21 Healthy Baked Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (2024)

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21 Healthy Baked Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (1)

ByChristina Herbst

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Nov. 24, 2023

    Healthy baked chicken recipes make for a nutritious, delicious and easy-to-fix dinner that the whole family will love. Here are 21 delicious ways that go beyond using a seasoning blend.

    1/20

    Bruschetta Chicken

    We enjoy serving this tasty chicken bruschetta to both family and to company. It just might become your new favorite way to use up tomatoes and basil. —Carolin Cattoi-Demkiw, Lethbridge, Alberta

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    2/20

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    Baked Chicken Chimichangas

    I developed this quick and easy recipe through trial and error. I used to garnish it with sour cream, too, but I eliminated it in order to lighten the recipe. My friends all love it when I cook these chimichangas, and they’re much healthier than deep-fried. —Rickey Madden, Clinton, South Carolina

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    3/20

    Kabobless Chicken and Vegetables

    As the primary caregiver for my grandma, I am trying to cook healthier for her. I am fascinated with Mediterranean cuisine. It is much easier to have chicken and vegetables off the kabob, which inspired this sheet-pan dinner. —Chelsea Madren, Fullerton, California

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    4/20

    Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

    This one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

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    5/20

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    Spicy Chicken Pumpkin Pizza

    Think pizza and pumpkin can’t go together? This chicken pumpkin pizza will change your mind. The sweetness of the pumpkin paired with the spice of the chipotle peppers makes for a delicious, balanced sauce. I love that this recipe incorporates healthy ingredients in a fun, family-friendly way. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

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    6/20

    Deviled Chicken Thighs

    I make this dish when I invite my next-door neighbor over for supper. It’s just enough for the two of us. The tasty chicken is tender and moist with a bit of crunch from the cashews. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

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    7/20

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    Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with Potatoes

    This is a meal I have my students make in our nutrition unit. It has a delicious lemon-herb flavor and is simple to make. —Mindy Rottmund, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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    8/20

    Oven-Fried Chicken Drumsticks

    This fabulous recipe uses Greek yogurt to create an amazing marinade that makes the chicken incredibly moist. No one will guess that it has been lightened up and is not even fried! — Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio

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    9/20

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    Parmesan Chicken with Artichoke Hearts

    I’ve liked the chicken and artichoke combo for a long time. Here’s my own lemony twist. With all the praise it gets, this dinner is so much fun to serve. —Carly Giles, Hoquiam, Washington

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    10/20

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    This recipe is foolproof and well worth the prep time. Kids love the sweetness of the honey, and I serve the slaw on the side so my vegetarian friends can enjoy it, too.—Karen Norris, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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    11/20

    Sheet-Pan Chicken Curry Dinner

    This sheet-pan chicken curry is a quick way to get a meal on the table without fuss. Everyone loves it, and it’s healthy to boot! Serve it with a side of jasmine rice. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

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    12/20

    Baked Salsa Chicken

    My husband and I prefer our food a little spicier than our children do, so I created this baked salsa chicken recipe just for the two of us. It’s now a regular menu item at our house. —Jan Cooper, Troy, Alabama

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    13/20

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    Artichoke Ratatouille Chicken

    I loaded all the fresh produce I could find into this speedy chicken dinner. Serve it on its own or over pasta. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana

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    14/20

    Enchilada Chicken

    We enjoy Southwestern flavors and this six-ingredient recipe never gets boring. The chicken sizzles in the skillet before getting baked and comes out tender and juicy every time. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

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    15/20

    When I became a new mother, my mom helped me find comforting and simple recipes to have on hand. This terrific roast chicken is a happy discovery. —Sara Eilers, Surprise, Arizona

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    16/20

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    Curried Chicken Meatball Wraps

    My strategy to get picky kids to eat healthy: Letting everyone assemble their dinner at the table. We love these easy meatball wraps, topped with crunchy veggies and peanuts, sweet raisins, and a creamy dollop of yogurt. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia

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    17/20

    Crunchy Herbed Chicken Breasts

    This Italian dish is out of this world. I’m always getting requests to make it for family and friends. —Lucia Johnson, Massena, New York. If you like this recipe, then learn how to make oven-fried chicken breast.

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    18/20

    My family loves this dish! There’s nothing better than oven baked boneless chicken thighs for dinner. It looks and tastes like you fussed, but it is really simple to make. These roasted chicken thighs use healthy olive oil and fresh herbs from my garden. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire

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    19/20

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    Chicken-Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers

    Here’s a different take on traditional stuffed peppers. I substituted chicken for the beef and used Cubanelle peppers in place of the green peppers that are usually featured in such a dish. —Ron Burlingame, Canton, Ohio

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    20/20

    Baked Caesar Chicken

    Easy, fast to fix and delicious, this meal maker is a winner! —Kirsten Norgaard, Astoria, Oregon

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    Originally Published: January 07, 2022

    Author

    Christina Herbst

    Christina is a Social Media Editor for Taste of Home. She enjoys trying out local restaurants and coffeehouses and adding copious amounts of garlic and cheese to any recipe she can get her hands on. In her free time, you can find her hunting down one-of-a-kind furniture pieces at thrift and vintage stores and DIYing trendy home decor crafts.

    Read More

    21 Healthy Baked Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (21)

    21 Healthy Baked Chicken Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the healthiest thing to cook chicken with? ›

    Poached Chicken

    Poaching is great because it adds virtually no fat to your food, yet yields subtle flavour and moisture. To poach your chicken, add your ingredients (chicken and any other vegetables, aromatics, and spices you like) to a skillet or pot, and add a cooking liquid such as broth, wine, or coconut milk.

    How healthy is oven baked chicken? ›

    Baking your chicken is a great weeknight dinner option, especially if you're trying to lose weight. In addition to being low in fat and calories, baked chicken is rich in important nutrients.

    How do you cook chicken breast in the oven so it doesn't dry? ›

    The secret? The parchment paper method. By covering the chicken with a piece of parchment paper, the chicken bastes in its own juices so they never dry out. It's basically a cross between braising and roasting and is sure to become one of your new favorite ways to cook chicken.

    Is baked chicken healthy for weight loss? ›

    To cook chicken for your weight loss diet, you can opt for chicken salad, soup, grilled chicken and baked chicken. It is best to avoid frying, as it may increase its calories. The protein in chicken helps keep you full for longer and curbs your hunger. Moreover, its low calories allow you to lose weight effectively.

    What is the best chicken to eat to lose weight? ›

    The chicken breast is lean and has the most protein by weight, making it ideal for people who want to lose weight, maintain muscle mass and improve recovery. Fattier cuts like the thigh, drumstick and wings have more calories, which make them better for people wanting to build muscle or gain weight.

    Is it OK to eat baked chicken everyday? ›

    Chicken is a healthy food (as long as it's poached, baked or grilled), but that doesn't mean you should eat it every single day. As both dietitians have explained, eating a wide variety of foods is the best way to give your body the nutrients it needs. It will make your meals a lot more exciting too!

    Is rotisserie chicken as healthy as baked chicken? ›

    A rotisserie chicken will have similar nutrients to one you roast,” says Allers. “Similar protein, iron. The main difference is the amount and type of any additives.” Some stores “inject the chickens with a solution, which might contain added salt, sugar, various natural flavorings,” Allers explains.

    What is the healthiest chicken to eat? ›

    In general, skinless chicken breast is considered one of the healthiest cuts of chicken. It is low in fat and calories, yet high in protein and essential nutrients such as vitamins B6 and B12, niacin, and phosphorus.

    Do you get more protein from eggs or chicken? ›

    Eggs and chicken are both high-quality animal protein sources, with a high Biological Value (BV). The main factor separating them is that chicken — particular skinned chicken breast — is a much more protein-dense food, whereas eggs are more of a “complete” food, containing plenty of fat as well.

    Is air fryer chicken healthy? ›

    Air fryers may be better for you than deep fryers, but they're only as healthy as the food you put inside. They won't magically remove the saturated fat from bacon or the trans fats from a bag of processed chicken wings. To reap the benefits, reach for better-for-you options like vegetables and lean proteins.

    How to eat chicken in a healthy way? ›

    According to the American Diabetes Association:
    1. Choose chicken without the skin for less saturated fat and cholesterol.
    2. Healthy preparation options include broiling, baking, roasting, steaming, or grilling foods.

    Should you cover chicken when baking in the oven? ›

    Larger cuts, such as whole chickens or bone-in pieces, often benefit from covered baking to ensure thorough and even cooking. Smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or tenders, can be baked uncovered for quick results. Lastly, think about the desired texture and flavor you're trying to achieve.

    Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400? ›

    You can roast or bake anywhere between 325 and 450 degrees F. When roasting a whole chicken, a nice rule of them is to start at 400 to 425 degrees F and then turn the oven down to 350 after 15 minutes and cook until the internal temp of the chicken is 165 – 175 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.

    What keeps chicken moist when baking? ›

    Brine. Like a marinade, a brine helps chicken breast soak up as much moisture as possible before cooking. It only requires three ingredients: water, salt, and a pinch of sugar.

    What is the healthiest food for a chicken? ›

    Good choices include leafy greens, cooked beans, corn, non-sugary cereals and grains, berries, apples and most other fruits and vegetables. Despite often voracious appetites and a willingness to eat just about anything you might give them, there are some foods to be avoided.

    What type of cooked chicken is healthy? ›

    In terms of calorie and fat content, boiled chicken is the healthier option. However, the seasoning and cooking method used for rotisserie chicken can add flavor and convenience to your meals. If you are looking to maintain a healthy diet, boiled chicken is the better choice.

    What is the healthiest thing to fry chicken in? ›

    Benefits: Coconut oil has high levels of lauric acid and healthy fats, making it a healthier option for deep frying than other oils.

    Is it healthier to steam or bake chicken? ›

    Steam Cooking with Meat and Poultry

    In fact, Harvard Medical School recommends steaming as a cooking method for a healthy diet. Preparing meat at extremely high temperatures can increase disease risk due to the formation of compounds, but so can cooking for long periods using methods that cause nutrient loss.

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