20 Budget-Friendly Boneless Chicken Breast Recipes That Are Anything But Boring (2024)

Updated on 02/14/24

All About Chicken Breasts

• 01 of 20

  Chicken Piccata With Lemon and Parsley

  

  The classic combination of chicken and lemons will never go out of style. This comforting Italian dish is full of flavor, thanks to briny capers and a hit of fresh parsley at the very end. Slicing the breasts into cutlets help them cook faster, so this chicken dinner is ready in about half an hour, making it a great weeknight meal.

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• 02 of 20

  Moo Goo Gai Pan

  

  The name of this Cantonese-American dish translates to "mushrooms and sliced chicken," referring to its two featured ingredients. Chicken breasts are cut into thin strips and marinated in a savory sauce and cornstarch so they come out nice and juicy once cooked. Mushrooms, water chestnuts, and shredded carrots help make it a filling, veggie-packed meal. Serve over rice to sop up the rich umami-packed sauce.

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• 03 of 20

  Instant Pot Pulled Chicken

  

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  The Instant Pot is a weeknight timesaver, able to coax flavor and texture out of the toughest cuts of meat. This pulled chicken cooks in five minutes after the pressure builds and you can use a store-bought barbecue sauce to save even more time (though we recommend making the from-scratch one if you can).

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• 04 of 20

  Oven-Fried Chicken With Crispy Panko Coating

  

  Mustard, mayonnaise, and a crispy Japanese panko breadcrumbs flavor this oven-fried chicken. Easy to scale up or down, this baked chicken is ready in under an hour and has both a nice zesty tang and great crunch. Put some honey mustard on the side for dipping bites of the baked chicken and serve with your favorite veggies.

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  Continue to 5 of 20 below.

• 05 of 20

  Classic Chicken Marsala

  

  Chicken Marsala is a one-skillet dinner that's flavorful and easy to prepare. Use the pan to brown the chicken, then to sauté the mushrooms and finish cooking both in the fragrant wine sauce. Flatten the chicken yourself if you have time; if you don't, thinly sliced chicken breast cutlets are convenient and cut down on the prep. Serve this chicken with hot pasta or rice, along with a green salad or side vegetable.

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• 06 of 20

  Marry Me Chicken

  

  Whether you're seeking matrimony or not, creamy Marry Me Chicken is sure to make a memorable impression on everyone at the table. Ready in 30 minutes, the one-skillet is, thankfully, not a once-in-a-lifetime dish and as wonderful on a weeknight as it is for a special occasion. The sauce has all the hallmarks of flavor: dry white wine, chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes grated Parmesan. and, of course, heavy cream for an added dose of richness.

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• 07 of 20

  Sesame-Ginger Grilled Chicken Breasts

  

  The sesame-ginger marinade for these grilled chicken breasts is so good, you may start using it for other proteins, too. The soy sauce base is amped up with rice vinegar, honey, ginger, sesame oil and seeds, and chopped scallions, adding sweet-salty flavor to the chicken. Cook the breasts on the grill in the summer, or you can bake or pan-fry In the cooler months—either way, they'll be irresistible with some veggies and rice.

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• 08 of 20

  Pulled Chicken Tacos

  

  This easy weeknight dinner of pulled chicken tacos comes together quickly for a busy family. Boneless skinless breasts are poached in chicken stock and shredded, then the broth is cooked down with Mexican-inspired seasonings to make the sauce. You can also tuck the pulled chicken between brioche buns to form sandwiches or pile them on top of tortilla tips as a fun loaded nacho dinner.

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  Continue to 9 of 20 below.

• 09 of 20

  Simple Fried Chicken Breast Cutlets

  

  Thin-pounded or sliced chicken breast cutlets make this fried chicken fastand super easy. Dipped in an egg mixture and coated with a flour mixture, it's the addition of hot sauce and Cajun seasoning that gives this chicken a bit of zing that makes it a standout meal.

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• 10 of 20

  Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala

  

  Chicken tikka masala is a classic Indian entrée featuring a fragrant, spiced cream sauce. It's quick and easy when made with chicken breasts and cooked in the pressure cooker. While the chicken needs to marinate for 30 minutes, this dish is still ready in under an hour. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with basmati rice and naan.

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• 11 of 20

  Easy Skillet Chicken With Bacon and Sour Cream

  

  This easy skillet chicken with bacon takes just minutes to prepare and cook. Simple, everyday ingredients make up the dish, with room to add others to make it your own. Ready in about 30 minutes, the bacon and green onions flavor the chicken perfectly. The tasty sour cream sauce is the ultimate finishing touch.

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• 12 of 20

  Alice Springs Chicken

  

  This copycat recipe of a popular Outback Steakhouse dish is easier than you think to make at home. Chicken breasts are marinated in mustard and browned in the skillet before being topped with mushrooms, bacon, and cheese. The entire skillet is then baked so the top gets nice and gooey. The chicken needs to marinate in the fridge for two hours, so be sure to plan your time accordingly.

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  Continue to 13 of 20 below.

• 13 of 20

  Balsamic Marinated Chicken Breasts

  

  A balsamic vinegar marinade flavors boneless chicken breasts in this simple recipe calling for pantry ingredients. The chicken is grilled or broiled to perfection in about 15 minutes. Grilled veggies or a Caesar salad are a great accompaniment to the dish.

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• 14 of 20

  Basil Chicken With Pesto Cream Sauce

  

  Pesto and some heavy cream make up the sauce for this super easy chicken dish. Ready to put on the table in around 40 minutes, the chicken is dredged in flour and cooked in a skillet along with mushrooms and the sauce. Boil up some pasta or rice for a fabulous meal.

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• 15 of 20

  Ritzy Chicken Casserole

  

  This popular chicken casserole is destined to become a family favorite. After all, who doesn't love Ritz crackers? The crackers become both the bottom and top crust for the dish, which has a creamy sauce and diced chicken in between. Steamed broccoli or green beans are good choices for a side dish.

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• 16 of 20

  Chicken Divan With Broccoli and Rice

  

  Chicken divan is a simply, yet comforting casserole made with chicken breasts, broccoli, and cheddar cheese. Diced cooked chicken is used in the dish, and a simple white sauce with sour cream forms a smooth and creamy topping. Decadently delicious, it can be served over cooked rice or pasta. Leftovers reheat wonderfully for a meal the next day.

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  Continue to 17 of 20 below.

• 17 of 20

  Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders

  

  Chicken tenders are a hit with kids and adults alike, and this one is destined to become a regular in your recipe repertoire. The tenders are dredged in flour and dipped in egg, then rolled into a bed of spiced toasted panko breadcrumbs. Baked in the oven for around 15 minutes, they achieve that crispy, crunchy, yet juicy texture that everyone craves. Enjoy dipping these into the provided honey mustard dressing recipe.

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• 18 of 20

  Chicken Fajitas

  

  Boldly flavored chicken fajitas are a dinner staple for good reason. Boneless chicken breasts are cut into strips and seasoned with chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, and other spices, then sautéed with peppers and onions to make the perfect filling for tortillas. Have some guac, sour cream, cheese, salsa, and other favorite toppings on hand and round out the meal with cooked rice and refried beans.

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• 19 of 20

  Baked Chicken With Spinach

  

  This baked chicken spinach dish is a snap to make. Just grab a9 x 13-inch baking pan, throw in some chopped fresh spinach, lay on the seasoned flattened chicken breasts, top with diced tomato and onions, then bake. Finish with a generous sprinkling shredded mozzarella in the final five minutes and serve with noodles or a salad.

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• 20 of 20

  Potato Chip Chicken

  

  Once you take a bite of this potato chip chicken, you'll be craving more. A few seasonings, eggs, and some barbecue potato chips, and of course, the chicken is all this recipe requires. We adore using the kettle-cooked chips to get that extra crunch. Change up the flavor of the chips to whatever your heart desires.

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