21 Chicken Breast Recipes With Handhelds, Salads, and Saucy Plates

Chicken breast can start to feel repetitive when it lands on the plate the same way each time. Choose a handheld option when you want something tucked or wrapped, a salad when you want a fork-and-knife plate, or a saucy dish for dinner. You can pick one recipe that matches the meal in front of you instead of making the same plain chicken again.

A plate of creamy penne pasta garnished with chopped parsley and grated cheese, featuring pieces of sun-dried tomatoes. A black fork is resting on the plate. — Marry Me Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Thai chicken skewers topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped herbs and peanuts, served over a bed of white rice. — Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken thighs, lemongrass, and red curry paste make Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers a 1-hour-and-5-minute main dish that serves 4. Ginger, garlic, lime, sesame oil, fish sauce, and a peanut dipping sauce bring plenty of flavor to the handheld dinner. The skewers pair well with rice or vegetables for a fuller meal. Chicken breasts can also be used as long as the cooking time is watched closely to prevent them from drying out.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

Quesadillas stacked on a plate, topped with sliced jalapeños, cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream. — BBQ Chicken Quesadilla. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Cooked shredded chicken and BBQ sauce make BBQ Chicken Quesadilla a 27-minute handheld meal with 3 servings. Mexican-style shredded cheese, corn, large tortillas, olive oil, cilantro, sour cream, and optional jalapeño fill the crisp folded tortillas. It fits the title because the filling makes chicken into a quick skillet dinner that can be cut into wedges. Serve with salsa, salad, or extra sour cream for dipping.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

Kung Pao Chicken

A close-up of a stir-fry dish featuring pieces of chicken, snap peas, red bell peppers, scallions, and black sesame seeds. — Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts and sugar snap peas make Kung Pao Chicken a 30-minute saucy plate with 4 servings. Soy sauce, rice wine, vinegar, chicken broth, cornstarch, red bell pepper, garlic, ginger, vegetable oil, and green onions build the stir-fry. It fits the chicken lineup because it brings a takeout-style option with vegetables and sauce in the same pan. Serve it over rice for a fast dinner.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Chicken Taco

Three soft tacos filled with seasoned ground meat, shredded lettuce, diced avocado, red onion, shredded cheese, and topped with sour cream and green sauce sit on a plate. — Chicken Taco. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Ground chicken and taco seasoning make Chicken Taco a 20-minute handheld dinner with 4 servings. Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, olive oil, tortillas, Monterey Jack, salsa, avocado, lime, sour cream, romaine, and onion fill out the taco setup. It fits the title because the chicken is cooked loose and served for build-your-own plates. Keep the filling warm and let everyone add the toppings they want.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco

Chicken Chipotle Pasta

A bowl of creamy chicken pasta garnished with herbs, served with a side of rice and a small bowl of fresh parsley. — Chicken Chipotle Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken breast and short pasta make Chicken Chipotle Pasta a 40-minute saucy dinner with 4 servings. Onion, garlic, green bell pepper, asparagus, chipotle sauce, Parmesan, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper fill the skillet. It fits the lineup because the chicken lands in a pasta dish with heat and vegetables. Serve it warm with extra Parmesan or a simple salad beside the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Chipotle Pasta

Chicken Shawarma

Close-up of a wrap filled with grilled chicken, lettuce, cucumber, red onion, and sauce in a folded flatbread. — Chicken Shawarma. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Boneless chicken thighs and Greek yogurt make Chicken Shawarma a 1-hour 15-minute main dish with 4 servings. Lemon, cumin, smoked paprika, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, cardamom, olive oil, pita, cucumber, red onion, lettuce, parsley, and mint build the wrap setup. It fits the handheld section because the cooked chicken can go into warm pita or bowls. Serve with sauce and fresh vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Shawarma

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Pasta

A plate of spaghetti topped with grilled chicken strips and garnished with chopped parsley, bell peppers, and shredded cheese. — Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken tenderloins and angel hair pasta make Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Pasta a 45-minute saucy dinner with 6 servings. Flour, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, paprika, red onion, bell peppers, garlic, chicken broth, dry white wine, heavy cream, herbs, and olive oil fill the skillet. It fits the title because the chicken sits over pasta with a creamy scampi-style sauce. Serve it with bread or a green side.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Pasta

Sheet Pan Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Chicken breasts and a Parmesan-panko coating make Sheet Pan Parmesan Crusted Chicken a 40-minute main dish with 2 servings. Butter, olive oil, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, lemon, salt, and pepper build the crust. It fits the lineup because the sheet pan keeps the chicken crisp without needing a skillet sauce. Serve with potatoes, vegetables, or salad for a fuller plate.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Lemongrass Chicken

Grilled chicken with herbs on white rice, garnished with shredded carrots and cabbage. — Lemongrass Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken thighs and fresh lemongrass make Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken a 1-hour 5-minute main dish with 6 servings. Garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, Sriracha, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic chili paste, and a lime-fish sauce mixture bring the flavor. It fits the saucy plate section because the chicken works over rice with carrots, cabbage, cilantro, and extra sauce.
Get the Recipe: Lemongrass Chicken

Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken breast slices served over a bed of greens with lemon wedges on the side. — Chipotle Grilled Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs and chipotle in adobo make Chipotle Grilled Chicken a 25-minute main dish with 4 servings. Garlic, onion powder, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper keep the marinade short while the grill handles the cooking. It fits the chicken lineup because it can become tacos, salads, bowls, or a stand-alone plate. Serve with rice, grilled vegetables, or tortillas.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Chicken Tenders

Chicken breasts and two kinds of breadcrumbs make Chicken Tenders a 25-minute main dish with 4 servings. Panko, regular breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, flour, egg, salt, pepper, and cooking spray create the baked coating. It fits the handheld part of the title because the pieces are built for dipping. Serve with mayo, mustard, BBQ sauce, fries, vegetables, or salad.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders

Chicken Alfredo

A plate of bowtie pasta with creamy sauce topped with cooked chicken pieces and garnished with parsley, with a black fork on the side. — Chicken Alfredo. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken breasts and short pasta make Chicken Alfredo a 30-minute dinner with 6 servings. Butter, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan, nutmeg, parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper create the sauce and chicken topping. It fits the saucy plate section because the pasta is coated in Alfredo while the sliced chicken sits on top. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan, black pepper, or a crisp side salad.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Alfredo

Cajun Chicken Wings

Close-up of baked chicken wings coated in seasoning, garnished with chopped herbs, and resting on a parchment-lined baking sheet. — Cajun Chicken Wings. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Split chicken wings and Cajun seasoning make Cajun Chicken Wings a 50-minute appetizer or main dish with 4 servings. Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, melted butter, parsley, salt, and pepper coat the wings before they bake at high heat. It fits the lineup because wings bring a different chicken cut to the table. Serve hot with dipping sauce, celery, or a cold salad.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken Wings

Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Quesadillas

Close-up of folded tortillas filled with chicken, cheese, and herbs, garnished with cilantro. — Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Quesadillas. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Shredded chicken and cream cheese make Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Quesadillas a 25-minute handheld meal with 4 servings. Flour tortillas, jalapeños, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, bacon, olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional cilantro build the filling. It fits the title because the chicken folds into a crisp skillet quesadilla with a little heat. Serve warm with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Quesadillas

Chicken Piccata

Chicken breasts simmering in a brown sauce, topped with capers and chopped fresh herbs. — Chicken Piccata. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Chicken breasts and a lemon-caper sauce make Chicken Piccata a 55-minute main dish with 4 servings. Flour, Parmesan, olive oil, butter, white wine, garlic, capers, chicken broth, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper build the golden cutlets and sauce. It fits the saucy plate section because the chicken finishes in a bright pan sauce. Serve with pasta, potatoes, rice, or green vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata

Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Golden fried chicken pieces with a side of dipping sauce. — Chick-fil-A Nuggets. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces make Chick-fil-A Nuggets a 30-minute main dish with 4 servings. Milk, egg, flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and peanut oil create the coating and frying setup. It fits the handheld section because the nuggets are easy to dip and serve by the piece. Serve hot with Chick-fil-A sauce, fries, slaw, or salad.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Buffalo Chicken Salad

A croissant sandwich filled with buffalo chicken and blue cheese, served on a white plate with celery sticks in the background. — Buffalo Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Cooked shredded chicken and buffalo sauce make Buffalo Chicken Salad a 5-minute chilled salad with 3 servings. Sour cream, celery, blue cheese crumbles, green onions, ranch dressing, and garlic powder make the chicken a creamy mix for croissants, crackers, bread, or vegetables. It fits the salad part of the title because the chicken is ready to serve cold. Use rotisserie chicken if dinner needs to move fast.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad

Sweet and Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Salad

A honey hot chicken salad with succulent fried chicken pieces, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles, cucumber slices, and mixed greens, all topped with a creamy dressing. — Sweet and Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken breasts and cornflake coating make Sweet and Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Salad a 40-minute main-dish salad with 6 servings. Honey, red pepper flakes, garlic, apple cider vinegar, flour, Parmesan, garlic powder, smoked paprika, eggs, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, blue cheese, and ranch dressing build the bowl. It fits the salad section because crisp chicken sits over fresh vegetables. Serve layered or lightly mixed.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Hot Honey Chicken Salad

Crispy Sesame Chicken

A close-up of glazed chicken pieces with sesame seeds and chopped scallions on a bed of rice. — Crispy Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Chicken breast fillets and sesame sauce make Crispy Sesame Chicken a 30-minute takeout-style main dish with 4 servings. Eggs, cornstarch, flour, salt, pepper, garlic salt, paprika, sesame oil, garlic, rice vinegar, honey, sweet chili sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and scallions build the coating and glaze. It fits the saucy plate section because the chicken is served over rice with a glossy finish.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sesame Chicken

Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

A bowl of white rice topped with glazed chicken and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. — Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs and brown sugar soy sauce make Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken a 25-minute copycat dinner with 4 servings. Vegetable oil, garlic powder, ground ginger, cornstarch, water, salt, and pepper make the chicken a quick, saucy plate. It fits the roundup because it gives readers a takeout-style option without a long ingredient list. Serve with rice, vegetables, or salad.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Rotisserie chicken and sun-dried tomatoes make Marry Me Chicken Pasta a 30-minute pasta dinner with 6 servings. Pasta, butter, flour, garlic, tomato paste, white wine or broth, cream, oregano, red pepper flakes, Parmesan, basil, salt, and pepper build the sauce. It fits the saucy plate section because cooked chicken folds into a creamy pasta base. Serve warm with extra Parmesan or a green side.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Pasta