A light dinner recipe can be hard to come by, especially when they all seem to be more of a snack or a lunch. I’ve collected 25 light chicken recipes that are substantial enough to be dinner without turning to a dish that's heavier than you wanted.
Jump to:
- Light and Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes
- 2. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- 3. Chicken Larb
- 4. Baked Chicken Parmesan
- 5. Sweet Chicken Salad Recipe with Pineapple
- 6. Greek Stuffed Chicken
- 7. Pimiento Cheese Chicken
- 8. Garlic and Herb Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
- 9. Cashew Chicken Satay with Carrot and Coriander Salad
- 10. Cranberry Balsamic Chicken
- 11. Flavor Packed Blackened Chicken Breast Recipe
- 12. Sautéed Chicken with Sage Browned Butter
- 13. Greek Chicken Meatballs
- 14. The Easiest BBQ Chicken Breast You'll Ever Make
- 15. Huli-Huli Chicken
- 16. Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
- 17. Braised Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe
- 18. One-Skillet Chicken Tortellini
- 19. Classic Roast Chicken
- 20. Mexican Tinga de Pollo {Authentic Mexican Chicken}
- 21. Maple-Mustard Roasted Chicken with Squash and Brussels Sprouts
- 23. 30-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken with Asparagus
- 24. Charred Lemon Chicken Piccata
- 📖 Recipe
Light and Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes
Not only is chicken one of the most affordable proteins available, but it is also easy. With low calories and tons of options for adding flavor, it's a natural addition to any diet plan. If you are tired of boring chicken dishes, then the list below is going to add tons of flavor to your meal plan.
If you need even more inspiration, check out this great list of air fryer recipes and some tasty sheet pan chicken dinners. Both lists have healthy and flavorful options.
Every recipe is adaptable, so if you see something you like, but it’s not quite what you wanted then change it!Let me know about your adaptations because some else reading this might be having the same thoughts!
1. Skinny Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad & Avocado Ranch
Recipe: theskinnyfork
| Cook Time | 2 Hours 15 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 311.4 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 2 |
This salad is packed with a flavor that comes from 2 hours of marinating the chicken. But I think the blue cheese sprinkled on top is what really makes the salad pop!
2. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Recipe: scrambledchefs
| Cook Time | 5 Hours 5 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 267 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 6 |
Dumplings might not sound like the light and fluffy dinner you were planning, but trust me on this one.When you plate up this healthy dish, the cream will hug your food in a delicately thin layer and the pillowy dumplings will feel like you’re eating clouds.
I recommend using the Crock Pot 8-Quart Programmable slow cooker and using slow cooker liners to make it easy to have hot and ready with limited cleanup when you get home.
3. Chicken Larb
Recipe: cookinglight
| Cook Time | 27 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 174 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
A larb is a popular Thai salad. The herbs and spices that are mixed into the ground chicken are a pure vision of the Thai food culture.
4. Baked Chicken Parmesan
Recipe: skinnytaste
| Cook Time | 40 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 251 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 8 |
Chicken Parmesan isn’t normally a healthy dish, but this recipe has redesigned the recipe to make it healthier whilst still keeping that classic taste.
5. Sweet Chicken Salad Recipe with Pineapple
Recipe: scrambledchefs
| Cook Time | 17 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 597 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 8 |
I designed this recipe to be a light and tasty lunch, but you can add in some pasta, boiled potatoes, or simply double up the quantities to make this snack into a dinner. This is especially yummy when paired with these crunchy homemade pita chips!
6. Greek Stuffed Chicken
Recipe: delish
| Cook Time | 45 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 352 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
This recipe stuffs the chicken to the point where you cannot see it! This is great for when you want a light dinner because all those vegetables will stop you from needing pasta to bulk up the meal!
7. Pimiento Cheese Chicken
Recipe: cookinglight
| Cook Time | 34 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 299 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
Create the classic Southern taste of pimiento and mix it up by stuffing it in your chicken breast!
8. Garlic and Herb Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
Recipe: scrambledchefs
| Cook Time | 55 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 325 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
This rich and buttery chicken recipe is more healthy than the taste suggests. Cook up some baby potatoes in the same seasoning and this chicken meal will have you thinking you’re on a cheat day.
9. Cashew Chicken Satay with Carrot and Coriander Salad
Recipe: fromthelarder
| Cook Time | 55 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 868 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 2 |
The classic cashew chicken satay with a deliciously light salad to make you feel both cheeky and healthy at the same time!
10. Cranberry Balsamic Chicken
Recipe: delish
| Cook Time | 45 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 316 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 6 |
This chicken recipe gives off a festive vibe. The cranberries and rosemary make this light dinner have a heavy aroma, but this dish is still healthy and light.
11. Flavor Packed Blackened Chicken Breast Recipe
Recipe: scrambledchefs
| Cook Time | 1 Hour |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 648 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 2 |
Blackened chicken breast has a wonderfully unique flavor that you don’t normally find in chicken!
12. Sautéed Chicken with Sage Browned Butter
Recipe: cookinglight
| Cook Time | 25 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 326 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
Sage is a full-bodied flavor that doesn’t get used enough! Dress up the well classic sauteed chicken recipe with this take instead!
13. Greek Chicken Meatballs
Recipe: foxeslovelemons
| Cook Time | 30 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 676 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 2 |
This meal is a refreshing and light dish even with the meatballs! That’s the beauty of chicken and greek yogurt.
14. The Easiest BBQ Chicken Breast You'll Ever Make
Recipe: scrambledchefs
| Cook Time | 30 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 571 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
Its recipe is so easy and fast that you’ll be confused by just how quickly you can get it on the table! Don’t worry about drying out the chicken, because the barbeque glaze will keep it moist!
15. Huli-Huli Chicken
Recipe: delish
| Cook Time | 1 Hour 50 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 520 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
Pineapple and chicken? Might seem strange but trust me it works!
16. Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
Recipe: cookinglight
| Cook Time | 35 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 504 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
Instant tacos made in your own home, what more do I have to say!
17. Braised Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe
Recipe: scrambledchefs
| Cook Time | 1 Hour |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 1121 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
This recipe is a show-stopper. Great for weeknights and showing off to your friends!
18. One-Skillet Chicken Tortellini
Recipe: lovelylittlekitchen
| Cook Time | 40 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 727 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
This dish cooks quickly if you use fresh tortellini so keep an eye on your pan!
19. Classic Roast Chicken
Recipe: delish
| Cook Time | 1 Hour 30 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 982 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 6 |
Cooking a whole chicken is easier than it might seem, try out this recipe and see for yourself.
20. Mexican Tinga de Pollo {Authentic Mexican Chicken}
Recipe: scrambledchefs
| Cook Time | 35 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 273 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 8 |
This is a simple dish, packed with flavor and super light. It will quickly become a family favorite.
21. Maple-Mustard Roasted Chicken with Squash and Brussels Sprouts
Recipe: cookinglight
| Cook Time | 1 Hour |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 376 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 6 |
The maple mustard roast is a wonderfully thick flavor to accompany your light and healthy dish. The balance that lets your body know that you’ve eaten well.
22. {Skinny} Herbed Pasta Alfredo With Chicken & Broccoli
Recipe: yestoyolks
| Cook Time | 20 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 584 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
Alfredo pasta is normally a bit indulgent, but this recipe cuts down the calories whilst keeping the rich flavors.
23. 30-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken with Asparagus
Recipe: scrambledchefs
| Cook Time | 25 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 424 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
Garlic butter and chicken is a top-tier combination! This recipe is fast, easy, and hits all the right taste buds for your light and healthy meals!
24. Charred Lemon Chicken Piccata
Recipe: scrambledchefs
| Cook Time | 37 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 332 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
Don’t get put off by the word “charred”, this recipe teaches you how to lightly blacken the chicken to create a smokey flavor.
25. Bacon & Spinach Stuffed Chicken
Recipe: delish
| Cook Time | 50 Minutes |
| Calorie Count Per Serving | 414 Calories |
| Serving Size | Serves 4 |
Hasselback with no hassle! This easy recipe will have your mouth watering just from the smell alone!
📖 Recipe
Yield: 4
25 Light And Easy Chicken Recipes For Dinner | Soy Chicken
A simple soy chicken recipe that is fast, easy, and delicious. Perfect for serving over brown rice or with your favorite zoodles!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" chunks
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in the diced onions and bell peppers and saute for 3 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Add in the garlic, and cook an additional 1 minute.
- Season the chicken pieces with paprika and pepper.
- Add the chicken to the skillet, and cook, stirring regularly for 3 minutes, until just starting to brown.
- Pour in the soy sauce, and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Add sriracha, stir to combine, and serve with rice.
Notes
Can substitute chicken thighs if desired.
Recommended Products
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Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 4 Count (Pack of 12), 48 Total
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Ayesha Curry Home Collection Porcelain Enamel Nonstick Covered Deep Skillet With Helper Handle, 12 Inch Frying Pan with Glass Lid, Twilight Teal
Slitzer Germany 7-Piece Chef's Knife Set, Ergonomically Designed, Professional Grade Chef Knives, Great addition to any kitchen
Wood Cutting Board Set - Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove - Kitchen Chopping Board for Meat (Butcher Block) Cheese and Vegetables | Heavy Duty Serving Tray w/Handles (3-Pieces)
COOK WITH COLOR Plastic Mixing Bowls with Lids - 12 Piece Nesting Bowls Set includes 6 Prep Bowls and 6 Lids, Microwave Safe Mixing Bowl Set (Blue Ombre)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 294Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 1070mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 39g
