30 chicken recipes under 300 calories

Spiced chicken pilaf with mint yoghurt

Use up leftover chicken (and rice, if you have it) in this healthy dinner for two, then serve with a dollop of creamy Greek yoghurt.

Chicken, mushroom and tarragon fricassee

A fricassee is a French dish that involves cooking meat or vegetables in a creamy sauce. It sounds indulgent, and it is, but we’ve created a slightly lighter version for 238 calories per portion – that still contains double cream!

Chicken briouats

These crispy pastry parcels see a rich filling of chicken, apricots, honey, saffron and fresh herbs wrapped up in layers of filo pastry. While we know they’re not a meal, they are under 300 calories per parcel so we thought we’d share them here anyway…

Extra special coronation chicken

Part of what makes this coronation chicken salad recipe so special are the clever twists we’ve incorporated to make it a little bit better for you. The chicken is marinated in spices, yoghurt and lemon, grilled until charred and then drizzled in a refreshing yoghurt dressing. It’s delicious and less than 200 calories per serving!

Chicken piri piri

Diana Henry’s piri piri chicken will transport you to sunny Portugal with its heady mix of red peppers, chilli, oregano and fresh lemon. We love it served with a crisp salad and fried potatoes or rustic bread.

Five-spice chicken skewers with speedy chow mein

Whip up a speedy chow mein with sticky Chinese-spiced chicken skewers in just 20 minutes (it really is possible).

Chicken and green bean Caesar salad

We’ve taken things back to basics with this pared-back take on a Caesar salad. It’s still got all the iconic flavours of the classic dish – think crisp gem lettuce, parmesan, anchovies and lemon – but with the addition of green beans and a slightly lighter dressing.

Sticky chicken stir-fry

If you don’t have time to marinate the chicken, that’s OK. The big-flavoured ingredients used in this dish will ensure the end result is still seriously tasty.

Bang bang chicken salad

Bang bang chicken is a Chinese dish of cold chicken drizzled in a nutty sauce, traditionally sold as street food. Here it is in salad form in which we’ve played on the nutty flavours of the original dish with a peanut butter sauce and crisp julienned vegetables.

Chicken korma

Yoghurt and ground almonds give this korma recipe its wonderful creaminess for only 290 calories per serving.

Chilli chicken with cucumber salad

Harissa-spiced chicken, a pickled cucumber salad and steamed jasmine rice make a simple but flavoursome pairing in this budget dinner recipe.

Warm chicken, mushroom and barley salad

Pearl barley is a nutritious, versatile and inexpensive ingredient which you could use in anything from risottos to salads. Give it a go in this autumnal recipe – we’ve used nourishing and easy-to-find ingredients too, so you can make this one a midweek staple.

Thai green curry with chicken and green beans

Full-fat coconut milk, fish sauce, a fragrant curry paste and lots of coriander give this Thai green curry ALL the flavour – and still for only 208 calories per serving.

Aromatic chicken pho noodle soup

Make this 10-minute, pho-style soup when you need something nourishing – NOW.

Jerk chicken with cauliflower rice and peas

Add a streak of Caribbean flavour to your plate with this jerk chicken dish. We’ve served it with cauliflower rice and peas for a nutritious, low-calorie main.

Chicken and pearl barley broth

Make it to payday with this easy-on-the-wallet broth made with pearl barley, frozen peas and winter veg.

Chicken, ginger and oyster sauce stir-fry

You could use any vegetables you like in this 15-minute stir-fry – the more the merrier!

Chunky chilli chicken soup

Using chicken instead of beef in this chunky chilli recipe instantly lowers the fat content if you’re looking for a lighter way to enjoy this comforting classic. Serve with a little cheddar cheese and soured cream to complete the dish.

Soy-glazed chicken salad

Soy sauce, honey and sesame oil are three storecupboard ingredients every home cook should have when it comes to creating big flavour in minutes! Use them in this sticky chicken recipe, served with a crunchy salad and a lime dressing.

Baluchi-style chicken sajji

A roast chicken dinner with a difference, Sumayya Usmani’s Baluchi-style chicken dish uses a unique but fantastic spice mix (sajji masala) to create flavour like you’ve never tasted before.

Hot and sour chicken soup

Dinner for one? Treat yourself to a bowl of our hot and sour chicken soup.

Quick lentil, chicken, spring greens and broccoli soup

Get your daily dose of veg in this nourishing springtime soup. It’s high in protein and fibre to keep you feeling full.

Chicken and cashew nuts

There’s something so rich and satisfying about a proper cashew chicken recipe and this one really does hit the spot. Keep it light and serve as it is, or pair with egg noodles to complete the meal.

Chicken and vegetable traybake

You can’t beat a traybake for ease (and minimal washing up!) Try this one made with boneless chicken thighs, lots of vegetables and a handful of fresh mint.

Summer chicken

You only need five ingredients (excluding olive oil) for this summer chicken one-tray. This dish would also work well with roast cod: simply roast the vegetables until tender, then sit the cod fillets on top, drizzle with oil and roast for a further 5-10 minutes until cooked.

30-minute chicken and cauliflower curry

A tasty option if you’re following the 5:2 diet. Plus, it contains 3 of your 5-a-day!

Chicken and bean casserole

Stew for two? We’ve got a recipe for that. This protein-packed dinner is low in saturates and high in fibre thanks to all the beans and vegetables. On hungrier days, serve with potatoes too.

Spiced chicken with cauliflower couscous

Whip up this lunch for one in just 20-minutes and feel good knowing you’ve ticked off plenty of your daily veg in one meal.

Smoked chicken and runner bean salad

Runner beans and smoked chicken are drizzled in a homemade salsa verde in this summery salad recipe.

Healthier chicken satay

A lot of the calories in satay come from the peanut butter, so we’ve replaced a good portion of that with natural yoghurt. By upping the quantity of other traditional ingredients, you still get authentic flavour but without so many calories.