• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Family Food on the Table
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dishes
  • Baby Food
  • Subscribe
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dishes
  • Baby Food
  • Subscribe
  • About
×
Home » Main Dishes » Chicken

Healthy Chicken Dinners - 60 Easy, Delicious Recipes

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: Aug 5, 2021 | Published: Aug 6, 2021
This post may contain affiliate links. See my 
disclosure policy.

These 60 healthy chicken dinners include easy recipes ranging from sheet pan meals and quick skillet meals to chicken pasta, slow cooker chicken and baked chicken recipes.A collage of six healthy chicken dinners with a text overlay on the photo

Chicken dinners are kind-of my jam.

We eat chicken A LOT in my house. And I'm always looking to find ways to keep it new, exciting and delicious. And easy. And healthy.

I know, that sounds like a big ask, but you can truly have yummy meals that are nutritious and satisfying. Promise.

I've been sharing many of these with you for years. I have a category of healthy one-pot chicken dinners here on Family Food on the Table, as well as my 15 minute chicken recipes and 30 minute chicken recipes.

Those are continuously updated anytime I add a new recipe in those categories, so there’s always more to check out.

And today I’m so excited to share this round-up of healthy chicken dinners with you.

It's summertime, and I know many of us are trying to lighten things up. But these meals are great any time of year. (Healthy is kinda my thing. As is chicken. No matter the season.)

It also seemed like a good time to share these since we’re entering back-to-school season.

(What happened to the summer?! It has flown by… )

I know this is a time of year many of us are looking to find some new recipes, try some new dinners, and just generally get back on track with regular meal times and all of that.

So I’m hopeful that these 60 healthy chicken dinner recipes will be just the inspiration you need to tackle some new recipes in your kitchen.

And I really think you’ll find some new family favorites that you’ll want to come back to again and again.

A thin, browned chicken breast served over spaghetti noodles with a sauce of capers, lemon and white wine

(Speaking of coming back, feel free to pin one of the collages I’ve created here to save this collection. Or bookmark this page - whatever works for you.)

For ease of browsing, I’ve divided these healthy chicken recipes into 11 categories. They are:

  1. Sheet pan chicken recipes
  2. Chicken pasta recipes
  3. Skillet chicken dinners
  4. Grilled chicken recipes
  5. International chicken dishes
  6. Stuffed chicken recipes
  7. Baked chicken recipes
  8. Slow cooker chicken recipes
  9. Chicken casseroles
  10. Chicken soups and chili recipes
  11. Instant Pot chicken recipes

That way you can scroll around to see what suits your mood.

Oh, and just as a caveat. I realize that everyone's definition of healthy is different. I've been a health and nutrition editor for more than 15 years, so I read and see all the studies and research, as well as the vastly different views on dietary approaches.

So I'll just say that these recipes are all-around healthy. We're not drowning in butter, cheese or heavy cream. But we're also not going keto or low-carb or gluen-free, though there are recipes here in all of those areas.

We're oping for homemade recipes, using real ingredients and with a focus on whole foods. Feel free to tweak as needed if you follow a certain diet or have dietary restrictions.

Last thing. I didn’t even bother with what might be considered super healthy and super light chicken recipes - things like green salads with chicken in them or grain bowls that include chicken.

I love salads and grain bowls as much as the next person, but I also wanted to make this list for really family-friendly chicken dinners that my kids will eat, too.

(If you’re now craving a salad and grain bowl like I am, here are two of my favorites: southwest chopped salad with chicken and BBQ chicken quinoa salad bowls.)

OK, let’s dive in.

Healthy Chicken Dinners

Sheet pan chicken recipes

Sheet pan dinners are great for a prep it and forget it type of meal.

It takes a little work up front to get everything ready to go, but then you stick it in the oven and your entire dinner is cooking away at once. And everything will be ready all at the same time, too.

Here are a few of our favorites, but I definitely have more coming.

(If you are in for it, you can sign up for my free e-newsletter to get all of my new recipes delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss a thing. I’ll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!)

- Sheet pan honey mustard chicken with potatoes and broccoli

- Southwest sheet pan chicken and veggies

- Sheet pan harvest chicken and vegetables

- Sheet pan Mediterranean chicken and veggies

A baking sheet with cooked seasoned chicken strips and roasted vegetables

Chicken pasta recipes

My husband apparently subsided on chicken pasta before we met and eventually married. It was his go-to dinner.

And now we have two pasta-loving children, so it’s still a staple in our house.

I almost exclusively use whole wheat pasta to get some extra whole grains in. You could of course swap regular pasta if you prefer. Gluten-free pastas also work well in all of these dishes that I've tried them in.

And just a heads up that even the creamy pasta dishes here don’t actually use heavy cream. It’s often cream cheese or Greek yogurt, so we’re keeping things lightened up.

- One pot creamy chicken and mushroom pasta with peas

- Healthy chicken Alfredo with broccoli

- Creamy lemon chicken spaghetti

- Healthy chicken broccoli mac and cheese

- One pot pasta with chicken sausage, spinach and peas

- Chicken penne pasta with broccoli

A serving bowl filled with a healthy chicken fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli mixed in and Parmesan cheese on top.

Skillet chicken dinners

Chicken skillet recipes are some of my favorites for how easy and flexible they can be.

I make these - or versions of these - ALL the time. Swap out the veggies or beans, change up the seasonings and you’ve got a whole different dinner.

Super quick and easy, super healthy, super flexible. All things I love in my dinners.

And that’s maybe why I’ve included SO many here.

Regardless on what mood you’re in and what flavors you fancy, you’re sure to find something here to hit the spot.

- Quick and easy Mediterranean chicken

- Southwest chicken skillet

- Skillet salsa chicken

- Low carb chicken with spinach

- Easy skillet apricot chicken

- Easy turmeric chicken

- 15 minute honey garlic chicken

- Paprika chicken

- Easy cream cheese chicken

- Easy chicken fajitas

- 20 minute chicken piccata

- Sautéed chicken and apples with rosemary

Full copper skillet of chicken and vegetables with basil on top and nearby and a lemon beside the pan

Grilled chicken recipes

Take your chicken outside with these easy grilled chicken recipes.

A few of them require a marinade, which takes at least 30 minutes, but others are just seasonings and toppings. Those are perfect for last-minute nights when you need to get your chicken ready to go.

Cause we can’t always plan ahead, right?

- Cheesy fiesta grilled chicken

- Adobo grilled chicken

- Grilled lemon chicken

- Balsamic herb grilled chicken marinade

- Coconut lime grilled chicken marinade

Or if you're looking for more ideas, check out these 10 easy grilled chicken recipes.

A platter of grilled chicken thighs with coconut lime marinade in a white bowl to the side

International chicken dinners

We’ve got a lot of various Asian-themed dishes here.

To be clear, these are my easy take on classic recipes. I’m not trying to pretend they are authentic. We’re definitely going Americanized here.

But the flavors are fantastic and you can make them in your own kitchen without a trip to an Asian grocery store. On-hand ingredients, easy to make and sure to satisfy those cravings. Without the need for takeout.

- Easy chicken lo mein

- Easy chicken pad Thai

- Easy sweet and sour chicken with vegetables

- Quick chicken curry

- Easiest ever chicken stir fry

- Easy chicken tikka masala

- Quick and easy teriyaki chicken

- Easy healthy butter chicken

A skillet with a saucy chicken curry and bowls of rice and peas behind it

Stuffed chicken recipes

Do you stuff your chicken?

It’s really very easy to do - especially once you know how to butterfly chicken breasts - and yet it seems so fancy.

It’s a great way to serve chicken for company, too, because you can often prep the chicken ahead and then just cook it off when you’re ready.

Deliciousness awaits!

- Chicken breasts stuffed with prosciutto, spinach and mozzarella

- Spinach stuffed chicken

- Apple and brie stuffed chicken

- Cheesy Mexican stuffed chicken breasts

Sliced Parmesan crusted chicken breast stuffed with spinach and mozzarella cheese on a white plate with brown rice with a fork leaning on the plate.

Baked chicken recipes

No boring or bland baked chicken here, no thank you.

These five recipes are flavor packed, juicy and sure to please. (Even picky eaters can’t resist the tacos or meatballs below!)

- Baked shredded chicken tacos

- Easy oven chicken shawarma

- Easy baked lemon chicken

- Easy baked chicken thighs

- Cheesy chicken meatballs

Seasoned baked chicken thighs piled in a large serving bowl

Slow cooker chicken dinners

Let your slow cooker do the work!

I love a dinner that is ready and waiting for me at the end of the day. And I definitely use my slow cooker ALL year long.

It’s not just for wintertime or colder weather. It’s a great thing in summertime, too, so you don’t have to fuss in the kitchen at the end of the day. Or bother with heating up the oven.

We’ve got a ton of easy recipes here, some of which are the “dump and go” type, with minimal prep time needed. Gotta love that.

- Crock pot Mediterranean chicken

- Slow cooker bistro chicken thighs

- Slow cooker balsamic chicken

- Slow cooker apricot chicken

- Slow cooker teriyaki chicken

- Slow cooker honey garlic chicken

Crock pot honey garlic chicken served in a bowl with green onions sprinkled on top

Healthy chicken casseroles

Nothing says comfort like a casserole, don’t you think?

And while some might be loaded with creamy soups or swimming in cheese, we’ve got some healthier versions here today.

These are also really kid-friendly and family-friendly. Fun flavors, too!

- Easy healthy chicken pot pie with a biscuit top

- Healthy chicken taco casserole

- Healthy chicken fajita casserole

A white casserole dish with a chicken taco mixture topped with cheese and tortilla chips and a spoon resting in the dish

Chicken soup and chili recipes

Soups and chili are a staple in our house all fall and winter long. And some soups are such classics and favorites, we enjoy them year round.

These all fall under that category! And I think they’ll be new faves in your house, too.

- Easy chicken tortilla soup

- Quick and easy chicken and black bean soup

- Healthy slow cooker chicken chili

- Easy chicken noodle soup

Overhead close-up shot of healthy slow cooker chicken chili served in a white bowl with shredded cheese and cilantro on top and a spoon on a turquoise napkin nearby.

Instant Pot chicken recipes

I just had to include a few Instant Pot recipes, in case you love yours as much as I love mine.

And if you don’t yet, these recipes might just make you fall in love with it. They are easy but so flavorful!

- Instant Pot lemon chicken

- Instant Pot honey garlic chicken

- Instant Pot chicken fajitas

A green text box with a list of healthy chicken dinner ideas

Well that was a lot of chicken, huh?

But I’ve heard from so many of you who feel like I do - you just can’t have too many chicken recipes!

I hope this round-up of the best healthy chicken dinners will help you find some new delicious dinners to try. And some new favorites to serve your family again and again.

And if you have a favorite I haven’t included here, leave a comment below and share it with us!

Happy cooking!

XO,

Kathryn

A collage of 10 chicken dinner recipe photos with a text box in the middle reading 60 healthy chicken dinners

Pin

More Chicken

  • Close up of a creamy chicken pasta with Cajun flavors in a stock pot.
    Cajun Chicken Pasta
  • Close up of cheesy pesto baked chicken strips in a casserole dish.
    Easy Baked Pesto Chicken
  • Close up of a chicken enchilada skillet in a dark cast iron pan with lime wedges, avocado slices, sour cream and chopped fresh herbs on top.
    Chicken Enchilada Skillet
  • Baked cheesy chicken enchiladas verde in a casserole dish with cilantro, lime and avocado scattered on top as garnishes.
    Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Meet Kathryn

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

More about me →

Popular Recipes

  • A cream cheese chicken and mushroom mixture in a large pan with a wooden spoon resting in it.
    Easy Cream Cheese Chicken
  • Close up of honey garlic chicken served in a blue and white bowl with sliced green onions on top.
    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
  • Close up of a whole roasted chicken on a large white serving platter with veggies and fresh parsley to the side.
    Easy Whole Roasted Chicken
  • Close up of a fork resting in a bowl of rice and curried ground turkey with peas.
    Curry Ground Turkey with Rice and Peas
  • Close up of a wooden spoon drizzling pan gravy over seared pork chops.
    Easy Skillet Pork Chops with Gravy
  • Close up of a dark skillet with a saucy honey garlic chicken dish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions sprinkled on top.
    15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

Footer

↑back to top

About

  • Contact
  • Work With Me

Newsletter

  • Sign up for emails!

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
  • Accessibility

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Family Food on the Table