33 Healthy Easy Chicken Recipes

This is a collection of delicious, healthy chicken recipes that are easy to make, perfect for sharing with family or friends. It includes one-pots such as stews, casseroles and soups as well as salads.

Making healthy chicken recipes is easier than you think! Chicken recipes can be healthy without compromising on flavour. This post includes tips on how to do this!

When it comes to family dinners chicken is a staple ingredient for many of us.  It's relatively cheap, easy to cook and can be prepared in lots of different ways.  It tastes delicious whether grilled, baked or fried, can be added to casseroles, stews and curries and a number of other quick and convenient dishes.

It's also low in fat, which makes it a great source of protein as part of a healthy diet.  

What's the healthiest way of cooking chicken

One of the healthiest ways of preparing chicken has got to be poaching as it involves using a minimal amount of fat.  In the real world, however, we are more likely to prepare chicken using different methods often involving more fat (i.e. oil, butter etc).  Stir frying and grilling are probably the next healthiest options, followed by shallow frying with deep frying being the most calorific way of cooking chicken.

Another important factor to consider are the extra ingredients we use in chicken dishes.  So even though chicken itself is a healthy option the rich and creamy sauce we serve it with may not be.  But it doesn't have to be this way!

This recipe collection shows that it's possible to make creamy, comforting chicken meals that are delicious as well as healthy!

Chicken breasts vs chicken thighs: which is healthier

The nutritional content of chicken breasts and chicken thighs is not exactly the same.  For example skinless chicken thighs (dark meat) contain 3 times more fat than skinless chicken breast (white meat).  Chicken white meat contains a little less calories and more protein and is lower in iron than dark meat. 

It's worth remembering, however, that chicken (both white and dark cuts) in general is a healthy sources of protein, perfect to include in everyday healthy cooking.  So long as you don't use too much fat in your chicken dishes.

33 healthy chicken recipes

Healthy creamy chicken recipes

1.Healthy Creamy Spinach Chicken

This creamy spinach chicken is a quick, healthy and delicious meal idea the whole family will enjoy. It is made without any cream (not even the 'skinny' kind) and comes together in just over 20 minutes!

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 12 minutes, Total Time: 22 minutes

2. Chicken Breast in White Sauce (Low Fat)

This chicken in white sauce is a simple and easy to make dinner recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes. Although comforting and deliciously creamy the sauce is low in fat and does not contain heavy cream.

Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 30 minutes

3. Leftover Chicken Potato Bake (Healthy)

This aromatic, citrusy chicken potato bake is an easy way to turn your leftover chicken into a delicious family dinner.  Preparation is simple and the dish only needs 15 minutes in the oven.  It’s creamy and comforting though not too calorific. Perfect served with carrots, beans or peas.

Prep Time: 30 minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 45 minutes

4. Mini Chicken and Asparagus Pot Pies

These healthy, delicious mini chicken and asparagus pot pies are a fantastic way to turn your chicken leftovers into a family meal.  These creamy chicken pot pies come with a light, crispy puff pastry top, are low in fat, simple and super easy to make.

Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 45 minutes

5. Chicken and Mushroom Casserole

This delicious chicken and mushroom casserole is a healthy, easy to make and versatile dinner idea the whole family will enjoy! Made using a handful of ingredients and ready in under 40 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 20 minutes, Total Time: 35 minutes

Healthy chicken stews and casseroles

6. Winter Stew Recipe

This winter stew contains chicken and root vegetables for a hearty, rich, satisfying and delicious meal. It's easy to make and doesn’t require hours of cooking!

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 35 minutes, Total Time: 45 minutes

7. Chicken and Butternut Squash Casserole

Chicken and butternut squash casserole with beans is a simple, frugal and healthy dinner idea, perfect to share with family or friends.  Make a big batch and enjoy the next day too!

Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

8. Sauerkraut Casserole with Chicken

This hearty, delicious sauerkraut casserole with chicken and potatoes is the perfect Oktoberfest dish, rainy day autumn dish, and a healthy one-pot comfort food dish that's ideal for sharing. It's super simple to make and requires very little effort.

Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes, Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

9. Easy Apricot Chicken Tagine with Chickpeas

This delicious, aromatic, sweet and tangy apricot chicken tagine cooked in a rich tomato sauce with chickpeas requires surprisingly little effort and makes a fantastic weeknight family dinner.

Prep Time: 8 minutes, Cook Time: 50 minutes, Total Time: 58 minutes

10. Honey Chicken and Peaches with Cauliflower

This cauliflower bulgur wheat casserole with honey chicken and peaches is healthy, delicious and can feed a crowd, which makes it an ideal family recipe.  It combines different flavours and textures which work together fantastically well. 

Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 45 minutes

11. Chicken Fajitas Casserole (Low Fat)

This chicken fajitas casserole is a speedy, delicious family meal idea, full of flavour, nutritious and ready in just over 40 minutes.  There is no need to marinate or precook any of the ingredients.

Prep Time: 12 minutes, Cook Time: 30 minutes, Total Time: 42 minutes

Healthy curried chicken recipes

12. Butternut Squash Chicken Curry with Lentils

This chicken butternut squash curry is made with chicken thighs, roasted butternut squash and contains red lentils. It's satisfying, nutritious, easy to make and delicious. Perfect in the fall and beyond!

Prep Time: 20, Cook Time: 40 minutes, Total Time: 60 minutes

13. Curried Chicken Casserole with Rice

This healthy curried chicken rice casserole, which has elements of biryani and korma, is a delicious, low fat weeknight dinner idea the whole family will enjoy.  It's low in fat and big on flavour!

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 25 minutes

14. Easy Chicken Mulligatawny Soup

This chicken mulligatawny soup features tender chicken cooked alongside vegetables, rice and lentils for a hearty, delicious, curried dish. It's nourishing, satisfying, simple and easy to make using everyday ingredients and ready in just over 45 minutes! 

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 36 minutes, Total Time: 46 minutes

Stuffed chicken recipes

15. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Chicken

This spinach and cheese stuffed chicken recipe comes with a deliciously creamy filling and a crunchy topping of parmesan and breadcrumbs. This dish requires minimal preparation and is ready in just over 30 minutes!

Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 23 minutes, Total Time: 38 minutes

16. Mushroom Stuffed Creamy Chicken Breast

This delicious, succulent mushroom stuffed chicken comes with a creamy sauce that's easy to make and low in fat.  This recipe works well as a family meal as well as party food idea. 

Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 30 minutes, Total Time: 50 minutes

17. Cauliflower Rice Crusted Chicken

Cauliflower crusted chicken features succulent chicken breast topped with a cheesy cauliflower mixture for a delicious and easy meal that's perfect for any occasion. Gluten free, nutritious and ready in under 40 minutes!

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 25 minutes, Total Time: 35 minutes

Healthy chicken soup recipes

18. Chicken and Potato Vegetable Soup

This delicious chunky chicken and potato soup is a true winter warmer.  Hearty and filling, it is simple to make and brimming with nutritious ingredients.

Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 35 minutes, Total Time: 55 minutes

19. Polish Chicken Barley Soup (Krupnik)

Chicken barley soup ('krupnik') is a traditional Polish dish, satisfying and simple to make, perfect to enjoy during colder months.  It is made using pearl barley, root vegetables and a small amount of porcini mushrooms. 

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 50 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour

20. Polish Egg Drop Noodles Chicken Soup (Lane Kluski)

Polish egg drop chicken soup is made using homemade egg drop noodles and simple Polish chicken soup made from scratch.  This is super easy to make, healthy and delicious comfort food, perfect to enjoy on a cold day.

Prep Time: 8 minutes, Cook Time: 1 hour, Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes

21. Polish Chicken Noodle Soup (Rosol)

This nourishing Polish chicken soup (rosol) is a traditional recipe, the perfect healthy comfort food to enjoy on a cold day. It requires few ingredients, no chopping and is super easy to make.

Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 1 hour, Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Spiced chicken recipes

22. Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

This sheet pan chicken thighs recipe comes with a sweet and tangy honey balsamic dressing and involves a few easy steps. It contains a handful of pantry staples and comes together in under 40 minutes!

Prep Time: 5 minutes, Cook Time: 35 minutes, Total Time: 40 minutes

23. Spiced Crispy Chicken Legs

These delicious Moroccan spiced crispy chicken legs are perfectly crispy on the outside with gorgeous, succulent meat on the inside. This recipe is super easy to make and does not involve marinating or precooking the meat - just coat in the spices, bake and enjoy!

Prep Time: 7 minutes, Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

24. Oven Pulled Chicken the Healthy Way

My easy, healthy oven pulled chicken is a quick, gluten free, lower sugar version of this popular dish.  It contains a handful of spices and a little miso paste, which not only adds goodness but also a rich, savoury flavour, perfect in this dish.

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes, Cook Time: 2 hours, Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

25. Yogurt Marinated Spiced Chicken Breast

This yogurt marinated chicken breast is tender, juicy, and made with a handful of aromatic spices for an easy, delicious and healthy meal. This spiced yogurt chicken can be cooked in a frying pan, on a griddle, barbecue or in an air fryer, and served either hot or cold.

Prep Time: 40 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour

26. Spicy Chicken Burgers (Healthy)

These deliciously succulent spicy chicken burgers are low in fat, quick and easy to make and bursting with flavour! Made using pantry ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes.

Prep Time: 13 minutes, Cook Time: 8 minutes, Total Time: 21 minutes

27. Grilled Chicken Pineapple Salsa Tacos

These chicken pineapple tacos are packed full of flavour and colour. The chicken is coated in spices then grilled and served in a tortilla along with a delicious, zesty and refreshing pineapple salsa.  Perfect on a hot day and ready in 20 minutes.

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 20 minutes

Healthy breaded chicken recipes

28. Oven Baked Super Crispy Chicken Fingers

These oven baked chicken fingers are juicy and tender on the inside and super crispy on the outside. Made using panko breadcrumbs they contain a handful of spices, a little oil and come together in under 30 minutes - including preparation!

Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time; 11 minutes, Total Time: 26 minutes

29. Crispy Cornflake Chicken Nuggets Recipe

These quick and easy homemade cornflake chicken nuggets are shallow fried to crispy perfection.  Made using a handful of ingredients they are fantastic for entertaining as well as a family meal idea.

Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 30 minutes

Spiralizer recipes with chicken

30. Chicken Zoodle Soup with Pasta

This delicious, versatile chicken zoodle soup is made from scratch and contains a mixture of vegetable noodles and wheat vermicelli. So it is not only full of goodness but also satisfying. It's the perfect healthy comfort food!

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 40 minutes, Total Time: 50 minutes

31. Hoisin Chicken Noodle Stir Fry (Low Carb)

This low carb Asian inspired hoisin chicken stir fry is made using a combination of wheat and zucchini noodles and comes together in minutes.  It is a healthy and delicious dinner idea the whole family will enjoy.

Prep Time: 8 minutes, Cook Time: 8 minutes, Total Time: 16 minutes

Healthy chicken salad recipes

32. Dill Pickle Chicken Salad

This chicken salad with dill pickles consists of chicken, crunchy dill pickles, fresh dill and sweet cranberries dressed in a light yogurt-based sauce. Easy to make, high in protein, healthy, delicious and ready in under 10 minutes!

Prep Time: 9 minutes, Total Time: 9 minutes

33. High Protein Chicken Salad (Low Fat)

This high protein chicken salad with a hint of curry flavour is made with a simple cottage cheese dressing for a deliciously creamy, tangy finish. Easy to make using a handful of ingredients, perfect for lunch or as a satisfying, healthy snack.

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 10 minutes

Top tips for cooking chicken a little healthier

• Use skinless chicken whenever possible (this applies to both white and dark meats).
• Make healthy swaps - for example, use low-fat dairy products when making creamy sauces.
• Use moderate amounts of high-fat ingredients (such as cheese, butter and cream).
• Bulk out your chicken dishes with vegetables and pulses whenever possible.
• Shallow fry or grill rather than deep fry.

Keep in touch!

If you've made any of these easy, healthy chicken recipes I'd love to know which one. How has it turned out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks:)

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