Our favourite healthy chicken breast recipes
If you are looking to lose weight or eat healthier, you may be turning to chicken breast a few times a week, but sometimes healthy chicken breast recipes can be dry and boring – but there are tons of ways to make this lean protein delicious and satisfying.
Why is lean protein so important? Well first of all, it’s a ZeroPoint food on some WeightWatchers® plans, making it a really accessible way to fill up your plate with healthy goodness. Secondly, lean protein is just plain good for you – it helps with weight loss by keeping you full for longer and building muscle. Many people often don’t eat enough protein on a regular basis, so adding chicken breast to your meal rotation is a good bet.
Related Reading: Understanding the Role of Protein in Our Diet
The key to making chicken breast tasty while keeping it healthy is to add lots of flavour with herbs and spices and to make sure you don’t overcook it. Chicken breast can be moist and juicy, but once it’s overcooked, it does become dry. To be sure chicken breast pieces are fully cooked, stick a meat thermometer in the thickest part – you’re looking for 74°C (165°F).
Related Reading: Five Ways to Add Flavour to Chicken Breast Without Adding Fat
We’ve rounded up 19 of our favourite chicken breast recipes to get you started, organized by theme for easy browsing.
Healthy Chicken Breast Recipes
Give Your Chicken Breast a Tex-Mex Spin
All the flavour of regular tacos in the Points-saving form of a salad! This is a super easy recipe full of fresh ingredients, protein, fibre, and homemade tortilla chips – yep, tortilla chips.
Chili powder and jalapenos bring heat to this comforting soup that takes only 35 minutes to make from start to finish.
These burritos use up leftover cooked chicken for a fast, easy meal – we’re talking 15 minutes from kitchen to plate.
SPICY CHICKEN SOFT TACOS WITH GOAT CHEESE
The heat from jalapeños and chili powder, the creaminess of goat’s cheese, the crunch of shredded cabbage – these tacos deliver big on both flavour and texture.
Chicken Breast Comfort Food
Nothing says comfort food like chicken pot pie, and our recipe brings down the Points value of traditional versions without skimping on flavour. You can make this in one big casserole dish or individual ramekins, whichever is easiest for you.
Creamy cheese, crispy chicken, what’s not to love? This lighter version of a comfort classic uses an air fryer to keep calories low.
Satisfy your craving for wings with this easy-prep meal for lunch or dinner.
CHICKEN SOUP WITH TOASTED GARLIC, MUSHROOMS AND CELERY
With umami from the mushrooms and the sharp nuttiness of toasted garlic, this soup will give you classic comfort full of flavour.
PERFECTLY BARBECUED CHICKEN BREASTS
A good salt brine is the trick to keeping these chicken breasts juicy and moist, and your favourite barbecue sauce brings flavour and comfort.
Healthy Big Flavour Recipes
NO-BUTTER CHICKEN WITH JASMINE RICE
WW’s take on an Indian classic does away with the butter but not with the flavour.
Sweet and savoury come together in this Teriyaki-flavoured one-pan dinner.
Another quick meal, this bowl gives you lots of fibre because it’s full of veggies, and packs a protein punch with the chicken and hummus.
ASIAN CHICKEN AND VEGGIE BOWL WITH RICE NOODLES
Soy, fish sauce, and cilantro will get your tastebuds dancing for this easy weeknight meal.
CHICKEN TAGINE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, ORANGE AND ONIONS
There are tons of spices in this dish, and that’s why it’s so flavourful! Ginger, garlic, cumin, paprika, cinnamon and more add layer after layer of flavour here. Plus, you get a good portion of veggies in there too.
Easy Weeknight Recipes
ROSEMARY-LEMON CHICKEN BREASTS
This simple zesty marinade will keep your chicken moist and flavourful, and if you have access to a grill you can add even more depth of flavour.
ROASTED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SPICED CAULIFLOWER
This Indian-inspired dish brings the warmth of spices like cumin and the brightness of lime juice and cilantro to your plate.
CHICKEN WITH FRESH TOMATO-BALSAMIC SAUCE
All cooked in one pan, this is an easy dinner any night of the week. You’ll get Italian vibes with the fresh
EASY AND PERFECT POACHED CHICKEN
The gentle cooking method of poaching helps the chicken stay moist – we’re not boiling here, we’re lightly simmering. Add whatever herbs you like to bring flavour to the cooking broth.
CHICKEN WITH TOMATO-ZUCCHINI SALAD
This is another great grilling recipe, though of course you can do it in a pan on the stove instead. The zesty salad balances the savoury chicken nicely.