24 of The Best Chicken Recipes

Chicken must surely be the most versatile meat there is. From classic British roasts to Asian stir-fries and Americana inspired fried chicken to French casseroles, there is no cuisine where chicken doesn’t appear as a staple. This collection of recipes includes the Best Chicken Recipes I know which use whole chickens or just the wings, thighs or breast.

I wasn’t joking in my introduction. I really can’t think of a cuisine from around the world where chicken doesn’t work. Its the meat that the vast majority of non-vegetarians almost default to. I know I certainly do.

I can do something so totally different with chicken everyday that I could eat it for a good few weeks without really starting to get bored.

The best way I know to always have a decent meal to hand is to keep chicken in the freezer. I buy it in bulk and then portion it up in bags and freeze. The flatter you freeze the chicken portions, the quicker it is to defrost. If I’m in a rush I tend to leave the bag in a bowl of tepid water which speeds up the process. Otherwise if I’m being more organised, I’ll leave it overnight in the fridge or on the side for a few hours.

I keep good sized chicken breasts, boneless chicken thigh fillets and wings along with a whole chicken or two. This gives me the flexibility to make almost anything I fancy on a whim. Because the cut that I take out of the freezer usually determines what recipe I’m going to cook, I have split this roundup of the Best Chicken Recipes by cut rather than cuisine or cooking method.

Whole Chicken Recipes

Meat cooked on the bone will always be slightly more delicious. But using the whole chicken doesn’t just mean roasting it. You can also cut it into joints or spatchcock it, neither of which are difficult to do with a decently sharp knife.

How to Make Roast Chicken

My How to Make Roast Chicken guide provides step by step instructions and photographs to help you prepare a raw chicken and cook it simply. Once you master a basic roast chicken, the uses and variations are endless.

Paprika & Sage Butter Roast Chicken

My Paprika & Sage Butter Roast Chicken was declared “the best chicken ever” by my former housemate and I am inclined to agree! The credit really goes to the generous layer of spiced butter which is smothered over the whole bird before roasting. You really can’t go wrong.

One Pot Chicken & Squash Curry – Lost in Food

A simple chicken and squash curry, roast chicken with a spicy difference. Ideal for busy families on the go as this is an entire meal in one pot.

Rosemary Citrus Roast Chicken – Christina’s Cucina

A super delicious and juicy chicken with lovely roasted potatoes.

Indian Spiced Roast Chicken with Coriander & Mint Raita – Fab Food 4 All

Marinated in a heady mix of chilli, turmeric, cayenne pepper, root ginger, lemon juice and yogurt this roast chicken really packs a punch and is great for serving in chapattis.

Garlic Chicken in a Bag – Searching For Spice

The bag keeps the chicken so deliciously moist and keeps your oven clean too. It’s just the best way to cook a roast chicken dinner!

Chicken Wing Recipes

I love a chicken wing. I like to pick up my food and really get involved. Actually chicken wings might be my achilles heel, I just don’t think I can ever say no. There are again numerous ways to cook a wing. They can be fried or baked, crispy or sticky or even just plain roasted with salt and olive oil. Just don’t forget the dips.

Southern Baked Chicken Wings

Southern Baked Chicken Wings are a spicy and crunchy American classic. My version is baked, not fried which makes them perfect for hands off cooking. A buttermilk marinade makes sure that my wings are tender and soft on the inside too. As a bonus, they're shockingly easy to make!

Sticky Maple Chicken Wings (Gluten Free)

My Sticky Maple Chicken Wings are the ultimate dig-in-and-get-sticky party food! You think you're just going to have one and then all of a sudden you realise you've eaten half the bowl and you're getting evil stares from the rest of the room. And you have sticky glaze all up your face. Yeh, you should make these for sure!

Buffalo Wings (Hot Wings) – Christina’s Cucuina

These wings are especially good because there’s no frying involved! No mess to clean up on your stove and baking them makes them extra crispy so they soak up more sauce!

Hot & Spicy Chicken Wings – Recipes Made Easy

These hot and spicy chicken wings are quick and easy to make and really pack in the flavour. They are perfect for a mid week meal as there is little prep and they are ready in about 30 minutes.

Sticky AND Crispy Asian Chicken Wings – Kitchen Sanctuary

These Asian Chicken Wings are Sticky AND Crispy. The best party food ever!

Chicken Thigh Recipes

Chicken thighs are in my opinion, the tastiest part of the chicken. Its dark meat but not odd and sinewy like the drumstick (have you noticed the absence of drummers from this list? Its because I don’t really like them!) and extra juicy with a little fat.

As I’ve said above, meat cooked on the bone is the best. And many chicken thigh recipes call for bone-in thighs. But I’m a little bit lazy. Both in my cooking and my eating.

So I don’t really like to serve my meat on the bone and I’ll take it out after cooking. Or as normally happens, I just buy chicken thighs which are ready boned. They are slightly more expensive but like I already admitted, I am lazy and I simply can’t be bothered to bone them myself!

Sweet Chilli Chicken Thighs

Sweet Chilli Chicken Thighs are marinated with three simple ingredients and then grilled to juicy perfection in 15 minutes. They’re perfect to serve on a rice bowl, throw into a wrap for lunch or even take out on a picnic.

Chicken Satay Skewers

Chicken Satay Skewers are an ageless classic dish found all over Asia. My recipe uses chicken thighs for extra juicy skewers and my own homemade tasty sauce. Perfect for every occasion from lunchboxes, to picnics, buffets and tasty Asian feasts.

Chicken, Peanut & Lentil Soup

My Chicken, Peanut & Lentil Soup is the meaty version of my vegan Peanut Lentil Soup. Its still gluten free but includes extra toppings to make a full and satisfying meal. Its also still extra easy to make and packed with flavour.

Honey & Garlic Chicken – Farmersgirl Kitchen

Chicken slowly cooked in a rich, sticky sauce, ideal to serve with rice or noodles.

Cajun Spiced Chicken with Vegetables – Lost in Food

One pot Cajun chicken, an all-in-one dish combining chicken and vegetables with cajun spicing and a fresh hit of lemon. A quick midweek dinner in one.

Sticky Chicken Traybake – Easy Peasy Foodie

Chicken thighs are coated in a delicious mixture of soy sauce, honey, ginger, chilli and sesame oil and roasted in the oven.

Chicken Breast Recipes

Chicken breasts will always be a go-to cut of chicken for many. Its the leanest cut with barely any fat and ideal for butterflying and quick cooking. It also works great in stir-fries and other dishes where the chicken isn’t left to cook for a long time as that is when breasts tend to dry out.

Sweet & Sour Chicken (No Batter)

My Sweet & Sour Chicken recipe is the nostalgic kind from my childhood. Its not an authentic Chinese dish. Instead its the homemade version of the jarred sauce kind from the supermarket. This no batter and no deep fry recipe is full on tasty nostalgia! Sorry Uncle Ben but we don't need you anymore!

Puff Pastry Pie with Chicken, Ham & Mushroom

Puff Pastry Pie is the best pie, especially when stuffed full of Chicken, Ham, Mushroom and a tasty white sauce! Its actually my favourite. I use ready rolled pastry for a speedy dinner or make my own puff for a luxurious feast centerpiece. And as I often reheat portions for my lunch, it’s basically meal-prep for northerners!

Chicken & Potato Goulash – Recipes Made Easy

Chicken and potatoes cooked with red peppers, tomatoes and paprika in a great one pot meal.

Spicy Chicken Skewers – Crunch & Cream

A super-healthy turmeric spicy rice with peas and peppers, with tender grilled chicken skewers marinated in a delicious spice mix to create an easy and healthy dinner.

Chicken Noodle Soup – Something Sweet Something Savoury

Warming, comforting and very nourishing. There’s no better way to fight off those nasty Winter bugs than curling up on the sofa with a bowl of hot chicken soup!

Pan Fried Chicken & Smoked Bacon – Lost in Food

Pan fried chicken breast on a bed of buttery leek, bacon and cannellini beans. A quick and easy to prepare mid-week meal.

Mediterranean Chicken Traybake – Tastefully Vikkie

A beautifully delicious and easy Mediterranean Syn Free Slimming World chicken traybake.

So now you know my favourites, tell me what you favourite chicken recipes are!

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