29 Family-Favorite Chicken Breast Recipes

There are as many ways to cook chicken breasts as there are cooks in the kitchen. Poach, bake, or grill it. Fried or browned on the stovetop, chicken breasts can do it all.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts have a reputation of being more difficult to cook than thighs, mainly because chicken breast is leaner and can quickly become dry and chalky. That’s where we come in! All of these recipes result in juicy, flavorful chicken breast.

One of the secrets to juicy chicken breast is to make sure that it’s not overcooked. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 165°F. Another tip for getting perfectly cooked chicken is to make it thinner by either pounding it to an even thickness or to cut them lengthwise for thinner pieces (also known as butterflying). To jazz it up, we pair chicken breasts with decadent sauces, fresh herbs, mild morels, or bright greens. Which way is your favorite?

Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts

I always have a jar of lemon pepper in the cupboard and now I know just what to use it for. You can save yourself a step and buy chicken cutlets for this recipe.

Garlic Knot Chicken

Simply Recipes Contributor Theodora Kaloudis says, "If you can’t find cutlets or already have whole chicken breasts on hand, just make your own. Lay the chicken breasts flat on a cutting board and carefully cut them in half horizontally using a sharp knife. Alternatively, pound them out with a meat mallet until they’re about 1/2-inch thick."

Million Dollar Chicken

Simply Recipes Contributor Sara Haas says, "You might consider skipping toasting the almonds, but don’t! Toasting them brings out their flavor and adds just a warm, sweet flavor that pairs well with the salty bacon and cheeses."

Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

Pounding chicken until thin helps it cook evenly and quickly. Thickly sliced tomato and flavorful pesto round out the sandwich, while taking advantage of summer’s bounty. You can buy pesto or make it yourself.

Chicken Supreme

Simply Recipes Contributor Devan Grimsrud says, "Chicken supreme is nothing if not a saucy dish, so when deciding what to serve with it, think of things that will help you soak up all the sauce like mashed potatoes, oven-roasted or smashed potatoes, steamed rice or boiled egg noodles."

Chicken Alfredo Pizza

I’m always down for a white pizza. Alfredo sauce coats the crust and is then topped with chopped, pan fried chicken breast and enough parmesan and mozzarella to make every bite a delight.

Taquitos de Pollo (Chicken Taquitos)

Skip the freezer section and make your own chicken taquitos! Use toothpicks to keep them together when frying and load up on all your favorite toppings. Serve with black beans to turn it from appetizer to a main course.

Chicken Caesar Wrap

Take your salad on the go with this easy wrap. It’s worth taking the extra couple minutes to make your own dressing and make sure to save some for dipping.

Italian Butter Chicken

Simply Recipes Contributor Hannah Zimmerman says, "The best way to serve petti di pollo is over pasta with some lemon slices and chopped parsley. I recommend using a long noodle like spaghetti, fettuccine, or pappardelle. The parsley is optional, but I love the touch of freshness it adds to this dish."

Grilled Honey-Balsamic Chicken with Vegetables

Who knew chicken and vegetables could be this pretty. Grilling the vegetables whole saves on time and makes grilling much easier. The honey balsamic marinade doubles as a glaze for the chicken, keeping it juicy and flavorful.

4-Ingredient Ranch Chicken Breasts

Simply Recipes Contributor Sara Haas says, "One of my favorite tricks for this recipe is removing some of the marinade before adding the raw protein. Since it’ll never touch the raw meat, it’s safe to mix with mayonnaise to use as a ranch sauce for serving."

Chicken Schnitzel

Based on Wiener schnitzel, this chicken version will have your family running to the table. Pound the chicken breasts until thin, bread, and fry until golden and cooked through. Serve with Dijon mustard and lemon wedges. 

Creamy Chicken Florentine

Treat the ones you love with this jaw-dropping chicken dinner. Chicken cutlets are first browned in a skillet and then served with a creamy mushroom and spinach sauce. Make sure to use heavy cream for this recipe so that it doesn’t curdle.

Greek Chicken Skewers with Yogurt Sauce

Cutting chicken breast into bite-sized pieces is a surefire way to speed up dinner. Using a grill pan instead of a grill lets you skip the skewers but don’t skip the yogurt sauce or warm flatbread for serving.

Cobb Salad

Cobb salads are wonderful for making ahead because all the pieces can be prepared and refrigerated beforehand. The chicken in this recipe is poached, but you could easily bake or grill it instead.

Chicken Piccata

Don’t be intimidated by the name. Chicken piccata is very doable even on a weeknight. Brown chicken cutlets in a skillet and then use the pan juices to create a butter sauce that's brightened with lemon juice and capers. For an easy variation, try Chicken Piccata Pasta.

Cheesy Bruschetta Chicken Cutlets

Raid the pantry for this quick and simple chicken dinner. Choose a skillet, such as stainless steel or cast iron, that can be used under the broiler so that you can melt the cheese on top of the chicken all in one pan. 

Chicken Carbonara

This rich and creamy carbonara has no heavy cream. Instead, you make a sauce with eggs and parmesan. It’s important to move quickly while making this recipe, so have all your ingredients ready before starting.

Easy Chicken Caprese

Skillet chicken cooked with mozzarella balls and fresh cherry tomatoes is the late summer meal we all crave. Add fresh basil and serve with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Chicken Kiev

This buttery, crunchy chicken dish is named after Ukraine’s capital Kiev. In this version strays from the traditional method and the herbed butter is placed in a slit in the chicken breast before being breaded and fried. 

Chicken Breasts With Mustard Cream Sauce

It’s rare finding a recipe that’s quick enough for a weeknight, yet also wows guests. Flouring the chicken breasts increases the browning and adds to its charm. Serve with a green salad.

Skillet Chicken and Rice

Chicken and rice is the dish I want when I’m longing for comfort food: tender chicken nestled in a pot of rice and peas. You can cut the chicken into chunks to make the meal spoonable.

Easy Chicken Fajitas

Chicken fajitas are my go-to when we eat out Mexican food. This recipe is so easy that I might as well make it at home. This recipe makes enough for 4 people and is ready in about an hour.

Grilled Chicken with Yogurt Garlic Marinade

We’ve all had dry chicken and one way to combat dryness is to marinade it in yogurt. This  marinade includes garlic and spices, which keeps the chicken tender and adds flavor. Serve with couscous.

Chicken With Creamy Mushroom Sage Sauce

Mushroom lovers rejoice! To make the sauce, mushrooms are cooked in butter and then heavy cream and sage is added to finish it. Turn this into a one skillet meal by cooking the chicken cutlets first, transferring them to a plate and then making the sauce as directed.

Teriyaki Chicken Breasts

Slightly sticky and sweet, teriyaki chicken uses only 7 ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes. The chicken is simmered in the homemade teriyaki sauce, which is then boiled down and poured over top the chicken. Serve with rice to sop up the extra sauce.

Chicken, Mushrooms, and Tomatoes with Port Wine

With only eight ingredients and one pan, you’ll have a dreamy chicken dinner. The sauce uses cremini mushrooms, plum tomatoes, and port wine. It is all simmered together until the chicken is cooked through and the flavors meld. You can substitute chicken broth for an alcohol-free version.

Classic Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is a classic for a reason: it’s easy and delicious! Using poached chicken breasts keeps the oven off during hot summer days and the chicken tender. Serve over lettuce or on toast.

Juicy Grilled Chicken Breasts

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can go from perfectly cooked to as flavorless and dry as sawdust in mere moments. The solution is...a solution! A 30-minute dip in a salt water brine delivers grilled chicken breasts that are succulent and tender.