13 Chicken Breast Dinners So Juicy You Will Never Eat Dry Chicken Again
Chicken breast is the most popular protein in America, but let us be honest: it is also the one most often cooked dry and boring. The good news is that a few simple tricks change everything. Pound it even, do not overcook it, and give it a great sauce, crust or marinade. These chicken breast dinners are juicy, full of flavor and easy enough for any weeknight, from sticky honey garlic to crispy cutlets to creamy mushroom chicken. Your family is about to ask for seconds..
Perfect Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast
Before we get to the fancy chicken breast dinners, let us master the basics. The secret to juicy grilled chicken is a quick brine or marinade, an even thickness and a good thermometer. Pull it off the heat at 160F and let it rest, and it will climb to a safe 165F while staying moist. Serve it with roasted potatoes and a salad for a simple, healthy dinner. Do you own a meat thermometer yet?
You will need: Need: 4 chicken breasts, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, roasted potatoes to serve.
How to make it: Steps: Pound chicken to an even 3/4 inch thickness. Mix oil, lemon, garlic and spices and marinate the chicken 30 minutes. Grill over medium high heat 5 to 7 minutes per side until it reaches 160F. Rest 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken
Sweet, sticky and garlicky, this is the chicken everyone fights over. Bite size pieces of chicken breast get a light coating of cornstarch so they turn golden, then they are tossed in a glossy honey, soy and garlic sauce. It tastes like takeout but costs far less and is ready in 20 minutes. Serve it over rice with steamed broccoli. Are you a sesame seeds on top person?
You will need: Need: 1.5 lb chicken breast in cubes, 3 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp oil, 4 cloves garlic minced, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp ginger, sesame seeds, green onions, rice.
How to make it: Steps: Toss chicken in cornstarch with a pinch of salt. Fry in oil until golden and cooked, 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic for 30 seconds. Stir in honey, soy, vinegar and ginger and simmer 2 minutes until sticky. Top with sesame seeds and green onions.
Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast
Stuffed chicken breast looks like restaurant food, but it is easy to make at home. Each breast is cut into a pocket and filled with creamy spinach, garlic and melty cheese. As it bakes, the filling keeps the chicken moist. Slice it open and the cheese oozes out. It is one of the best chicken breast dinners for date night or Sunday supper. What cheese would you stuff inside?
You will need: Need: 4 chicken breasts, 4 oz cream cheese softened, 1 cup chopped spinach, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, olive oil, salt, pepper.
How to make it: Steps: Mix cream cheese, spinach, mozzarella and garlic. Cut a deep pocket into each breast and fill. Secure with toothpicks. Rub with oil and spices. Sear 2 minutes per side, then bake at 400F for 18 to 22 minutes until the chicken reaches 165F.
Easy Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken cordon bleu was a fancy dinner party dish in the 1960s and 1970s, and it is still a crowd pleaser. Chicken breast is wrapped around ham and Swiss cheese, coated in crispy breadcrumbs and baked until golden. A quick Dijon cream sauce on top makes it extra special. It feels vintage in the best way. Did your mom or grandma ever make this one?
You will need: Need: 4 thin chicken breast cutlets, 4 slices ham, 4 slices Swiss cheese, 1 cup panko, 1/2 cup flour, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 cup cream, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, salt, pepper.
How to make it: Steps: Lay ham and cheese on each cutlet and roll up tightly. Dip in flour, egg and panko mixed with butter. Bake seam side down at 400F for 25 to 30 minutes. Simmer cream and Dijon 3 minutes for sauce and spoon over the top.
Chicken Tikka Skewers
For chicken breast dinners with a smoky twist, chicken breast soaks up a yogurt marinade with garlic, ginger, garam masala and paprika, then cooks on skewers until smoky and charred at the edges. The yogurt keeps the lean meat juicy. Serve the skewers with rice, naan and a cool cucumber raita. You can grill them outside or broil them in the oven. Quick poll: A) Grill B) Oven C) Air fryer. Which would you use tonight?
You will need: Need: 2 lb chicken breast in cubes, 1 cup plain yogurt, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 tsp garam masala, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1 lemon, salt, red onion and peppers, skewers.
How to make it: Steps: Mix yogurt, garlic, ginger, spices, lemon juice and salt. Add chicken and marinate at least 1 hour. Thread onto skewers with onion and peppers. Grill or broil on high 10 to 12 minutes, turning, until charred and cooked through.
Blackened Chicken Breast
Blackened chicken is a Louisiana style trick: chicken breast is coated in a bold spice mix, then seared in a very hot pan until it forms a dark, flavorful crust. It is not burnt, just packed with smoky flavor. It is low in carbs, high in protein and ready in about 15 minutes. Slice it over salad, rice, pasta or tacos. How do you like your spice level?
You will need: Need: 4 chicken breasts pounded even, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp cayenne, 1 tsp brown sugar, salt, pepper, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp oil.
How to make it: Steps: Mix all the spices. Pat chicken dry and coat it well. Heat oil and butter in a cast iron pan until very hot. Cook the chicken 5 to 6 minutes per side until dark and the inside reaches 165F. Rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Balsamic Chicken and Strawberry Salad
Who says salad cannot be dinner? Grilled balsamic chicken breast slices sit on a big bed of greens with sweet strawberries, mushrooms, nuts and a little cheese. The tangy balsamic glaze ties it all together. It is fresh, colorful and filling enough for a light dinner, and it is one of the healthiest chicken breast dinners on this list. What would you add: goat cheese, feta or blue cheese?
You will need: Need: 2 chicken breasts, 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 2 cloves garlic, 6 cups mixed greens, 1 cup strawberries sliced, 1 cup mushrooms, 1/4 cup pecans, 1/4 cup goat cheese.
How to make it: Steps: Whisk balsamic, oil, honey and garlic. Marinate chicken in half for 30 minutes. Grill or pan cook 6 to 7 minutes per side. Simmer the other half until thick for a glaze. Slice chicken over the greens and toppings and drizzle with glaze.
Creamy Mushroom Chicken
This is pure comfort in a skillet, and one of the coziest chicken breast dinners. Golden chicken breasts simmer in a creamy sauce with mushrooms, garlic, thyme and a little parmesan. The sauce is so good you will want something to soak it up, like mashed potatoes, rice or crispy fries. It all comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes. It is the dinner that makes picky eaters go quiet. Mashed potatoes or rice under yours?
You will need: Need: 4 chicken breasts, 2 tbsp butter, 8 oz mushrooms sliced, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp thyme, 1/2 cup chicken stock, 3/4 cup cream, 1/3 cup parmesan, salt, pepper, parsley.
How to make it: Steps: Season chicken and sear in butter 5 to 6 minutes per side, then set aside. Cook mushrooms until browned, add garlic and thyme. Pour in stock and cream and simmer 3 minutes. Stir in parmesan, return chicken and simmer until it reaches 165F.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast
A crunchy, cheesy crust makes plain chicken breast exciting again. A mix of parmesan and panko is pressed on top with a thin layer of mayo or mustard to help it stick. It bakes until golden and crispy while the chicken stays juicy. Serve with green beans and a lemon wedge for one of the easiest chicken breast dinners you will ever make. Would your kids eat this one?
You will need: Need: 4 chicken breasts, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1/2 cup panko, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 3 tbsp mayonnaise or Dijon, salt, pepper, lemon, green beans.
How to make it: Steps: Heat oven to 425F. Season chicken and spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on top. Mix parmesan, panko, garlic powder and seasoning and press onto the chicken. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until golden and 165F inside. Serve with green beans and lemon.
Baked Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Game day food can be dinner too, and these tenders are fun chicken breast dinners. Strips of chicken breast are breaded and baked until crispy, then tossed in tangy buffalo sauce. Serve them with celery, carrots and blue cheese or ranch dressing. You get all the fun of wings with less mess and more meat. Quick poll: A) Ranch B) Blue cheese C) Both, I cannot choose.
You will need: Need: 1.5 lb chicken breast in strips, 1 cup panko, 1/2 cup flour, 2 eggs, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 cup hot sauce, 3 tbsp melted butter, celery, carrots, ranch or blue cheese dressing.
How to make it: Steps: Coat chicken in flour, then egg, then panko mixed with garlic powder. Bake on a rack at 425F for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once. Mix hot sauce and butter and toss the tenders in it. Serve with vegetables and dressing.
Crispy Panko Chicken Cutlets
Thin chicken cutlets with a golden panko crust are a weeknight lifesaver. Pounding the breast thin means it cooks in just a few minutes and stays tender. Fry them in a little oil or bake them on a rack. Serve with rice and a quick salad, or slice them into sandwiches the next day. This is one of those chicken breast dinners you will make on repeat.
You will need: Need: 2 large chicken breasts sliced and pounded thin, 1/2 cup flour, 2 eggs, 1.5 cups panko, 1/4 cup parmesan, 1 tsp garlic powder, salt, pepper, oil for frying, lemon.
How to make it: Steps: Season the cutlets. Dip in flour, then beaten egg, then panko mixed with parmesan and garlic powder. Fry in 1/4 inch hot oil 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on a rack and serve with lemon.
Butter Chicken Made With Chicken Breast
Butter chicken is one of the most loved Indian dishes around the world, and it works great with chicken breast. The chicken is marinated, browned and simmered in a mild, creamy tomato sauce with butter and warm spices. It is rich but not too spicy, so kids usually love it. Serve with basmati rice and naan to scoop up the sauce. Looking for more? Try these family favorite ground beef dinners.
You will need: Need: 2 lb chicken breast in chunks, 1/2 cup yogurt, 2 tsp garam masala, 3 tbsp butter, 1 onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp ginger, 1 can tomato puree, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 3/4 cup cream, cilantro, rice, naan.
How to make it: Steps: Marinate chicken in yogurt and half the garam masala for 30 minutes. Brown in 1 tbsp butter and set aside. Cook onion, garlic and ginger in the rest of the butter. Add tomato and spices and simmer 10 minutes, then blend. Stir in cream, return chicken and simmer 10 minutes.
Greek Lemon Chicken Over Salad
Lemon, garlic and oregano are all you need to make chicken breast taste like a Greek island vacation. Marinate it for at least 30 minutes, grill it, and slice it over a big salad with tomato, cucumber, olives and feta. Add warm pita and tzatziki and you have a full meal. It is light, fresh and packed with protein. Would you eat this for dinner or save it for lunch?
You will need: Need: 4 chicken breasts, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 lemons, 4 cloves garlic, 2 tsp dried oregano, salt, pepper, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta, pita, tzatziki.
How to make it: Steps: Whisk oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Marinate chicken 30 minutes to 4 hours. Grill or pan cook 6 to 7 minutes per side until 165F. Rest and slice. Serve over the salad with pita and tzatziki.
