53 Chicken Breast Recipes for Flavorful, Juicy (Yes, Juicy) Dinners
Skinless, boneless chicken breasts don’t entirely deserve their bad reputation. When prepared well, this lean protein can be downright succulent—and our best chicken breast recipes are here to prove it. A veritable weeknight savior, chicken breast (whether bone-in or -out) is a blank canvas, ready to soak in the flavor of any bold sauce, stew, or marinade. And the boneless variety is as quick and easy to prep as it is versatile. Need to warm your bones? Settle in to a pot of White Chicken Chili. Too hot to cook? Cool off with a bowl of tangy, cold soba noodles with shredded chicken. Craving comfort food? Allow our riffs on chicken Alfredo and pot pie to soothe your soul. One thing’s for sure: These chicken breast recipes will keep you coming back for more.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce1/53Juiciest Grilled Chicken Breast With Citrus Marinade
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/53Khao Phat Kai (Fried Rice With Chicken)
The key to this Thai rendition of chicken fried rice is allowing the fish sauce, chile, and garlic dipping sauce to meld for a few hours. Given time, the flavors mellow and marry, creating a punchy, spicy, dynamic sauce for the dish.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne6/53Crispy Curried Chicken Cutlets With a Lot of Cabbage
Paying homage to the classic combination of Japanese curry and tonkatsu, this recipe from cookbook author Eric Kim incorporates curry powder into the crispy chicken’s breading and seasoning.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne7/53Kung Pao Chicken
Some people choose to eat the dried chiles along with the chicken in this classic Chinese chicken recipe; others suck the sauce off the chiles and set them aside. If you’re unsure of your heat tolerance, remove them to enjoy in your next chicken stir-fry.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Greg Lofts9/53Shiromi Wasabi Yaki (Grilled Chicken Breast Skewers With Wasabi)
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Frances Boswell10/53Liu Shaokun's Spicy Buckwheat Noodles With Chicken
Photo by Sarah Leung and Kaitlin Leung11/53Hand-Shredded Chicken
This traditional Chinese dish strikes the perfect balance of spicy and saucy. It’s best served cold, making it an ideal picnic dish.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Greg Lofts12/53Sasami no Ume-shiso (Grilled Chicken Tenders With Ume and Shiso)
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert15/53Negima (Grilled Chicken Skewers With Green Onion)
Skewered in near-equal proportions and brushed with a savory-sweet basting sauce, chicken (both thighs and breast, or opt for just one) and green onion make a wonderfully smoky duo in this yakitori dish.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou17/53Pan-Fried Chicken and Cabbage Dumplings
Learn how to make the best chicken dumplings from Wilson Tang, owner of the iconic dim sum restaurant Nom Wah.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kate Buckens18/53Cashew Chicken
Coating cubes of chicken in cornstarch before cooking them gives the meat a golden crust and helps thicken the oyster-sauce-fortified glaze.
Photo by Caleb Adams, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog19/53Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup With Bean and Cheese Nachos
Enriched by smoky chipotles and brightened with fresh lime juice, this weeknight-friendly chicken soup is ready in just 22 minutes. Top with a dollop of sour cream for velvety richness.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini20/5310-Minute Chicken Flatbreads With Hummus and Yogurt
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova21/53Chicken Paillards With Schmaltz Bread Salad
Pounding a skinless, boneless chicken breast into thin cutlets allows for more even cooking and a quicker turnaround. For extra flavor, sear it in rendered chicken fat, then use that same fat to toast croutons for a crispy, delicious topping. Or serve over mashed potatoes with an easy pan sauce.
Photo by Alex Maeland22/53Yardbird’s Green Miso Chicken Breast Skewers
Inspired by pesto, the “green miso” that flavors these chicken kebabs is a blend of basil, parsley, pine nuts, and more. The fresh, herbal pop it provides is just what summer calls for.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton23/53Tandoori Chicken Bowls
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone24/53Mango-Chutney Chicken With Roasted Carrots And Zucchini
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson27/53Sheet-Pan Chicken With Tomatoes and Mozzarella
For a fresh take on classic Italian American flavors, combine juicy grape tomatoes, skinless, boneless chicken breasts, and fresh mozzarella on a sheet pan or in a baking dish. Top with onion, oregano, and pepperoncini and call it “pizza” chicken. It might be simple, but we’d happily put this baked chicken breast recipe on the menu every single week.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich28/53Sweet and Sour Chicken
Recreate a take-out classic with this recipe from cookbook author J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. Soy sauce, ketchup, and canned pineapple juice make a bold, fragrant sauce to coat the velveted chicken.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich29/53Instant Pot Chicken Rendang
Skip the hours-long cook time by using the Instant Pot to make this hands-off rendition of chicken rendang, complete with the kind of spice that feels like a big hug.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone30/53Quick Chicken Tikka Masala
This easy dinner idea turns a beloved Indian take-out classic into a dish anyone can pull off, faster than it takes to wait for delivery.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson31/53Simple One-Skillet Chicken Alfredo Pasta
The chicken, sauce, and pasta for this dish all cook in the same pan. Once you’ve added this one to the rotation, explore more of our favorite one-pan meals.
Photo by Vanessa Tierney32/53Lime-Cilantro Chicken and Broccoli
Chicken and broccoli may not sound too exciting, but the right marinade and dipping sauce transform these basics into something truly special. Use the leftovers in tacos or burritos for on-the-go lunches.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone34/5322-Minute Coconut Chicken Curry
Brighten store-bought curry powder with fresh ginger and garlic for this quick-cooking chicken breast recipe. Don’t skip the cashew-mustard seed tadka, which brings a nutty, warm finish.
Photo by Philip Haynes36/53Mexican-Style Spicy Sweet Potato and Chicken Bowl
This easy weeknight dinner pairs sautéed chicken with coconut-oil-rubbed and roasted sweet potatoes. Finish the bowls with avocado, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and any other toppings you please.
Photo by Jason Varney38/53Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers With Toum Garlic Sauce
The yogurt marinade in this grilling recipe makes for the most tender, succulent chicken. As for the sauce: If you haven’t tried toum, get ready to meet your garlic-loaded new best friend.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone39/53Quick Sesame Chicken With Broccoli
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Molly Baz40/533-Ingredient Chicken Breasts Stuffed With Ham and Cheese
You’ll have your hands free for about 15 minutes while the stuffed chicken breasts finish in the oven—enough time to whip together an arugula salad with a Dijon dressing to serve alongside.
Andrew Purcell, food styling by Rhoda Boone41/53Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Cutlets With Cauliflower Purée and Arugula
Photo by Stephen Hamilton42/53Chicken and Root Vegetable Pot Pie
These savory chicken pot pies are stuffed with sweet potatoes, parsnips, and celery root for a satisfying, comforting meal.
Kano Okada43/53Chicken Fajitas
A quick dip in a garlicky marinade gives juicy chicken breasts a boost of flavor. A blowtorch makes quick work of warming a big batch of tortillas.
Photo by Susan Bell44/53Poached Chicken, Crunchy Vegetables, and Herb Dressing
While making this chicken salad, poach a few extra chicken breasts to save for another dinner later in the week. This recipe works with chicken thighs too.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone45/53Stir-Fried Chicken With Black Beans
The easiest way to upgrade chicken stir-fry? Add funky, umami-rich fermented black bean sauce, either homemade or store-bought.
Jennifer Causey47/53Breaded Chicken Cutlets (aka Grandma Jody's Chicken)
This simple breaded chicken has proven to be a real lifesaver for cookbook author Jenny Rosenstrach. It’s the kind of toss-it-together weeknight dinner every cook needs in their back pocket.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Mariana Velasquez50/53Easy General Tso's Chicken
Coated in a shiny mixture of soy sauce, honey, sriracha, and rice vinegar, this is a quick, non-breaded rendition of the spicy take-out classic. It’s best served with rice or noodles.
51/53Chicken Marsala
Coat golden, pan-seared chicken cutlets in a silky sauce made from mushrooms and—you guessed it—Marsala wine. This earthy, subtly sweet Italian classic makes for a cozy date night at home.
Photo by Marge Perry52/53Deconstructed Chicken Caesar Salad
Ready in less than 20 minutes, this quick meal has all the elements of a classic Caesar salad, plus mustardy roasted chicken to make it a full meal.
