Chicken is a staple protein source for many people all over the world. It’s high in protein, low in fat, and adaptable to various flavors and cooking methods.

But not all chicken is created equal, and the way you prepare and cook it can make a significant difference in its nutritional value.

In this article, we will explore the top 30 healthiest methods for cooking chicken, so you can add some healthy and delicious variety to your meal plan!.

1. Grilled Chicken

Grilling is a popular healthy cooking method that adds a smoky flavor to chicken and helps it retain its nutritional value. Grilled chicken is lower in fat, calories, and sodium than fried or roasted chicken.

You can marinate or season the chicken before grilling it for some added flavor, or just sprinkle some salt, pepper, and olive oil for a simple yet tasty meal.

2. Roasted Chicken

Roasting is a simple and healthy way to cook chicken, and it requires little to no added fat. Roasted chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and you can season it with your favorite herbs and spices for some added flavor.

You can also roast some vegetables alongside the chicken for a complete and nutritious meal.

3. Baked Chicken

Baking is an easy and healthy way to cook chicken, and it’s suitable for busy weeknights and meal prepping.

You can make baked chicken breasts, thighs, or even a whole chicken, and season it with your favorite herbs, spices, or sauces for some added flavor. Baked chicken is tender, flavorful, and versatile, making it a great option for meal planning.

4. Steamed Chicken

Steaming is a gentle and healthy cooking method that preserves the chicken’s nutrients and natural flavors. Steamed chicken is moist, tender, and low in fat and calories.

You can marinate the chicken before steaming it or serve it with some steamed vegetables for a complete and nutritious meal.

5. Poached Chicken

Poaching is a healthy and simple way to cook chicken, especially for salads, sandwiches, and dishes that require shredded or diced chicken.

Poached chicken is tender, moist, and low in fat, and you can season it with some salt, pepper, and herbs for some added flavor.

6. Stir-Fried Chicken

Stir-frying is a healthy and quick way to cook chicken, especially with some veggies and sauces. Stir-fried chicken is flavorful, tender, and low in fat, and you can use various herbs, spices, and sauces to add some complexity to the dish.

Stir-frying also retains the chicken’s nutrients and natural flavors, making it a great option for healthy and delicious meals.

7. Griddled Chicken

Griddling is a healthy and easy way to cook chicken, especially if you’re short on time or kitchen appliances.

Griddled chicken is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and you can season it with your favorite herbs and spices for some added flavor. You can also grill some vegetables alongside the chicken for a complete and nutritious meal.

8. Pressure Cooked Chicken

Pressure cooking is a healthy and time-efficient way to cook chicken, and it’s great for soups, stews, and curries.

Pressure cooked chicken is tender, flavorful, and low in fat, and you can use various herbs, spices, and seasonings to suit your taste. Pressure cooking also preserves the chicken’s nutrients and natural flavors, making it a great option for healthy and hearty meals.

9. Slow Cooked Chicken

Slow cooking is a healthy and hands-off way to cook chicken, especially for dishes that require long, simmering times.

Slow cooked chicken is tender, flavorful, and low in fat, and you can use various herbs, spices, and sauces to add some depth to the dish. Slow cooking also allows you to infuse the chicken with the other ingredients’ flavors, making it a great option for healthy and comforting meals.

10. Smoked Chicken

Smoking is a healthy and delicious way to cook chicken, especially if you’re a fan of bold and complex flavors.

Smoked chicken is moist, tender, and low in fat, and you can use various types of wood chips and seasonings to tailor the flavor to your liking. Smoking also creates a smoky and savory aroma that’s hard to resist!.

11. Air-Fried Chicken

Air-frying is a healthy and low-fat way to cook chicken, especially if you’re a fan of crispy and flavorful chicken.

Air-fried chicken is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, and you can use different coatings and seasonings to suit your taste. Air-frying also requires little to no added fat, making it a great option for healthier fried chicken alternatives.

12. Grilled Chicken Skewers

Grilled chicken skewers are not only delicious but also healthy and easy to make. You can marinate the chicken cubes before skewering them for some added flavor, or just season them with some spices and olive oil.

You can also add some veggies to the skewers for some added nutrition and texture. Grilled chicken skewers are perfect for outdoor parties, game nights, or quick and healthy meals.

13. Chicken Kabobs

Chicken kabobs are similar to skewers but may have different cuts of chicken and veggies on the stick. You can marinate the chicken and veggies before assembling the kabobs for some added flavor and nutrition.

Chicken kabobs are perfect for grilling, baking, or broiling, and you can serve them with some dips or sauces for some added variety.

14. Chicken Stir-Fry Bowls

Chicken stir-fry bowls are healthy and customizable meals that can be made in a few minutes. You can stir-fry some chicken and veggies in a pan and serve them over some rice, quinoa, or noodles for some added fiber and carbs.

You can also top the bowl with some nuts, seeds, herbs, or sauces for some added texture and flavor. Chicken stir-fry bowls are perfect for meal prep, lunch, or dinner.

15. Chicken Salads

Chicken salads are healthy and refreshing meals that can be made in a few minutes. You can mix some shredded or diced chicken with some greens, veggies, fruits, or nuts for a complete and nutritious meal.

You can also top the salad with some dressing or vinaigrette for some added flavor. Chicken salads are perfect for lunch, picnics, or quick and healthy meals.

16. Chicken Wraps

Chicken wraps are healthy and portable meals that can be made in a few minutes. You can wrap some grilled chicken, veggies, and sauces in some tortillas, pita bread, or lettuce leaves for a complete and nutritious meal.

You can also add some dips, cheeses, or condiments to the wrap for some added variety. Chicken wraps are perfect for lunch, snacks, or on-the-go meals.

17. Chicken Soups

Chicken soups are healthy and comforting meals that can be made in a crockpot or on the stove. You can use different cuts of chicken, veggies, and grains to make a nutritious and flavorful soup.

You can also use some herbs and spices to add some complexity and aroma to the soup. Chicken soups are perfect for cold days, sick days, or when you crave some nourishing and soothing food.

18. Chicken Broths

Chicken broths are healthy and versatile ingredients that can be used for soups, sauces, and stews. You can use different cuts of chicken, bones, and veggies to make a rich and flavorful broth.

You can also freeze the broth for future use or use it as a base for other recipes. Chicken broths are perfect for cooking, healing, or when you want to add some depth and flavor to your dishes.

19. Chicken Tacos

Chicken tacos are healthy and flavorful meals that can be made in a few minutes. You can grill or cook some chicken and wrap it in some tortillas with some veggies, sauces, and toppings for a complete and nutritious meal.

You can also use some different types of tortillas, salsas, or cheeses to add some variety to the tacos. Chicken tacos are perfect for lunch, dinner, or party foods.

20. Chicken Burgers

Chicken burgers are healthy and satisfying meals that can be made in a few minutes. You can use ground chicken to make the patties and season them with some herbs, spices, or sauces for some added flavor.

You can also add some veggies, cheeses, or condiments to the burger for some added variety. Chicken burgers are perfect for BBQs, picnics, or when you want a healthy alternative to beef burgers.

21. Chicken Meatballs

Chicken meatballs are healthy and versatile foods that can be made in a few minutes. You can use ground chicken to make the meatballs and season them with some herbs, spices, or sauces for some added flavor.

You can also add some breadcrumbs, cheese, or veggies to the meatballs for some added texture and nutrition. Chicken meatballs are perfect for appetizers, snacks, or for adding to pasta dishes.

22. Chicken Satay

Chicken satay is a healthy and flavorful dish that is popular in Southeast Asian cuisine.

You can marinate some chicken in some spices and coconut milk, grill or broil the chicken, and serve it with some peanut sauce and some veggies for a complete and nutritious meal. Chicken satay is perfect for parties, game nights, or when you want some exotic and flavorful food.

23. Chicken Curry

Chicken curry is a healthy and fragrant dish that is popular in Indian and Thai cuisine. You can use different cuts of chicken, spices, herbs, and coconut milk to make a rich and flavorful curry.

You can also add some veggies, nuts, or fruits to the curry for some added texture and nutrition. Chicken curry is perfect for dinner, meal prep, or when you want some comforting and aromatic food.

24. Chicken Shawarma

Chicken shawarma is a healthy and savory dish that is popular in Middle Eastern cuisine.

You can marinate some chicken in some spices and yogurt, grill it or broil it, and serve it with some pita bread, veggies, and sauces for a complete and nutritious meal. Chicken shawarma is perfect for lunch, dinner, or when you want some exotic and flavorful food.

25. Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas are healthy and hearty meals that are popular in Mexican cuisine. You can stuff some tortillas with some shredded chicken, veggies, and cheeses, and bake them in some tomato sauce for a complete and nutritious meal.

You can also add some beans, avocado, or sour cream to the enchiladas for some added flavor and nutrition. Chicken enchiladas are perfect for dinner, meal prep, or when you want some spicy and satisfying food.

26. Chicken Fajitas

Chicken fajitas are healthy and colorful meals that are popular in Tex-Mex cuisine. You can grill some chicken, veggies, and onions, and serve them in some tortillas with some salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for a complete and nutritious meal.

You can also use some different types of toppings and sauces to add some variety to the fajitas. Chicken fajitas are perfect for lunch, dinner, or when you want some zesty and satisfying food.

27. Chicken Nachos

Chicken nachos are healthy and crunchy snacks or appetizers that are popular in Mexican cuisine.

You can layer some tortilla chips with some shredded chicken, beans, cheeses, and toppings, and broil them in the oven for a few minutes for a complete and nutritious meal. You can also use some different types of toppings and sauces to add some variety to the nachos. Chicken nachos are perfect for game nights, parties, or when you want some crispy and flavorful food.

28. Chicken Alfredo

Chicken alfredo is a healthy and creamy pasta dish that is popular in Italian cuisine. You can cook some chicken, pasta, and broccoli, and mix them with some Alfredo sauce for a complete and nutritious meal.

You can also add some garlic, herbs, or Parmesan cheese to the dish for some added flavor and nutrition. Chicken alfredo is perfect for dinner, meal prep, or when you want some comforting and satisfying food.

29. Chicken Teriyaki

Chicken teriyaki is a healthy and sweet-savory dish that is popular in Japanese cuisine. You can marinate some chicken in some soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger, and stir-fry it with some veggies for a complete and nutritious meal.

You can also add some sesame seeds, scallions, or peppers to the dish for some added texture and nutrition. Chicken teriyaki is perfect for lunch, dinner, or when you want some flavorful and healthy food.

30. Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan is a healthy and crispy dish that is popular in Italian-American cuisine. You can bread and bake some chicken, and serve it with some tomato sauce, mozzarella, and pasta for a complete and nutritious meal.

You can also use some different types of cheeses and seasonings to add some variety to the dish. Chicken parmesan is perfect for dinner, meal prep, or when you want some cheesy and comforting food.