What to Make with One Chicken Breast: 20 Creative Recipes to Stretch Your Ingredients

Chicken breast is a versatile and healthy protein that can be used in endless recipes However, when you only have one chicken breast on hand, it can seem challenging to make it stretch for an entire family meal With a bit of creativity, one chicken breast can go a remarkably long way. Here are 20 delicious recipes to help make the most of a single chicken breast.

Get Creative with Preparation Methods

One of the easiest ways to stretch a chicken breast is to utilize preparation methods that transform it into more portions. Here are some ideas:

• Slice or cube the chicken breast into strips or bite-sized pieces to mix into pastas salads stirs fries, etc. Shredding or chopping makes the chicken seem abundant.

• Pound the chicken breast thin to double its surface area and slice into cutlets for dishes like chicken Parmesan.

• Stuff the chicken breast with cheese, veggies, herbs or other fillings to add flavor and bulk.

• Wrap thin chicken cutlets around fillings like cheese, spinach or sundried tomatoes and secure with toothpicks

• Use ground or minced chicken breast in place of beef or pork in recipes like meatballs, burgers, tacos, etc. Extend it with breadcrumbs or oats.

Mix with Other Ingredients

Another key tactic is to combine the chicken breast with other ingredients that add bulk and nutrients. Some options:

• Feature chicken in stir fries loaded with lots of thinly sliced veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, etc. Serve over rice.

• Shred chicken and mix into pasta dishes, risottos or mac and cheese along with peas, corn, etc.

• Toss cubed chicken into hearty salads with greens, beans, roasted veggies, cheese, nuts and crunchy toppings like croutons or tortilla strips.

• Make chicken soup or chowder with the breast plus carrots, potatoes, beans, barley, pasta and other ingredients that expand it into a hearty meal.

• Use chicken in burritos, enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas and other Mexican dishes packed with beans, rice, cheese, etc.

Get Creative with Global Cuisines

Because chicken is used in so many cultural cuisines, exploring global recipe ideas can provide lots of inspiration for stretching one breast into an exciting family meal.

• Indian: butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, chicken curry

• Thai: chicken pad thai, Thai coconut curry, chicken satay

• Chinese: chicken fried rice, chicken lo mein, General Tso’s chicken

• Italian: chicken Parmesan, chicken Florentine, chicken piccata

• Mexican: fajitas, quesadillas, chicken tortilla soup

• Greek: chicken souvlaki, chicken gyros

• Middle Eastern: chicken shawarma, chicken tagine

The sauces and abundance of spices, herbs and other ingredients in these ethnic dishes make the chicken breast go far.

Craft Crave-Worthy Chicken Meals

Getting creative with flavors and cooking techniques can transform basic chicken breast into crave-worthy family meals. Some options include:

• Chicken tenders breaded in crushed chips or cereal and baked

• Chicken burgers or meatballs featuring cheese, bacon, herbs, etc.

• Chicken fajita strips marinated in lime, garlic and spices

• Chicken cordon bleu – breaded chicken rolled around ham and cheese

• Chicken marsala – chicken breast with mushrooms in a Marsala wine sauce

• Chicken parmesan – breaded chicken breast baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella

• BBQ chicken – baked or grilled chicken glazed in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce

Savory Chicken Casseroles and Pies

Casseroles and pot pies allow you to stretch chicken by combining it with sauce, veggies and a starch like rice, pasta or potatoes. Bake it all together, and you have an easy, satisfying one-dish meal. Try these recipes:

• Chicken and broccoli casserole with cheddar cheese and fried onion topping

• Chicken pot pie with peas, carrots and pearl onions in a creamy sauce topped with flaky pie crust

• Chicken enchilada casserole with beans, corn, enchilada sauce and cheese

• Chicken and mushroom pie with puff pastry or phyllo dough crust

• Chicken tetrazzini casserole with linguine, sherry, Parmesan and breadcrumb topping

Wholesome Chicken Soups and Stews

Simmering chicken breast in broth with veggies and grains makes for a nourishing, budget-friendly meal. Ideas include:

• Chicken noodle soup with carrots, celery, onion and egg noodles

• Chicken tortilla soup with black beans, corn, peppers and crunchy tortilla strips

• Chicken and dumplings – chicken breast in broth with drop biscuit dumplings

• Chicken and wild rice soup with mushrooms and peas

• Chicken stew with potatoes, carrots and peas

• Chicken chili made with beans, corn, peppers, onion, garlic, spices and a bit of tomato

Satisfying Salads and Sandwiches

Salads and sandwiches allow you to pile on tons of fresh flavors and textures to satisfy. Ways to feature chicken breast include:

• Chicken Caesar salad with romaine, Parmesan, croutons and creamy dressing

• Chicken sandwich with bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato and cheese

• Chicken salad stuffed into a pita pocket or croissant

• Chicken taco salad with beans, cheese, salsa, guacamole, etc.

• Chicken club salad with bacon, boiled egg, tomato, avocado and blue cheese dressing

With a bit of resourcefulness, one humble chicken breast can transform into an amazing family meal. Next time you’re limited on ingredients, challenge yourself to get creative in the kitchen!