Chicken is a weight loss winner in every season. It’s high in protein yet lower in saturated fat than other kinds of meat. Plus, it blends well with so many different flavors. The recipe options are almost limitless. In summer, chicken truly shines because it fills you up without weighing you down when the days are warm and sultry. We’ve gathered over 30 of our favorite healthy summer chicken recipes, so you’ll have lots of fresh ideas for enjoying it yourself and with family and friends.
The zingy flavor of mildly hot jalapeno peppers will light up your taste buds while the creamy melted cheese will soothe the tingle in your mouth. This dish looks like it’s complicated to make but it has just six ingredients and is ready to go in the oven in under 10 minutes. You can serve it as an entrée with sides of vegetables and brown rice or slice up the chicken breasts and put them inside a whole wheat tortilla, topped with as much salsa (a Free food) as you like. Click here for the full recipe! >
When summer’s hectic schedule leaves you with little time to spend in the kitchen, you need a meal that’s easy to prepare but still satisfying and healthy. That’s the ideal time to serve this sheet pan dinner with chicken breast that the whole family will enjoy. We make it with zucchini or summer squash, which are at their peak of freshness in summer. However, you can use any non-starchy vegetables you like, including green beans, mushrooms and onions. Click here for the full recipe! >
With Nutrisystem’s handy Grilled Chicken Sandwich, you can enjoy that flame-cooked flavor without waiting for the grill to heat up. Add lettuce, tomato and onion or make it even more satisfying by topping it with crunchy sweet apple slaw you can make in minutes. It’s the ideal partner to the smoky taste of the chicken. Click here for the full recipe! >
Skewers are fun for everybody. They’re simple to prepare and cook, plus they come in individual portions that are just right for big and small appetites. We made this version with fresh summer vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini. Both taste great when grilled. Add a side of high-fiber brown rice and you’ve got a complete Flex meal. Click here for the full recipe! >
On those busy summer days when you wish someone else would prepare a delicious hot meal for the whole family, put your slow cooker to work making this hearty dish while you go about your business. It’s packed with protein-rich chicken, tender potato chunks and your choice of veggies, along with real Parmesan cheese. If you have an Instant Pot, you can cut down on the cooking time and still enjoy the full flavor of the ingredients heating up together. A light ad healthy broth-based bowl of chicken soup is a refreshing dinner that you’ll be craving all season. Click here for the full recipe! >
Whether you’re planning a summer party or just making dinner on a warm weeknight, grilled chicken thighs are a healthy, crowd-pleasing summer chicken recipe that’s simple to prepare. Before cooking the chicken, we infuse it with flavor in our sweet and zesty marinade, made with orange and lime juice plus spices like black pepper and paprika. If you don’t have a grill or want to make this dish in winter, you can roast the chicken in the oven and it still comes out juicy and delicious. Click here for the full recipe! >
If you love the tastes of fresh strawberries and spinach picked in season, this easy dish is sure to become a staple on your warm weather menu. It starts with grilled chicken and includes creamy avocado and the salty flavor of real bacon. Take it to the next level with a tasty, low-calorie salad dressing like one of our three favorites. Click here for the full recipe! >
Grilling enhances the flavor of pineapple, adding a bit of smoky taste to its natural sweetness. It’s the ideal complement to chunks of chicken cooked over an open flame. We added bell peppers and onions for a serving of non-starchy vegetables and your favorite barbecue sauce for extra-delicious flavor. Click here for the full recipe! >
You can enjoy chicken nuggets with the rest of the family and stay on track to your weight loss goal. This version has a crispy coating around tender, juicy chicken breast, with the added bonus of the high-fiber summer squash zucchini to fill you up. Best of all, these nuggets are so easy to make you’ll have them hot and ready to eat faster than you can get to the drive-through window at a local fast food joint. Click here for the full recipe! >
Wraps are handy for picnic lunches or wherever your day takes you. We love to fill whole-wheat tortillas with this flavorful combination of grilled chicken breast, mozzarella cheese and cool iceberg lettuce topped with creamy ranch dressing. You can eat the wrap cold or heat it up in a panini press or skillet. Click here for the full recipe! >
Heathy chilled chicken salads are great for warm weather, so you’ll find a few on this list of summer chicken recipes. To make this tasty lunch quickly, start with a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Mix the shredded breast meat with avocado for moisture and smooth texture, then add a squirt of lime juice for a hint of tart flavor. Spread the mixture between two low-carb sandwich thins or on toasted whole-grain bread and sink your teeth into a midday meal that will keep you full all afternoon. Click here for the full recipe! >
Sweet and juicy watermelon is one of summer’s most enjoyable treats, so we decided to pair it with chunks of tender chicken breast in this fresh take on a classic. It includes crisp celery and zesty red onion. Add creamy Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise and spices to taste and you have dish that’s just right for everyday lunches or summertime parties. Click here for the full recipe! >
These chicken lettuce wraps are cool and crunchy on the outside and warm and tasty inside. We load them up with a mixture of ground chicken and veggies like carrots, peppers and water chestnuts, all stir-fried with Asian flavors like ginger and sesame. The whole dish comes together in about 20 easy minutes. Click here for the full recipe! >
The fresh and light flavors of Mediterranean cuisine are just right for summer chicken recipes. That’s why we marinated chicken breast in a tasty sauce made with garlic, oregano, olive oil and lemon juice. Chunks of the flavorful chicken are joined by bell peppers and red onions on skewers, then grilled to bring out the fresh taste of all the ingredients. Click here for the full recipe! >
Grilled summer chicken recipes are a must-have for your weight loss menu. This one pumps up the flavor with a homemade balsamic marinade that’s easy to make. This hearty meal is perfect for your summer picnics and is great with any seasonal side dish or grilled veggies that you decide to serve up. Click here for the full recipe! >
Nachos are given a summer-inspired twist in this Greek Shredded Chicken Nachos recipe that packs in the seasonal veggies. Topped with creamy feta cheese, it’s sure to become your go-to healthy snack when the weather is warm. Click here for the full recipe! >
Foil packet recipes are great for tossing in the oven and then taking along on summer picnics. Everyone has their own perfectly portioned meal that’s easy to unwrap and enjoy! This one is packed with flavor and is super easy to make. Click here for the full recipe! >
If you love the flavors of pizza and pasta but don’t want to fill up on all the carbs, this stuffed summer squash meal is perfect for you. Fiber-rich zucchini boats are stuffed with Italian chicken sausage, creamy ricotta cheese, marinara sauce and peppers. It’s a light and healthy meal that’s perfect for those hot summer days. Click here for the full recipe! >
Summer veggies shine in this fresh and filling Panzanella Salad that’s great for summer. Featuring a tasty vinaigrette made from freshly-squeezed lemon juice, red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, spices and herbs, it’s one of our favorite summer chicken recipes. Click here for the full recipe! >
Your summer menu wouldn’t be complete without chicken skewers! Toss on some rainbow fruits and veggies and you’ve the ultimate picnic meal. They are not only beautiful, they’re also good for you and fit perfectly into your weight loss plan. Click here for the full recipe! >
Zucchini is one of our favorite summer veggies. It also pairs great with chicken for healthy summer recipes. All you need is a spiralizer to create perfect veggie noodles that can easily replace pasta in your favorite dishes. This Zucchini Noodles with Chicken and Cheese recipe is super simple to make and is great for a fancy summer dinner on the patio with the family. Click here for the full recipe! >
Grilled chicken is always a summer staple. Throw it on a veggielicious salad and you’ve got the prefect warm weather meal. Featuring tender grilled chicken, a bed of veggies and beans, plus a tasty homemade dressing, this summer salad is every bit as tasty as it sounds. Click here for the full recipe! >
Spring rolls are a light and healthy meal that’s great when it’s hot outside. We created a healthy version filled with tender chicken and crunchy coleslaw mix. Topped with a homemade peanut sauce, you’ll feel like your dining at your favorite restaurant without having to leave your house. Click here for the full recipe! >
Skip the hot dogs and hamburgers and whip up a hearty, flavor-packed chicken sausage sandwich! This one is perfect for summer and is filled with fresh bell peppers and sliced onions, all nestled into a warm toasted bun. Get grilling and try this amazing summer chicken recipe today. Click here for the full recipe! >
Enjoy the flavors of tropical coconut in a warm chicken curry dinner. Featuring fresh summer veggies like bell peppers and zucchini, this meal is sure to liven up your summer menu. It’s a family friendly meal that you’ll be making all season. Click here for the full recipe! >
It’s barbecue season! This list of summer chicken recipes wouldn’t be complete without a healthier version of the classic BBQ chicken sandwich. Chicken breast and smoky BBQ sauce combine with a flavorful, seasoned coleslaw in this hearty BBQ sandwich that won’t wreck your diet. Click here for the full recipe! >
Who doesn’t love a tender chicken kebab that is grilled to absolute perfection? This unique twist on classic chicken skewers is sure to keep your mealtime interesting. Grilled chicken kebabs are paired with a sweet and tangy peanut dipping sauce, which is made in minutes. Click here for the full recipe! >
Another BBQ dish for your list of summer chicken recipes, this one is sure to please the whole family. Crispy chicken nuggets are covered in a seasoned breading and topped with a delicious honey BBQ sauce. Plus, they fit perfectly into your Nutrisystem weight loss program. Click here for the full recipe! >
Chicken salad gets a healthy and flavorful makeover in this tasty recipe. The classic base of mayo is swapped for nonfat Greek yogurt. We also add shredded carrots for an extra crunch and texture. Enjoy this Curried Rotisserie Chicken Salad on a lettuce wrap, whole wheat tortilla or on whole grain toast. Click here for the full recipe! >
We love sushi in summer because it’s cool, refreshing and packed with protein that fills you up and keeps you satisfied. We got creative and turned sushi into a burrito, then added shredded chicken for a filling meal that everyone will love. If you need a fun and unique lunch to get you through the work week, this is just the recipe for you. Click here for the full recipe! >
Two classic sandwiches unite in this easy summer chicken recipe. Enjoy the flavors of a BLT in a healthy chicken salad sandwich! Featuring crispy turkey bacon and veggies, it’s just as delicious as your favorite order at the local sandwich shop. Click here for the full recipe! >
