This post shares 19 super simple, delicious and healthy chicken recipes that will make dinners a breeze during the week.

There’s nothing like a healthy chicken dinner to satisfy hungry tummies after a busy day, providing delicious taste without compromising on nutrition or time.

I’ve taken inspiration from friends and family to put this list of easy dinner ideas together, helping you to put wholesome meals on the table in no time.

From filling one-pan meals to light, healthy salads, this list includes a range of recipes for everyone. What ties them together? Ease, health, taste and time.

Why Healthy Chicken Recipes are Weeknight Wonders

So why are we focusing on chicken recipes to rescue us for quick dinners during the week? Here’s a few ideas:

• Great source of protein
• Budget friendly
• Cooks quickly
• Naturally lean
• Versatile in terms of pairings and cuisines

From spicy and savory to fresh and zesty, chicken has heaps of potential for every taste, preference and diet.

19 Easy and Healthy Chicken Recipes to Try At Home

So, without further ado, let’s jump into my curated list of healthy dinner ideas, categorized so that you can jump to the ideas most suited to your lifestyle.

One-Pan or Pot Healthy Chicken Recipes

1. Chicken Orzo

Key Ingredients: Orzo, chicken broth, onion, garlic, spinach, parmesan

Prep and Cook Time: 25 – 30 minutes

What better way to make an easy dinner than to throw it in the pot and let the magic happen?

This creamy recipe is protein-packed and bursting with sumptuous flavour. I simply love orzo – especially how quick and simple it is to make.

Better yet, it’s creamy without the cream! The Orzo releases starch that creates the amazing texture without compromising on health.

2. Chicken and Vegetable Skillet

Key Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, herbs

Prep and Cook Time: 45 minutes

I’ve found your new go-to healthy chicken dinner – a super simple one-pot dish that is customizable and nutritious.

Full of vibrant colours and hearty, wholesome flavors, you can prepare this for yourself or easily multiply it to feed a whole family.

Mix-and-match your favorite vegetables, herbs, and seasonings to find a version of this recipe that you and your loved ones can eat again and again.

3. Chicken Burrito Bowl

Key Ingredients: Black beans, brown rice, tomatoes, corn, lime, cilantro

Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes

This bowl of goodness comes together in just 30 minutes and packs a flavorful punch.

Add all your favorite toppings to make it the perfect dish for you – from creamy avocado to Greek yogurt.

This recipe is full of protein and fiber, thanks to the chicken and the beans, making it a great addition to a balanced, healthy diet.

4. White Chicken Chili

Key Ingredients: Beans, corn, lime, broth, chilli

Prep and Cook Time: 45 minutes

This simple recipe can be made on the stove top, slow cooker or instant pot.

You can use leftover chicken from previous dinners for this, just throw it in the pot alongside the other ingredients and it will become even more succulent.

Serve with avocado and rice to make a wonderful, tasty meal.

5. Chicken Noodle Soup

Key Ingredients: Garlic, onion, celery, carrots, bay leaves, seasoning

Prep and Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

This is the perfect, warming dish to enjoy on a weeknight when you’re looking for no-fuss goodness.

Using cheap ingredients you likely have lying around at home, you can make this in no time.

Enjoy the hearty broth and chewy noodles, getting your nutrients and satisfaction at once.

Comforting Chicken Recipes Made Healthy

6. Baked Chicken Nuggets

Key Ingredients: Bread crumbs, parmesan, paprika, egg

Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes

Who doesn’t love chicken nuggets? Especially for kids, these bite-sized munchies are a common favorite for a reason.

Try this recipe to swap the unhealthy takeaways for homemade, nutritious nuggets that are baked instead of fried.

Perfectly seasoned and juicy, your family will ask for these every week.

7. Creamy Chicken Quinoa and Broccoli Casserole

Key Ingredients: Quinoa, broccoli, cheese, broth, seasoning

Prep and Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Is there anything more warming for the heart than a good casserole?

This is a winter staple in many households, including my own, for good reason.

This casserole recipe is packed with protein through both the chicken and the quinoa, making it super satisfying and good for the body.

8. Cajun Chicken Pasta

Key Ingredients: Cajun seasoning, cream cheese, farfalle pasta, veggies of choice

Prep and Cook Time: 20 minutes

Chicken pasta is a classic dinner that features on dinner tables everywhere – and for good reason!

This recipe gives you all that yummy satisfaction without the dietary implications.

So quick to make, customize and keep in the fridge, give this one a go on your next busy weeknight.

9. BBQ Pulled Chicken

Key Ingredients: Onion, pineapple, tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, seasonings

Prep and Cook Time: 4 hours and 5 minutes

What’s more mouth-watering than slow-cooked, BBQ pulled chicken? Regular recipes tend to be packed with sugar, but not this one!

Swap out the store-bought sauce for this homemade one and eliminate heaps of added sugar.

Tasty and easy to put together in the crock pot or slow cooker, prepare for your home to be filled with an amazing scent of marinating chicken.

10. Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan

Key Ingredients: Parmesan, bread crumbs, seasoning, eggs, marinara

Prep and Cook Time: 20 minutes

I love breaded dishes, especially when they’re draped in parmesan, but deep-frying is not the healthiest cooking method.

Hooray for air-fryers! This recipe delivers the delicious and satisfying crunch without all the oil.

Juicy, simple, and great for all the family. What’s not to love?

Light and Fresh Healthy Chicken Recipes

11. Cilantro Lime Chicken and Rice

Key Ingredients: Cilantro, lime, honey, cumin, avocado

Prep and Cook Time: 40 minutes

I know, I know, cilantro is controversial. But I love it! If you do too, you have to try this dinner dish.

Topped off with the fresh, tangy salsa, this recipe is so delicious you will be making it again and again.

This would also be a great recipe for meal prep – quick to assemble and take away in your Tupperware.

12. Apple and Walnut Chicken Salad

Key ingredients: Mayo, Dijon mustard, celery, cranberries, lemon, paprika

Prep and Cook Time: 10 minutes

Looking for low-carb dinner options? Salads can be a great idea for this – filling, tasty and healthy at once.

The textures in this salad or to die for, with creamy dressing complementing the crisp apples and walnuts.

You can season the chicken to your preference, making it easily customizable too.

13. BLT Chicken Wraps

Key Ingredients: Bacon, tomatoes, celery, onions, lemon, avocado, parsley

Prep and Cook Time: 20 minutes

Maybe you’re on a keto diet, or just looking for something a little lighter. These lettuce wraps will be great for you.

You could opt for Greek yogurt or low-fat mayonnaise to make this even healthier.

Season to taste and enjoy these quick, light and healthy bites.

14. Chicken Quesadillas

Key Ingredients: Bell peppers, cheese, wholewheat tortillas, onion, seasoning

Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes

Try these super quesadillas to quickly put a delicious and healthy chicken dinner on the table.

Packed with lots of vegetables, pair them with a dip of your choice or even pre-make them for lunch boxes.

Have a couple for a light dinner, or load up your plate if you’re feeling particularly hungry!

15. Chinese Chicken Chopped Salad

Key Ingredients: Red cabbage, green cabbage, carrots, cilantro, green onion

Prep and Cook Time: 20 minutes

This recipe has an amazing crunch that really upgrades the salad game, with amazing Asian flavors to boot.

Make dinner easy by simply chopping up all the ingredients and tossing them together.

Like magic, a nutritious, delicious meal is ready!

Quick Healthy Chicken Recipes for Dinner

16. Chicken Terriyaki

Key Ingredients: Honey, low-sodium soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

This is an absolute must-try recipe for busy weeknight dinners, especially if you love Asian flavors.

Keep it healthy and balanced by serving with brown rice and steamed green vegetables of your choice.

With just 15 minutes of prep and cook time and meal prep potential, what’s not to love?

17. Honey Garlic Chicken

Key Ingredients: Rice wine vinegar, carrots, green onions, sesame oil

Prep and Cook Time: 20 minutes

How juicy and tasty does this meal look? I’m salivating!

The perfect touch of sweetness from the honey offsets the honey in this quick and balanced dish.

Serve with fresh veggies or salad, and you’ve got the perfect weeknight healthy chicken dinner on your hands.

18. Jamaican Jerk Chicken Tacos

Key Ingredients: Jerk seasoning, lime, lettuce, whole tortillas, cilantro

Prep and Cook Time: 20 minutes

These tacos are absolutely bursting with flavor, and Jamaican is one of my very favorite cuisines.

Ready to be devoured in just 20 minutes, you can throw these together and enjoy midweek.

Add more veggies or salad to boost their health appeal even more.

19. Air Fryer Chicken Curry

Key Ingredients: Garlic, ginger, curry powder, onion, cream

Prep and Cook Time: 40 minutes

Would you just look at this drool-worthy curry… The best news is you can make it relatively quickly with the help of the trusty air fryer!

You could substitute the heavy cream by stirring in yogurt after cooking, if you’re looking for an even healthier option.

This post covered 19 simple, tasty and healthy chicken recipes that you can try at home for quick dinner ideas.

You May Also Like:

• 27 Easy & Healthy High Protein Snack Ideas That Are Perfect For a Low Calorie Diet
• 22 Tasty & Easy Healthy Bowl Recipes to Eat for Lunch or Dinner Meals

References

Gunnars, Kris. “How Much Protein in Chicken? Breast, Thigh and More.” Healthline, 19 Feb. 2024, www.healthline.com/nutrition/protein-in-chicken. Accessed 6 May 2025.

Charles Alexis, Amber. “What’s the Healthiest Way to Cook Chicken?” Healthline, 22 June 2021, www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthiest-way-to-cook-chicken. Accessed 6 May 2025.

“Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet.” Mayo Clinic, 6 May 2025, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983. Accessed 6 May 2025.