Midwest Living
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Chicken
35 Fresh Ideas for Chicken Recipes

35 Fresh Ideas for Chicken Recipes

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com

Updated February 22, 2020

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

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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.

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Chip-Crusted Chicken Tenders

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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.

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Chicken with Olives and Dates

Credit: Paul Lowe

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This dish couldn't be easier, but the payoff is succulent, sweet, savory and so much more than the sum of its parts.

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Chipotle Chicken and Cheddar Panini

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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.

5 of 27

Chicken Enchiladas Adobo

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

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Herbed Chicken, Orzo and Zucchini

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Team basil-seasoned chicken breasts with fresh zucchini and seasoned orzo for a fast and flavorful dinner.

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Greek Chicken Wrap

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

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Herbed Oven-Fried Chicken

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Seasoned panko coating gives a satisfying crunch to this healthy twist on fried chicken. Our recipe offers a curry-flavored variation, too.

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Orange Maple Roasted Chicken and Mashed Potato Waffles

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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.

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The Ultimate Chicken and Noodle Casserole

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Cremini mushrooms, asparagus, roasted peppers and almonds update this classic hotdish.

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Coconut-Lime Chicken Soup

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

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Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

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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.

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Mexican Chicken Salad

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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.

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Gingered Chicken and Fried Rice

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

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Easy Spring Gravy

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

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Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Ranch Taco Sauce

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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.

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Spiced Chicken with Cucumber-Mint Sauce

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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.

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Greek-Style Chicken Skillet

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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.

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Spicy Orange Chicken

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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.

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My Big Fat Greek Sandwich

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

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Mediterranean Chicken and Polenta

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

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Chicken Alfredo and Rice Casserole

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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.

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Blue Cheese and Balsamic Chicken Pizza

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

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Sticky, Kicky Chicken Wings

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The name says it all—serve these baked Cajun-spiced wings with plenty of napkins and a cold drink! See more chicken wing recipes.

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Cranberry-Stuffed Chicken Burgers

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These burgers hold a surprise inside: a melty cheese-cranberry center.

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Chicken Chowder with Dilly Dumplings

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Savor extra-light dumplings that cook on top of a carrot- and corn-filled bubbling chowder.

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Lemon Caper Chicken

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

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By The editors of MidwestLiving.com

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35 Fresh Ideas for Chicken Recipes

1 of 27

Chicken, Tomato and Spinach Mac and Cheese

1 of 27

2 of 27

Chip-Crusted Chicken Tenders

2 of 27

3 of 27

Chicken with Olives and Dates

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Chipotle Chicken and Cheddar Panini

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5 of 27

Chicken Enchiladas Adobo

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6 of 27

Herbed Chicken, Orzo and Zucchini

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7 of 27

Greek Chicken Wrap

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Herbed Oven-Fried Chicken

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Orange Maple Roasted Chicken and Mashed Potato Waffles

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The Ultimate Chicken and Noodle Casserole

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11 of 27

Coconut-Lime Chicken Soup

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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 Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Ranch Taco Sauce

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Spiced Chicken with Cucumber-Mint Sauce

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Greek-Style Chicken Skillet

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Spicy Orange Chicken

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My Big Fat Greek Sandwich

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Mediterranean Chicken and Polenta

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22 of 27

Chicken Alfredo and Rice Casserole

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Blue Cheese and Balsamic Chicken Pizza

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Sticky, Kicky Chicken Wings

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Cranberry-Stuffed Chicken Burgers

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Chicken Chowder with Dilly Dumplings