Our 18 Best Chicken Dinners for Weight Loss

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward.

Chicken is a healthy, complete protein that offers numerous nutrients and vitamins, including choline and vitamin B12. Whether it's juicy roasted chicken thighs or a comforting slow-cooked chicken soup, these highly-rated dinners aim to please—and each meal has no more than 575 calories and at least 15 grams of protein per serving, making it easier to hit your nutritional goals. Recipes like our One-Pan Chicken Florentine and our Chicken Guacamole Bowls are so tasty and satisfying, you'll want to make them on repeat.

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One-Pan Chicken Florentine

Credit: Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.
Credit: Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.

Classic chicken Florentine—creamy spinach served alongside sautéed chicken—is a fast and easy meal. This recipe uses cornstarch to thicken the cream instead of cheese. This chicken recipe is simple enough for weekdays but also elegant enough for a dinner party.

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02 of 18

Chicken Guacamole Bowls

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

These chicken guacamole bowls are a simple, flavor-packed meal where juicy chicken thighs and colorful veggies roast together on a single sheet pan for easy prep and cleanup.The chicken and veggies are served over a fresh and creamy guacamole with a sprinkle of tangy cotija cheese. A squeeze of lime at the end brightens up the dish and ties all the bold, fresh flavors together.

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03 of 18

Sheet-Pan Chicken Souvlaki

Credit: Photographer: Stacy K. Allen.
Credit: Photographer: Stacy K. Allen.

Inspired by traditional chicken souvlaki, this easy sheet-pan version skips the grill and the skewers without sacrificing the dish’s signature lemony, herby flavor. Marinated chicken is baked and briefly broiled for browned edges, then tucked into whole-wheat pita with a cool homemade tzatziki for a fresh, satisfying meal.

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04 of 18

Creamy Basil-Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist:Hannah Greenwood
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist:Hannah Greenwood

This creamy tomato-chicken pasta bake is comfort food at its finest. Tender chicken breast is baked along with juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy Boursin cheese for a rich, herby sauce. The chicken is shredded and returned to the dish with cooked pasta and fresh basil, then baked with fontina cheese on top until bubbly. This easy pasta bake is a complete meal that delivers big flavor.

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05 of 18

High-Protein Chicken Pasta Salad

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward.

This high-protein chicken pasta salad is a satisfying, meal-prep-friendly dish that’s perfect for lunches, potlucks or easy dinners. Tender chicken, whole-wheat pasta and feta cheese boost the protein, while crisp vegetables add freshness and crunch. A zesty lemon–red-wine vinaigrette brings everything together for a bright, balanced flavor in every bite.

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06 of 18

Sheet-Pan Chicken with Zucchini

Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.
Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.

From juicy chicken thighs to tender zucchini, everything cooks together on one sheet pan for a flavorful dinner with easy cleanup. Poblano peppers offer a nice heat, but you can easily swap them out for a green bell pepper if you want something milder. Cutting the chicken thighs in half ensures they cook at the same rate as the vegetables.

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07 of 18

Honey-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Zucchini

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.

A sweet and savory honey-garlic marinade gives these grilled chicken thighs plenty of flavor while keeping them juicy. Zucchini cooks alongside on the grill until tender and lightly charred, making this an easy summer dinner with minimal cleanup.

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08 of 18

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Credit: Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This creamy chicken-and-rice casserole gets its flavor from a combination of Parmesan, cream cheese and savory bacon, balanced with plenty of tender spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a healthier spin on a classic creamy chicken casserole that still tastes like a million bucks!

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09 of 18

High-Protein Dill Chicken Orzo

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spolle.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spolle.

This one-pan dinner delivers on protein and flavor with tender chicken cutlets, whole-wheat orzo and wilted kale in a creamy, lemony herb sauce. Dill and scallions add fresh brightness, while a bold homemade spice blend brings the flavor.

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10 of 18

High-Protein Ginger Chicken Soup

Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

This warming ginger chicken soup is packed with lean protein and plenty of vegetables for a comforting yet nourishing meal. Fresh ginger and warm spices like cumin and coriander give the broth deep flavor, while potatoes and spinach make the soup hearty and satisfying.

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High-Protein, High-Fiber Chicken Soup

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.

This hearty soup is loaded with lean protein, fiber-rich beans and vegetables, and bold flavors from sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes and lemon. Quick-cooking and satisfying, it’s a nutritious meal you can get on your table in just 30 minutes.

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Teriyaki Chicken Salad

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley.
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley.

This teriyaki chicken salad is a delicious blend of tender, glazed chicken thighs and crisp sliced veggies, all tossed in a flavorful teriyaki dressing. For an extra layer of texture and flavor, you can add some crispy fried onions or shallots, which provide a satisfying crunch and a hint of sweetness. Whether you keep it simple or add the extra crunch, this salad is a versatile and satisfying dish that’s sure to become a favorite.

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13 of 18

Bang Bang Chicken Casserole

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Inspired by the popular Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp, this casserole combines tender, juicy chicken with crisp broccoli and nutty brown rice for a filling meal. The creamy casserole has the perfect balance of heat and sweetness, thanks to the sauce. Avoid stirring the chicken as it cooks or else the breading will fall off and the chicken won’t get crispy.

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Chicken Fajita Soup

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

This chicken fajita soup combines the vibrant, smoky flavors of traditional fajitas with the comforting warmth of a soup. This versatile dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, and can be easily adjusted to suit your preferences. To kick up the heat, add a chopped jalapeño to the veggie mixture. You can swap out the rotisserie chicken for another protein like leftover steak, or make it vegetarian by using no-chicken broth and subbing tofu in place of the chicken.

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Sheet-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

This chicken and asparagus recipe is a simple one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Chicken cutlets are coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze, roasting right alongside tender asparagus for an easy, well-balanced dinner. If you don’t have chicken cutlets on hand, you can easily make your own by slicing two 8-ounce chicken breasts in half horizontally. The thin cut ensures quicker, more even cooking, so everything on the sheet pan finishes at the same time for a fuss-free, delicious dinner.

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Sheet-Pan Crispy Chicken with Squash & Tomatoes

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Giovana Vazquez, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Giovana Vazquez, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

This sheet-pan crispy chicken is an all-in-one meal that delivers big flavor with minimal cleanup. The trick lies in the clever use of the sheet pan: tender vegetables roast in the center, while the chicken cooks along the outer edges where the oven runs hotter. This allows the chicken to develop a golden, crispy crust with just a light coating of cooking spray.

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Creamy Chicken & Zucchini Casserole

Credit: Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Grennwood.
Credit: Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Grennwood.

This creamy chicken-and-zucchini casserole is a cozy dish that delivers all the flavors of cacio e pepe with a twist! Instead of pasta, tender chopped zucchini and juicy chicken pieces are folded into a peppery, cheesy sauce, bringing on all the savory flavors that fans of the classic Roman dish love. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing meal that’s just as satisfying as a traditional creamy pasta dish.

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Chicken Fajita Quinoa Bowl

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

These sheet-pan chicken fajita quinoa bowls are a colorful, flavor-packed dinner that comes together with minimal fuss. Chicken thighs, bell peppers and onions roast together in a bold spice blend, then get a quick broil for extra char and depth. Fluffy quinoa, brightened with cilantro and lime, forms a hearty base that soaks up the savory pan juices. A creamy, spiced yogurt sauce ties everything together.

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Original Source:

https://www.eatingwell.com/best-weight-loss-chicken-dinner-recipes-12000292