These healthy creamy chicken recipes are perfect for some lightened up comforting dinners that will have the whole family happily digging in!
Healthy creamy chicken recipes are one of my specialities.
They are warm and comforting and delicious and just feel like a hug. My whole family loves when we're having one of these favorites, and they've become a hit in so many of your kitchens as well.
These comfort foods are perfect for days - or seasons - when you just need something cozy to sit down to.
Let's dig in!
What Counts as a Healthy Creamy Chicken Recipe?
These recipes all have a creamy element - whether that's cream cheese, cheese, a creamy soup or some other cream sauce - and they all are made with chicken.
Many of the recipes call for boneless, skinless chicken breasts but you can also use chicken thighs if you prefer. Some of the recipes rely on rotisserie chicken.
Also, to note, I love lightening things up! So you'll find plenty of healthier comforting dishes in the lists below. I think only one of the recipes below actually uses heavy cream. I just don't tend to keep the stuff on hand and so I almost always rely on other ways to make a creamy dish.
Spoiler alert: One of my favorite tricks is to simply use cream cheese and a bit of broth to make a creamy sauce. Multiple recipes below feature this. Greek yogurt is another good healthy substitute that can also be used to stir into dishes for a creamy finish.
Make Ahead Tips
Many of the recipes below can be made in advance and reheated. This can come in handy if you have family members coming and going with work and sports practices and other activities. Or if you are looking to take this recipe to a friend or family member.
Generally speaking, for recipes that go in the oven, you can assemble them and then wait to bake them when you're ready to eat.
For skillet and other recipes, I usually make the entire recipe. Let cool, slice the chicken then cover and refrigerate. Reheat in the microwave in individual portions until hot. (Slicing the chicken helps it reheat more quickly and evenly without drying it out.)
Check individual recipes for more details.
Favorite Creamy Chicken Recipes
One of my most popular recipes is this easy cream cheese chicken, which is super family friendly and easy to make any night of the week. Or try the slow cooker cream cheese chicken for a crock pot version.
We also love quick chicken and gravy, especially with mashed potatoes, and one pot creamy chicken and mushroom pasta is on our regular rotation, including while camping!
Creamy Chicken Casseroles
There's something especially comforting about a warm casserole from the oven. Plus, it's hands off after you get it prepped and put in the oven! My mom's chicken divan is a favorite since I was a kid and my own kids go crazy for cream cheese chicken enchiladas.
Hungry for more?
Check out these 15 minute dinners for some super fast weeknight meals to fit your busy schedule. Or browse these quick chicken skillets that are easy stovetop favorites ready in under 30 minutes.
Also, don't miss these healthy comfort food favorites for lighter versions of the 30 most popular comfort food recipes in the US.
Happy cooking!
XO,
Kathryn
Leave a Reply