor!”

14. Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken Pot Pie Soup combines all your favorite elements from a Chicken Pot Pie in a soup! It’s the ultimate comfort food! 

One reader said: “I made it today. Great recipe. Absolutely delicious. A very comforting comfort food.”

15. Chicken Orzo

This one-pot meal channels so many of the flavors from a Chicken Pot Pie! It’s simple, delicious, and ultra comforting!

One reader said: “So delicious!! Cannot wait to make this again!”

Chicken Thigh Recipes

Chicken thighs are more moist and flavorful than breasts–and here’s a bonus!–they’re usually cheaper per pound, as well. You’ll be the thigh master with these recipes!

16. Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup

Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup is one of the most popular recipes on our site! With over 200 rave reviews, there is no question why it’s so popular! It’s hearty, creamy, and flavor-packed!

One reader said: “Oh my goodness! I made this tonight since I’m always looking for something easy and tasty. It was SO good. I could have eaten 3 or 4 bowls, but I’m also 8 months pregnant so I can’t fit that much food in me at once!  I’m so looking forward to my leftovers tomorrow. Thank you for the great recipe!”

17. General Tso Ramen

This sweet and spicy General Tso Ramen combines tender chicken, sautéed mushrooms, and bok choy with ramen noodles and a flavor-packed fragrant stir-fry sauce.

One reader said: “I made this tonight for dinner and we LOVED it! I did use broccoli instead of bok choy, though. Will definitely be making this again! Thank you!”

18. BBQ Chicken Sandwich

This show-stopping, flavor-packed BBQ Chicken Sandwich is made with slow-cooked saucy chicken thighs. It’s the perfect, busy summer BBQ recipe!

One reader said: “One of the best BBQ Sandwich recipes.”

19. Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Crockpot Chicken-Wild Rice Soup is loaded with lots of veggies, tender, succulent chicken, and a deliciously seasoned wild rice blend. Throw everything into a slow cooker and enjoy the delicious aromas until dinnertime!

One reader said: “So delicious!! Cannot wait to make this again!”

20. Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are lined up with fresh veggies, pineapple, chicken breasts, and the most amazing teriyaki sauce. Serve it all over a bed of coconut rice and you’re in for a real treat!

One reader said: “These taste as good as they look. Feels like I brought Tucanos to my home. Fun to use my grill to create something other than steak.”

Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

When life gets busy, the slow cooker is my secret weapon. Dinner can cook all day while I’m doing a dozen other things. Come suppertime, most of the work is done and the family gets a tasty meal and I get the credit. Slow cookers are a busy cook’s best friend! Take a look at these time-saving, five-star rated recipes.

21. Crockpot Cajun Chicken

We love this simple Crockpot Cajun Chicken and have a feeling you will too! It’s full of good-for-you ingredients and it couldn’t be simpler!

One reader said: “This was delicious. Really good. I will be making this again … very soon.”

22. Crockpot Chicken Quinoa Soup

Crockpot Chicken Quinoa Soup is nutritious, protein-packed, and filling! The combination of quinoa, veggies, shredded chicken, and Italian-inspired herbs make this dish!

One reader said: “This soup is fantastic! No really- it’s amazingly easy and so warm and comforting. You literally dump all the ingredients into the crock pot and for us, 4 hours later it was done. We left the house, and when we opened the door it smelled like Thanksgiving. We plunged into the soup and it was so satisfying and delicious.”

23. Crockpot White Chicken Chili

This viral Crockpot White Chicken Chili is famous for good reason! It’s unbelievably delicious and is bound to win you first place at any chili cook-off!

One reader said: “Made this for a work chili-cook off and I won!! It was fantastic!”

24. Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

This slow-cooked Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is easy to prepare and packed with flavor! 

One reader said: “Just made this in my crockpot today. It was a hit with my husband. Thanks for a great recipe! You have such great recipes.”

25. Chicken Corn Chowder

Chicken Corn Chowder is wildly popular with hundreds of rave reviews! It’s so delicious and couldn’t be easier! This dump-and-go slow cooker recipe is going to be a new favorite!

One reader said: “This was amazing! I doubled the recipe and shared with my neighbors and parents. Everyone LOVED it! I have never been able to find a good corn chowder recipe that had good flavor! Thanks so much!”

Chicken Casserole Dishes

Why do casseroles get such a bad rap? Maybe it’s because too many of them rely on cans of condensed soups for their bases. These recipes will change your view on casseroles, because they’re incredibly delicious, and even though there isn’t a can of soup in any of them, they’re still super easy and quick to put together. Try these and let me know which ones are your favorites!

26. Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This Chicken Enchilada Casserole is saucy and delicious! The casserole is baked to bubbly cheesy perfection and topped with your favorite enchilada toppings.

One reader said: “I made this today and I had to come back to thank you for the recipe! I don’t make enchiladas often but this casserole is so easy and delicious I know I will be making it A LOT.”

27. Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole

This Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole has a shortcut for cooking the rice and broccoli quickly–and that makes this dish come together efficiently and easily. 

One reader said: “This is my kind of dinner!”

28. Coconut Chicken and Rice

This Coconut Chicken and Rice is the ultimate dump-and-leave-it casserole dish! It couldn’t be easier and it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser!

One reader said: “Thanks for the wonderful recipe! Thank you for persisting with your experimentation or as you call it, “trial and error.” It is worth it!”

29. Chicken Divan

Easy Chicken Divan is a flavorful and cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole. We aren’t using any mayo or cream of mushroom soup and we are using a few healthier swaps. You’ll love the swaps to make this retro dish a bit lighter!

One reader said: “What an easy meal! My whole family loves this so much! Thank you!”

30. Chicken Parmesan Pasta

This simple Chicken Parmesan Pasta is completely assembled and prepared in one pan! Just bake everything to cheesy perfection and serve a dish everyone will love!

One reader said: “This recipe is a STAPLE in our household!! Thanks, Chelsea!”

Easy Chicken Recipes

Let’s face it: some days are tougher than others. On those extra-difficult days, you need something easy to fix for dinner. But easy doesn’t mean tasteless–and these recipes will prove that. They’ve received five-star reviews and wonderful comments. If you’re less experienced, take advantage of these tried-and-true, easy-peasy recipes that will make you the star of the dinner table.

31. Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

We can’t get enough of these Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps! Were combining chicken, chow mien noodles, mangos, and sesame seeds all in a lettuce wrap. Then drizzling everything with a simple five-ingredient dressing!

One reader said: “This was really good and I will be making it again. It was a hit at my house!.”

32. Chicken Caesar Wrap

Only four ingredients are needed for a delicious Chicken Caesar Wrap! 

One reader said: “I love these wraps–they are so yummy! These are a filling and healthy choice for sure! Thanks for the recipe ChelseasMessyApron!”

33. Chicken Melts

One of our favorite quick and easy dishes is these Chicken Melts, they come together in minutes and are a dish the whole family will love!

One reader said: “I can’t even tell you how much my family loves these Chicken Melts! They are the quickest dinner or lunch and everyone goes crazy for them! Thank you so much for such an awesome recipe!”

34. Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

Super simple Rotisserie Chicken Tacos with all the shortcuts to make these the easiest tacos!

One reader said: “OMG….these are great, so easy, and will definitely go into our menu rotation. They are a wonderful way to use up that last bit of rotisserie chicken!”

35. Chicken Salad

The best chicken salad recipe out there! This is the perfect dish for entertaining or for a quick lunch/dinner!

One reader said: “One of the best chicken salads to date. It was still marvelous.”

Low-Carb Chicken Recipes

If you’re eating low carb these days, chicken is probably one of your go-to meal choices. But chicken doesn’t have to be boring or tasteless. These recipes below will prove my point in the most delicious way! Eat healthy and eat well!

36. Chicken Larb

Easy Thai Chicken Larb is packing in the flavor with all the best ingredients. The best part? This entire sweet and spicy dish can be ready in under 30 minutes!

One reader said: “I could eat this everyday..no joke! It is so good & flavorful!”

37. Balsamic Chicken and Veggies

One-pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies is sweet, healthy, simple, and leaves you with minimal cleanup! It’s a great low-carb weeknight dinner!

One reader said: “This meal was one of the best one-pan dinners I’ve made! I’m going to make this once a week! Thanks so much for sharing!”

38. Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These Chicken Lettuce Wraps are the perfect low-carb option! We’re loading these lettuce wraps with ground chicken, tons of veggies, and a delicious sauce to coat it all!

One reader said: “Love the flavor and crunch of these lettuce wraps!”

39. Black Pepper Chicken

This easy, 30-minute, Black Pepper Chicken stir fry with veggies and a delicious peppery stir fry sauce. It’s the perfect low-carb, high-protein dinner!

One reader said: “This is one of my favorite dinners, not only to eat but to make too!”

40. Curry Chicken Salad

Curry Chicken Salad whips together in just 15 minutes; it’s packed with flavor and requires minimal ingredients!

One reader said: “Chelsea, this recipe is so good. I just made it for lunch and it is so tasty. I love the texture of the cashews with the raisins and chicken and the dressing has a great flavor. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I can say I will be making it often.”

Chicken and Pasta

A Few More Recipes:

• Orange Chicken
• Rotisserie Chicken Stirfry
• Coconut Chicken and Rice
• Chicken Melts
• Chicken Stroganoff
• Or try this Lemon Baked Chicken from my friend at The Stay At Home Chef. She posts wonderful recipes!