Chicken dinners just got a healthy makeover! In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to cook nutritious meals can be a challenge. But fear not, because we’ve curated a collection of 8 mouthwatering chicken recipes that are not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients to support your overall well-being.
1. Green Veggie Bowl with Chicken & Lemon-Tahini Dressing
This vibrant bowl is a celebration of colors and flavors, with tender chicken and crisp veggies tossed in a zesty lemon-tahini dressing. It’s a delicious way to load up on essential nutrients in just 30 minutes.
Certainly! Here’s the recipe for the Green Veggie Bowl with Chicken & Lemon-Tahini Dressing:
Ingredients:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Mixed greens (such as spinach, kale, or arugula)
Assorted veggies (bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, etc.)
Lemon-tahini dressing (made with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and salt)
Steps:
1. Prepare the Chicken: Season boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill or bake the chicken until cooked through. Once done, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into strips or cubes.
2. Prepare the Veggies: Wash and chop assorted veggies of your choice. You can use a mix of bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, or any other veggies you prefer. Also, wash and dry the mixed greens.
3. Make the Lemon-Tahini Dressing: In a small bowl, combine tahini, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until the ingredients are well incorporated and the dressing is smooth. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
4. Assemble the Bowl: In a large serving bowl, arrange the mixed greens as the base. Top the greens with the assorted chopped veggies and the sliced or cubed cooked chicken.
5. Drizzle with Dressing: Just before serving, drizzle the lemon-tahini dressing over the chicken and veggies in the bowl. You can add as much or as little dressing as you like, depending on your preference.
6. Serve: Toss the ingredients gently to coat them evenly with the dressing. Serve the Green Veggie Bowl with Chicken & Lemon-Tahini Dressing immediately, and enjoy!
2. Chicken Piccata Casserole
Indulge in the classic flavors of chicken piccata without the hassle. This protein-packed casserole is a breeze to make and delivers all the tangy goodness of the traditional dish in every bite.
Certainly! Here’s the recipe for Chicken Piccata Casserole:
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons capers
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a casserole dish.
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and whisk to combine, cooking for an additional minute.
6. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, white wine, and lemon juice, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until it thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
7. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the capers and chopped parsley.
8. Arrange the browned chicken breasts in the greased casserole dish.
9. Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts, making sure they are well coated.
10. Cut the butter into small cubes and distribute them evenly over the top of the casserole.
11. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
12. Once cooked, remove the foil and broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes to brown the top.
13. Garnish with lemon slices, if desired, and serve hot.
3. Chopped Power Salad with Chicken
Fuel your day with this hearty salad featuring tender chicken, vibrant veggies, and a homemade dressing that elevates every mouthful. It’s a satisfying meal that’s as delicious as it is nutritious.
Certainly! Here’s the recipe for the Chopped Power Salad with Chicken:
Ingredients:
Cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
Mixed greens (such as spinach, kale, and arugula)
Assorted vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes)
Avocado, sliced
Red onion, thinly sliced
Optional toppings: nuts (such as almonds or walnuts), seeds (such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds), crumbled feta cheese
Homemade Dressing:
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Dijon mustard
Honey
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Start by preparing the homemade dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined. Adjust the ingredients according to your taste preferences.
2. In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, assorted vegetables, sliced avocado, and thinly sliced red onion.
3. Add the cooked chicken breast to the salad bowl.
4. Drizzle the homemade dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
5. If desired, sprinkle nuts, seeds, and crumbled feta cheese over the salad for extra flavor and texture.
6. Serve the chopped power salad with chicken immediately as a satisfying and nutritious meal.
4. Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan
Mom’s Skillet Pasta is a timeless favorite that brings together succulent chicken, fresh spinach, and zesty lemon for a comforting meal the whole family will love. Plus, it’s ready in no time!
Certainly! Here’s the recipe for Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan:
Ingredients:
8 oz (225g) whole wheat pasta
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1 lemon, juiced and zested
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the garlic, along with the spinach leaves and lemon zest. Toss everything together until the spinach is wilted.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and squeeze the lemon juice over the pasta and chicken. Toss to combine.
6. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss again until everything is well coated.
7. Remove the skillet from the heat and serve the Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan immediately.
5. Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes & Broccolini
For a fuss-free dinner with minimal cleanup, look no further than this sheet-pan wonder. Crispy chicken thighs, roasted sweet potatoes, and tender broccolini make for a balanced and flavorful meal.
Certainly, here’s the recipe for Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes & Broccolini:
Ingredients:
Chicken thighs
Sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Broccolini
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Optional: garlic powder, paprika, dried herbs (such as thyme or rosemary)
Steps:
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Arrange the chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and broccolini on a large sheet pan.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken, sweet potatoes, and broccolini. Season everything generously with salt and pepper. If desired, sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, or dried herbs over the ingredients for extra flavor.
4. Use your hands to toss everything together, ensuring that the chicken, sweet potatoes, and broccolini are evenly coated with oil and seasoning.
5. Spread the ingredients out in a single layer on the sheet pan, making sure there’s space between each piece of chicken and vegetable.
6. Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C) and the sweet potatoes are tender, with crispy edges.
7. Once cooked, remove the sheet pan from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
8. Serve the sheet-pan chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and broccolini hot, and enjoy your delicious and nutritious meal!
6. Chicken & Cabbage Salad with Nuoc Cham Dressing
Transport your taste buds to Vietnam with this refreshing salad featuring crunchy veggies, fragrant herbs, and juicy chicken tossed in a tangy nuoc cham dressing. It’s a taste sensation that’s sure to delight.
Certainly! Here’s the recipe for Chicken & Cabbage Salad with Nuoc Cham Dressing:
Ingredients:
Cooked chicken breast, shredded or sliced
Green cabbage, thinly sliced
Carrots, grated or julienned
Fresh mint leaves
Fresh cilantro leaves
Thai basil leaves (optional)
Roasted peanuts, chopped (optional)
Nuoc Cham Dressing:
Fish sauce
Lime juice
Garlic, minced
Sugar
Chili pepper, minced
Steps:
1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, sliced cabbage, grated carrots, mint leaves, cilantro leaves, and Thai basil leaves (if using).
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, sugar, and minced chili pepper to make the Nuoc Cham Dressing. Adjust the ingredients to taste, balancing the sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors.
3. Pour the Nuoc Cham Dressing over the salad ingredients and toss until well combined.
4. Garnish the salad with chopped roasted peanuts (if desired).
5. Serve the Chicken & Cabbage Salad immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
7. Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry
Get ready to wok and roll with this quick and easy stir-fry featuring juicy chicken, crisp broccoli, and a savory hoisin sauce. It’s a weeknight winner that’s bursting with flavor in every bite.
Certainly! Here’s a simplified recipe for Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry:
Ingredients:
Boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
Broccoli florets
Soy sauce
Hoisin sauce
Garlic, minced
Ginger, grated
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Optional: sesame seeds for garnish
Steps:
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet, and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the sliced chicken breast to the skillet and stir-fry until it’s cooked through and no longer pink.
4. Add broccoli florets to the skillet and continue to stir-fry until they are tender-crisp.
5. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce and hoisin sauce together, then pour the sauce over the chicken and broccoli.
6. Stir everything together until the chicken and broccoli are evenly coated with the sauce.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Optional: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the stir-fry for added flavor and garnish.
9. Serve the chicken and broccoli stir-fry hot over cooked rice or noodles.
8. Chicken & Spinach Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing
Indulge in creamy feta goodness with this protein-rich salad that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. Fresh spinach, tender chicken, and a luscious dressing come together for a taste sensation that’s simply irresistible.
Certainly! Here’s the recipe for Chicken & Spinach Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing:
Ingredients:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Fresh spinach leaves
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumber
Red onion
Feta cheese
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Garlic
Salt and pepper
Greek yogurt
Dijon mustard
Honey
Steps:
1. Cook the chicken breasts: Season with salt and pepper, then grill or pan-sear until cooked through. Allow them to cool slightly before slicing.
2. Prepare the salad: In a large bowl, combine fresh spinach leaves, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.
3. Make the creamy feta dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine crumbled feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and honey. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Assemble the salad: Add the sliced chicken to the salad bowl. Drizzle the creamy feta dressing over the salad, tossing gently to coat everything evenly.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy the flavorful combination of tender chicken, fresh spinach, and creamy feta dressing!
