When I was younger, I went on strike against chicken breasts. Looking back on that time, I feel pretty badly for my poor mother - there she was, just trying to put dinner on the table and the pickiest eater in the house refused eat chicken! Her rule was, "If you don't like dinner, make it yourself." Since I had no idea how to cook, I ended up eating a lot of cereal for dinner during my strike.
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I'm not sure how long my holdout lasted (probably only a few weeks), but I remember why it started: chicken is boring. It's dry, it's not exciting, and I got tired of the same old chicken recipes. If you find yourself agreeing with my younger self, we're about to change all of that. These baked chicken breast recipes are exciting and fun. Most of them still qualify for quick-and-easy weeknight dinners, and they'll definitely spruce up your dinner routine.
Zapp's Kettle Chip Crusted Baked Chicken
Fried chicken is one of the greatest foods. It's crunchy, juicy, flavorful, and all-around comforting. One problem with fried chicken though is that it's not the healthiest, as it is deep fried. It's also not easy to make at home without making a huge mess.
So, what's the next best thing? Potato chip-crusted baked chicken breasts. Chicken breasts are sliced thinly and marinated in a seasoned buttermilk mixture. The chicken is then coated in crushed-up Zapp's chips and baked. The result is a crunchy, salted interior, with a juicy interior.
Honey Mustard Baked Chicken
If you're a fan of the sweet and tangy combination, you'll love honey mustard chicken. This flavor combination amps up the flavor of a plain chicken breast and is easy enough to make on a weeknight. . The chicken is basted with the sauce, baked, then finished off with more sauce. The chicken stays moist, making it perfect to shred up for leftovers.
Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken with Rosemary
Chicken plus lemon is a match made in heaven. Lemon pepper seasoning is tart with a small kick from the black pepper. This dish requires only 4 ingredients: chicken breasts, olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, and fresh rosemary, making it an effortless meal. It's baked in the oven for 45 minutes and ready to eat.
Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken enchiladas are the perfect meal for any season. Not only does this recipe make enough to have dinner and leftovers, but it's also incredibly easy to make. The chili powder and green chiles add a hint of spice, while the enchilada sauce and cheese add a creamy, rich taste.
Chicken Pot Pie
Lyndsay Cordell
Is there anything more comforting than a freshly baked chicken pot pie? We certainly don't think so. This recipe uses homemade biscuits instead of the traditional pie crust. We love that the flaky biscuits soak up the creamy delicious filling. This is a hefty meal and makes great leftovers for the following days.
Chicken Waldorf Salad
Chicken salads come in all forms and this kind is one of our faves. Chicken breasts are diced up and mixed with fresh apples, celery, grapes and raisins, and walnuts. The dressing is a mix of yogurt, mayo, and fresh lemon juice. This salad is great on its own, but is also delicious atop crackers or with some mixed greens.
READ MORE: 6 Quick Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes for Weeknight Meals
