40+ 5-Star Spring Chicken Recipes

Baked Chicken Roulade Recipe

Fill tender chicken breast pieces with asparagus and spinach, bake, and top with a light white wine sauce for an elegant springtime entrée.

Balsamic Chicken with Oranges and Radicchio Recipe

Antioxidants called anthocyanins give radicchio its bold hue; research shows these compounds can help improve gut health. Grilled oranges help balance radicchio’s bitterness.

Seared Chicken with Shallots and Grapes Recipe

This rustic skillet supper is the ultimate company-worthy comfort food. Juicy, antioxidant-rich red grapes combine with shallots, vinegar, and cardamom to yield an intriguing balance of tart and sweet flavors.

One-Pan Chicken with Lemon, Olives, and Artichokes Recipe

You’ll love the bold flavors of this Mediterranean-inspired dish. Lemony chicken and artichokes are topped with a bright and tangy relish of green olives, parsley, and thyme. We love serving this dish over pearl couscous to soak up the delicious pan sauce, but you can swap it out for rice or even pasta.

Pan-roasted Chicken with Asparagus and Shiitakes Recipe

Meaty shiitakes, a good sear on the chicken, and a sprinkle of nutty parmesan cheese—not to mention the sweet, tender-crisp asparagus—make this low-fat dish a winner.

Chicken Risotto with Spring Vegetables Recipe

Make creamy risotto the main dish by adding strips of chicken and fresh asparagus.

Chicken and Strawberry Salad Recipe

Strawberries are at their peak, so now is the perfect time to toss them with chicken and fresh greens for a simple no-cook salad.

Grilled Chicken Pita Salad Recipe

Showcase springtime asparagus along with sliced chicken, kalamata olives, tomato and feta cheese in this hearty Mediterranean main dish salad.

Steamed Chicken and Vegetables with Soy Dipping Sauce Recipe

Pile steamed fresh sugar snap peas and crisp asparagus on top of steamed chicken and serve with a soy dipping sauce for a dinner that comes in at only 250 calories per serving.

Crispy Chicken Milanese Recipe

This simple dredge-dip-dredge method is our go-to trick for adding superb crunch to quick-cooking cutlets. The speedy salad is also a perfect partner for pork and salmon; swap frisée or your favorite bitter greens for a flavor twist.

Weeknight Fried Chicken Recipe

Peanut flour gives this chicken incredible toasty flavor, while Wondra flour makes for crave-worthy crispness. It’s a Sunday supper with weeknight preparation.

Chicken Piccata with Capers Recipe

Get an Italian restaurant favorite at home for just a fraction of the cost. The best part? It comes together from start to finish in just 20 minutes. This is perfect for a busy weeknight. Serve over hot-cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta and spritz with additional lemon juice for added brightness to the dish. Enjoy this restaurant favorite at home with a glass of white wine and fresh garden salad. This Italian chicken recipe  is sure to please your entire family.

Braised Chicken with Olives, Capers, and Prunes Recipe

This recipe for a braised chicken with olives, capers, and prunes is inspired by Chicken Marbella, the recipe from The Silver Palate Cookbook that went “viral” in the 1980s. It’s been updated with far less added sugar (the original recipe calls for a cup of brown sugar) and the welcome addition of citrus.

Rosemary Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recipe

Fresh rosemary and smoked almonds set this chicken salad apart from all the others, and rotisserie chicken breasts make it quick and easy. Reviewer Raquel recalls, "This chicken salad was so great! We served it at a wedding shower and everyone loved it."

Pomegranate-Glazed Chicken Recipe

Sweet and tangy pomegranate juice gives the chicken a gorgeous garnet-hued glaze. Dress up the quinoa pilaf by adding a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese for a pop of salty flavor.

Brined Grilled Chicken with Dipping Sauces Recipe

We love the smoky flavor of grilled wings, but we also like wings that are tender and juicy.  The brine, made with herbs, garlic, brown sugar, and chiles, adds tons of flavor and keeps the wings from drying out on the grill. And the trio of sauces gives everyone plenty of options to choose from. We recommend using drumettes because they are nice and meaty and easier to pick up and eat.

Chicken Cutlets with Spring Vegetable Salad and Herb Vinaigrette Recipe

Looking to showcase your farmers’ market haul in its finest glory? In that case—you, my friend, are looking for this awe-inspiring spring chicken dinner. Every component brings something special to the table in a salad like this: Your greens create a sweet, crunchy base with a peppery hit from arugula, radishes contribute a pleasant bitter-edged brightness, cucumbers offer a clean crunch, potatoes pack the buttery richness, and a tangy, herbaceous vinaigrette is everything you need to tie everything together. Served alongside a golden-crisp chicken cutlet this lively plate nails the perfect balance of fried and fresh. In other words, this recipe is sure route to dinnertime nirvana. 

Coriander Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables, Gnocchi, and Lemon-Butter Sauce Recipe

Succulent, crispy-skinned thighs, vibrant veggies, and pillowy potato dumplings, all dressed in a luscious lemon-butter pan sauce—really, what more could you ask for? Treat yourself to a chicken dinner that’s 100% as impressive as it sounds. It’s not one of those “ready-in-15-minutes” meals, but it is a plate you’ll be happy you pulled together after a weekend trip to the farmers’ market. 

Crispy Chicken Cutlets With Lemon-Butter Carrots Recipe

Tossed in a simple lemon-tarragon butter, these tender baby carrots are the perfect partner for quick-cooking chicken cutlets. If you can’t track down steam-in-bag carrots, microwave baby carrots until just tender, about 5 minutes.

Skillet Chicken Breast with Beans and Greens Recipe

Our Skillet Chicken Breast with Beans and Greens is truly a one pan wonder. Our Test Kitchen came up with this tasty, family friendly chicken dinner which comes together in a single skillet. Packed with protein, loaded with fiber, and just 390 calories per serving, Skillet Chicken with Beans and Greens makes a healthy dinner any night of the week. This recipe is oh-so-versatile too—swap out the turnip greens for collards or kale. Use pinto beans, black beans, or chickpeas instead of cannellini beans. You can make this meal even heartier by serving the chicken and vegetables over cooked rice, whole grains (like quinoa, brown rice, or farro) or orzo pasta. Whatever you do, don’t forget to add a dash or two of hot pepper vinegar at the end. The tang and heat of this Southern pantry staple makes the dish sing, and also adds tons of flavor while keeping the dish light and fresh.

Crunchy Chicken-Peanut Chopped Salad Recipe

Adding deli-fried chicken tenders to a fresh green salad not only adds interest and taste to an ordinary bowl of salad, but it turns a side dish into a main dish. This recipe, a fresh spin on the much-loved Asian-flavored coleslaw, requires only a few minutes of chopping and mixing; no cooking involved. To guarantee a smooth and creamy dressing, slowly whisk in each of the ingredients in the dressing to prevent it from breaking. If made in advance, whisk the dressing one more time to ensure all the ingredients are blended.

Chicken-Quinoa Salad with Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

Cooked quinoa is a healthy way to bulk up a salad to make it more filling. We paired the protein-rich grain with shredded chicken, tender butter lettuce, crunchy radishes and cucumbers, and a tangy herbed dressing that brings everything together deliciously. If you don’t want to use all of the cooked quinoa in the salad, store it, covered, in the refrigerator. Use it to make a grain bowl or stir it into soup. This salad not only makes a healthy weeknight dinner, but it would make a perfect bring-to-work lunch the next day. It’s also springy, colorful, and has a pretty enough presentation to serve to company at a luncheon. Eating healthy during the week can be difficult when faster options await at the drive-thru, but with 30-minute recipes like this salad, you can stay on track all week.

Oven-Fried Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe

These oven-baked pecan-and-panko crusted chicken tenders have fabulous fried chicken flavor with much less grease and mess. As the chicken cooks, the rest of this family-friendly recipe comes together in minutes. Grilled romaine lettuce gives this salad a smoky flavor. Instead of using a grill pan, you can cook the veggies on a charcoal or gas grill outside.

Skillet Chicken Thighs with Spring Vegetables and Shallot Vinaigrette Recipe

This elegant single-skillet meal for two is deceptively easy to make. Ready in under an hour, this skillet chicken dinner includes your protein (perfectly golden-crisp chicken thighs), green veggies (peas and asparagus), a starch (baby Yukon gold potatoes), and a whole lot of vibrant flavor (hello, shallot vinaigrette). A great recipe for anyone cooking for one or two, this easy weeknight chicken dinner is one you’re sure to come back to again and again. 

Mediterranean Chicken and Farro Recipe

Chicken thighs hold up nicely in the slow cooker, surrendering rich juices that make this fiber-packed farro extra-satisfying. Castelvetrano olives are bright green and buttery; look for them at your grocery’s olive bar. Having trouble finding pearled farro? Pick some up here. 

Chicken Paillard with Citrus Salad and Couscous Recipe

Want to add some pep to your Chicken Paillard? Don't just stop at lemon zest. Oranges and fresh spring vegetables work wonders aganst a chicken breast canvas, all while adding nutrients and color. Add Israeli couscous, also known as pearl couscous, for a side that doesn't distract from the chicken's flavor. 

Classic Roast Chicken Recipe

A classic roasted chicken served with greens and your favorite side makes a delicious and easy dinner that never goes out of style. Be prepared to turn on your vent; the high-heat finishing may generate some smoke.

Roast chicken is juiciest and tastiest when it’s cooked to an internal temperature of 165°. To get an accurate reading, place your meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken or in between the breast and the thigh. Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before serving—this locks in moisture and ensure perfectly juicy meat.

Citrus-Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe

Dishes like these are what Dutch ovens were made for. Just dump all the ingredients inside and let your stove transform chicken thighs into a juicy meal. Braising gives you tender, tasty results and a pan sauce to boot.

Za’atar Roasted Chicken over Sumac Potatoes Recipe

On countless visits here before I made Israel my home, I’d buy giant bags of za’atar from the shuk; that way, after I left and no matter where I was, if I was pining for the sun and spice of this magical place, I could sprinkle it back into my life, if even just for the duration of a meal. For something that takes 10 minutes to throw together, the roasted chicken is a masterpiece. I rest the bird right on top of the potatoes, so the za’atar-scented drippings coat the tangy, sumac-coated potatoes while they cook in unison. If you’re having a crowd, throw this in the oven during cock- tail hour, then pull it out for oohs and aahs. If you’re feeding a smaller group, be happy because this chicken, pulled off the bone and tossed into a salad, makes a killer next-day lunch.

Chicken-Mushroom Skillet Recipe

Two kinds of mushrooms—oyster and cremini—give this chicken dish savory flavor and a meaty texture without adding lot of extra calories. Don’t be tempted to stir the mushrooms too much as they cook. Let them sit, undisturbed, for three minutes in the hot pan so that they brown nicely.

Dijon-Herb Chicken Thighs Recipe

Lemony-Herb Chicken with Grilled Garlic Scapes Salad  Recipe

This grilled scape salad is crisp, light, and refreshing—in other words, it tastes like summertime. Tomatoes, corn, cucumber, and other summer veggies covered in lemon-parsley dressing and fresh mint perfectly combine with a charred, juicy chicken thigh. Garlic scapes are in season in late spring and early summer. If you can’t find them at your local farmers’ market or produce stand, try an international grocery. Round everything out with a crusty loaf of bread and a glass of white wine. 

Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Thighs with Green Beans and Potatoes  Recipe

Looking for a sheet pan meal that’s just as delicious as it is seamless? These tender, juicy sheet pan chicken thighs have just enough bbq sauce glaze to make them super tasty and beautiful. The potatoes get cooked until they’re tender in the middle, but crispy on the outside, and the green beans cook while the glaze achieves perfection. Everything comes together in an hour, and cleanup is a breeze. Be sure to section off the sheet pan and make enough room for each ingredient so you won’t have to waste time or oven heat. 

Pecan-Crusted Chicken and Tortellini with Herbed Butter Sauce Recipe

Nutty and buttery Pecan-Crusted Chicken and Tortellini with Herbed Butter Sauce is your winning solution to getting dinner on the table in 30 minutes.

Easy Roasted Chicken Breasts with Tomatoes and White Beans Recipe

This simple baked chicken packs a ton of flavor atop a nice, toasty mixture of beans, tomatoes, and herbs. Since the chicken cooks on top of the vegetables, its juice add to the sauciness of the burst, roasted tomatoes, the buttery olives, and the tender creamy beans. A little bit of lemon zest makes a lovely finish. The entire combination is just as satisfying as it is visually pleasing, especially faro or another grain. This dinner is easy but has a grown-up feel, and the combined ingredients are meant to be together. If you like, you can add in or substitute other olives or vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and onions—whatever fits your palate. 

Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes Recipe

Nicknamed "Anytime Chicken" by Test Kitchen Specialist Vanessa McNeil Rocchio, this winner of a chicken dinner is our new favorite roasting-pan supper for weeknights or easy entertaining with friends.

Korean Fried Chicken Recipe

You don’t know crispy fried chicken until you’ve tried this Korean fried chicken. Our smitten test kitchen team even deemed this some of the best fried chicken they’d ever experienced. The secret to the chicken’s incredible, light and crisp exterior comes down to two key details: the potato starch used to coat the chicken and the double-fry method (trust us on this one—it works). Between the delightfully crackly texture, the aromatic flavor worked into the chicken via its ginger-salt rub, and the dynamic heat of the gochujang sauce, this Korean fried chicken is guaranteed to impress. While we loved this recipe for chicken wings and drumsticks, you could use the technique for other pieces of the bird, like breasts and thighs; you’ll just need to adjust your cooking time to accommodate more substantial cuts. 

One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Recipe

Another winner, winner, chicken dinner! You can’t miss when budget-friendly chicken thighs are cooked to golden brown, nestled into a bed of rice and vegetables, and dressed with a honey-chile sauce. This is truly a one-pan recipe, making clean-up a breeze. The right amount of fat can be fantastic and flavorful, but you can have too much of a good thing. Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs to prevent rice from clumping. If needed, pour out excess fat from the rendered chicken thighs before adding your vegetables. Turn leftovers into fried rice. Shred chicken and refrigerate; let rice chill overnight, uncovered, and stir fry it the following day. 

Creamy Chicken-Tomato Skillet Recipe

Yes! You can make chicken and rice in 20 minutes. When a craving for comfort food hits and you need it in a hurry, this fast take on chicken and rice hits the spot. Stirring chopped baby spinach into warm brown rice is a smart way to get more vegetables and jazz up an otherwise plain starchy side. Our pro tips for speedy cooking: Cut chicken into bite-size pieces so it cooks in just a few minutes, use precooked rice and heat it in the microwave, then use the hot rice to wilt the spinach for you while you finish the chicken. Fresh thyme, chopped basil, or parsley are all good stand-ins for the rosemary. Round out the meal with a glass of sauvignon blanc.

Simple Sheet Pan Chicken And Veggies Recipe

Comforting, savory, and satisfying, this sheet pan chicken dinner is perfect for weeknights. The chicken has a crispy, slightly salty skin with a juicy, tender interior. Meanwhile, the vegetables get lightly bathed in the chicken’s buttery juices. Feel free to cut up and use any leftover veggies you have—this recipe is all about technique. Line the baking sheet with foil for the fastest after-dinner cleanup ever. 

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Vegetables Recipe

This pretty skillet supper tastes (and smells) as good as it looks. Choose small chicken thighs, which tend to be juicier and more flavorful than large ones. Serve with plenty of crusty bread on the side for mopping up the pan sauce.