Chicken Dinners for 350 Calories or Less

August 27, 2019
Chicken is a favorite healthy dinner option—it’s delicious, low in calories and packed with protein. From your grill, stovetop or oven, there are endless ways to enjoy. So, if you’re in the mood for chicken, try one of these delicious low-calorie chicken dinner recipes tonight. Download a FREE Cookbook with Our Best Chicken Recipes! Watch Video
Start Slideshow

1 of 31

Creamy Chicken & Mushrooms

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Whether you scored wild mushrooms at the farmers' market, found cultivated maitake or shiitake at the supermarket or just have some baby bellas on hand, this healthy creamy chicken recipe is delicious with any of them. Serve over whole-wheat egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 31

Hasselback Caprese Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Using the hasselback technique (cutting crosswise slits every half-inch along the chicken breast) cooks the chicken faster and ensures you get a burst of flavorful gooey filling with each bite. This quick one-pan high-protein and veggie-packed dinner is easy to make and the whole family will love it.

3 of 31

Persian Grilled Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy grilled chicken recipe owes its tenderness to an overnight soak in a yogurt-lemon juice marinade and its soulful flavor to saffron and onion. A healthy drizzle of saffron-infused butter before serving adds an extra layer of richness. Serve with aromatic rice with pistachios and torshi, Central Asian pickles available at Persian and Middle Eastern grocery stores.

Advertisement

4 of 31

Chicken, Arugula & Butternut Squash Salad with Brussels Sprouts

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Hot roasted vegetables lightly wilt the arugula in this healthy dinner salad recipe. Keep prep time minimal with leftover chicken, precut butternut squash and trimmed Brussels sprouts.

5 of 31

Slow-Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Busy week coming up? Cook up these easy poached chicken breasts infused with the flavors of the ubiquitous Vietnamese sauce nuoc cham in your slow cooker on Sunday. Then enjoy the leftover chicken three different ways over the days to come--ladled with the broth over rice noodles, layered with vegetables on a sandwich and mixed with mayo to make a creamy chicken salad.

6 of 31

Chicken Chili with Sweet Potatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Tons of spice, corn and bell pepper give this healthy one-pot chicken chili recipe Southwestern flair. Serve with your favorite hot sauce, tortilla chips and a cold beer.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 31

Cauliflower Chicken Fried "Rice"

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Get an extra serving of vegetables and cut back on carbs by replacing rice with riced cauliflower in this healthy chicken fried rice recipe.

8 of 31

Creamy Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms One-Pot Pasta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You'll only have to dirty one pot in this easy pasta recipe that cooks chicken and vegetables right along with the noodles. Plus, by using the exact amount of water you need to cook the pasta, the starch that usually gets drained off with your pasta water stays in the pot, giving you delectably creamy results.

9 of 31

Quick Roast Chicken & Root Vegetables

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasted chicken in 45 minutes? No problem. This technique of starting bone-in chicken breasts on the stovetop and finishing them in a hot oven with vegetables gets a hearty dinner on the table in a hurry. While everything roasts, you still have time to make a quick pan sauce with shallot and Dijon mustard. Serve with a spinach salad.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 31

Oven-Fried Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Great news--crunchy, flavorful fried chicken can be healthy with this oven-fried chicken recipe. We marinate skinless chicken in buttermilk to keep it juicy. A light coating of flour, sesame seeds and spices, misted with olive oil, forms an appealing crust during baking. And with only 7 grams of fat per serving in this oven-fried chicken recipe--rather than the 20 in typical fried chicken--that is good news.

11 of 31

Chicken, Quinoa & Veggie Bowl

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

With a whopping 19 grams of protein, this one-dish meal will keeping you feeling full and satisfied for hours.

12 of 31

Chicken with Sugar Snap Peas & Spring Herbs

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Quick-cooking chicken cutlets are paired with an elegant but easy light sauce of sugar snap peas and artichoke hearts. This dish can be made without the sprouted beans, but is especially delicious with them--if you have extras, try them on a salad.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 31

Spatchcock Turkey with Sage & Thyme

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

When it comes to cooking a whole turkey quickly and evenly, spatchcocking--removing the entire backbone from the bird and splaying it open--is a great technique. This skin on this spatchcocked turkey gets crispy and browned because nearly all of the skin is exposed. This recipe uses a simple blend of oil, fresh herbs and spices for classic roasted turkey flavor. Look for a small turkey, about 12 pounds, as it fits better in most roasting pans.

14 of 31

Chicken & Asparagus with Melted Gruyere

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

For this elegant dish, boneless chicken breast and asparagus are smothered in a luxurious white-wine sauce with just the right amount of melted Gruyère cheese. Tarragon and lemon add a delicious light flavor that is perfect with asparagus.

15 of 31

Chicken Fajitas with Red Grapefruit Salsa

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy chicken fajita recipe gets a fresh spin with a sweet, tart and spicy grapefruit salsa. If you like, skip the fajitas altogether and serve the salsa on fish, steak or even with a bowl of chips. Adjust the amount of jalapeño to tailor the heat level.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 31

Roasted Chickens

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this easy roast chicken recipe, two whole birds cook side-by-side on one pan, which means you only have to heat the oven once but you'll have enough leftover chicken for days. Rotating the chickens on the pan during roasting ensures all sides are evenly cooked and golden brown.

17 of 31

Orzo Chicken Salad with Avocado-Lime Dressing

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The creamy quick-blend dressing is just the thing to top this inspired Southwest pasta salad. Both can be made a day ahead.

18 of 31

Nashville Hot Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fried chicken gets a hearty kick of heat and a slash in calories and sodium with this healthy baked chicken recipe. Serve the crispy chicken as they do in Nashville--with soft bread and dill pickle slices--or alongside a green salad with blue cheese dressing to help cool down the spiciness.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 31

Middle Eastern Chicken & Chickpea Stew

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This quick, protein-rich chicken stew recipe gets great flavor from cumin, lemon juice and garlic. Make a double batch and freeze it for a quick healthy dinner. Serve the stew with couscous and steamed broccoli.

20 of 31

Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This fragrant, Italian-flavored soup takes advantage of quick-cooking ingredients--boneless, skinless chicken breast, bagged baby spinach and canned beans. It features a simple homemade basil pesto swirled in at the end to add a fresh herb flavor. If you are very pressed for time, you can substitute 3 to 4 tablespoons of a store-bought basil pesto. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell.

21 of 31

Mexican Stuffed Acorn Squash

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fall favorite acorn squash gets a Mexican twist with a spicy-as-you-like-it turkey and veggie stuffing.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 31

Indonesian Chicken and Soba Noodle Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This satisfying veggie-packed chicken soup variation is ready in 45 minutes.

23 of 31

Barbecue Pulled Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This BBQ pulled chicken recipe is a fanciful reinterpretation of pulled pork that slow-cooks chicken in lots of tangy tomato sauce. Have sliced jalapenos, sliced red onions and some sour cream on hand to top this barbecue pulled chicken, which makes a hearty main course. You can turn it into an unbelievable sandwich or serve it on mashed potatoes or even whole-grain spaghetti. Serve with shredded napa cabbage tossed with low-fat mayonnaise, cider vinegar, celery seed and honey to taste.

24 of 31

Lapsang Souchong Chicken with Bok Choy

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy chicken recipe, dried Chinese Lapsang Souchong tea lends a smoky flavor to the meat. Look for it near other teas or in the bulk section. Grind it in a spice grinder before using. Serve with steamed brown rice or rice noodles drizzled with sesame oil.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 31

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders with Cucumber-Ranch Dressing

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Asparagus and bacon are wrapped around spiced chicken tenders in this quick and healthy chicken dinner. Serve with a green salad tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette or make extra cucumber-ranch dressing and use it for your salad too.

26 of 31

Apricot-Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Carrot Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy dinner recipe, searing the chicken on the stovetop then finishing it in the oven ensures juicy results. If you don't have apricot preserves, honey or maple syrup makes a nice substitution.

27 of 31

Lemon-Sopressata Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You'll only need 5 ingredients and 30 minutes for this healthy chicken recipe. Serve with mashed potatoes and a mixed green salad with red-wine vinaigrette to round out dinner.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 31

Chicken à la King

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

There's no need to feel guilty over this classic creamy combination of chicken, peppers and mushrooms. Our version uses low-fat milk and flour for thickening to make it plenty rich without all the saturated fat. Serve over whole-wheat egg noodles.

29 of 31

Chicken Tacos with Charred Tomatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Charring tomatoes in a hot, dry skillet makes them smoky and flavorful; in combination with fresh herbs and spices, they elevate this dish from “everyday” to “ta-da!” Serve the tacos with reduced-fat sour cream.

30 of 31

Garlic Chicken

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Whole garlic cloves are mild when simmered with chicken in a simple white wine-mustard sauce in this garlic chicken recipe. Serve with smashed potatoes with buttermilk and sautéed green beans.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 31

Hawaiian Ginger-Chicken Stew

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This chicken stew has a bold ginger-flavored broth and provides a whole serving of dark leafy greens in each bowl. We tried it with frozen chopped mustard greens (available in large supermarkets) and it was even quicker to prepare and just as delicious. Serve with brown rice.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next