58 Summer Chicken Recipes That Never Get Old (original) (raw)

Steak is a treat, pork chops are fine and we’ll never say no to a burger. But if we’re being honest, all we really want for dinner is chicken—especially since it pairs so well with the bounty of fresh summer produce that will soon be taking over our fridge. From crowd-pleasing sandwiches to easy marinated kebabs, here are 58 summer chicken recipes to eat for lunch, dinner and beyond.

summer chicken recipes: chicken kebabs with garlic lemon yogurt

1. Chicken Kebabs with Garlic Lemon Yogurt

With so few ingredients, you’d be surprised at how flavorful this recipe really is. It’s all thanks to baharat, a Middle Eastern spice blend used in the chicken's marinade.

summer chicken recipes: grilled curried chicken thighs

2. Grilled Curried Chicken Thighs

We found the secret to maximizing flavor on the grill, and it’s all in the baste. Here, it’s with a savory blend of curried coconut milk that also creates a crackly-brown crust.

summer chicken recipes: barbecue pineapple chicken kebabs

3. Barbecue Pineapple Chicken Kebabs

Sticky, spicy-sweet chicken begs to be devoured outdoors. And these brown up right on the grill, so you’ll get to cook and eat in the yard. All you need now is a cold drink. (Might we suggest rosé?)

summer chicken recipes: slow cooker pulled chicken

4. Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Barbecue sammies without touching an oven or grill? Genius. This one is proof that your trusty slow cooker can—and should—be used year-round. This will take seven hours to get fork-tender, so set it and forget it a morning or day ahead.

summer chicken recipes: basil chicken saltimbocca with marinated tomato and burrata

5. Basil Chicken Saltimbocca with Marinated Tomatoes and Burrata

Pan-fried, prosciutto-wrapped cutlets get the special treatment with a marinated tomato and basil topping. And if that doesn’t have you drooling already, there’s also burrata.

summer chicken recipes: grilled barbecue chicken pizza

6. Grilled Barbecue Chicken Pizza

Your grill’s latest masterpiece is a thin, crispy pie. Corn, cherry tomatoes and a heaping of cilantro? CPK’s got nothing on you. (Thanks, Coterie member Gaby Dalkin.)

summer chicken recipes: grilled honey sriracha drumsticks with slaw

7. Grilled Sticky Honey-Sriracha Drumsticks with Slaw

Who said breasts and thighs had to be the stars of the show? This spicy honey-lime glaze makes a mean case for legs. Serve with basmati rice and lime wedges. Oh, and pass the napkins.

summer chicken recipes: pasta florentine with grilled chicken

8. Pasta Florentine with Grilled Chicken

With a creamy sauce and tender spinach, pasta Florentine is already great. But when you add smoky grilled chicken, it’s transported to another level.

summer chicken recipes: grilled jerk chicken cutlets with mango salsa

9. Grilled Jerk Chicken Cutlets with Mango Salsa

A fruity, sweet salsa is a natural foil to the cinnamon-y, spicy jerk seasoning on the chicken. And guess what? It takes only 35 minutes from start to finish.

summer chicken recipes: green bowls with chicken, citrus and herbs

10. Green Bowl with Chicken, Citrus and Herbs

We heard you were meal prepping, so we got you a present: It’s this Mediterranean-ish chicken bowl, which is packed with protein to keep you full all day long. You’re welcome.

summer chicken recipes: creamy chicken, corn and tomato skillet

11. 30-Minute Creamy Chicken, Corn and Tomato Skillet

Hey there, summer's favorite produce. Head to the farmers market to pick up some fresh ears of corn and ripe cherry tomatoes. They’ll make this easy skillet meal nothing short of spectacular.

summer chicken recipes: chicken tinga tacos

12. Chicken Tinga Tacos

No one needs to know that you used store-bought rotisserie chicken for these. And with a host of fun toppings (avocado! onion! cotija!), they’ll be none the wiser.

summer chicken recipes: slow cooker chicken piccata

13. Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata

Bust out the Crock Pot for this light and zesty dinner. We should also mention that it comes together with just ten ingredients, and goes great with one-pot, 15-minute pasta limone. Out of capers? Try these substitutes.

summer chicken recipes: grilled crispy chicken and corn

14. Crispy Grilled Chicken

As Ina Garten would say, we’re going back to basics. The secret to the crispiest chicken ever? Mayonnaise.

summer chicken recipes: grilled lemon herb chicken and avocado salad

16. Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken and Avocado Salad

The best part of a salad is obviously the toppings, so we’re piling this one high with barley, tomatoes and a lemon-mustard dressing.

summer chicken recipes: roasted chicken thighs with strawberry avocado salsa

18. Roasted Chicken Thighs with Strawberry Avocado Salsa

When you want something quick and easy (but still satisfying), chicken thighs are your best friend. They can handle high heat without getting dry…and don’t get us started on that crispy skin.

summer chicken recipes: chopped thai chicken salad

19. Chopped Thai Chicken Salad

When it’s 80 degrees and the humidity is at 100 percent, this crunchy, slaw-like chicken salad is just what dinner calls for. It’s spicy and filling without weighing you down.

summer chicken recipes: strawberry spinach salad with chicken and avocado

20. Strawberry Spinach Salad With Chicken and Avocado

Spinach salad? Been there, done that—until you add grilled chicken and all the seasonal produce our hearts can handle.

summer chicken recipes: chicken satay with peanut sauce

21. Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

OK, you get it. We have a thing for skewers…but for good reason. They’re a fun, foolproof way to get golden-brown chicken at lightning speed, like with this spicy peanut satay.

summer chicken recipes: mexican street corn chicken bowl

22. Mexican Street Corn Chicken Bowl

If your go-to chicken bowl and an elote had an incredibly delicious baby, it’d be this fresh and festive lunch. Level up by making homemade taco seasoning for the chicken.

summer chicken recipes: zatar chicken and veggie kebabs

23. Za’atar Chicken and Veggie Kabobs

With its lemony vibes and Middle Eastern kick, za’atar transforms even humble chicken breasts into a midsummer dinner’s dream. Just wait until you see what it can do to grilled zucchini.

summer chicken recipes: herbed chicken salad with mango mustard dressing

24. Herbed Chicken Salad with Mango-Mustard Dressing

Coterie member Aida Mollenkamp knows the way to our hearts, which is a tangy, mustard-based dressing and expertly seasoned chicken. Swoon.

summer chicken recipes: spiced spatchcocked chicken with peach barbecue sauce

25. Spiced Spatchcock Chicken with Peach Barbecue Sauce

You had us at “peach barbecue sauce.” And the addition of fresh mint and tarragon doesn’t hurt, either. Thanks, Coterie member Carlene Thomas.

summer chicken recipes: chicken pesto focaccia sandwiches

26. Chicken Pesto Focaccia Sandwiches

Craving a chicken sammie that’s not a total snooze? Swap the bun for focaccia, add some pesto and feta and voilà—you’re a chef-level sandwich-maker.

summer chicken recipes: weeknight saucy pineapple barbecue chicken bowls

27. Weeknight Saucy Pineapple Barbecue Chicken Bowls

Good news: This mouthwatering chicken isn’t just for bowls. Pile the leftovers on a bun for tomorrow’s lunch…that is, if you have leftovers.

summer chicken recipes: thai zoodle salad

28. Thai Zoodle Salad

What’s more fun than filling a bowl to the brim with with impossibly crispy rainbow vegetables, chicken and a Thai-inspired peanut dressing? We’ll let you know when we think of the answer.

summer chicken recipes: sheet pan indian spiced chicken

29. Sheet Pan Indian-Spiced Chicken

Turmeric! Mustard seeds! Cumin! Nigella Lawson's recipe for warm-spiced thighs is just the dose of cozy you need after a long day. The potatoes roast right next to the chicken, so you can spend less time doing dishes and more time eating dessert.

summer chicken recipes: potato chip fried chicken

30. Potato Chip ‘Fried’ Chicken

No one will ever guess that these babies are baked. See ya, messy oil. But the best thing about them is *obviously* the potato chips. A whole 16-ounce bag of 'em goes into the breading. You can't go wrong with plain, but we're feeling sour cream and onion or barbecue tonight.

summer chicken recipes: parmesan ranch chicken thighs

31. Parmesan-Ranch Chicken Thighs

Nothing comes in handy last-minute like a packet of ranch seasoning. Combined with Parmesan cheese, flour and black pepper, it gives plain old chicken a zap of flavor. Serve it in the backyard with a side of light and tangy coleslaw.

summer chicken recipes: spicy yogurt marinated chicken legs

32. Spicy Yogurt Marinated Chicken Legs

Whole chicken legs strike a delicious balance between simple and impressive. And these come together in less than an hour. The marinade has creamy brightness from Greek yogurt and lemon juice, as well as heat from chili and curry powders. Roast, serve and let the accolades roll in.

summer chicken recipes: honey mustard sheet pan chicken with brussels sprouts

33. Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Chicken with Brussels Sprouts

Did you hear that? That's the sound of immaculately-crunchy chicken skin, golden-brown and roasted in a honey-mustard sauce. And the Brussels? Divine.

summer chicken recipes: spinach and cheese stuffed chicken

34. Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken

We took chicken breasts and said, “bye-bye, boring.” This is a baked take on chicken Parmesan that’s packed with wilted spinach, sautéed garlic, mozzarella and Parm. Make a big batch of the from-scratch sauce so it’s good to go on your next pasta night.

summer chicken recipes: garlic breaded roast chicken breast

35. Garlic Breaded Roast Chicken Breast

We’re always down for lots and lots of garlic, especially in a crunchy panko breading that refuses to quit. Even better, this recipe only uses nine ingredients, and they’re likely all in your pantry right now. Slice it over salad, have it with aioli on a roll or serve over spaghetti.

summer chicken recipes: buffalo chicken meatballs

36. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

The homemade sauce is so easy you’ll never want store-bought buffalo again. (Six tablespoons of melted butter have that kind of power.) The meatballs will keep for three days, so get ready to be the envy of the break room. Buffalo blue cheese wraps for lunch, anyone?

summer chicken recipes: roasted drumsticks with tomatoes

37. Roasted Drumsticks with Tomatoes

Garden party on the horizon? This gorgeous one-pan wonder is as low-maintenance as it is elegant. Smashed garlic and cherry tomatoes bring tons of flavor and sweetness to these tender chicken pieces. Make a pretty green salad (like this sugar snap pea salad with Chèvre ranch) to serve them with and your job is done.

summer chicken recipes: bruschetta chicken

38. Bruschetta Chicken

Summer is this dish's jam. Picture browned, seasoned chicken topped in homemade bruschetta, rich with plump tomatoes, garlic and basil. All she needs is a drizzle of balsamic and a sprinkle of Parm. Did we mention it all comes together in less than 30 minutes?

summer chicken recipes: honey lime chicken and veggies in foil

39. Honey-Lime Chicken and Veggies in Foil

Fire up the grill for its easiest project yet. Whether you're having company or eating solo, this dish stays ridiculously simple and virtually mess-free, even despite the sticky honey-ginger sauce. No cleanup for the win.

summer chicken recipes: baked chicken tenders

40. Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders

“Ugh, chicken fingers again ?” whined no kid ever. Both picky eaters and grown-ups never get tired of munching on these. We swapped frying for baking, making this a totally grown-up and acceptable dinner you can feel good about. Now, who has the ketchup?

summer chicken recipes: avocado chicken salad

41. Avocado Chicken Salad

No summer picnic is complete without chicken salad. But we thought the dish was overdue for an upgrade, so we called on store-bought rotisserie chicken and buttery avocado to make the recipe easier and creamier than ever before.

summer chicken recipes: skillet chicken fajitas

42. Skillet Chicken Fajitas

Mix up Taco Tuesday with this mélange of bell peppers, onions and seared chicken. Bonus points for eating it al fresco with margaritas. (Oh, and’t forget the guacamole...as if you needed a reminder.)

summer chicken recipes: chicken and waffle sandwiches

43. Chicken and Waffle Sandwiches

Sunday brunch never looked so good. Think spicy buttermilk fried chicken meets savory cheddar cheese waffles.

summer chicken recipes: greek chicken and rice skillet

44. Greek Chicken and Rice Skillet

Dinner for six in 40 minutes? Don’t mind if we do. Not only is this skillet bursting with briny flavor, thanks to the olives, feta and lemon, but the rice also cooks right in the pan with the other ingredients instead of in its own separate pot.

summer chicken recipes: lime chicken with corn and poblano salad

45. Lime Chicken with Corn and Poblano Salad

This citrusy number has summer written all over it. Feel free to trade canned corn kernels for fresh corn when it’s in season.

summer chicken recipes: greek lemon chicken skewers with tzatziki

46. Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce

Call it a barbecue appetizer, call it dinner for one. Either way, you’ll want to go swimming in the homemade tzatziki sauce. The chicken would also taste divine mixed into a Greek salad or served atop toasted pita.

summer chicken recipes: grilled thai chicken lettuce wraps

47. Grilled Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Put down the takeout menu and step away from the phone. You’re only 20 minutes away from sweet chili chicken and toasted peanuts wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves.

summer chicken recipes: tarragon chicken salad sandwiches

48. Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Say it with us: Chicken salad doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, this one is straight-up begging for some Instagram love. Spice up the O.G. with homemade tarragon mayonnaise and tart quick-pickled onions.

summer chicken recipes: baked caprese chicken skillet

49. Baked Caprese Chicken Skillet

Summer tomatoes, it’s your time to shine. Do yourself a favor and pick up the best ones you can find at the farmers market. Feel free to go the extra mile by making the pesto from scratch instead of using store-bought, too.

summer chicken recipes: piri piri chicken

50. Piri Piri Chicken

Make like a Portuguese churrascaria and name this spicy number your go-to roast chicken recipe. The bird is soaked in a hot pepper marinade before being spatchcocked and cooked to crispy splendor.

summer chicken recipes: hot honey chicken thighs

51. Hot Honey Chicken Thighs

Think Nashville-style hot chicken but without the trouble of battering and frying. Oh, and we should mention: This one calls for just six ingredients.

summer chicken recipes: make ahead spicy chicken and rice salad

52. Make-Ahead Spicy Chicken and Rice Salad

Use a rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience, or cook your own chicken breasts if you have the time. Pat yourself on the back: You just meal-prepped without even trying.

summer chicken recipes: oven baked hot honey chicken tenders

53. Oven-Baked Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

This crowd-pleaser is great to make when you’re looking for something classic and easy. The tenders are crunchy on the outside, succulent on the inside and baked instead of fried for less grease (and mess).

summer chicken recipes: sheet pan roast chicken with potatoes, radishes and olives

55. Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Radishes and Olives

Psst: You can use your grill as a makeshift oven if you don’t want to heat up your entire kitchen. Just pop the entire sheet pan on the grates and close the lid.

summer chicken recipes: skillet chicken with apricots and fresh herbs

56. Skillet Chicken with Apricots and Fresh Herbs

We promise it’s worth waiting to make this dish when apricots come into season at the market. Sweet and juicy with a touch of white wine, it’s an alfresco no-brainer.

summer chicken recipes: honey mustard grilled chicken with foil packet green beans

57. Honey-Mustard Grilled Chicken with Foil Packet Green Beans

Grill basket? We don’t know her. We’re making our green veggies on the coals with the help of aluminum foil, which is readily available and eliminates a ton of annoying cleanup.

summer chicken recipes: bacon jalapeño smashburgers

58. Bacon Jalapeño Smashburgers

These chicken burgers are made in a skillet, so even if you forgot to replace the empty propane tank, your dinner plans can go on. Serve them with roasted potatoes or frozen tater tots, depending on how you’re feeling. (We’re feeling tater tots, always.)

Our Favorite Summer Sides to Serve with Chicken

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Former Senior Food Editor

taryn pire

Food Editor