With chicken being the versatile protein that it is, there are so many summer chicken recipes out there. Today, we’ll share with you some of our favorites. We’ve divided the recipes in a few different sections, so there is something for everybody.
Some of our fave recipes are spicy, while others are suitable for a keto diet. We’ve even given you gluten-free options. Winner winner, chicken dinner!
Easy Summer Chicken Recipes
Chicken Souvlaki recipe
Take a trip to Greece with this juicy chicken souvlaki recipe. The best thing about it is: It only takes 15 minutes to prepare. This Greek dish is a great addition to summer barbecues as the preparation is simple. Just cut your chicken breast into cubes, season it, and throw it on the grill. Voila!
Garlic and brown sugar drumsticks recipe
This garlic and brown sugar drumsticks recipe is keto-friendly and extremely easy to make. The entire dish only consists of 7 ingredients, and the soy sauce, ketchup and garlic rub is to die for!
BBQ chicken bacon pasta recipe
Nothing says summer like BBQ. Am I right? This pasta combines the best ingredients of protein-rich chicken and hearty rib-sticking pasta. Throw in a side of smoked corn and you have the perfect summer meal!
Ranch chicken pasta bake recipe
The ranch chicken pasta bake only takes 40 minutes to cook. This makes it an excellent option for a quick, easy weeknight dinner that will please both adults and children.
Pesto chicken Saltimbocca recipe
Here’s another Mediterranean favorite. This summery pesto fried chicken saltimbocca is packed with delicious flavors. The best part? It can be cooked in less than an hour.
Easy Summer Chicken Breast Recipes
Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
These Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts are a quick and healthy dinner option that will impress with their succulent, savory flavor and perfect crispiness. By utilizing the air fryer, you’ll achieve a delightfully crunchy exterior and moist, tender meat on the inside, all in less than 30 minutes.
Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken
Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken Breasts are a tropical culinary delight, offering a sumptuous blend of rich, creamy coconut milk, tangy lime, and tender chicken. This dish, with its vibrant flavors and smooth, velvety sauce, will transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise in just one bite.
Savory Peach Chicken Kebabs
Savory Peach Chicken Kebabs are the epitome of summer grilling, combining juicy chicken and fresh peaches on a skewer for a sweet and savory delight. This recipe creates a mouthwatering balance of flavors, making it a perfect choice for backyard barbecues or any alfresco dining occasion.
Grilled Chicken With Mango Salsa
Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa pairs perfectly charred chicken with a vibrant, fruity salsa for a dish that’s both refreshing and satisfying. The succulent, smoky chicken juxtaposed with the sweet and tangy mango salsa creates a symphony of flavors, making it an ideal meal for warm summer evenings.
Summer Salad Recipes With Chicken
Summer chicken salad with hot bacon dressing recipe
If you’re looking to impress your guests this summer with a spectacular dish, look no further than the stunning summer chicken salad with hot bacon dressing. The great thing about it is that it can be made with leftovers you already have in the fridge.
P.F. Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps
Not exactly salad, but close enough in my opinion. Sometimes you want something savory and satisfying in the summer, but slightly lighter. These scrumptious ground chicken recipes wrapped in beautiful butter lettuce is perfect for those occasions.
Skinny Southwest chicken salad recipe
This healthy, creamy salad packed with veggies and yogurt is a great choice if you’re trying to get the kids to eat their 5 a day. It can be served in many different ways. You can enjoy it as a dip, on a bed of lettuce, between two toasted breads – the possibilities are endless!
Mandarin orange and spinach salad recipe
This mandarin orange spinach salad looks like something you’d order at a fancy restaurant. Served with a lemon honey ginger dressing, it is the perfect summer salad. You can even get creative and add your own vegetables like diced cucumbers, carrots, and avocado.It’s the most artistic-looking summer chicken recipe on this list!
Summer Chicken Recipes (Instant Pot and Air Fryer)
Crispy Nuwave air fryer chicken wings
We’re huge fans of chicken wings in our home. But making them in the oven in the middle of July is not great for our AC bill. Instead, try making wings in your air fryer. Juicy and crispy every time.
Mouthwatering air fryer chicken
Same goes for larger pieces of chicken, as does chicken wings. Sometimes you have a craving that you can’t solve in the summer without turning on the oven. That was, until air fryers came into our lives.
Instant Pot Mississippi chicken
For when you’re in no mood (whatsoever) to put on the stove or oven. This zesty chicken recipe is perfect for when you want to set it and (literally) forget it. That is until dinner time!
Summer Chicken Thigh Recipes
Korean chicken thighs recipe
The funky, spicy Gojuchang sauce on this Korean chicken dish will have you licking your fingers when you’re done. And you will definitely want seconds!
Sticky pineapple chicken recipe
Served inside the pineapple, this unique and fun chicken recipe will light up any dinner table. An added benefit of this recipe? As a yellow food, pineapple has a ton of added health benefits. Read all you need to know about yellow foods.
Plum-glazed grilled chicken thighs recipe
These plum glazed grilled chicken thighs only need 9 ingredients and a prep time of 25 minutes. (You all already know how obsessed I am with chicken thighs). Marinade them for a generous amount of time and throw them on the barbecue. You’ll get a restaurant-quality dish made right at home.
Spicy Summer Chicken Recipes
Sweet and spicy summer chicken with peach salsa recipe
This gorgeous-looking sweet and sour summer chicken is sure to make your tastebuds do backflips. Full of color, with jalapenos, onions, and peaches, it is the perfect chicken dish to serve to guests.
Easy and healthy blackened chicken recipe
Blackened chicken is perfect for meal prep, but is also perfect for use in a variety of dishes—everything from a blackened chicken Cobb salad to yummy chicken pasta.
Crispy buttermilk fried spicy chicken burger recipe
Are you in the mood for a burger but tired of the same old thing? This crispy buttermilk spicy chicken burger with paprika, sriracha, and chili powder is a spicy food lover’s dream.
Nashville hot chicken nuggets recipe
The recipe for the Nashville hot chicken nuggets was inspired by a dish at the Cheesecake Factory. The nuggets are spicy with a hint of sweetness, and the chicken is cooled down with a herby ranch sauce. Yum!
Hot honey chicken sandwich recipe
Have you ever had a sandwich with mac and cheese inside? Full of hot honey sauce and sriracha mayo, this sandwich will take your taste buds to heaven.
Summer Chicken Breast Recipes
Skinny BBQ chicken tostadas recipe
If a taco and a pizza had a baby, they would give birth to the chicken tostadas, a fresh, cheesy dish great for the entire family.
Creamy garlic chicken recipe
Swimming in rich gravy, this creamy garlicky chicken is great comfort food. It can be served with some mashed potatoes or crispy air fried green beans.
Baked Hawaiian chicken recipe
The baked Hawaiian chicken is a sweet and sour dish consisting of breaded chicken and a sweet pineapple sauce. Yum!
Dry rub BBQ smoked chicken breast recipe
If the smoker’s coming out this summer, why not try out the dry rub BBQ chicken breast? They are a great addition to any salad but are also delicious on their own.
Mexican street corn chicken taco recipe
The summery, fresh Mexican street corn chicken tacos are filled with avocado and fresh vegetables. It also includes 3 tablespoons of olive oil, some lime juice, and half teaspoons of salt and pepper to bring the flavors together.
Gluten-Free Summer Chicken Recipes
Gluten-Free orange chicken recipe
With a tangy, sweet sauce and golden brown chicken, this gluten and dairy-free dish is inspired by Panda Express’ famous orange chicken.
Gluten-Free chicken Piccata recipe
This Mediterranean low-carb chicken dish with a honey, lemon, butter and caper sauce is a joy to the eyes as much as to the tastebuds! Who doesn’t love a little color in their food?
Gluten-Free Vietnamese lemongrass chicken recipe
Take your tastebuds to Vietnam with the fresh and colorful lemongrass chicken served with a honey and fish sauce.
Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken recipe
The creamy sun-dried tomato chicken is so easy to prepare. You only need 15 minutes of prep work, and your oven will do the rest!
Keto Summer Chicken Recipes
Keto garlic parmesan chicken recipe
This recipe for keto garlic parmesan chicken is also low-carb, so you can enjoy it free of guilt!
Caprese stuffed chicken with balsamic glaze recipe
Those following a keto diet but also watching their weight will love the caprese stuffed chicken with prosciutto and a balsamic glaze.
Cheesy ranch popcorn chicken recipe
Colonel Sanders is not the only one who knows how to cook popcorn chicken. And he would be proud of this recipe!
More Summer Recipes
36 Summer Cookie Recipes
16 Summer Beef Recipes
37 Summer Casseroles
More Easy Chicken Recipes
Not exclusively summer recipes, but what are? Scour a few of our fave chicken recipes below for further inspiration.
36 Canned Chicken Recipes
73+ Recipes Using Chicken Breast
23 Chicken Tenderloin Recipes
Have questions or suggestions about summer chicken recipes? Leave them in the comments below. Until next time, stay hungry!
Chicken FAQs
How does Gordon Ramsay season their chicken?
Gordon Ramsay is known for his simple but effective seasoning methods. He usually seasons his chicken generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, often adding olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary for extra flavor. He emphasizes the importance of seasoning the chicken all over, including inside the cavity if it’s a whole chicken, to ensure flavor in every bite. It’s also common for him to use butter, lemon, and sometimes mustard, depending on the specific recipe.
How do you make chicken not dry and juicy?
There are several methods to ensure that your chicken remains juicy and doesn’t dry out:
- Brining: Soaking chicken in a mixture of salt and water (brine) before cooking helps to retain moisture. This process allows the chicken to absorb extra liquid and salt, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful dish.
- Marinating: Marinating chicken not only adds flavor but also helps to tenderize the meat and keep it moist. A marinade often includes an acid (like vinegar or lemon juice), oil, and seasonings.
- Proper Cooking Techniques: Avoid overcooking as it is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; for chicken breasts, the internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C).
- Let it Rest: After cooking, let your chicken rest for a few minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Cooking Method: Certain cooking methods, like grilling and baking, can dry out chicken if not done correctly. Consider methods that retain moisture, like braising, stewing, or using a slow cooker.
- Using Thighs or Legs: Chicken thighs and legs tend to be more forgiving and remain moist compared to chicken breasts due to their higher fat content.
