Recipe Spotlight

Anything-but-Boring Recipes to Make With That Package of Chicken Breasts

Already have a package of chicken breasts in your freezer? Take it to the next level.

By Danielle Lapierre

Published on March 13, 2020

If you open a lot of freezers or refrigerators around the country, there’s a good chance you’ll find a package of chicken breasts. It’s a lot of home cooks’ go-to protein and one of the most commonly cooked meats in American homes.

So if we all have and love chicken breasts, why do we keep making the same recipes over and over? It’s normal to have a rotation of tried-and-true favorites, but it’s easy to get into a rut. So we’ve collected some of our favorite chicken breast recipes—for boneless, skinless and bone-in, skin-on—so you have some new options you can turn to no matter what kind you buy.

The five in this article lean mostly on pantry ingredients so you don’t have to leave to get more ingredients to feed yourself and your family. Check out this recipe collection for even more options.

25 Chicken Breast Recipes That Are Anything But Boring

Chicken breasts are a versatile, family-friendly ingredient. Here are some exciting ways to cook them.

View Collection

Skillet Chicken and Rice with Peas and Scallions

1. Sautéed Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, Feta, and Mint

This quick-cooking recipe doesn't require much prep. After drying the chicken breasts to prevent sticking and them seasoning with salt and pepper, a dredge in flour and quick sauté delivers tender chicken breasts enhanced by a crispy exterior. Topping the juicy chicken with a refreshing combination of Mediterranean ingredients makes for a dish that everyone around the table will enjoy—all within 30 minutes. [GET THE RECIPE]What You'll Need:Salt and ground black pepper½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour4 tablespoons olive oil2 medium garlic cloves½ cup kalamata olives1 pint cherry tomatoes2 ounces feta cheese¼ cup thinly sliced fresh mint or basil4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2. Skillet Chicken and Rice with Peas and Scallions

Everyone hates doing dishes, which is one of the reasons why one-pan meals have risen in popularity, but sometimes they come up short for the sake of convenience. But in this 30-minute, one-skillet meal, we added all of our ingredients to the skillet in specific steps to make sure every inch of the dish was enveloped in flavor. [GET THE RECIPE]

What You'll Need:Salt and ground black pepper1 medium onion, minced3 medium cloves garlic clovesPinch red pepper flakes½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour2 tablespoons vegetable oil2 tablespoons unsalted butter5 scallions, sliced thin2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice1 cup frozen peas1½ cups long-grain white rice4½ cups low-sodium chicken broth4 (5- to 6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3. Chicken Fricassee

We were able to cut down on this classic French dish of poached chicken and a delectable cream sauce without compromising any of its flavor. We added richness with a combination of butter and oil, and used the fond from our browned vegetables as the base of the sauce, which sour cream gave body and tang. Finally, the large amount of mushrooms in this dish increased its heartiness to deliver a satisfying dish that won’t leave anyone feeling hungry. [GET THE RECIPE]

Table salt and ground black pepper1 tablespoon olive oil½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour1 tablespoon unsalted butter1 medium garlic clove1 medium onion1 pound cremini mushrooms2 teaspoons juice from 1 lemon2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon or parsley⅓ cup sour cream1 egg yolk¼ cup dry white wine1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or a combination

4. Pasta with Chicken, Broccoli, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

This dish is simple, but it's anything but boring. We started this restaurant-chain classic by browning the chicken strips in butter to ensure they would be able to deliver big flavor when accompanying the pasta and vegetables. To lighten it up, we took away the traditional cream sauce and replaced it with a sauce that is broth-based. [GET THE RECIPE]

What You'll Need:Table salt and pepper1 small onion6 medium cloves garlic¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes2 teaspoons all-purpose flour4 tablespoons unsalted butter2 ounces grated Asiago cheese1 cup dry white wine2 cups low-sodium chicken broth2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves1 jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes1 bunch broccoli (about 1 1/2 pounds)½ pound penne pasta, ziti, cavatappi, or campanelle1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

5. Chicken Piccata

This Italian classic has been ordered a million times at Italian restaurants around the world, but we decided to bring it into the home cook’s kitchen with our simple and easy-to-make recipe. We focused on making a sauce with deep citrus flavor that would leave a lasting impact in every bite. [GET THE RECIPE]

What You'll Need:Kosher salt and pepper¾ cup all-purpose flour¼ cup plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil1 shallot1 garlic clove2 large lemons3 tablespoons unsalted butter2 tablespoons capers1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley1 cup chicken broth4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

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