Midwest Living
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Chicken
35 Fresh Ideas for Chicken Recipes

35 Fresh Ideas for Chicken Recipes

June 01, 2012

These fresh takes on chicken—including recipes for chicken casseroles, chicken skillet dinners, chicken soups, rotisserie chicken recipes and one-dish meals—offer updated ways to serve that bird.

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Chicken, Tomato and Spinach Mac and Cheese

We gave homey mac and cheese a refresh. The saucepan sauce is made without a flour thickener, so it's lighter-tasting than baked versions. And adding veggies and chicken makes it a well-rounded meal.Chicken, Tomato and Spinach Mac and Cheese

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Chip-Crusted Chicken Tenders

Tortilla chips provide the crispy coating for these kid-friendly (and kid-at-heart-friendly) chicken tenders. The easy dipping sauce can be flavored with Sriracha or honey mustard.Chip-Crusted Chicken Tenders

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Chipotle Chicken and Cheddar Panini

A handy supermarket product-chipotle-flavor mayo-is the secret ingredient in this loaded sandwich. We love the convenience, but if you like, stir 1 teaspoon of minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce into regular mayonnaise instead.Chipotle Chicken and Cheddar Panini

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Chicken Enchiladas Adobo

Wrap meat in multigrain tortillas with adobo sauce and fire-roasted tomatoes for a fresh take on chicken enchiladas.Chicken Enchiladas Adobo

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Herbed Oven-Fried Chicken

Seasoned panko coating gives a satisfying crunch to this healthy twist on fried chicken. Our recipe offers a curry-flavored variation, too.Herbed Oven-Fried Chicken Download a printable collection of 7 fresh chicken recipes

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Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

Rub a blend of lemon peel, rosemary, thyme, parsley and garlic on the chicken before baking; Add fresh thyme sprigs and garlic bulbs around the chicken for even more flavor. Potatoes, sweet potatoes and carrots make this a one-pan meal.Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

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Mexican Chicken Salad

A tiny bit of taco seasoning mix packs big flavor in this south-of-the-border twist on traditional chicken salad. Try it in a tortilla wrap with crisp romaine lettuce.Mexican Chicken Salad

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Gingered Chicken and Fried Rice

Carrots, sugar snap peas and fresh ginger give crunch and flavor to this quick and easy Asian-inspired recipe.Gingered Chicken and Fried Rice

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Easy Spring Gravy

We created this ready-in-10 gravy to jazz up purchased deli-roasted chicken. Add steamed veggies and mashed potatoes, and you have dinner!Easy Spring Gravy

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Chicken Garden Pesto Pizza

A pound of pizza dough and just five simple ingredients yield a flavorful and beautiful summer pizza. Feel free to substitute zucchini for the summer squash or fresh red sweet pepper for the bottled roasted.Chicken Garden Pesto Pizza

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Mediterranean Chicken and Polenta

Cook chicken breasts with tomatoes, olives and wine, then serve with creamy polenta for an easy, Mediterranean-inspired dinner.Mediterranean Chicken and Polenta

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The Ultimate Chicken and Noodle Casserole

Cremini mushrooms, asparagus, roasted peppers and almonds update this classic hotdish.The Ultimate Chicken and Noodle Casserole

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Greek Chicken Wrap

The secret to this simple and nutritious supper wrap: A quick, garlicky stir-together sauce made with yogurt and feta cheese.Greek Chicken Wrap

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Chicken and Noodles

Chicken, noodles, veggies and herbs simmer in a creamy sauce. It's a perfect one-dish meal; just serve with a small salad or dinner rolls.Chicken and Noodles

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Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Ranch Taco Sauce

Fresh tomatillos and jicama add authentic tartness and crunch to this made-in-minutes dinner. You can find both veggies at large supermarkets or Latin groceries.Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Ranch Taco Sauce

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Chicken Alfredo and Rice Casserole

For a fast weeknight meal, put together this easy version of classic chicken and rice casserole with refrigerated light pasta sauce, cubed cooked chicken and cooked rice.Chicken Alfredo and Rice Casserole

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Chicken Chutney Salad

Jarred mango chutney and raisins add sweetness and mild spice to this chicken salad; trading the usual mayonnaise for yogurt makes it healthier.Chicken Chutney Salad

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Maple-Bourbon Ketchup

Just three ingredients yield a surprisingly flavor "quickie" barbecue sauce. Try it as a dipping sauce for purchased roasted chicken or breaded, baked chicken breast. You can also toss shredded chicken meat with the sauce for a simple pulled-chicken sandwich. (Bonus points if you add cheddar cheese and toast the sandwich in a panini press!)Maple-Bourbon Ketchup

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Habanero Hot Wings

Purchased steak and barbecue sauces, mixed with fruit preserves and spices, give this chicken recipe its zing. Three dipping sauces complete the picture.Habanero Hot Wings

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Cranberry-Stuffed Chicken Burgers

These burgers hold a surprise inside: a melty cheese-cranberry center.Cranberry-Stuffed Chicken Burgers

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Blue Cheese and Balsamic Chicken Pizza

Topped with blue cheese, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and a balsamic-spiked tomato sauce, this potent pizza has definite adult flavor. Blue Cheese and Balsamic Chicken Pizza

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Chicken-Romaine Salad

Sweet dried fruit and fresh fruit sections brighten this main-dish salad made with purchased rotisserie chicken; sunflower seeds add crunch. It's ready in just 25 minutes.Chicken-Romaine Salad

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Orange Maple Roasted Chicken and Mashed Potato Waffles

These tender waffles have mashed potatoes in the batter, along with thyme, garlic and onion. We've traded the usual pancake syrup for a silky maple-orange gravy made with drippings from the chicken.Orange Maple Roasted Chicken and Mashed Potato Waffles

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Tortellini with Chicken and Cheese

Prepare this chicken dish in just 20 minutes using packaged ingredients. Substitute leftover chicken (or any leftover cooked meat) for the frozen chopped cooked chicken breast, if you like.Tortellini with Chicken and Cheese

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Angel Chicken

Chicken and fresh mushrooms slow-cook in cream cheese, wine and soup. It's easy to put together but tastes like chicken in a complex cream sauce -- smooth with delicate seasoning.Angel Chicken

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Chicken Supreme Casserole

This one-dish meal uses reduced-fat soup, fat-free milk, salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning and light mayonnaise for lower fat, calories and sodium than traditional casseroles.Chicken Supreme Casserole

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Fast Chicken and Rice

This skillet meal is ready in just 10 minutes! Combine chicken, cooked brown or white rice, peas, almonds and bottled stir-fry sauce.Fast Chicken and Rice

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Herbed Chicken, Orzo and Zucchini

Team basil-seasoned chicken breasts with fresh zucchini and seasoned orzo for a fast and flavorful dinner.Herbed Chicken, Orzo and Zucchini

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Lemon Caper Chicken

Zesty lemon, salty capers and an array of spices flavor these easy chicken breasts.Lemon Caper Chicken

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Spiced Chicken with Cucumber-Mint Sauce

Garlic, garam masala and fresh ginger season the chicken in this Indian-inspired recipe from The Spice House shop in Milwaukee. The refreshing yogurt-based sauce is similar to traditional cucumber raita. Spiced Chicken with Cucumber-Mint Sauce

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Chicken-Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Jazz up classic macaroni and cheese with parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken and broccoli for dinner in 20 minutes!Chicken-Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

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Greek-Style Chicken Skillet

Chicken and fresh vegetables simmer in a garlic-tomato broth for an easy skillet dinner. Feta cheese adds a touch of tangy creaminess. Serve with either plain or flavored couscous.Greek-Style Chicken Skillet

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Coconut-Lime Chicken Soup

Start with a rotisserie chicken, and you can whip up this Thai-inspired soup in less than 30 minutes.Coconut-Lime Chicken Soup

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Spicy Orange Chicken

Cook chicken in a mix of fresh orange juice, soy sauce, honey and ginger, then serve over wilted spinach. Crushed red pepper adds heat; adjust to suit your taste.Spicy Orange Chicken

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My Big Fat Greek Sandwich

A chunky mixed-olive relish and mild feta cheese transport grilled chicken to the Mediterranean with Greek panache on chewy ciabatta rolls.My Big Fat Greek Sandwich

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Chicken Chowder with Dilly Dumplings

Savor extra-light dumplings that cook on top of a carrot- and corn-filled bubbling chowder.Chicken Chowder with Dilly Dumplings

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35 Fresh Ideas for Chicken Recipes

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Chicken, Tomato and Spinach Mac and Cheese

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Chip-Crusted Chicken Tenders

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Chipotle Chicken and Cheddar Panini

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Chicken Enchiladas Adobo

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Herbed Oven-Fried Chicken

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Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

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Mexican Chicken Salad

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Gingered Chicken and Fried Rice

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Easy Spring Gravy

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Chicken Garden Pesto Pizza

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Mediterranean Chicken and Polenta

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The Ultimate Chicken and Noodle Casserole

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Greek Chicken Wrap

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Chicken and Noodles

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Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Ranch Taco Sauce

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Chicken Alfredo and Rice Casserole

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Chicken Chutney Salad

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Maple-Bourbon Ketchup

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Habanero Hot Wings

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Cranberry-Stuffed Chicken Burgers

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Blue Cheese and Balsamic Chicken Pizza

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Chicken-Romaine Salad

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Orange Maple Roasted Chicken and Mashed Potato Waffles

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Tortellini with Chicken and Cheese

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Angel Chicken

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Chicken Supreme Casserole