This might not be the most lady like thing I’ve ever said, but sometimes the thought of eating another chicken breast for dinner makes me want to slap myself in the face.
Ok, that might be bit dramatic but do you know what I mean?
I don’t think I’m the only person who feels this way, either. A dietitian friend of mine recently confessed, “shhh, don’t tell anyone, but I can’t stand chicken breasts!” Fear not, my friend, your secret’s safe with me. I mean…us. Right? ;)
The reality though is that boneless skinless chicken breasts are one of the most convenient, healthy, and affordable weeknight dinner staples in many people’s homes, including mine. Ben likes them. Lincoln likes them, and ok, I do too. When they’re done right, that is! I’ve told you a bunch of times that “Boring Chicken” is one of our go-to dinners at home – just garlic salt and pepper-seasoned chicken breasts sauteed then served with mashed potatoes and…
Wow, you know what’s more boring than eating Boring Chicken? TALKING about Boring Chicken!
Which leads me to this – let’s talking about EXCITING healthy chicken breast recipes! Lean chicken breasts truly make a great base to jazz up by stuffing with yummy ingredients, or blanketing under a luscious pan sauce, or, or, or – truly the options are endless.
I’m here today to give you something new and different to do with the pack of chicken breasts that are thawing in the fridge as speak, destined for tonight’s dinner. Throw your plans for them out the window and give one of these fresh and flavorful, healthy chicken breast recipes that are anything but boring a try!
Chicken Power Bowls with Crispy Baked Garbanzo Beans
Chicken Power Bowls with Crispy Baked Garbanzo Beans are a riff on Panera’s Power Bowls and are packed with protein to help you “power” through your day. Get it? Seriously though, between the crispy baked garbanzo beans (which make an excellent snack, by the way!) hard boiled egg, sliced sauteed chicken breast, salty pistachios, and tangy goat cheese – nobody’s going to try to claim they aren’t full after eating one of these babies, plus the combination of flavors and textures will have each bite tasting different than the next.
Leek and Mushroom Chicken Skillet
When there’s no plan for dinner, and I’ve got chicken breasts thawing in the fridge, 80% of the time I’ll make Leek and Mushroom Chicken Skillet with them. I pick leeks and mushrooms up at the store every week in anticipation of making this scrumptious dish because Ben and I are both with obsessed with how quick and delicious it is. Occasionally I’ll even skip the flour coating, and/or use basil instead of tarragon, and it still comes out perfectly every time. We literally lick our plates clean!
Grilled Caprese Chicken with Basil Vinaigrette
Come out, come out, wherever you are, summer! Grilled Caprese Chicken with Basil Vinaigrette is a dream in the summertime, or anytime you’re looking for a fresh and healthy meal, really. The classic Caprese combination of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic vinegar reduction are wickedly delicious in this easy yet stunning recipe using chicken breasts.
Maple Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad
Plain ol’ chicken breasts are pumped up in the flavor department in Maple Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad. This recipe was inspired by my love for TGI Friday’s back in high school when they had this delectable salad on the menu (and I weighed 10 pounds less – sigh!) The crunch of pecans and slightly sweet taste from the maple syrup in the crust makes this healthy chicken salad taste anything but ordinary.
Chick-fil-A Bites with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
I recently made these copycat Chick fil A Bites with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce and man oh MAN I’d forgotten how delicious they are! Seriously, crazy addicting. I actually intended to make them to freeze for Lincoln (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it…) but Ben and I ended up eating the entire batch. Baha! #literallyzeroregrets I guess I don’t know if you could call these “healthy”, but seeing as how I can pronounce everything in the ingredient list, which I can’t say about the restaurant’s version, I’m stickin’ with ’em.
Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Stuffed Chicken
Cutting a pocket into chicken breasts then stuffing them with delicious ingredients is a super simple way to make boring chicken breasts, well, not boring. Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Stuffed Chicken is ridiculously easy to make yet tastes great, and looks impressive, too.
Creamy Chicken and Herb Skillet
Creamy Chicken and Herb Skillet has been blowing up on Pinterest lately and I know exactly why – it takes just 15 minutes to make and tastes absolutely luscious, too.
Roasted Garlic Chicken Skillet
Plain chicken breasts are imparted with deep flavor from pan-roasted garlic cloves in Roasted Garlic Chicken Skillet. Paired with mashed potatoes, this healthy chicken recipe feels special enough for Sunday dinner, but can be easily made any night of the week.
Chicken with Cherry Wine Pan Sauce
I didn’t know how the recipe for Chicken with Cherry Wine Pan Sauce was going to turn out the first time I made it, but luckily it was even better than I imagined. No need to pit fresh cherries for this simple, one-skillet supper – frozen pitted sweet cherries do the work for you!
Apple Cheddar Stuffed Chicken with Apple Dijon Pan Sauce
Apple Cheddar Stuffed Chicken with Apple Dijon Pan Sauce is a dish Ben came up with after raiding the refrigerator for something to make for dinner. It is SO, SO good. Like, stupid-good – I love the combination of fresh flavors. Try it!
This is an excellent list! I will be making a lot of these ? I’ve done some already! Homemade always tastes better.
My husband and I live in France, and we, too, travel a lot. I’ve been trying to economize by cooking at homemade often. I just saw some delectable-looking frozen cherries at our local supermarket, so will be going back there today to pick some up for the chicken with cherries! I’ll be trying several more of these recipes as well.Thanks!
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These are all really great ideas! I’m with you. Chicken can be so boring but when it is done right I absolutely love it!
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Another great recipe. can’t wait for it tooooooo.
Thanks for sharing your recipes for chicken breasts! Great ideas. Just recently found your blog. Fun to read another Iowans adventures!
http://www.theginghamapron.com
Delicious recipes, love the photography!
Alice
yummy yummy
Yum! Thanks!
Thanks for the recipes. My husband is tired of the boring old chicken. This will spice things up a bit.