15 Best Chicken Breast Recipes

Some cooks have a love-hate relationship with chicken breasts, which isn't surprising. When not cooked properly, this lean poultry part can end up dry, overdone and stringy, or undercooked — with the potential to trigger a stomach upset.

Chicken breasts can be a challenge to cook for the same reason why they are so healthy: They have very little fat, per MasterClass. As a result, professional chefs have had to find special ways to work with this tricky ingredient. Gordon Ramsay recommends bringing the chicken breasts to room temperature first. Doing this allows the meat to cook more evenly.

When prepared properly, chicken breasts offer no dining downsides. A 3-ounce piece is estimated to deliver 122 calories, 24 grams of protein, no carbs, and just 3 grams of fat (via Healthline). When you amp up this ingredient with delicious sauces and sides, it can punch above its dietary weight.

For maximum flavor and tenderness, this recipe calls for the chicken breasts to soak in a seasoned buttermilk marinade for at least an hour or overnight. We promise you that the wait is well worth it. The time spent in the marinade will not only make the end result appetizingly juicy but also help the pecan-breadcrumb coating stick to the chicken. This baked dish is a healthy alternative to buttermilk fried chicken — without the hassle and mess of frying.

Recipe: Pecan-Crusted Chicken Breasts

While not every ingredient might benefit from spending time in the air fryer, this recipe has been specially designed to coax the best out of what can be an otherwise bland chicken breast. Stuffed with three different kinds of cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, and baby spinach, this dish is guaranteed to leave you with chicken that's delicious on the day it's cooked as well as the next day. Recipe developer Kit Hondrum recommends slicing up any cold leftovers and adding them to a salad.

Recipe: Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast

Contrary to popular belief, chicken cordon bleu was actually invented in Switzerland when a creative cook stuffed schnitzels with ham and cheese to ensure there was enough food for restaurant guests, per The Courier. With this recipe, you can make the classic at home in under 30 minutes. Because the dish is so deliciously rich, just a simple side of fresh or steamed veggies is enough to make it a fabulous meal, recipe developer Jennine Rye says.

Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu

As far as heat goes, ancho chile powder is mild. The ingredient is two to eight times less spicy than your average jalapeño, per Savory Experiments. But the seasoning still packs a punch in a spice rub that works well with not only chicken but also pork and vegetables. If you're planning ahead for a party, you can make the accompanying charred corn relish a day or two in advance — just don't include the diced avocado until you're ready to serve guests.

Recipe: Ancho-Grilled Chicken Breast With Charred Corn Relish

A chef once referred to Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup as "America's béchamel," per Houston Press – and the canned item certainly lives up to that reference here. This classic chicken casserole ticks all the right boxes as a comfort meal: The dish brings together the flavors you'd recognize from childhood and can be prepped a day in advance. It's also sure to be a hit with a crowd. Plus, any leftovers can be enjoyed for as long as three or four days later.

Recipe: Classic Chicken Casserole

A sparkling white wine might not be something you keep on hand unless you're celebrating a special occasion, but you might change your mind after you get to know this recipe. Seasoned chicken breasts are coated in flour and pan-fried before being blanketed in a creamy sauce made with champagne, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is elegant enough to be served as part of a fancy dinner with guests while also easy enough to be a go-to weeknight meal.

Recipe: Champagne Chicken

One of the best ways to elevate chicken breasts is to turn them into chicken Parmesan. This recipe is a timeless favorite that makes use of two types of cheese — grated Parmesan and a generous helping of mozzarella. The breading includes ground pine nuts, adding a flavorful twist to the chicken's crust. The classic has never tasted so good.

Recipe: Crispy And Saucy Chicken Parmesan

Rasta pasta is your one-pot ticket to a Jamaican meal. Chicken breasts are marinated in jerk seasoning and set aside for at least 30 minutes before being cooked until browned. After boiling the pasta in stock, heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan are added to the noodles, creating a texture that's almost like Alfredo sauce. Once the cooked chicken is added, the meal is ready to be served right away, with an optional topping of chopped green onions and parsley.

Recipe: 1-Pot Rasta Pasta

Don't let the presence of spaghetti on the side fool you — this dish is native to New Orleans. Generous chunks of chicken breasts are cooked with a mix of seasonings — garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, chili powder, and oregano — and heavy cream, forming a sauce that's chock-full of flavor. Not only is this recipe perfect for when you have company, but it also takes less than half an hour to make.

Recipe: One-Skillet Creamy Chicken Lazone

If you're a fan of French onion soup, you'll love this recipe, which puts a hearty spin on the classic with the addition of chicken breasts. The dish even comes served with Gruyère cheese on top as a nod to its soupy roots. To round out the meal, recipe developer Stephanie Rapone recommends serving it with crusty French bread or roasted asparagus. 

Recipe: French Onion Chicken Bake

Craving Asian flavors that you can enjoy right in the comfort of your own home? This Crockpot version of sesame chicken is sure to wow. Not only is it easy to make, but it also keeps well — up to four days in the fridge and up to six months in the freezer. Eat it with rice, noodles, or stir-fried veggies (if you're looking to cut down on your carb intake).

Recipe: Crockpot Sesame Chicken

Meal prep can't get easier than this. Seasoned chicken breasts and potatoes take a turn in the Instant Pot until they're cooked to perfection. If you're looking to elevate the recipe, take the leftover liquid and add flour to it for a delectable gravy. This dish is wonderful by itself, but you can also serve it with a simple green salad.

Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken And Potatoes

You could say that pho is a product of fusion cooking — it incorporates Chinese and French influences (via Pho Fever). But this dish is very much associated with Vietnam, where it was first made in the late 19th century. Pho might have started out as a beef noodle soup, but this version is devoted to bringing out the best in chicken breasts, which are shredded and served with rice noodles in a bowl of hot broth.

Recipe: Chicken Pho

There are multiple ways to enjoy this crisp and creamy chicken salad: on its own, mixed into cold pasta, or as a sandwich filling — to name a few. Don't dismiss this as "just another" chicken salad. Ingredients like Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and dill make this recipe delightfully flavorful.

Recipe: Crisp And Creamy Chicken Salad

We may think of orange chicken as a battered and fried dish that might not be the healthiest option, but this chicken stir-fry could change your mind. Our version of orange chicken isn't just more nutritious — thanks to the presence of a mouthwatering vegetable medley — it's also packed with flavor too. The dish is perfect on its own or served with rice or noodles.

Recipe: Orange Chicken Stir-Fry