Sizzle with Flavor: 19 Delectable Summer Chicken Recipe Ideas
1. Lemon Garlic Chicken
Tangy lemon garlic chicken sizzles with bright flavor conveniently prepared easily on the grill or stove in just 30 minutes. Simply coat chicken breasts with a zesty mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Grill or pan fry chicken until caramelized and cooked through, basting frequently with the lemony marinade lending incredible richness to ordinary poultry for irresistible Greek-inspired flavor conveniently ready fast any night of the week.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Minced garlic
- Oregano
- Salt and pepper
Recipe
2. Jerk Chicken
Chicken drumsticks marinate briefly first in a fiery blend of Caribbean spices and heat including scotch bonnet peppers lending incredible depth before getting quickly charred on the grill allowing smoky spice rub to caramelize forming irresistible sticky jerk chicken bursting with spice and sweet. Simply coat chicken in wet jerk seasoning marinade at least 2 hours (or overnight is best). Then grill, turning and basting frequently with extra glaze for flavor packed into every succulent bite.
Ingredients:
- Chicken drumsticks and thighs
- Jamaican jerk wet seasoning
- Lime wedges
Recipe
3. Chicken Caprese Skewers
Juicy chicken thigh cubes alternate beautifully on skewers between fresh mozzarella balls, ripe tomatoes and fragrant basil leaves echoing all the iconic caprese ingredients then drizzled in pesto sauce lending incredible herby richness ready to grill until perfectly charred and melty becoming the ultimate chicken kebabs capturing essence of summer conveniently on a stick for easy dining.
Ingredients:
- Chicken thighs, cubed
- Fresh mozzarella balls
- Cherry tomatoes
- Basil leaves
- Pesto
Recipe
4. Grilled Chicken and Peach Salad
Sweet summertime grilled chicken and peaches accompany mixed greens, blueberries and sharp crumbled blue cheese creating the perfect balance of savory and sweet ingredients amped up further by tangy balsamic vinaigrette in this beautiful salad capturing flavors and colors of the season ready in minutes. Toss greens first before topping with hot sliced chicken direct from grill followed by fresh peach wedges, sweet juicy berries and salty blue cheese with desired dressing drizzled over top pulling everything together beautifully.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
- Peaches, pitted and sliced
- Mixed salad greens
- Blueberries
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Balsamic dressing
Recipe
5. Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wraps
Sizzling chicken fajitas skip the doughy wrap and pile straight into cool, crisp lettuce cups for lighter low carb weeknight dinner version of classic Tex-Mex. Quickly sauté seasoned chicken strips, onions and bell peppers before spooning generously into crisp lettuce vessels. Feel free to top further with desired cheese, guacamole, Greek yogurt, etc. according to taste creating customized lettuce wraps conveniently made for easy summer dining.
Ingredients:
- Chicken strips
- Onions and peppers, sliced
- Lettuce leaves
- Fajita seasoning
Recipe
6. BBQ Chicken Pizza
Perfectly charred and sauced barbecue chicken tops a convenience store bought pre-made pizza crust before getting finished off under the broiler with melty shredded mozzarella for the perfect weeknight pizza dinner combo enjoyed best al fresco style during warm summer evenings. Simply brush crust with oil before broiling 2 to 3 minutes. Top with bbq chicken pieces followed by corn, red onion, cilantro leaves and cheese before sliding back under broiler until chicken sizzles and cheese fully melts.
Ingredients:
- Store bought pizza crust
- Leftover bbq chicken
- Corn kernels
- Shredded mozzarella
- Red onion and cilantro (for topping)
Recipe
7. Buffalo Zucchini Boats
Spicy buffalo chicken salad fills scooped out and roasted zucchini shells conveniently transforming summer’s abundant squash into perfect vehicles enjoyed mess-free for easy finger food style dinners lending flavor contrast through every bite. Simply roast zucchini halves before removing flesh scooping into bowl carefully leaving intact boats. Toss flesh with shredded chicken, hot sauce mayo mixture, cheese, celery before filling mixture back into perfect portioned zucchini vessels ready for roasting melty perfection.
Ingredients:
- Zucchinis, halved lengthwise
- Shredded chicken
- Hot sauce
- Mayo
- Shredded cheddar
- Chopped celery
Recipe
8. Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad
Sweet juicy berries accompany hot grilled chicken over fresh spinach before getting topped supportively with salty feta cheese crumbles and tangy balsamic dressing creating the perfect sweet and savory flavor and texture contrast combination ready in minutes for satisfying summer chicken salad. Toss spinach first with desired dressing before topping with hot sliced chicken direct off grill followed by colorful topping of fresh sliced strawberries and feta crumble garnish pulling together irresistible balance enjoyed immediately.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
- Baby spinach
- Strawberries, sliced
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Balsamic vinaigrette
Recipe
9. BLT Chicken Salad
Crisp lettuce, juicy tomato and savory bacon flavors combine classically together getting tossed with juicy grilled chicken pieces for a protein-packed spin on the iconic flavor and texture profile combination made perfectly for piling between slices of toasted bread conveniently any season taking flavorful chicken salad next level. Simply grill chicken until done before combining bite sized pieces with desired amount bacon bits, lettuce and tomatoes. Lightly dress salad before assembling sandwiches for easy flavor win.
Ingredients:
- Grilled chicken pieces
- Chopped romaine lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes
- Bacon bits
- Mayonnaise
Recipe
10. Chicken Summer Rolls
These easy no-cook homemade summer rolls encase plump chicken strips, fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables conveniently wrapped tightly in soft rice paper soaked briefly in water before filling and rolling up entirely into refreshing chicken-loaded appetizers or light dinners with addictive savory summer flavors beautifully paired as warm weather cuisine.
Ingredients:
- Rice paper rounds
- Chicken strips
- Vermicelli noodles
- Lettuce, mint, cilantro
- Cucumber
- Mango
Recipe
11. Coconut Curry Chicken
Lean chicken strips simmer gently absorbing incredible flavor from Thai curry coconut sauce including coconut milk, ginger and red curry paste lending exotic vibrance rounding out ordinary protein transforming it instantly restaurant gourmet ready conveniently to enjoy over fluffy jasmine rice all in under 30 minutes start to finish. Sear chicken first before removing from pan and creating sauce base whisking together sauce ingredients before returning chicken to pan smothering in vibrant sweet, spicy coconut curry. Enjoy this bright flavor over steamed jasmine rice.
Ingredients:
- Chicken strips
- Full fat coconut milk
- Red curry paste
- Fish sauce
- Ginger, garlic, lime juice
Recipe
12. Margherita Chicken
Chicken breasts pounded thin achieve wonderfully crispy edges from quick pan frying before getting removed from heat immediately topped with fresh mozzarella allowing residual warmth to melt blanket of cheese beautifully bringing incredible richness over poultry. Then finish chicken by scattering sweet cherry tomatoes, fragrant torn basil leaves, quality olive oil and balsamic glaze over the melty cheese layer echoing components of classic margherita pizza but this clever chicken rendition full of texture contrast and big Italian flavor conveniently made for summer weeknight dinners.
Ingredients:
- Chicken cutlets
- Fresh mozzarella cheese
- Cherry tomatoes
- Basil leaves
- Olive oil
- Balsamic glaze
Recipe
13. BLT Chicken Toasts
Chicken gets sautéed first with bacon crumbles, garlic, herbs and lemon achieving wonderfully infused flavor ready to mound over crusty artisan toasts before topping each piece with juicy beefsteak tomatoes lending needed freshness, richness coming from cream cheese shmear and finally crisp lettuce for irresistible stacked toasties enjoyed open faced capturing the quintessential flavors of BLT sandwiches but with welcome addition of juicy lemon herb chicken as star ingredient.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts, chopped
- Bacon crumbles
- Cream cheese
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Garlic, herbs, lemon
Recipe
14. Chicken Gyros
Thin chicken strips marinate briefly in a Greek-inspired yogurt and herb mixture before getting skewered and quickly charred on the grill allowing exterior to caramelize while interior cooks retaining perfectly juicy texture ready to slice and fill warm pita rounds then topped abundantly with cooling tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions creating easy chicken gyro wraps conveniently enjoyed summer grill style requiring only a quick marinade step and short grill time.
Ingredients:
- Chicken strips
- Greek yogurt
- Lemon juice
- Garlic and herbs
- Pita bread rounds
- Tzatziki sauce
- Tomatoes, onion
Recipe
15. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Flavorful chicken bakes conveniently under broiler keeping it hot and moist ready to toss gently together with al dente pasta, fresh chopped veggies and minced bacon before tossing everything in garlicky Caesar dressing allowing ingredients to absorb seasonings further creating the ultimate chicken Caesar salad but this clever pasta version perfect for summer side dishes or light meals lending extra satisfaction.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts, broiled
- Pasta, cooked al dente
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, etc
- Bacon bits
- Caesar dressing
Recipe
16. Lemon Chicken Orzo
Bright lemony chicken sautes conveniently with fresh summer veggies like zucchini and spinach tossed gently together with toothsome orzo pasta and fragrant herbs absorbing irresistible flavors further before getting finished off with final squeezes of fresh lemon juice and shavings of salty Parmesan cheese creating incredible one pan meal full of satisfying flavors and textures beautifully summer focused.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts, sliced
- Orzo pasta
- Zucchini, chopped
- Spinach
- Lemon juice
- Parmesan cheese
Recipe
17. Honey Dijon Chicken
Boneless chicken thighs achieve incredibly juicy flavorful results baking low and slow brushed generously with honey Dijon glaze made easily by whisking together mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar lending sweet and tangy essence beautifully lacquered atop chicken skin and paired over roasted sweet potato wedges for the ultimate summery chicken dinner convenient to throw together.
Ingredients:
- Boneless chicken thighs
- Dijon mustard
- Maple syrup
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sweet potato wedges
Recipe
18. Chicken and Squash Skewers
Hearty chunks of chicken and summer squash alternate perfectly on skewers before getting briefly marinated in Italian vinaigrette dressing allowing flavors to mingle beautifully then grilled over hot heat charring everything lightly while cooking proteins through and tenderizing veggies beautifully with irresistible caramelized edges and incredible summer flavor all conveniently on a stick requiring only one pan and short cook time.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breast, cut into chunks
- Zucchini and summer squash, cut into chunks
- Italian salad dressing
Recipe
19. Ranch Chicken Corn Salad
Simply grilled chicken breast slices pair irresistibly with sweet juicy charred corn, fresh cherry tomatoes and peppery arugula dressed perfectly in cool, herby ranch dressing pulling the fresh vibrant salad ingredients together in this easy supper salad ready in minutes flat. Quickly grill corn spears over hot heat before cutting kernels off cobs and tossing together with salad ingredients, sliced grilled chicken pieces and lastly creamy ranch dressing tying everything together beautifully with irresistible flavors and textures.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
- Corn on the cob, grilled
- Cherry tomatoes
- Arugula
- Ranch dressing
