18 Chicken breast recipes for dinner

Chicken breasts are a dinner-time hero — lean, versatile, and easy to cook in countless delicious ways.

Whether you’re craving something creamy, spicy, or fresh and light, these 18 chicken breast recipes for dinner are healthy, hearty, and perfect for busy weeknights.

1. Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken

Tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy garlic mushroom sauce make for an elegant, comforting dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• ½ cup light cream

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Sear chicken in olive oil until golden. Remove and set aside.

2. Add mushrooms and garlic to the pan; sauté 5 minutes.

3. Pour in cream, season, and simmer until thickened.

4. Return chicken to the pan and coat with sauce. Serve warm.

2. Lemon Butter Chicken

Light, zesty, and buttery — this easy chicken dish pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables or pasta.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 garlic cloves

• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a skillet; add garlic and cook until fragrant.

2. Add chicken and sear both sides.

3. Pour in lemon juice and cook until sauce slightly thickens.

4. Serve with steamed broccoli or couscous.

3. Honey Garlic Chicken

A sweet and savory meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes — perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 2 tbsp honey

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 garlic cloves

• 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Mix honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic.

2. Cook chicken in olive oil until golden.

3. Pour in the honey mixture and simmer 5 minutes.

4. Serve with rice or green beans.

4. Baked Pesto Chicken

Fresh basil pesto adds vibrant flavor to this simple baked dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 2 tbsp pesto

• 1 tomato, sliced

• 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Spread pesto on chicken, top with tomato and mozzarella.

3. Bake for 25 minutes until cheese melts and chicken is done.

5. Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Rich with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, this recipe feels fancy but is easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• ½ cup light cream

• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes

• 1 cup spinach

• 1 garlic clove

Instructions:

1. Cook chicken until golden; remove from skillet.

2. Add garlic, tomatoes, and cream; simmer 3 minutes.

3. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.

4. Return chicken to the sauce and heat through.

6. BBQ Chicken with Roasted Veggies

This smoky, sweet dinner is healthy, flavorful, and family-approved.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• ¼ cup BBQ sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Mixed vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, onions)

Instructions:

1. Brush chicken with BBQ sauce.

2. Roast veggies with olive oil and salt at 400°F (200°C).

3. Grill or bake chicken until cooked through.

4. Serve together for a balanced dinner.

7. Chicken Piccata

A light Italian dish with lemon, capers, and a silky sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tbsp capers

• ½ cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Sear chicken in olive oil until golden.

2. Add broth, lemon juice, and capers.

3. Simmer until sauce reduces and thickens.

4. Serve with whole-grain pasta or rice.

8. Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

Healthy, flavorful, and perfect for meal prep nights.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

• 1 tbsp honey

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1 garlic clove

Instructions:

1. Whisk together sauce ingredients.

2. Sauté chicken, then add sauce and cook until sticky.

3. Serve over brown rice with steamed veggies.

9. Caprese Chicken

Fresh and colorful — just like the salad it’s inspired by.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1 tomato, sliced

• 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese

• Fresh basil

• Balsamic glaze

Instructions:

1. Bake chicken until nearly done.

2. Add tomato and mozzarella on top; bake 5 more minutes.

3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with basil.

10. Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken

A simple, flavorful recipe that works perfectly with roasted potatoes or a green salad.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Coat chicken with olive oil and seasonings.

2. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25–30 minutes.

3. Let rest before slicing and serving.

11. Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Quick, colorful, and packed with nutrients — a go-to dinner staple.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced

• 2 cups mixed vegetables

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Stir-fry chicken until cooked through.

2. Add vegetables and sauce; cook until tender.

3. Serve immediately with rice or noodles.

12. Creamy Dijon Chicken

Rich but healthy, this mustard-infused sauce is pure comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• ½ cup light cream

• 1 garlic clove

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook chicken in olive oil until golden.

2. Add garlic, cream, and mustard; whisk together.

3. Simmer until sauce thickens.

4. Serve over mashed potatoes or green beans.

13. Spicy Cajun Chicken

Add a southern kick to your dinner lineup with this flavorful recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp cayenne

• ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Rub chicken with spices.

2. Pan-sear or grill until fully cooked.

3. Serve with brown rice or grilled corn.

14. Chicken Alfredo (Lightened-Up)

Creamy pasta without the guilt — this version uses Greek yogurt for a healthy twist.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1 cup whole-grain pasta

• ½ cup Greek yogurt

• ¼ cup Parmesan

• 1 garlic clove

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta; set aside.

2. Cook chicken and slice.

3. Mix yogurt, garlic, and Parmesan to create sauce.

4. Combine with pasta and chicken; serve warm.

15. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

An easy one-pan dinner loaded with color and spice.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced

• 1 red and 1 yellow bell pepper

• 1 onion

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp fajita seasoning

Instructions:

1. Toss everything with oil and seasoning.

2. Spread on a baking sheet.

3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes.

4. Serve with warm tortillas or over rice.

16. Balsamic Glazed Chicken

Sweet, tangy, and savory — this glaze makes a weeknight meal feel gourmet.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tbsp honey

• 1 garlic clove

Instructions:

1. Mix glaze ingredients.

2. Cook chicken in a skillet, then add glaze.

3. Simmer until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.

17. Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken

Impressive yet easy, this stuffed chicken is rich in flavor and nutrients.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• ½ cup chopped spinach

• ¼ cup feta cheese

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cut a pocket into each chicken breast.

2. Fill with spinach and feta, secure with toothpicks.

3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.

18. Chicken Parmesan (Healthy Version)

All the classic flavor without deep frying — a lighter Italian favorite.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• ½ cup tomato sauce

• 2 tbsp mozzarella cheese

• 1 tbsp Parmesan

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Coat chicken in breadcrumbs.

2. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes.

3. Top with sauce and cheese; bake 5 more minutes until bubbly.

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These 18 chicken breast recipes for dinner are nutritious, full of flavor, and easy enough for any night of the week.

From creamy pastas to grilled favorites and vibrant one-pan meals, each recipe helps you make healthy, satisfying dinners everyone will love.