12 Lean and Mean Chicken Breast Recipes to Make for a Healthy Meal

Chicken breast is a healthy protein choice. It is lean and versatile. This post shares 12 simple recipes. Each dish keeps you fit and satisfied.

You get easy ingredients and clear steps. Enjoy tasty meals without guilt. Cook these recipes for a quick dinner or meal prep. Let’s start making healthy food you’ll love.

1. Garlic Lemon Chicken Breast

About:
Garlic and lemon bring bold flavor to this dish. This recipe uses juicy chicken breast. It is quick to cook. You get a healthy meal in under 30 minutes. Fresh herbs add a nice touch. Serve it with veggies or rice. It keeps you full and happy. Perfect for busy nights.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Rub mixture over chicken breasts.
4. Place chicken in a baking dish.
5. Bake chicken for 20-25 minutes.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from oven.
8. Sprinkle parsley on top.
9. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
10. Slice chicken and serve hot.

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2. Spicy Grilled Chicken Breast

About:
This recipe adds heat to your plate. Spicy seasoning wakes up your taste buds. Grilled chicken stays juicy and lean. It is great for summer barbecues. Pair it with a cool salad. You get big flavor with little effort. Healthy eating feels exciting here.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Heat grill to medium-high.
2. Mix olive oil, chili powder, cayenne, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. Coat chicken breasts with mixture.
4. Place chicken on grill.
5. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes per side.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from grill.
8. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
9. Slice chicken and serve warm.

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3. Honey Mustard Chicken Breast

About:
Honey and mustard make a sweet-tangy combo. This dish uses tender chicken breast. It is simple yet delicious. You cook it in one pan. Cleanup stays easy. Serve it with roasted potatoes. It fits a healthy lifestyle. Everyone at the table will smile.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat skillet over medium heat.
2. Mix honey, mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Brush mixture over chicken breasts.
4. Place chicken in skillet.
5. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from skillet.
8. Let chicken rest for 3 minutes.
9. Serve chicken hot with extra sauce.

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4. Baked Pesto Chicken Breast

About:
Pesto adds fresh flavor to this recipe. Baked chicken breast stays moist. It is a healthy option for dinner. You need just a few ingredients. Prep takes minutes. Pair it with pasta or greens. This dish makes healthy eating fun.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 2 tablespoons pesto sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix pesto, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Spread mixture over chicken breasts.
4. Place chicken in a baking dish.
5. Bake chicken for 25-30 minutes.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from oven.
8. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
9. Slice chicken and serve warm.

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5. Teriyaki Chicken Breast

About:
Teriyaki sauce gives this dish a sweet-salty kick. Chicken breast soaks up the flavor. It cooks fast in a skillet. You get a healthy meal with Asian flair. Serve it over rice. This recipe keeps dinner simple and tasty.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat skillet over medium heat.
2. Mix soy sauce, honey, garlic, and olive oil in a bowl.
3. Coat chicken breasts with mixture.
4. Place chicken in skillet.
5. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes per side.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from skillet.
8. Let chicken rest for 3 minutes.
9. Slice chicken and serve hot.

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6. Lemon Herb Chicken Breast

About:
Lemon and herbs brighten this dish. Chicken breast stays light and flavorful. It roasts in the oven. You get a healthy meal with ease. Serve it with steamed broccoli. This recipe fits any night. Fresh taste keeps you coming back.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Rub mixture over chicken breasts.
4. Place chicken in a baking dish.
5. Lay lemon slices on top.
6. Bake chicken for 20-25 minutes.
7. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
8. Remove chicken from oven.
9. Serve chicken hot with lemon slices.

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7. Cajun Chicken Breast

About:
Cajun spices heat up this recipe. Chicken breast gets a bold twist. It cooks fast on the stove. You enjoy a lean, tasty meal. Pair it with quinoa. This dish brings excitement to healthy eating.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat skillet over medium heat.
2. Mix olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Rub mixture over chicken breasts.
4. Place chicken in skillet.
5. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from skillet.
8. Let chicken rest for 3 minutes.
9. Slice chicken and serve warm.

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8. Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast

About:
Parmesan adds a crispy layer to this dish. Chicken breast stays juicy inside. It bakes in the oven. You get a healthy, cheesy meal. Serve it with a salad. This recipe makes dinner feel special.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix Parmesan, olive oil, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. Press mixture onto chicken breasts.
4. Place chicken in a baking dish.
5. Bake chicken for 20-25 minutes.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from oven.
8. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
9. Serve chicken hot.

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9. BBQ Chicken Breast

About:
BBQ sauce gives this dish smoky flavor. Chicken breast stays tender and lean. It grills in minutes. You enjoy a healthy summer meal. Serve it with coleslaw. This recipe keeps things simple and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat grill to medium-high.
2. Mix BBQ sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Brush mixture over chicken breasts.
4. Place chicken on grill.
5. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes per side.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from grill.
8. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
9. Serve chicken warm.

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10. Creamy Garlic Chicken Breast

About:
Garlic and cream make this dish rich. Chicken breast stays soft and flavorful. It cooks in one skillet. You get a healthy meal with comfort. Serve it over zucchini noodles. This recipe satisfies without guilt.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Heat skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt.
3. Place chicken in skillet with olive oil.
4. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side.
5. Add garlic to skillet and cook for 1 minute.
6. Pour cream into skillet.
7. Simmer chicken in sauce for 5 minutes.
8. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
9. Serve chicken hot with sauce.

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11. Chili Lime Chicken Breast

About:
Chili and lime bring zesty flavor. Chicken breast cooks fast and stays lean. It grills to perfection. You enjoy a healthy, spicy meal. Serve it with avocado. This dish keeps your taste buds happy.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 lime (juiced)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Heat grill to medium-high.
2. Mix olive oil, chili powder, lime juice, and salt in a bowl.
3. Coat chicken breasts with mixture.
4. Place chicken on grill.
5. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes per side.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from grill.
8. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
9. Slice chicken and serve warm.

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12. Rosemary Chicken Breast

About:
Rosemary adds earthy flavor to this dish. Chicken breast roasts tender and juicy. It is a healthy choice for dinner. You need minimal ingredients. Serve it with carrots. This recipe makes healthy eating cozy and good.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Rub mixture over chicken breasts.
4. Place chicken in a baking dish.
5. Bake chicken for 25-30 minutes.
6. Check chicken reaches 165°F inside.
7. Remove chicken from oven.
8. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes.
9. Serve chicken hot.