20 Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

Transform the chicken in your fridge or freezer into one of these easy dinner recipes. In just 30 minutes or less, you can have a low-calorie, high-protein meal on the table that will help support healthy weight loss. Try our High-Protein, High-Fiber Chicken Soup for a comforting meal, or whip up our Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Skillet in just 20 minutes. Either way, these satisfying dinners can help you reach your health goals.

01 of 20

High-Protein, High-Fiber Chicken Soup

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.

This hearty soup is loaded with lean protein, fiber-rich beans and vegetables, and bold flavors from sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes and lemon. Quick-cooking and satisfying, it’s a nutritious meal you can get on your table in just 30 minutes.

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02 of 20

Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.

This creamy garlic chicken-and-broccoli skillet dinner comes together in just 20 minutes. Tender chicken cutlets are paired with crisp-tender broccoli in a light garlic cream sauce. A splash of white wine adds depth, while fresh parsley adds a pop of color and flavor.

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03 of 20

High-Protein Chicken Wrap with Pesto

Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This high-protein chicken wrap is packed with fresh flavor and comes together in just 15 minutes. A quick vegan pesto made with basil, spinach and toasted nuts coats the chicken, adding bright herb flavor without cheese. Wrapped in whole-wheat tortillas with creamy avocado and fresh greens, these wraps make an easy lunch or light dinner.

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04 of 20

Chickpea & Chicken Salad

Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.

This creamy chicken and chickpea salad gets fiber and protein from mashed chickpeas and a pop of brightness from fruit. A blend of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise keeps the dressing light yet rich, while celery and toasted pecans add crunch.

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05 of 20

Chicken Piccata Soup

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

This Chicken Piccata Soup takes everything you love about the classic Italian dish and transforms it into a cozy, spoonable meal. Potatoes naturally thicken the broth for a creamy texture, while spinach adds freshness and color. It’s a comforting yet vibrant one-pot soup that’s perfect for weeknights.

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06 of 20

One-Pan Chicken Florentine

Credit: Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.
Credit: Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.

Classic chicken Florentine—creamy spinach served alongside sautéed chicken—is a fast and easy meal. This recipe uses cornstarch to thicken the cream instead of cheese. This chicken recipe is simple enough for weekdays but also elegant enough for a dinner party.

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07 of 20

Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Arugula-Tomato Salad

Credit: Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.
Credit: Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.

This easy chicken dinner is a flavor-packed dish where juicy chicken thighs are cooked until golden, then coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze. They’re served over a crisp arugula and tomato salad. It’s a simple dinner for two that tastes delicious and comes together quickly.

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08 of 20

Loaded Chicken Cutlets

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.

These loaded chicken cutlets are an easy, all-in-one sheet-pan meal. Chopped broccoli is mixed with a creamy blend of cream cheese, shredded cheese and bacon for a savory topping that’s piled onto the chicken for a satisfying, veggie-packed twist on classic loaded cutlets. The dish comes together with minimal cleanup and is perfect for busy weeknights. A dollop of sour cream, more bacon and sliced scallions on top makes it even more delicious.

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09 of 20

Spicy Chicken & Cabbage Stir Fry

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.

This stir-fry is a quick, bold dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender strips of chicken are cooked, then tossed with crisp cabbage and a spicy chili-garlic sauce that brings just the right amount of heat. With just five ingredients, it’s proof that simple can still mean flavorful.

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10 of 20

Loaded Chicken & Broccoli Salad

Credit: Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Credit: Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This loaded chicken and broccoli salad is a protein-packed powerhouse that doesn’t skimp on the classic “loaded” flavors you love. With tender, juicy chicken and crisp, fresh broccoli as the base, this salad delivers a satisfying bite in every forkful. A creamy dressing ties everything together, while mix-ins like crispy bacon, shredded cheese and scallions add layers of flavor. It’s the perfect salad for a high-protein lunch or dinner that keeps you full and energized.

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11 of 20

Sheet-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

This chicken and asparagus recipe is a simple one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Chicken cutlets are coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze, roasting right alongside tender asparagus for an easy, well-balanced dinner. If you don’t have chicken cutlets on hand, you can easily make your own by slicing two 8-ounce chicken breasts in half horizontally. The thin cut ensures quicker, more even cooking, so everything on the sheet pan finishes at the same time for a fuss-free, delicious dinner.

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12 of 20

Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

This sick-day chicken noodle soup, packed with tender chicken, warm broth and soft noodles, is designed to soothe and nourish when you’re feeling under the weather. The combination of tender chicken breast, ginger and garlic boosts flavor, while the warm broth helps clear congestion and keep you hydrated. Ready in just 20 minutes, this soup is the perfect remedy for a cold, offering comfort and relief with minimal effort.

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13 of 20

Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Sandwiches

Credit: Matthew Francis
Credit: Matthew Francis

This caprese stuffed chicken breast features the classic ingredients of a caprese salad—juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil and balsamic vinegar—nestled into a seasoned and cooked chicken breast that can be picked up and eaten like a sandwich. The perfect chicken breast for this recipe is small, but avoid thin-cut breasts so you can slice them open easily. You can trim a regular chicken breast down to the right size, or cut a large 8-ounce breast in half crosswise to get two smaller pieces.

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14 of 20

Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This juicy chicken and broccoli stir-fry features tender-crisp broccoli coated in a velvety sauce flavored with hoisin—a flavorful sauce made from fermented soybean paste that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. Try this easy stir-fry with chicken tenders, boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or even pork tenderloin for a different twist.

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15 of 20

Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole with Broccoli

Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Whip up this quick and easy teriyaki chicken casserole in just one skillet—it’s the perfect go-to recipe for hectic weeknights, sure to satisfy a crowd. It’s ideal for making use of any leftover chicken and rice you have on hand. If you’re short on leftovers, a rotisserie chicken paired with a package of microwaveable brown rice is a good substitute.

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16 of 20

Lemony Chicken & Rice Soup

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

The Greek lemon-chicken soup avgolemono is the inspiration for this 20-minute recipe. Eggs and lemon are tempered into the broth to add richness and creaminess. You can use microwaveable brown rice or use 1 cup leftover rice if you have it on hand.

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17 of 20

Chicken & Spinach Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing

Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Credit: Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

The creamy feta dressing steals the show in this protein-rich salad, which makes a perfect lunch or quick and easy dinner. While you can buy feta cheese already crumbled, we like crumbling our own fresh from the block for this salad. We prefer the slightly sharper flavor of sheep’s-milk feta, but cow’s-milk feta works just as well.

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18 of 20

Chicken Piccata Casserole

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist Jennifer Wendorf
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist Jennifer Wendorf

This protein-packed chicken piccata casserole brings all the flavors of classic chicken piccata together in one dish. It’s the easiest piccata you’ll ever make—no dredging or sauce required! Cooking the lemon slices in butter mellows their bite and helps jump-start the lemony flavor of the dish while helping the butter get a little brown, bringing some nuttiness to the dish. While capers are traditional, you can skip them or swap them out for chopped green olives if you prefer.

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19 of 20

Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan

Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Natalie Ghazali
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Natalie Ghazali

This chicken pasta combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach for a meal that’s garlicky, lemony and best served with a little Parm on top. I call it “Mom’s Skillet Pasta,” and she called it “Devon’s Favorite Pasta.” Either way, it’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner we created together and scribbled on a little recipe card more than a decade ago, and it remains in my weekly dinner rotation to this day. It’s a simple dinner the whole family will love.

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20 of 20

Creamy Skillet Chicken with Spinach & Mushrooms

Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Chicken cutlets are topped with a spinach-mushroom cream sauce for a flavorful yet healthy dinner. Serve over pasta or grains to soak up the sauce.

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