52 healthy chicken recipes
Winner, winner – healthy chicken dinner! Try our Spanish chicken traybake, healthier korma, chicken satay with rice, soba noodle stir-fry and more
Looking for healthy meals with chicken? We have plenty of ideas for delicious chicken recipes. Try our recipes below, then check out our healthy chicken breast recipes.
Chicken is a lean source of protein that is low in saturated fat, and contains essential nutrients such as selenium, which is important for immune function, and B vitamins that we need for energy and cognition. Chicken is versatile and easy to prepare, can be eaten hot or cold, and is low in calories, so as well as being nutritious and full of protein it makes for a great meal whether you are looking for weight loss, or muscle growth.
We've also got plenty more healthy recipes to inspire you, including these healthy mince recipes, healthy prawn recipes, healthy fish recipes and healthy salmon recipes.
Healthy chicken recipes
Chicken paillard
A flattened chicken breast served with a tasty accompaniment of red peppers and anchovies, ready in 30 minutes.
Chicken Caesar salad
A traditional Caesar salad recipe – including the famous Caesar dressing – but with added chicken.
Chicken souvlaki
This classic Greek fast food dish is lower in calories and fat than the original version, as it's made with chicken breast rather than thighs.
Honey sesame chicken
Rice vinegar and honey make for a well-balanced, sweet and sharp sauce, while fresh, crunchy broccoli completes the dish.
Tunisian chicken tajin
From The Tunisia Cookbook, this recipe is based on the traditional tortilla-style dish that can be served hot or cold.
Chicken burrito bowl
This is perfect for making the day before, either for dinner or a packed lunch, as it keeps well overnight in the fridge.
Greek chicken skewers
Simple but delicious, try adding more salads to create a healthy Mediterranean buffet.
Roast chicken panzanella
An unusual take on this famous salad, that makes for a nourishing and filling meal.
Chinese drunken chicken
A bittersweet, succulent dish of chicken thighs marinated in rice wine. Serve with rice to mop up the juices and plenty of veg.
Homestyle chicken curry
A great Friday-night treat to beat a takeaway on health points. Also known as tariwalla murgh, this dish is comforting and tasty, with a bit of a kick.
Mexican chicken adobo
You can keep the chipotle-based marinade for up to a month in the fridge. It gives a spicy, smoky kick and is perfect for BBQs.
Ginger chicken noodle salad
With fresh herbs, sesame, ginger and a tasty dressing, this crunchy salad is packed with flavour
Healthy slow cooker chicken curry
With chickpeas, tomatoes and spices, this is an easy and nutritious dinner.
Chicken stroganoff
High in protein, but low in calories, fat and salt, try this easy meal for feeding the family.
Grilled chicken wraps
Even with making the zhoggiu (Sicilian pesto), this tasty dish is on the table in 20 minutes. Enjoy it for a delicious lunch.
Chicken noodle soup
This Thai-inspired soup is refreshing and spicy, just the thing to ward off the winter blues
Chicken and cashew stir-fry
Add a touch of luxury to a mid-week stir-fry with cashew nuts and a rich sauce of dark soy and honey.
Chicken tinga
This Mexican dish of shredded chicken in a tomato and spice sauce can be used in tacos or enchilladas, or serve with rice.
Nepalese chicken choyela
With plenty of spices, this is a tasty and low-calorie version of the popular Nepalese street-food dish.
Chicken yassa
This Senegalese favourite is made with mustard, chilli and lemon juice for buckets of flavour!
Healthy one-pan chicken and rice
A chicken dish with a difference – this Chinese-inspired recipe sees chicken marinated in soy, hoisin, honey and garlic before being cooked with brown rice.
Chicken satay with rice
Spoon our nutty peanut sauce over caramelised chicken and serve with pickled veg and wholegrain rice for a quick high-protein meal.
Mediterranean chicken traybake
So good we put it on our cover in August 2020, this simple chicken traybake, sprinkled with olives, feta, oregano, is packed with protein and made all the more nutritious with fresh veg.
Easy butter chicken
Make this comforting butter chicken using whatever curry paste you have. It’s the combo of butter, almonds and yogurt that magically creates such a rich, creamy sauce
Chicken satay noodle salad
Make our easy chicken satay noodle salad recipe with red cabbage, shredded carrots and roasted peanuts. This vibrant crunchy salad is antioxidant rich and ready in an hour.
Chicken stroganoff
This healthy spin on chicken stroganoff is high-protein, low-salt and low-fat, making it a brilliant option for a light, but creamy midweek dinner.
Ginger chicken noodle salad
Toss nutty soba noodles, shredded chicken, crunchy sesame seeds and fresh aromatic herbs with a zingy ginger dressing for a high-protein, veg filled lunch.
Healthy chicken korma
Fragrant, creamy and gently spiced, korma is super-comforting with its rich, buttery sauce. This version is lighter than the traditional recipe, yet it’s every bit as warming.
Miso and chilli chicken noodle soup
Fry shredded chicken in miso and gochujang and add to this nutritious broth for a gut-friendly, protein-packed meal.
Chicken, jalapeño and black bean stew
Lift your chicken stew with pickled chilli peppers and top with soured cream and grated cheese for a hearty midweek meal that's as nutritious as it is delicious.
Spanish chicken traybake
Flavour chicken thighs with sweet smoked paprika and honey, then roast until sweet and sticky alongside new potatoes, red peppers and green olives.
Cheat’s tandoori chicken
Tender whole chicken thighs flavoured with turmeric, curry paste, lemon and mild chilli powder are served alongside a simple minty yogurt dip and zingy side salad, for a light, high protein supper.
Turmeric chicken
Make chicken breasts that little bit more exciting by chucking turmeric, smoked paprika, crispy chickpeas and baby spinach into the mix. Serve with lemony yogurt and toasted pittas.
Harissa chicken and white bean bake
This vibrant recipe sees chicken thighs slathered with harissa and cooked in a rich tomato sauce with beans and olives – a healthy, high-protein family meal with a punchy kick of heat.
Chicken pasta salad
Throw together this quick and easy pasta salad using leftover chicken, tomatoes and greens for a satisfying, protein-rich lunch or midweek dinner.
Cumin-crusted chicken with kale salad and hummus dressing
This speedy dish is a clever way to make chicken that little bit more exciting. Serve with a drizzle of hummus and white wine vinegar dressing.
Healthy chicken saag
A healthy chicken curry recipe that proves you can still have your favourite Friday night foods while eating well. This dish is packed with herbs and spices for a delicious dish that's ready in just 45 minutes.
Coconut and lemongrass poached chicken with lime rice
Fluffy steamed rice, crisp green vegetables and aromatic Thai spices go into this warm and comforting bowl of coconut and lemongrass chicken – it's the perfect easy chicken dinner recipe. Make some extra for a healthy packed lunch the next day, too.
Discover even more of our favourite Thai recipes.
Chicken madras
Healthy eating doesn't mean missing out on your favourite dishes. Our chicken madras is a fragrant curry that's a quick and easy way to feed the family while offering lots of protein and antioxidants.
Shredded veg and chicken salad with Japanese sesame dressing
This healthy chicken salad recipe is packed with flavour. The rice vinegar gives a slightly sweet, tangy edge and there's plenty of crunch from the fresh veg and sesame seeds. Ready in just over 30 minutes, it makes a perfect weeknight dinner.
Healthy chicken stir-fry
High in protein and low in calories, this shredded chicken and chestnut mushroom stir-fry is bursting with fresh, gingery flavour and red chilli heat.
Healthy one-pot chicken
A twist on a classic pot roast, this healthy chicken dish is infused with aromatic flavours, from the umami of miso to the grassy freshness of pak choi. Serve it up on Sunday for an alternative roast to feed the family.
More like this
Cajun chicken supreme
Pep-up chicken supremes with a spicy cajun seasoning, then serve with a dressed kale salad and honey-mustard dressing for a speedy, low-calorie dinner.
Chicken, red pepper and olive cacciatore
An indulgent chicken dish with crunchy red peppers and juicy olives. This Italian chicken one-pot is easy to make and freezes brilliantly, plus it's gluten free.
Discover even more delicious gluten-free recipes.
‘Roast’ chicken dinner
Try Donal Skehan's recipe with all the flavours of a full Sunday roast but with far less washing-up. A nourishing and speedy take on the classic, with plenty of delicious roast potatoes.
Mojito chicken wild rice salad
High on flavour and gluten free, our mojito chicken with wild rice salad is really easy to make. Packed with vibrant fruit and vegetables, it makes a perfect midweek meal for one.
Healthy chicken curry
Check out our easy chicken curry recipe with creamy coconut milk, punchy madras paste and crunchy sugar snap peas. This flavoursome curry is gluten-free, high in protein and absolutely delicious
Try even more healthy curry recipes.
Kung po chicken salad
Quick, delicious and nutritious, Donal Skehan's kung po chicken salad has got midweek winner written all over it.
Easy chicken mole
This quick and easy chicken mole recipe uses a clever cheat product so you can have it on the table in just 30 minutes. It's rich and flavourful but still nutritious – perfect for a midweek Mexican-inspired healthy meal.
Paprika chicken thighs with cherry tomatoes, courgette ribbons and mint
Check out these seriously crispy, smoky chicken thighs with easy courgette ribbons and juicy cherry tomatoes. This super easy meal is high in protein and ready in less than an hour.
Griddled chicken with mustardy lentil salad
Make our vibrant chicken salad with crunchy green beans, seasonal mangetout and lentils. This quick and easy salad is ready in just 30 minutes – the perfect way to start the week.
Butterflied ras el hanout chicken breast with chopped salad
This North African-inspired recipe with butterflied chicken and ras el hanout is gluten free and packed full of flavour. A light and easy midweek meal.
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