20 High-Protein Chicken Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes or Less
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
If you’re a fan of chicken, you’re in the right place! These delicious dinners feature chicken cooked in a variety of ways; you may want to try them all. Each dish packs at least 15 grams of protein per serving, which can support muscle repair and bone health and give your body energy. Another bonus? These recipes are ready in 30 minutes or less, so you can have dinner on the table quickly. Try options like our 30-Minute Marry Me Chicken & Spaghetti and Lemony Chicken & Rice Soup for a tasty meal that will leave you feeling satisfied.
Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole with Broccoli
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 that’s 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.
30-Minute Marry Me Chicken & Spaghetti
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This “marry me” chicken pasta adds spaghetti and spinach to the beloved flavor combination and will have you saying “I do” in no time. A jar of sun-dried tomatoes does double duty here, with the flavorful oil they’re packed in being used to sauté the onion and chicken while the tomatoes go into the cream sauce.
Lemony Chicken & Rice Soup
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.
Chicken Cutlets with Creamy Mushroom & Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This delectable dinner features tender chicken cutlets smothered in a rich and creamy sauce infused with savory mushrooms and tangy sun-dried tomatoes.
Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Butter-Chive Pasta
You'll be amazed how crisp these schnitzel-inspired cutlets get with only 6 minutes of cooking.
Creamy Balsamic Chicken & Mushroom Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
The sauce in this creamy balsamic chicken and mushroom skillet recipe strikes the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. The shallots, garlic and thyme add aroma and flavor to the dish. Thin-cut chicken cutlets are key for getting dinner on the table quickly. If you can’t find chicken cutlets, make your own: Look for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are about 8 ounces each. Slice them in half horizontally and pound to an even thickness.
Creamy Chicken, Vegetable & Sun-Dried Tomato Soup
This creamy soup is packed with vegetables, including zucchini and carrots. Precooked chicken saves time and energy, so you can make this cozy soup on a busy weeknight, or any day when it's cold out.
Skillet Bruschetta Chicken
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This flavorful skillet chicken bruschetta puts a tasty spin on a traditional dish. Drawing inspiration from the Italian appetizer, we replace the usual toasted bread with protein-packed chicken cutlets. The vibrant and juicy chopped tomato topping remains a constant, complemented by a drizzle of sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. For an added layer of flavor, serve topped with shaved Parmesan cheese or add some chopped olives to the tomato mixture for a briny kick.
Creamy Lemon & Dill Skillet Chicken
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This creamy lemon and dill skillet chicken recipe is a true crowd-pleaser and makes for a perfect weeknight dinner. The drippings and fond from the pan are at the heart of the tangy, vibrant pan sauce that you serve with the chicken. Drizzle any extra over pasta, rice or mashed potatoes served on the side.
Chopped Salad with Chicken & Creamy Chipotle Dressing
This chopped salad with chicken is smoky and zesty thanks to the creamy chipotle dressing. Cilantro adds a pop of freshness to each bite.
Easy Chicken Tenders with Lemon & Garlic
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
The secret to this easy chicken tenders recipe lies in the tangy lemon-and-garlic drizzle that picks up the savory flavors left in the pan from pan-searing. Feel free to experiment with other citrus flavors like oranges, mandarins or limes by swapping out the lemon zest and juice.
Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken
Goat cheese is a luscious and creamy cheese that's lower in calories, fat and sodium than other soft cheeses. Here, we combine it with fresh herbs and garlic, then stuff the mixture inside chicken breasts for a deliciously speedy weeknight dinner.
Fast Chicken Chili
This quickie chili comes together in a flash, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Stirring mashed cannellini beans into the chili adds body. You could also use navy or pinto beans.
Superfast Crispy Chicken Thighs
These chicken thighs get a delicious golden brown crisp in just about 25 minutes and pair well with any sides.
Chicken Tomato Tortilla Soup
Transform canned tomato soup by adding chicken, black beans and corn for a filling and quick lunch or dinner. Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, avocado and tortilla chips.
Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Sandwiches
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.
Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry
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.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This creamy garlic Parmesan chicken recipe is as simple (and delicious!) as it gets. Serve these saucy chicken cutlets over pasta or brown rice, or enjoy them on their own with a side of mashed potatoes.
Weeknight Lemon Chicken Skillet Dinner
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
This one-pan chicken dinner doesn't get much easier, or more satisfying. In just half an hour, you can have a complete meal on the table that doesn't require loads of dishes afterwards. Serve this hearty chicken and potatoes dinner with a simple side salad to sneak in another serving of veggies.
20-Minute Creamy Skillet Chicken with Corn, Tomato & Basil
Jacob Fox
This saucy 20-minute chicken recipe features fresh summer corn, tomatoes and basil. Serve this light and tangy quick dinner over pasta or brown rice.
Read the original article on Eating Well.