Are you tired of making the same boring chicken dinner every week? I totally get it! As someone who cooks chicken at least twice a week, I’ve been through those “chicken again?” moments with my family. But here’s the good news – chicken is amazingly versatile and there are literally dozens of ways to transform this protein-packed staple into exciting meals.
In this article, I’ll share 30 different ways to cook chicken that will make your taste buds dance and your family ask for seconds. From quick 30-minute weeknight solutions to impressive weekend dinner party showstoppers, we’ve got it all covered
Why Chicken Deserves a Place in Your Weekly Menu
Before diving into the cooking methods, let’s talk about why chicken is such a fantastic option:
- Protein-packed: A 3-ounce chicken breast contains about 25 grams of protein
- Nutritious: Contains selenium which may help lower the risk of arthritis
- Versatile: Can be prepared countless ways with different flavors and techniques
- Budget-friendly: One of the most economical meat options available
- Family-friendly: Usually a crowd-pleaser even for picky eaters
Now, let’s explore all the delicious ways you can prepare this kitchen staple!
Oven Methods: Let the Heat Do the Work
1. Baked Chicken
Probably the most common way to cook chicken – simply preheat your oven, season your chicken, and let it bake to perfection. Works great for chicken breasts, thighs, or whole birds.
Pro tip: Use a 13×9 pan, baking sheet or oven-safe skillet depending on what you’re making. A meat thermometer is your best friend here to ensure chicken is cooked through but not dried out.
2. Roasted Chicken
Similar to baking but typically involves cooking a whole chicken The result? Crispy skin and juicy meat that’s perfect for Sunday dinners
Try this Season a 3 lb whole chicken with salt and pepper, roast at 400°F for 45-60 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F Remove skin and shred for sandwiches or serve as is!
3. Casseroles
Who doesn’t love a good chicken casserole? Mix chicken with pasta, veggies, and a creamy sauce, then bake until bubbly. Comfort food at its finest!
Healthy option: Try a Chicken Florentine Casserole that incorporates spinach for added nutrition with only 315 calories per serving.
4. Nut-Crusted
For a delicious crunchy coating without deep frying, try a nut crust. Dip chicken in whisked egg, then coat with crushed nuts (walnuts or pecans work great) before baking.
Added bonus: The nuts add extra protein and healthy fats to your meal.
Stovetop Methods: Quick and Convenient
5. Pan-Seared
Heat a skillet with a bit of oil, season chicken breasts, and cook until golden on the outside and juicy on the inside. This method is super quick and perfect for weeknights.
Pro tip: Cover the skillet and cook on low after searing to ensure chicken cooks through without burning.
6. Stir-Fry
Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, cook quickly over high heat with veggies and sauce. Ready in minutes and perfect for busy evenings.
My favorite: Ginger Honey Chicken Stir Fry pairs beautifully with steamed rice.
7. Blackened
Buy blackening spice (or make your own), heat an iron skillet until very hot, and sear chicken for a crispy, flavorful crust. This technique adds a Cajun flair to your meal.
8. Poached
Gently simmer chicken in liquid until cooked through. This results in tender, moist chicken that’s perfect for shredding and using in salads or sandwiches.
Quick method: Bring water to a simmer and drop chicken tenders in for 8-10 minutes. Shred and add to your favorite salad.
9. Skillet Meals
One-pot wonders that combine chicken with other ingredients for easy cooking and cleanup. Cast iron skillets work particularly well here.
Slow and Low Methods: Tender and Flavorful
10. Slow Cooker
Toss ingredients in your slow cooker in the morning, and come home to tender, flavorful chicken. Great for pulled chicken, soups, and stews.
Try this: Slow Cooker Fried Chicken gives you that fried taste without all the oil!
11. Braised
This hands-off method transforms tougher cuts like bone-in thighs and legs into tender, fall-off-the-bone meat. Typically involves searing the meat, then cooking slowly in liquid.
12. Chili
Chicken chili is a lighter alternative to beef versions. Slow cook with beans, vegetables, and spices for a hearty meal.
Reader favorite: Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is perfect for chilly evenings.
Grilling Methods: Smoky and Delicious
13. Grilled
Fire up the grill for smoky flavor and beautiful char marks. Works great for chicken breasts, thighs, or even whole spatchcocked chickens.
Pro tip: Keep the grill hot and don’t move the chicken too much for those perfect grill marks.
14. BBQ
Similar to grilling but involves basting with BBQ sauce during cooking. The sauce caramelizes on the outside, creating a sweet and tangy glaze.
Best approach: Baste chicken with BBQ sauce while it’s on the grill to prevent drying out and enhance flavor without burning.
International Flavors: Take Your Tastebuds on Vacation
15. Italian-Style
Think Chicken Parmesan, chicken with pasta, or chicken pizza. These dishes often involve tomato sauce, cheese, and Italian herbs.
Healthy option: Try a lightened-up Chicken Parmesan that’s baked instead of fried.
16. Mexican-Style
From tacos to enchiladas to posole, Mexican chicken dishes bring bold flavors and spices to your table.
Quick meal: Use your slow cooker to make shredded chicken for burritos or tacos.
17. Asian Fusion
Dishes like sesame honey chicken, teriyaki chicken, and orange chicken bring Asian-inspired flavors to your dinner table.
Better than takeout: Homemade Asian chicken dishes typically have less sugar and sodium than restaurant versions.
18. Simple Thai
Thai-inspired dishes often feature ingredients like coconut milk, lemongrass, and peanuts for complex flavors.
Must try: Thai Peanut Chicken is easy and delicious!
Crispy Methods: When You’re Craving Crunch
19. “Fried” (Healthier Versions)
You can get the taste of fried chicken without all the oil using techniques like air frying or oven “frying.”
Options include: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan or Southern Fried Chicken made with healthier cooking methods.
20. Broiled
Get the taste of roasted chicken in a fraction of the time! Just place chicken under your oven’s broiler for quick cooking and crispy exterior.
Time saver: Broiled Chicken & Artichokes takes just 15 minutes from start to finish.
Creative Methods: Think Outside the Box
21. Stuffed
Pound chicken breasts thin, add fillings like spinach and cheese, roll up, and secure with toothpicks before cooking. Impressive presentation with minimal effort!
22. Pizza Topping
Use cooked, shredded chicken as a pizza topping for added protein and flavor.
Unique idea: Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza combines Italian and Indian cuisines for an unexpected flavor bomb.
23. Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is the ultimate comfort food – tender chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce under a flaky crust.
Shortcut: Use store-bought pastry or swap in whole wheat biscuits for a quicker version.
24. Pasta Combinations
Add chicken to pasta dishes for extra protein and staying power. Works with everything from mac and cheese to alfredo.
Rotisserie hack: Use store-bought rotisserie chicken to make Rotisserie Chicken Alfredo in minutes!
Quick-Fix Methods: When Time is Short
25. Instant Pot
Use your pressure cooker to make tender chicken in a fraction of the time. Perfect for when you forgot to start the slow cooker!
26. Salsa Chicken
Simply bake chicken breasts in salsa for an easy, flavorful dish that can be used in multiple ways.
Versatile prep: Use the finished chicken in tacos, on salads, or with rice.
27. Spice-Rubbed
Mix equal parts of your favorite dried spices (like garlic powder, black pepper, chili powder, and oregano), rub on chicken, let sit for an hour, then cook. Simple but flavorful!
Meal Prep and Leftover Methods
28. Chicken Salad
Use leftover cooked chicken to make chicken salad for sandwiches or to top greens.
Secret ingredient: Try adding a tablespoon of plum preserves to your mayo-based dressing for unexpected sweetness.
29. Balsamic
Balsamic vinegar and chicken are a match made in heaven. Great for salads or as a main dish.
Slow cooker option: Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken practically cooks itself!
30. Tropical
Chicken pairs beautifully with tropical flavors like coconut and pineapple. Perfect for summer meals!
Try this: Pineapple Chicken brings a taste of the islands to your dinner table.
Time-Saving Tips for Chicken Success
We all have busy lives, so here are some ways to make chicken prep easier:
- Use kitchen shears to trim fat and cut whole chickens
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for more consistent cooking
- Meal prep chicken on weekends for quick weekday meals
- Don’t be afraid of frozen chicken – just add 50% more cooking time
- Make extra whenever you cook chicken to use in different meals throughout the week
The Bottom Line on Chicken Cooking Methods
With so many different ways to prepare chicken, there’s no reason to ever get bored! Whether you have 15 minutes or a lazy Sunday afternoon, there’s a chicken cooking method that will fit your schedule and satisfy your taste buds.
My personal go-to method is pan-searing chicken breasts on busy weeknights, but I love spending a Sunday making a slow-cooked chicken dish that can provide leftovers for days. What about you? Which method will you try first?
Remember, the best chicken dish is one that you enjoy making and your family loves eating. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different methods and flavors – that’s how you’ll discover your own signature chicken recipes!
Now go forth and conquer the chicken dinner rut once and for all!
11 Different Ways to Cook Chicken
Roasting chicken is a method of cooking in which the chicken is placed in an oven and cooked, uncovered, for a specific amount or time, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Chicken can be roasted either at a high temperature (around 400°F) to ensure the skin is crispy, or at a lower temperature for more a more tender texture. Roasting is my preferred method for cooking bone-in, skin-on whole chicken or pieces.
Braising is a two-step cooking method that involves first searing chicken in a pan over high heat, and then simmering it in liquid (such as broth or wine) and seasonings over low heat until the meat is tender and flavorful. When a recipe calls for cooked chicken, my preferred method for cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts is braising. I find this method results in tender, moist, flavorful chicken.
Sauté (or Pan Sear)
Sautéing is a cooking technique in which chicken is cooked quickly in a hot pan with a small amount of oil. The high heat sears the outside of the chicken, creating a crispy texture, while keeping the inside moist and tender. I often sauté chicken and then finish it with another method like roasting or braising.
Pan frying is similar to sautéing, but the chicken is cooked in more oil and over a slightly lower heat. The oil helps cook the chicken evenly and adds flavor. Often the chicken is dredged (coated) with flour before frying, to ensure a crispy exterior and moist interior.
Stir frying is a cooking technique in which small pieces of chicken, often together with chopped vegetables, are quickly cooked in a hot wok or pan with a small amount of oil. The chicken is continually stirred, ensuring that all sides are cooked evenly. Stir fry is considered a healthy way to cook, given the small amount of oil needed. And, the flavor combinations are endless!
Air frying is a cooking method that uses hot air to cook food. Chicken pieces are placed in an air fryer basket and cooked at a high temperature until crispy on the outside and fully cooked on the inside. While air frying is a considered a new technique, it actually leverages the well-established technology of induction heat, but within a smaller space, resulting in faster cooking times compared to a conventional oven.
Poaching is a gentle cooking method in which chicken is simmered in liquid (such as water or broth) until fully cooked. According to Bon Appétit, it’s important to season the liquid with salt and place the chicken in cold water, to ensure a gradual cooking process, resulting in tender and not chewy chicken.
Grilling is a cooking method that involves cooking chicken on a hot grill or over an open flame. This method creates a crispy exterior and juicy interior. Grilled chicken is typically marinated, seasoned and/or basted with a sauce. I adore grilling chicken, not only for the smoky flavor it imparts, but also because it results in a bolder flavor – and the grill marks add visual appeal.
Slow cooking is a method in which chicken is cooked in a slow cooker or crockpot for several hours on low heat. This method results in tender and flavorful chicken that falls off the bone. If you want the chicken to hold together for serving, then use bone-in, skin-on breasts or thighs. When using boneless, the meat tends to fall apart – which is fine in some dishes.
Sous vide is a cooking method in which chicken is placed in a vacuum-sealed bag and cooked in a temperature-controlled water bath for a precise amount of time. The meat is then removed from the bag and seared (or grilled) over high heat on both sides for a few minutes just before serving. This method results in perfectly cooked chicken that is evenly cooked from edge to edge. I find sous vide is an excellent make ahead method when entertaining, because you can’t overcook the chicken (you can leave it in the water bath for 2 hours and it will stay at 165 degrees). And, it just takes minutes to sear the chicken right before you serve it.
Stewing is a cooking method in which chicken is simmered in a liquid (such as broth or sauce) with vegetables and spices for a long period of time. This method results in tender chicken and flavorful broth.
Example: Coq au Vin (in my cookbook “Fresh Tastes”)
Wow … the BEST soy glazed chicken in 20 minutes
FAQ
What are the different ways to cook chicken?
- Roast (or Bake) Roasting chicken is a method of cooking in which the chicken is placed in an oven and cooked, uncovered, for a specific amount or time, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. …
- Braise. …
- Sauté (or Pan Sear) …
- Stir Fry. …
- Air Fry. …
- Poach. …
- Grill. …
- Slow Cook.
Which cooking method is best for chicken?
What Is The Best Way To Cook A Chicken Breast? Cooking a boneless and skinless chicken breast in a hot cast iron pan is by far the easiest and most tasty way to cook the breast. You are far less likely to overcook the chicken breast compared to baking it in the oven or poaching it in water.
What are the different types of chicken recipes?
- Chicken Vindaloo | Instant Pot & Stove Top Recipe.
- Instant Pot Shahi Chicken Korma.
- Authentic Chicken Tikka Masala (Stovetop)
- Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken.
- Chicken Biryani.
- Instant Pot Chicken Biryani.
- Air Fryer Whole Tandoori Chicken.
- Tandoori chicken wings (Oven & Air Fryer Recipe)
Which is the best way to cook a chicken?
Bake them in a 450°F oven. High-heat baking for a relatively short time will keep them moist and juicy. You have two choices: bake the chicken for 30-40 minutes (depending on its size) in a 350°F oven or for 20-30 minutes in a 450°F oven. In my experience, the second method is much better at producing juicy chicken.