11 Fall Chicken Recipes That Are Healthy & Delicious

October 4, 2024

Courtesy of Well Plated

Fall is such a busy time of year, whether you’re back in a school routine with kids or just buckling down after a laid-back summer. It’s also a cozier moment, with a whole slate of vegetables, fruits, and spices to warm you after chillier days. Make mealtime quicker and easier, and embrace the flavors of the season, with this collection of delicious and healthy fall chicken recipes.

From cider-glazed chicken breasts to pumpkin chicken crockpot chili, there are quick and easy weeknight meals here, as well as comforting dishes you can prep for the week ahead. Plus, they’re all packed with good nutrition, so you’ll have plenty of energy to tackle your to-do list and enjoy all the fun fall has to offer.

1. Cider-Glazed Chicken Breasts

Marinating chicken breasts in a mixture of apple cider, Dijon mustard, and fresh thyme infuses them with a sweet and tangy flavor. Roast the chicken on a sheet pan with squash and onion, and you have a tasty meal that’s also colorful and filling.

Try this recipe from Love and Olive Oil.

2. Apple Cider Chicken

Instead of marinating the chicken, here you use cider to make a pan sauce, along with Dijon mustard and rosemary. This quick fall chicken recipe, which is on the table in 30 minutes, also has lightly cooked apple slices, too, which add fiber and antioxidants. Serve it with a salad or green vegetable on the side.

Try this recipe from Well Plated.

3. Roasted Butternut Squash, Broccoli, & Cheddar Chicken Couscous

This roasted butternut squash, broccoli, and cheddar chicken couscous is a comforting and healthy fall dish. It has tons of flavor thanks to an abundance of spices on the chicken and plenty of cheddar in the couscous mixture. This recipe is perfect for meal prep; make it ahead, keep it covered in the fridge, and reheat throughout the week for quick meals.

Try this recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.

4. Spanish Chicken Stew

A warming stew is a perfect recipe for a cold fall day. It takes just 15 minutes to prep, and each serving has 41 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber, so it’s extra satisfying. Serve it over rice or quinoa for a one-dish meal. Make extras and freeze in individual-sized portions for up to three months.

Try this recipe from Well Plated.

5. Mayo-Free Cranberry Apple Chicken Salad

This mayo-free chicken salad is creamy thanks to cashews blended into the dressing. With chopped apples, tart dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans, it’s full of delicious flavors and textures. This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy lunch or a light dinner.

Try this recipe from Haute and Healthy Living.

6. Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

This instant pot chicken and dumplings recipe is the epitome of a comforting fall meal. Cook the chicken in a flavorful broth, paired with colorful veggies and fluffy dumplings you make from refrigerated biscuit dough. It’s ready in 30 minutes, and each serving has 21 grams of protein.

Try this recipe from Pinch of Yum.

7. Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

This chicken and wild rice casserole is a classic fall dish, packed with flavor from the chicken, wild rice, butternut squash, and dried cranberries. Parmesan cheese baked on top gives this cozy dish umami and a light crust.

Try this recipe from Well Plated.

8. Apple Chicken with Bacon and Potatoes

When it comes to fall chicken recipes, this one is bound to become a favorite. The skin on the chicken gets nice and crisp, and it has apples, potatoes, and spinach, all nestled in a rich honey-mustard sauce. It’s easy enough to make on a weeknight, but also would make a perfect meal for an autumn get-together.

Try this recipe from The Endless Meal.

9. Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Chicken with Brussels Sprouts

A simple sheet pan meal that’s also super-flavorful and healthy is such a gift. Toss chicken thighs in a mix of Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice, and place them on a sheet pan alongside simply seasoned Brussels sprouts, roast, and dinner’s ready.

Try this recipe from 100 Days of Real Food.

10. Chicken Bacon Pumpkin Pasta Bake

Fall is pumpkin season, and we’re not sad about it. Blend pumpkin puree, broth, and spices into a tasty sauce, pour it over chicken, pasta, and bacon, cover it with shredded cheese, and you’re on your way to comfort-food nirvana. It tastes like it takes all day, but it only required 10 minutes of prep.

Try this recipe from Pinch of Yum.

11. Pumpkin Chicken Crockpot Chili

You can’t have a collection of fall chicken recipes without chili, so here it is. You can make this one, with canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and the traditional jalapeño, chili powder, and beans, in your slow cooker. Prep it in the morning and come home to a fragrant dish that has 23 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber per serving.

Try this recipe from Bucket List Tummy.