Fresh Recipe Ideas for Chicken

Chicken with Apricots

Tamar Fasja Unikel, co-owner of Masa Madre in Chicago, said her Syrian grandmother used to make this sweet, saucy dish. Browning the chicken for 40 minutes gently renders out the chicken fat with delicious results.

Cornmeal-Crusted Picnic Chicken with Blueberry Mostardawith

This gluten-free "fried" chicken—dredged in cornmeal and masa harina— keeps its crunch longer, so it's perfect on summer outings. Serve it with tangy mostarda (Italian fruit "mustard")—blueberries simmered with wine, mustard seeds and black pepper.

Chicken Shawarma

Tuesday can have tacos. Make Saturday shawarma night, with a warm pita wrapped around spice-crusted chicken thighs, parsley-flecked Israeli salad and a swoop of the creamiest tahini.

Slow-Cooker Murgh Tari

Chicago cookbook author Anupy Singla adapted this deeply spiced, ginger-punched murgh (chicken) tari (sauce) from her husband, who is also Punjabi. The recipe is featured in Singla's cookbook The Indian Slow Cooker.

Short on time? Try the Pressure-Cooker Murgh Tari version of this recipe.

Chicken en Chile Verde Tamales

Tamales are a project, but so worth it—especially with friends or family helping with assembly. This recipe comes from chef Jorge Guzmán of Petite León in Minneapolis.

Chicken Katsu

This spin on a favorite Japanese comfort food uses moist, flavorful boneless thighs rather than breasts. The result is juicy and super crispy chicken to serve with a sweet-and-savory mango sauce.

Chicken with Olives and Dates

This dish couldn't be easier, but the payoff is succulent, sweet, savory and so much more than the sum of its parts.

West African Grilled Chicken in Tomato Sauce

At Okra African Grill in Omaha, Togolese chef Nina Sodji serves this spicy anise-flavored chicken over rice. Her favorite sides: sauteed lightly seasoned bell peppers and Fried Plantains. For extra kick, add the West African Green Pepper Sauce.

Summer Chicken Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

Heap a platter with butter lettuce, poached chicken, green beans, avocado, berries, chives and basil. (The cooked components are easily made ahead.) Admire your creation, then douse it in berry-pink vinaigrette.

Chip-Crusted Chicken Tenders

Tortilla chips provide the crispy coating for these kid-friendly (and kid-at-heart-friendly) chicken tenders. The easy dipping sauce can be flavored with Sriracha or honey mustard.

Chicken Tagine

For this recipe, Karen Bell, chef and owner of Bavette La Boucherie in Milwaukee, marinates thighs and drumsticks in saffron, mint and ras el hanout (a blend of cinnamon, coriander, ginger, turmeric and black pepper), then simmers them with olives and preserved lemons for pops of briny flavor.

Thai Chicken Wraps

Hello, healthy! These wraps make creative use of collard greens and are loaded with rotisserie chicken, a rainbow of vegetables and yummy peanut sauce.

Chicken Empanadas

The secret to whipping out these deliciously cheesy chicken- and potato-filled pockets for your next game night or tailgate? Frozen, pre-cut empanada wrappers. The recipe comes from Minnesota chef and author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard.

Moroccan Chicken Stew

Golden raisins and almonds are classic Moroccan ingredients that are essential to this comforting weeknight stew. The raisins add sweetness and the almonds add texture.

Chipotle Chicken and Cheddar Panini

A handy supermarket product—chipotle-flavor mayo—is the secret ingredient in this loaded sandwich. We love the convenience, but if you like, stir 1 teaspoon of minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce into regular mayonnaise instead.

Coconut-Lime Chicken Soup

Start with a rotisserie chicken, and you can whip up this Thai-inspired soup in less than 30 minutes.

Chicken, Tomato and Spinach Mac and Cheese

We gave homey mac and cheese a refresh. The saucepan sauce is made without a flour thickener, so it's lighter-tasting than baked versions. And adding veggies and chicken makes it a well-rounded meal.

Chicken Enchiladas Adobo

Wrap meat in multigrain tortillas with adobo sauce and fire-roasted tomatoes for a fresh take on chicken enchiladas.

Herbed Chicken, Orzo and Zucchini

Team basil-seasoned chicken breasts with fresh zucchini and seasoned orzo for a fast and flavorful dinner.

Pressure Cooker White Chicken Chili

Your Instant Pot helps you get this healthy chili on the table in just half an hour after you've soaked the beans in water. Green sweet pepper, whole kernel corn and a zesty mix of spices round out the flavor.

The Ultimate Chicken and Noodle Casserole

Cremini mushrooms, asparagus, roasted peppers and almonds update this classic hotdish.

Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

Rub a blend of lemon peel, rosemary, thyme, parsley and garlic on the chicken before baking; add fresh thyme sprigs and garlic bulbs around the chicken for even more flavor. Potatoes, sweet potatoes and carrots make this a one-pan meal.

Spiced Chicken with Cucumber-Mint Sauce

Garlic, garam masala and fresh ginger season the chicken in this Indian-inspired recipe from The Spice House shop in Milwaukee. The refreshing yogurt-based sauce is similar to traditional cucumber raita.

Sticky, Kicky Chicken Wings

The name says it all—serve these baked Cajun-spiced wings with plenty of napkins and a cold drink! See more chicken wing recipes.

Blue Cheese and Balsamic Chicken Pizza

Topped with blue cheese, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and a balsamic-spiked tomato sauce, this potent pizza has definite adult flavor.