30-Minute Healthy Chicken Recipes

Put chicken on the menu tonight with these quick and easy recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less.


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How to Boil Chicken
How to Bake Chicken Breasts
Kiwi Chicken Tostadas

Crunchy, sweet, spicy, and juicy -- all the things you crave piled high on one tostada. Kiwifruit brings a unique flare to the Mexican-inspired recipe.

Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Grill: 12 mins to 15 mins
Strawberry-Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing

Prepare the chicken breasts the night before and tote them along with the spinach and strawberries for a quick-fix picnic. Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture just before you're ready to eat.

Makes: 4 servings
Start to Finish: 30 mins
How to Boil Chicken

For any recipe that calls for cooked chicken, use this simple method.

Blackened Chicken with Avocado Salsa

Blackened steak seasoning and cumin-seasoned salsa take boneless chicken breast halves south of the border. The salsa comes alive with avocado, papaya, and sweet red pepper, serving as a heart-healthy complement to the zesty bites of blackened chicken.

Makes: 4 servings
Oven: 15 mins 375°F
Start to Finish: 25 mins
Chicken-and-Melon-Stuffed Shells

Give pasta a makeover with these flavorful, jumbo macaroni shells filled with honeydew and cantaloupe. Rich in potassium and vitamin C, melons are low in fat and are cholesterol-free.

Makes: 2 servings
Start to Finish: 25 mins
Asian-Style Chicken and Pasta

The next time you're tempted to get takeout, whip up this low-fat chicken stir-fry made with Chinese egg noodles and a medley of red sweet peppers, snow pea pods, and protein-rich nuts. Add garlic to a bottle of stir-fry sauce to pull this dish together in less than 30 minutes.

Makes: 4 servings
Start to Finish: 25 mins
Sesame Chicken Salad

Orange juice, rice vinegar, and sesame oil flavor this light Asian-inspired chicken salad. Crunchy veggies and toasted sesame seeds complete the lively combination.

Makes: 6 servings
Start to Finish: 20 mins
Fajita-Ranch Chicken Wraps

Red, yellow, and green sweet peppers give chicken strips a colorful twist in this quick-to-fix fajita favorite. Served in a whole wheat tortilla with a sprinkling of cheese and an easy-to-make salsa, these low-fat wraps have loads of flavor.

Makes: 4 servings
Start to Finish: 20 mins
Quick Caribbean Chicken

With a sweet, tangy topping of sweet potatoes, peppers, bananas, and pineapple juice, this chicken dish is filled with flavor and antioxidants. Cook the brown rice while preparing the chicken, and dinner will be served in less than 20 minutes.

Makes: 4 servings
Start to Finish: 25 mins
Honey-Ginger Crusted Chicken

A coating of cornflakes gives chicken all the crunch of its fried cousin without all the fat and calories. Toss the ingredients in 10 minutes, then bake to get this quick, flavorful dish.

Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 10 mins
Bake: 18 mins 350°F
How to Bake Chicken Breasts

The ultimate in healthy chicken recipes. We share our two secrets for juicy baked chicken breasts.

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Shallots

When you want to add something special to dinner, peel and quarter some shallots and toss them into a pan with boneless chicken breast halves. The sweet, caramelized flavor of the shallots adds a pleasing dimension to this super-simple recipe.

Makes: 4 servings
Start to Finish: 20 mins
Summer Chicken and Mushroom Pasta

A smooth sauce of chicken broth and white wine enhances bite-size pieces of chicken and mushroom in this easy-to-make penne pasta dish. Finish it off by tossing in heart-healthy cherry tomatoes and bits of basil and Parmesan cheese.

Makes: 6 servings
Start to Finish: 30 mins
Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Skip the bottled barbecue sauce and whip up your own savory, low-calorie creation for this sandwich. Mix shredded chicken into the sauce, then dish it out on whole wheat hamburger buns for a healthy alternative that's high in protein.

Makes: 6 servings
Yield: Makes 6 sandwiches
Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 7 mins
Southwest Chicken Skillet

When you crave a little Southwestern flair, add some zing to chicken strips with black beans, salsa, zucchini, and corn. Wrap it all up in a warm whole wheat tortilla or enjoy it all on its own.

Makes: 4 servings
Start to Finish: 30 mins
Thai-Style Chicken Pizza

A whole wheat pita round makes a delicious crust for this chicken and vegetable pizza. Bake the rounds before adding the peanut sauce and toppings for a crisp crunch.

Makes: 4 servings
Chicken and Hummus Pitas

Cut broiled chicken breasts into strips, then stuff them into pitas along with cucumbers, nutrient-rich roma tomatoes, and creamy yogurt for a satisfying dinner. You can even broil the chicken ahead of time and keep it on hand to make these tasty pockets whenever you like.

Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Broil: 12 mins
Grilled Lemon Chicken

A marinade is a great way to awaken the flavor of chicken with minimal prep work. A mixture of chicken broth, lemon, and spices turns chicken breast halves into a savory must-have dish while keeping sodium in check.

Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Marinate: 1 hr
Grill: 12 mins
Asian-Style Chicken Salad

Who says salad can't be a meal? Toss together chicken, pea pods, sweet peppers, cucumbers, and green onions, then drizzle an Asian-inspired vinaigrette on top. Roll a portion of the mixture inside a Bibb or Boston lettuce leaf and enjoy every bite.

Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Chill: 4 hrs
Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Sandwiches aren't just for lunch anymore. Filled with apples, low-fat yogurt, and cucumbers, this dish is heartier and more flavorful than a traditional chicken salad.

Makes: 4 servings
Start to Finish: 20 mins
Grilled Rosemary Chicken

The beauty of a marinade is that it takes mere minutes to whip it up. For this dish, lime and rosemary infuse their flavor into chicken breast halves. Grilling gives it a stellar finish.

Makes: 6 servings
Chicken Pizza with a Kick

Watching fat and calories? This pizza's a must. With refrigerated pizza dough for the crust and picante for the sauce, this veggie and chicken version is full of flavor without the guilt.

Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Bake: 13 mins 400°F
Cranberry-Sauced Meatballs

Whether they're served as a main dish or an appetizer, these seasoned, ground-chicken meatballs are destined to become a favorite you'll turn to again and again. They're coated with a mixture of cranberry and barbecue sauces and slow-cooked for savory perfection.

Makes: 30 servings
Yield: 30 meatballs
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 15 mins 350°F
Chicken Supreme Casserole

Heart-healthy ingredients, including reduced-sodium soups, fat-free milk, and light mayonnaise, make this chicken casserole a main dish you'll feel good about eating. Round it out with vegetables and pasta for a well-balanced meal.

Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 40 mins to 45 mins
Cook: 10 mins 350°F
Chicken with Orzo

When you're really in a time crunch, a purchased roasted chicken is a great way to kick-start your meal. Liven it up with orzo pasta flavored with lemon and spinach leaves, and you'll have a delicious chicken dish in less than 20 minutes.

Makes: 4 servings
Start to Finish: 20 mins
Grilled Chicken with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

With a cool mix of mint, cucumber, green onion, and yogurt for its sauce, this dish is refreshing in the summertime or whenever you crave lighter fare. Grill the chicken outside when warm weather permits or use an indoor grill.

Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 20 mins
Grill: 12 mins to 15 mins
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