27 Easy & Healthy Chicken Recipes for Dinner (Few Ingredients Only)
If you’re looking for quick, healthy, and delicious chicken recipes with minimal ingredients, you’re in the right place! Here’s a list of 27 recipes that focus on nutritious, high-protein chicken dishes designed for both men and women who want to eat well without the hassle. Let’s dive into these simple yet delightful recipes!
Why Chicken? The Health Benefits of Eating Chicken
- High Protein: Chicken breast contains around 31 grams of protein per 100 grams, making it ideal for muscle repair and growth.
- Low Fat: Lean cuts, like chicken breast, have lower fat content, keeping your meals light.
- Packed with Vitamins: Chicken is rich in B vitamins, especially B6 and B12, which aid energy production and support the nervous system.
1. Garlic Lemon Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breast, garlic, lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Marinate chicken breast in garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Sear in a hot pan until golden, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
- Tip: Squeeze fresh lemon before serving for extra zest.
- Calories: Around 250 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 28g per serving.
2. Honey Mustard Baked Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken thighs, honey, mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Mix honey and mustard in a bowl.
- Rub onto chicken thighs, season with salt and pepper.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes.
- Tip: Use Dijon mustard for a stronger flavor.
- Calories: 300 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 26g per serving.
3. Spicy Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breast, Greek yogurt, chili powder, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Mix yogurt with chili powder, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill or bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Unique Insight: Yogurt tenderizes chicken, making it extra juicy.
- Calories: 280 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 30g per serving.
4. Italian Herb Grilled Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breast, Italian seasoning, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Coat chicken in olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Grill until fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes per side.
- Tip: Add a sprinkle of Parmesan for an Italian touch.
- Calories: 220 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 28g per serving.
5. Easy Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken thighs, soy sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic.
- Instructions:
- Whisk soy sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic.
- Coat chicken and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Fact: This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Calories: 330 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 25g per serving.
6. Simple BBQ Chicken Breasts
Ingredients: Chicken breast, BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Grill and brush BBQ sauce during the last few minutes.
- Tip: Use homemade BBQ sauce to control sugar levels.
- Calories: 260 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 28g per serving.
7. Crispy Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Ingredients: Chicken wings, lemon, pepper, olive oil, salt.
- Instructions:
- Toss wings in lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 30-35 minutes until crispy.
- Calories: 400 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 22g per serving.
8. Basil Pesto Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breast, basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Coat chicken with basil pesto.
- Bake with cherry tomatoes at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Tip: Add a handful of baby spinach for extra greens.
- Calories: 270 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 28g per serving.
9. Sautéed Spinach and Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breast, spinach, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Sauté garlic in olive oil, add chicken, and cook thoroughly.
- Add spinach until wilted and season to taste.
- Calories: 200 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 30g per serving.
10. Simple Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients: Chicken breast, bell peppers, onions, olive oil, salt, pepper, and cumin.
- Instructions:
- Slice chicken, peppers, and onions.
- Sauté with olive oil, salt, pepper, and cumin until chicken is cooked.
- Calories: 290 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 27g per serving.
11. Stuffed Caprese Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Slice chicken to form a pocket, fill with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.
- Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.
- Calories: 320 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 30g per serving.
Unique Tips for Cooking Chicken Healthily
- Use Minimal Oil: Olive or avocado oil adds healthy fats without too many calories.
- Avoid Overcooking: Overcooked chicken can become dry and lose nutritional value.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Herbs like basil, cilantro, or parsley enhance flavors without adding calories.
12. Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Ingredients: Chicken breast, garlic, butter, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté garlic in butter, add chicken, and cook until golden brown.
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Calories: 280 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 29g per serving.
13. Coconut Curry Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breast, coconut milk, curry powder, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Sauté garlic in a pan, add chicken, and cook until golden.
- Add coconut milk and curry powder, simmer until chicken is fully cooked.
- Calories: 340 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 27g per serving.
- Tip: Serve with a side of steamed veggies or quinoa.
14. Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Skewers
Ingredients: Chicken breast, lemon, rosemary, thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Marinate chicken in lemon juice, rosemary, thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Thread onto skewers and grill until cooked through.
- Calories: 250 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 27g per serving.
15. Baked Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients: Chicken breast, marinara sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Top chicken with marinara and cheese.
- Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Calories: 320 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 30g per serving.
16. One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
Ingredients: Chicken breast, balsamic vinegar, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Mix balsamic vinegar and olive oil, toss with chicken and veggies.
- Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.
- Tip: Line the pan with foil for easier cleanup.
- Calories: 300 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 28g per serving.
17. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Chicken breast, Greek yogurt, celery, apple, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Shred cooked chicken and mix with Greek yogurt, chopped celery, and apple.
- Season to taste.
- Calories: 200 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 25g per serving.
18. Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients: Chicken breast, hot sauce, Greek yogurt, lettuce leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Cook chicken with hot sauce and Greek yogurt.
- Serve in lettuce leaves.
- Tip: Use romaine lettuce for crunch.
- Calories: 180 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 27g per serving.
19. Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Chicken breast, avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Mix mashed avocado with Greek yogurt and cilantro.
- Stir in shredded chicken and season to taste.
- Calories: 250 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 26g per serving.
20. Easy Chicken Stir-Fry
Ingredients: Chicken breast, bell peppers, broccoli, soy sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Stir-fry chicken and veggies in olive oil.
- Add soy sauce and cook until done.
- Calories: 290 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 27g per serving.
21. Herbed Garlic Roasted Chicken Thighs
Ingredients: Chicken thighs, garlic, rosemary, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Rub chicken with garlic, rosemary, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast at 400°F for 30-35 minutes.
- Calories: 300 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 25g per serving.
22. Spicy Paprika Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breast, smoked paprika, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Rub chicken with paprika, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
- Calories: 240 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 28g per serving.
23. Italian Chicken and Spinach Sauté
Ingredients: Chicken breast, spinach, garlic, Italian seasoning, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Sauté garlic and Italian seasoning in olive oil, add chicken and cook.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Calories: 220 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 30g per serving.
24. Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients: Chicken drumsticks, lemon, pepper, olive oil, salt.
- Instructions:
- Marinate drumsticks in lemon, pepper, olive oil, and salt.
- Bake at 425°F for 30 minutes.
- Calories: 350 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 26g per serving.
25. Honey Lime Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breast, honey, lime, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Marinate chicken in honey, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Grill or bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
- Calories: 270 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 28g per serving.
26. Easy Tomato Basil Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken breast, canned tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions:
- Sauté garlic and canned tomatoes with basil, add chicken and cook until done.
- Calories: 260 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 28g per serving.
27. Simple Chicken Shawarma
Ingredients: Chicken breast, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and olive oil.
- Instructions:
- Season chicken with spices and olive oil.
- Grill or bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.
- Calories: 290 per serving.
- Protein: Approx. 27g per serving.
These recipes offer diverse, flavorful options for a health-conscious audience, using simple ingredients to make dinner prep easy and stress-free.