10 of Our Best Chicken Breast Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight

For flavorful main dishes that come together in a snap, opt for this succulent white meat.

Chicken Cordon-Bleu Roll-Ups
Credit: David Malosh

If you want to make satisfying, healthful meals in a flash, look no further than chicken breast recipes for dinner. Cooked right, this popular part of the bird is reliably tender and endlessly versatile. Stir-fries, curries, schnitzel, salads—yes, chicken breasts can do all of that, and so much more.  Best of all, these prime pieces of poultry are perfect for one-pot meals, yielding maximum flavor with minimal effort (including less time spent cleaning up). We've rounded up some of our favorite chicken breast recipes here—all of which clock in under an hour—and we bet they'll win you over, too.

01 of 10

Japanese Fried Rice

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Credit: Mike Krautter

Seductively savory, this fried rice dish, starring chicken and eggs, is seasoned with soy sauce, butter, sake, and garlic. Day-old rice is the way to go, so plan ahead.

02 of 10

Parmesan-Crusted Chicken

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Traditional chicken parmigiana is always a crowdpleaser, and so is this super simple recipe that sidesteps the red sauce. The crunchy Parmesan crust is made with sandwich bread, parsley, and cheese, and comes together in minutes.

03 of 10

Grilled Chicken Breasts With Lemon-Thyme Sauce

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Lemon-Thyme Sauce
Credit: Kate Sears

A burst of citrus sunshine and chopped thyme leaves elevate this grilled chicken recipe. Use 8-ounce cuts and pound the cutlets thinly, so they cook quickly and evenly.

04 of 10

Chicken Piccata

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Credit: David M. Russell

Coat chicken cutlets in seasoned flour and fry in batches, then finish the dish with a zippy sauce. Lemon, capers, and white wine work their magic in this simple yet spectacular weeknight winner.

05 of 10

Easy Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

Ginger Chicken

Diced chicken breast is cooked with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar for a flavorful stir-fry, perfect served over steamed rice or noodles.

06 of 10

Skillet Chicken With Leeks and Carrots

Skillet Chicken with Leeks and Carrots
Credit: David Malosh

This single-skillet recipe delivers all of the flavors of a roast chicken without the hour-long wait or attentive basting. Bone-in breasts sit pretty on a bed of leeks, carrots, and bread cubes, a sort of deconstructed stuffing, soaking up the meat's flavorful juices.

07 of 10

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken Tenders With Dipping Sauces

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauces
Credit: David Malosh

Forget dry, chewy chicken tenders. These grilled skewers benefit from buttermilk brine and a blanket of bacon and are further enlivened with two dipping sauces: a creamy Buttermilk-Scallion Ranch and a Spicy Romesco Sauce that's also a touch sweet.

08 of 10

Chicken Schnitzel With Dill and Sesame

Chicken Schnitzel with Dill and Sesame
Credit: David Malosh

All the delicious crunch of fried chicken with less mess, that's exactly what you get from schnitzel. Pound the breasts into thin cutlets before quickly frying in sizzling hot oil, and serve with a lemony Watercress-Apple Relish for a bright, peppery contrast.

09 of 10

Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken
Credit: David Malosh

Not your typical stir-fry, this iteration calls for a steam-sauté in a covered pan, which keeps the chicken breast moist. Raw peanuts are a meaty counterpoint to the chicken, while charred dried chiles and Sichuan peppercorns add a tingle of heat.

10 of 10

Chicken Cordon-Bleu Roll-Ups

Chicken Cordon-Bleu Roll-Ups
Credit: David Malosh

Chicken, salty ham, and gooey Swiss in a breaded, fried exterior is one of the most heavenly combinations imaginable. Tweaking the classic cordon bleu, this recipe swaps in prosciutto and tangy goat cheese, and calls for rolling the filling in pounded cutlets rather than stuffing whole breasts.

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