Healthy Whole Chicken Recipes

Juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside--Is there anything better than a whole roasted chicken? It's an easy and beautiful main dish for entertaining or a great tool for meal prep--just roast once to eat all week. Plus, these healthy recipes have almost half the amount of sodium of a grocery story rotisserie chicken.

Staff Picks

Creamy Rotisserie-Chicken Noodle Casserole

3
This creamy chicken noodle casserole recipe is inspired by our popular Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken by Karen Rankin. We use store-bought rotisserie chicken to cut down on cooking time. This casserole is cozy and delicious.
By Carolyn Casner

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken

40
This creamy rotisserie chicken soup has a delicious chicken pot pie feel to it. We call for rotisserie chicken to streamline your prep time--look for a nice big one with lots of breast meat on it. Pair this comforting and easy soup recipe with a green salad, or, if you're really hungry, a grilled cheese sandwich.
By Karen Rankin

Green Chile Rotisserie Chicken Casserole

1
This green chile rotisserie chicken casserole features tender rotisserie chicken with lots of tender vegetables. The corn adds a nice pop of sweetness, while the rice helps absorb some of the flavors. A crunchy topping of crushed tortilla chips finishes off this comforting, Southwestern-inspired casserole.
By John Somerall

Chopped Power Salad with Chicken

3
Enjoy this filling and colorful salad for lunch or dinner. The dressing gets made in the same bowl that the salad is tossed in, so the greens absorb every bit of flavor.
By Carolyn Casner

Green Chile Chicken Tortilla Casserole

1
Prepare this dish the night ahead of time so all you have to do is pop it in the oven for an easy and delicious dinner.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Basic Whole Roast Chicken

2
This roasted chicken recipe may be the most useful recipe you'll ever find. It's a meal on its own or the start of any recipe that calls for cooked chicken--perfect for meal-prepping lunches or dinners to have throughout the week.
By Robin Bashinsky

Slow-Cooker Spicy Red Pepper Chicken

1
Inspired by piri piri chicken, this recipe braises the chicken in a slow cooker first before it hits the broiler to get a little char.
By Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Lemon Chicken Pasta

7
In this easy lemon chicken pasta recipe, we love the combination of lemon zest and toasted breadcrumbs. This healthy dinner is made with rotisserie chicken, quick-cooking spiralized zucchini and baby zucchini, so you get a complete meal in just 10 minutes.
By Sara Haas, RDN

3-Ingredient Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Salad

3
We put a flavor twist on the classic chicken salad by using a lemon-herb mayonnaise. Try other mayo varieties, like roasted garlic or chipotle lime, in this fast, no-cook lunch recipe. Serve this rotisserie chicken salad recipe with whole-grain crackers.
By Carolyn Hodges, M.S., RDN

Crispy Roast Chicken

2
Classic and delicious, this roast chicken recipe will shine on the table fresh from the oven, served with any side. And this oven-roasted chicken is basic enough to play well in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken.
By Cooking Light

My 3 Key Ingredients for the Best Rotisserie Chicken Soup

In this installment of Diaspora Dining, author and historian Jessica B. Harris contemplates change and chicken soup, and how her own tastes and methods have evolved.
By Jessica B. Harris

Air-Fryer Rotisserie Chicken

1
Replicate the flavor, lovely burnished skin and moist texture of a classic rotisserie chicken with this easy recipe for cooking a whole chicken in your air fryer. With just a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of active time, you get a roast chicken with lemon and herbs that's a remarkable doppelganger for a deli chicken right after it comes out of the rotisserie. Serve this air-fryer rotisserie chicken with your favorite veggie sides for a healthy weeknight dinner or weekend supper. And if you're hosting a dinner party, cooking your main course in the air fryer is also a great way free up oven space for casseroles, rolls and other dishes.
By Robin Bashinsky
Advertisement

Inspiration and Ideas

11 Comforting Soups You Can Make with Rotisserie Chicken
Chicken soup is a warm, cozy dish that's perfect for chilly days, and we have all the recipes you'll need. These soups can be made with rotisserie chicken, so they're easy to pull together on any weeknight.
15 Cozy Casseroles You Can Make with Rotisserie Chicken
Make the most of a rotisserie chicken with these cozy casserole recipes. Perfect for chilly nights, these warm and filling casseroles are yummy choices for dinner.
18 Sunday Dinners You Can Make With Rotisserie Chicken
3-Ingredient Farro Bowl with Rotisserie Chicken
Chicken Ballotine with Creamy Leek & Chestnut Stuffing
One-Pot Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta
1
Roast Chicken with Cider Gravy

Tucking fresh herbs and garlic between the skin and the breast infuses the meat with flavor. We use thyme here, but you can also use fresh rosemary or parsley. If you have a rack, place the chicken on it to allow the hot air to circulate. You can also improvise a rack (as we do here) by setting the chicken on the neck and giblets.

All Healthy Whole Chicken Recipes

Oven-Roasted Whole Chicken

1
This recipe proves that learning how to roast a whole chicken can be easier (and more delicious) than you thought. For extra-crispy skin, remove the chicken from the brine, dry with paper towels and refrigerate for an additional 24 hours before roasting. Read more about the story behind this recipe: The Dinner Dance.
By Summer Miller

Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

Rotisserie chicken tacos are the perfect way to get tacos on the table fast. The chicken is gently heated and flavored with chili powder and ground cumin. Toppings can be customized, but sticking with a quick pico de gallo and the classic toppings of shredded lettuce, cheese and sour cream keeps things quick and simple.
By John Somerall

Chicken Enchiladas with White Sauce

2
In this easy chicken enchiladas recipe, we make a white sauce from chicken broth and sour cream that coats corn tortillas rolled up with shredded chicken, onion, peppers and spices. Poblano peppers tend to be mild, but if you really want to cut the heat, use a green bell pepper instead.
By Robin Bashinsky

Lemon-Herb Roasted Spatchcock Chicken & Potatoes

The name might be funny, but the results are awesome. Spatchcock chicken cooks faster than roasting a whole chicken. The bird cooks quickly and evenly, with more skin exposed to get crisp in the oven. If you're uncomfortable cutting the chicken and removing the backbone yourself, ask your butcher for help. Roasted fingerling potatoes round out this easy, one sheet-pan dinner.
By Carolyn Casner

Vertically Grilled Whole Chicken

In this whole grilled chicken recipe, a vertical grilling rack allows the heat of the grill to flow inside the bird, which means it cooks from both the inside and outside. Season with just salt, pepper and olive oil or use your favorite rub or marinade. You could also use a basting sauce during the last 10 minutes of cooking for extra flavor.
By David Bonom

One-Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta with Zucchini

2
This one-pot creamy chicken with zucchini is comfort food at its best. Here, we take advantage of fresh summer zucchini, which lightens up the dish. This easy dinner is made all in one pot on the stovetop, so you can give your oven a rest on a warm day and enjoy an easy cleanup.
By Adam Dolge

3-Ingredient Chicken Salad Tostadas

1
For this three-ingredient dinner, a premade salad kit is the perfect shortcut because it has everything you need in one bag, including the dressing. Swap in canned black beans for the chicken to make this vegetarian.
By Carolyn Hodges, M.S., RDN

Roast Chicken with Pomegranate Glaze

2
This sweet-tart pomegranate molasses glaze is delicious combined with the citrusy sumac spice rub, and gives the roasted chicken a dark, ruby luster. Rub the chicken earlier in the day, or overnight, for the best flavor.
By Romney Steele

Two Simple Herb-Roasted Chickens

We've included a basic herb combination in this recipe for roasting two chickens at once, but season your chicken with whatever herbs you like. Though we like to roast two chickens at once, you can also easily halve all the ingredients and just roast one.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

3-Ingredient Broccoli Mac & Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken

Transform a box of macaroni and cheese for an easy weeknight dinner. Use frozen broccoli, steamed in the microwave, to cut down on prep time. Opt for chickpea-based macaroni and cheese for a boost of protein and fiber.
By Carolyn Hodges, M.S., RDN

Spice-Roasted Chicken & Lemon Potatoes

2
If it isn't already, this vibrant dish will make oven-roasted chicken a favorite at your house. With the lemon potatoes, it's an irresistible and simple meal. You can use the leftover meat in soup, sandwiches, and salads.
By Amy Riolo

Instant-Pot Whole Chicken

1
This basic Instant Pot whole chicken is moist and delicious. Plenty of garlic and fresh herbs flavor this healthy chicken recipe that can be enjoyed as a meal on its own or shredded and used in soups or as a topping for salad. In addition to the garlic and herb chicken, see Tips (below) for a lemon-garlic variation and a lemongrass and lime version of the basic recipe. Whichever version you choose, this pressure-cooker chicken requires just 15 minutes of active time.
By Adam Hickman

Roast Chicken with Fennel & Preserved Lemon

The flavors in this spice rub are reminiscent of Italian gremolata.
By Chandra Ram

Slow-Cooker Lemon, Garlic & Sage Chicken

When making a whole, slow-cooker chicken, it's best to buy a better-quality chicken such as one from a farm stand. The flavor and texture of the bird will hold up best over the long cook time. Also, leaving the skin on during cooking will ensure that the chicken stays moist. If you have leftover chicken, use it for a chicken soup or in a chicken salad sandwich. For a beautiful presentation, serve the chicken surrounded by fresh sage leaves and roasted, halved lemons and garlic heads.
By Cooking Light

Roasted Chickens

4
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.
By David Bonom

Asian-Style Brined Chicken Hindquarters with Sesame-Cilantro Pesto

Brining the chicken before grilling ensures that it's juicy and tender. A sesame-cilantro pesto, with ginger, mint, and crushed red pepper, is the perfect topping for this Asian-style main dish.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

3-Ingredient Chicken Caesar Flatbread

A frozen cauliflower-based pizza crust becomes the crispy base for this no-fuss flatbread. Pick up a Caesar-style salad kit to save yourself the hassle of needing to buy lots of other ingredients (everything's included in the kit!), and use rotisserie chicken breast to simplify prep even more.
By Carolyn Hodges, M.S., RDN

Crispy Roast Chicken & Carrots

Nothing says comfort like a roasted whole chicken, but it can take a while to cook. Using parts instead puts this easy roast chicken on the weeknight menu. Fresh herbs, lemon juice and capers in this Italian salsa verde sauce brighten things up.
By Devon O'Brien

My Abuelita's Estofado de Pollo Won Over My Mother-in-Law

1
Estofado de pollo is a hearty chicken stew. The recipe is simple but takes a bit of time, so pick an afternoon that you aren't busy so you can enjoy the process. If you'd like, you can use blanched almonds and skip Step 2. Serve with a side of rice and beans.
By Jessica Ruvalcaba

Roasted Chicken with Pan Gravy

In this easy roast chicken recipe, vegetables cook underneath and soak up the juices from the roasting bird. The delicious vegetables are then used to make easy, healthy gravy. Using cornstarch instead of flour is a foolproof way to make sure your gravy stays lump-free.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Spice-Rubbed Grilled Whole Chicken

Crispy skin, tender meat and charred skin make for a delicious dinner main. Plus, the blend of paprika, cumin and cinnamon match deliciously with the chicken. You can eat this grilled chicken as-is--perhaps with a side of grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes--or shred it and put it in a salad.
By Robby Melvin

Chicken Tagine

This quick version of a traditional recipe can be made in about 30 minutes using a beloved kitchen hack: shredded rotisserie chicken! The shredded meat simmers briefly in a flavor-packed base that is rich with garlic and spices, sweetened with dates, and tangy from olives and preserved lemons. The addition of lentils and garbanzo beans makes this a hearty one-pot supper, though you can serve it with rice, couscous, or pita bread.
By Ayesha Curry

Roast Chicken with Preserved Lemon & Braised Vegetables

The pulp and rind of Moroccan preserved lemons is all you need to lift a pedestrian roast chicken into the realm of the exotic!
By Kitty Morse

11 Rotisserie Chicken Recipes to Get Dinner on the Table ASAP

When don't have a dinner plan or feel like cooking an elaborate meal, a rotisserie chicken will become your new best friend.
Load More
Advertisement
© Copyright EatingWell. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.eatingwell.com