It’s time to change up your bird game. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a dinner savior. Everyone likes them. They cook quickly. And they can be cooked in so many different ways — stuffed, baked, grilled, or in a skillet on the stovetop.
So why do people say they’re boring? Let’s get something straight: They’re not. Chicken breasts are a blank canvas for a zillion different flavors and cultural influences.
Just check out these 26 easy recipes we’ve curated. We hate to brag, but these are total winners.
1. Buffalo chicken
If you’re a fan of Buffalo wings (aren’t we all?), you’ll love this healthier version. Baking chicken tenders on a wire rack lets the breading get brown and crispy. Dip these in Greek yogurt-based “ranch” dressing.
Get the buffalo chicken recipe.
2. Baked lemon chicken
Lemon steals the show in this easy dinner party-worthy dish. You can cook the chicken breasts on a sheet pan — and you know what that means: Add a vegetable (that cooks in 20 minutes) to the pan and you’ve got dinner.
Get the baked lemon chicken recipe.
3. Honey-baked garlic chicken
Honey and garlic?! Yep, we’re so in. Chunks of chicken breast are breaded in panko, baked, and then tossed with an Asian-inspired sweet and spicy sauce of honey, soy, and Sriracha.
Get the honey-baked garlic chicken recipe.
4. The world’s best chicken
It’s a bold claim, but this blogger’s husband backs her up. The chicken breasts bake in a sweet and tangy blend of mustard, maple syrup, and red wine vinegar. Sprinkle with fresh herbs before serving.
Get the world’s best chicken recipe.
5. Baked coconut-crusted chicken
This showstopper will help you pretend you’re in the tropics. Coconut chicken is great on its own, but adding a honey mustard dipping sauce (included in the recipe) makes it even better.
Get the baked coconut-crusted chicken recipe.
6. Mustard-baked chicken tenders
Chicken fingers aren’t just for kids (or for when you get the drunchies). This recipe for healthier baked tenders amps up the flavor with an easy whole-grain mustard sauce. These taste great over rice, quinoa, or salad.
Get the mustard-baked chicken tenders.
7. Baked cayenne-rubbed chicken with avocado salsa
Looking to turn up the heat? This cayenne rub recipe is an awesome way to flip the script on a boring baked chicken dinner. With avocado salsa on top, you can’t go wrong.
Get the baked cayenne-rubbed chicken with avocado salsa recipe.
8. Baked rubbed chicken breasts
Brined chicken breasts are extra juicy. After brining, brush with butter and rub with a simple spice mix. Roasted on high heat, they develop a golden crust and are ready in about 18 minutes.
9. Broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken
This isn’t the boring steamed broccoli you ate as a kid. Here the veggie gets an adult makeover when it’s stuffed into chicken along with mozzarella cheese. With just seven ingredients, this recipe is a snap.
Get the broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken recipe.
10. Herb-Parmesan stuffed chicken
Lots of fresh herbs make all the difference in this super-simple recipe. Cilantro, basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme — feel free to mix and match. Let your garden tell you what to make for dinner.
Get the herb-Parmesan stuffed chicken recipe.
11. Spinach and feta stuffed chicken breasts
This recipe does Popeye proud. Sauté a heap of spinach with onions, garlic, and fresh herbs, and then mix it with feta and protein-rich ricotta. Stuff the chicken, and then bread it with whole-wheat crumbs and bake until golden brown.
Get the spinach and feta stuffed chicken breasts recipe.
12. Pizza-stuffed chicken breasts
Skip the crust and stuff all the best parts into the chicken breast. Surprisingly satisfying, this pizza chicken is awesome on a bed of greens — or on its own. Or with pasta. Just sayin’.
13. Mint-lime grilled chicken breasts
Marinate chicken breasts in lime juice and zest, mint, olive oil, and salt and grill them for 7 minutes per side. How much easier could it be?
Get the mint-lime grilled chicken breasts recipe.
14. Spice-rubbed grilled chicken
This grilled chicken recipe combines lots of spices (paprika, chili powder, cumin, thyme, and garlic powder) for maximum flavor. Just combine the spices, sprinkle over the chicken, grill ’em, and glaze with honey-vinegar sauce.
Get the spice-rubbed grilled chicken recipe.
15. Gai yang Thai grilled chicken
Craving Thai? In this grilled chicken recipe, the breasts marinate in a high-flavor blend of lemongrass paste, fish sauce, garlic, lime, and red chile.
You’ll need to prep ahead of time, since the chicken needs to sit in the marinade for at least 3 hours to soak up all the flavor. Serve over salad or Asian noodles.
Get the gai yang Thai grilled chicken recipe.
16. Greek-style lemon chicken skewers
Citrus and fresh herbs are at the heart of Greek cuisine, and this recipe uses lots rosemary, oregano, and mint in a lemony marinade.
The chicken needs to sit in it for 1-4 hours, so plan ahead. But the grilling will take less than 10 minutes.
Get the Greek-style lemon chicken skewers recipe.
17. Grilled chicken with black bean-mango salsa
Black beans and mango in one dish? You’ll cover a few food groups when protein-rich chicken gets combined with a zesty fruit salsa in this recipe.
It’s quick, too — make the salsa while the chicken sautés for 4-6 minutes. Serve the chicken topped with the salsa.
18. Seared chicken with lemon-herb pan sauce
You won’t have to wash a pile of dishes after making this stovetop chicken. Sear the chicken and make a zesty lemon-herb pan sauce in just 20 minutes. You’re gonna want to lick the plate (go ahead — we’re not looking).
Get the seared chicken with lemon-herb pan sauce recipe.
19. Skillet chicken Parmesan
An alternative to traditional labor-intensive chicken Parm, this version comes together with pantry ingredients on the stove for a 30-minute meal. Rachael Ray would be proud.
Get the skillet chicken Parmesan recipe.
20. Stovetop barbeque chicken
Use your favorite barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade) and a handful of spices for juicy barbecued chicken without the grill.
Get the stovetop barbecue chicken recipe.
21. Healthy Indian butter chicken
No need to order takeout when you can make this Indian favorite right at home. Serve over basmati rice and be amazed that you made dinner before delivery would even have arrived.
Get the healthy Indian butter chicken recipe.
22. Healthy and easy chicken Marsala
This healthier take on the classic Italian dish is packed with the earthy flavor of mushrooms and the sweet richness of Marsala, a fortified wine. The blogger reduces the Marsala sauce twice to create the luscious sauce.
Another great thing about this recipe? It’s ready in about 15 minutes.
Get the healthy and easy chicken Marsala recipe.
23. Garlic basil chicken with tomato butter sauce
Pan-seared chicken breasts add flavor to this quick and easy homemade tomato sauce, which is enriched with butter and seasoned with fresh basil. It tastes oh-so-great over pasta or zoodles.
Get the garlic basil chicken with tomato butter sauce recipe.
24. Jamaican jerk chicken
The taste of this chicken will transport you to the beaches of Jamaica. The distinctive flavor of jerk seasoning comes from a mix of allspice, thyme, sage, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper.
This chicken is broiled rather than grilled (but you can cook it on the grill, if you prefer). Serve with red beans and rice to round out the Jamaican-inspired meal.
Get the Jamaican jerk chicken recipe.
25. The best 4-ingredient chicken marinade
So simple yet so tasty, this marinade will keep chicken breasts juicy while grilling. Who knew brown sugar, vinegar, oil, and soy sauce could produce something this good?
Get the best 4-ingredient chicken marinade recipe.
26. Peri peri beer-soaked chicken
If you like your grilled chicken spicy (and enjoy drinking beer), this recipe is for you. Pick up a peri peri sauce at the store or make your own. Rub it on the chicken and let it marinate in beer (try a hoppy craft pale ale).
