18 Healthy Chicken Recipes You Can Make When Have No Time to Spare

Chicken is one of the simplest, healthiest, and most versatile proteins you can put on your plate (just ask any dietitian!), but if you still struggle to find ways to get it on the table fast — without sacrificing flavor — you're not alone. While slathering on a sauce or good-for-you dip can help, there are even better ways to dress up a simple chicken breast, without tacking on a bunch of extra time. These delicious, healthy chicken recipes will inspire you to try something new tonight — and you can make every single one of them in 30 minutes or less.

01
Spicy Thai Chicken Coconut Soup With Zoodles
Inspiralized

Spicy Thai Chicken Coconut Soup With Zoodles

If you remain unconvinced that soup can be a meal in itself, you obviously haven't had this satisfying recipe, loaded with chicken and zucchini noodles.

Get the recipe: spicy Thai chicken coconut soup with zoodles

02
Orange Chicken
Averie Cooks

Orange Chicken

On those nights that you'd rather order takeout than cook, reach for this healthier orange chicken. It takes just 10 minutes from start to finish!

Get the recipe: orange chicken

03
Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad
Averie Cooks

Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad

This isn't your typical chicken salad. Instead of topping off some greens, you'll combine chicken, corn, avocados, red bell peppers, and tomatoes, then dress the mixture with lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper (plus olive oil, if you like).

Get the recipe: grilled chicken and corn salad

04
Barbecue Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Sweet Peas and Saffron

Barbecue Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These simple but tasty lettuce wraps are made with chicken, barbecue sauce, red onion, and cilantro leaves — and they come together in just 15 minutes.

Get the recipe: barbecue chicken lettuce wraps

05
Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry
Well Plated

Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry

This flavorful stir-fry can be made with any vegetables of your choice — so pick nutrient-packed veggies like broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers, then serve the stir-fry atop some brown rice or quinoa.

Get the recipe: teriyaki chicken stir-fry

06
Grilled Herb Hummus Chicken Kebabs
Food Faith Fitness

Grilled Herb Hummus Chicken Kebabs

These kebabs cook in roughly 10 minutes, and combining grilled chicken with hummus is one delicious way to ensure that you're getting enough protein.

Get the recipe: grilled herb hummus chicken kebabs

07
Balsamic Strawberry Chicken Salad
A Saucy Kitchen

Balsamic Strawberry Chicken Salad

When you need a quick weeknight meal, you can't go wrong with this flavorful salad, made with chicken, avocado, strawberries, and more.

Get the recipe: balsamic strawberry chicken salad

08
Chicken and Green Beans
Dinner at the Zoo

Chicken and Green Beans

The honey garlic sauce — a mixture of chicken broth, honey, soy sauce, cornstarch, and cold water — takes a typical plate of chicken and vegetables to the next level.

Get the recipe: chicken and green beans

09
5-Ingredient Cheesy Chicken Chili
A Spicy Perspective

5-Ingredient Cheesy Chicken Chili

It almost sounds too good to be true, but as long as you have those five ingredients — pinto chili beans, chunky salsa, red enchilada sauce, shredded cooked chicken, and shredded cheese — you can have dinner on the table in 25 minutes.

Get the recipe: 5-ingredient cheesy chicken chili

10
Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats
Whitney Bond

Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats

Swap out the bread in a traditional buffalo chicken sandwich and instead stuff the toppings inside these tasty carved-out zucchinis.

Get the recipe: buffalo chicken zucchini boats

11
Cashew Chicken
Olivia’s Cuisine

Cashew Chicken

This recipe is ideal for meal prep — simply make the chicken and sauce, store it away in the fridge, and reheat it when you're ready to serve.

Get the recipe: cashew chicken

12
Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad
Fit Foodie Finds

Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad

Unlike mayonnaise-based chicken salads, this good-for-you recipe is made with fresh ingredients like Greek yogurt and pesto sauce.

Get the recipe: creamy pesto chicken salad

13
Blackened Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers
Cooking for Keeps

Blackened Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers

If homemade chicken burgers already sound mouthwateringly good, just wait until you top them with avocado mashed with cilantro, lime, and blackening seasoning.

Get the recipe: 5-ingredient blackened cilantro lime chicken burgers

14
Grilled Cajun Chicken and Pineapple Foil Packets
Averie Cooks

Grilled Cajun Chicken and Pineapple Foil Packets

It'll taste like Summer all year-round when you pair chicken with pineapple. You need just five minutes to prepare the foil packets and 10 minutes to cook them.

Get the recipe: grilled cajun chicken and pineapple foil packets

15
Chicken Quinoa Bowls With Romesco Sauce
A Spicy Perspective

Chicken Quinoa Bowls With Romesco Sauce

When you're short on time but don't want to skimp on flavor, these chicken quinoa bowls really deliver. They're layered with baby kale, a homemade romesco sauce, avocado, and olives.

Get the recipe: chicken quinoa bowls with romesco sauce

16
Coconut Lime Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry
Averie Cooks

Coconut Lime Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry

When you're in a hurry, there's nothing better than a one-pan meal, and you'll struggle to find one more colorful or flavorful than this chicken curry.

Get the recipe: coconut lime chicken and sweet potato curry

17
Mango Salsa Chicken
Creme de la Crumb

Mango Salsa Chicken

No store-bought salsa to freshly chopped mango, onion, and red pepper — the perfect topping for a well-seasoned piece of chicken.

Get the recipe: mango salsa chicken

18
Chicken With Sweet Potatoes and Kale
Well Plated

Chicken With Sweet Potatoes and Kale

This delicious combination of chicken, sweet potatoes, kale, pomegranate seeds, and goat cheese cooks in just 30 minutes and only requires one pan.

Get the recipe: chicken with sweet potatoes and kale