The dinner collection / 50 recipes
50 chicken breast recipes with sauce for dinner
A packet of chicken breasts is a useful start. A good sauce is what makes you look forward to dinner. Here are fifty ways to bring them together, from buttery lemon pan sauces and comforting mushroom cream to lively tomato skillets and fragrant coconut curries.
Pick a flavour, put your rice or potatoes on first, and let the sauce do the work. Every recipe serves four and includes its own ingredients and method.
Choose tonight’s dinner
A few things before you start
These recipes use four small, boneless, skinless breasts, about 600 g in total. Flatten them to an even 1.5 cm thickness so they cook evenly. Use a wide frying pan, sear in batches when necessary, and finish the chicken gently in its sauce. You do not need to wash raw chicken.
Use a clean food thermometer in the thickest part: the chicken should reach 75°C for 30 seconds. Wash hands, boards and utensils after handling raw poultry. For more on safe temperatures, see the Food Standards Agency’s cooking guidance.
Timings cover the chicken and sauce, plus a separate three-minute rest. Cook your chosen sides separately. Low-salt stock helps keep reduced sauces balanced; taste before adding extra salt. Check labels if cooking for someone with an allergy, especially pesto, curry pastes, stock and bottled sauces.
Dinner 01 / 50
Lemon garlic butter chicken
Bright lemon, mellow garlic and a glossy butter sauce make a simple supper feel special.
Read the full recipe: Lemon garlic butter chickenDinner 02 / 50
Creamy mushroom chicken
Earthy mushrooms and thyme give this creamy pan sauce plenty of savoury depth.
Read the full recipe: Creamy mushroom chickenDinner 03 / 50
Dijon cream chicken
Two mustards bring gentle heat and little pops of texture to a smooth cream sauce.
Read the full recipe: Dijon cream chickenDinner 04 / 50
Tuscan-style tomato and spinach chicken
Sweet sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and Parmesan turn a creamy skillet into a colourful dinner.
Read the full recipe: Tuscan-style tomato and spinach chickenDinner 05 / 50
Tarragon cream chicken
Fresh tarragon lends its delicate aniseed flavour to a wine and cream sauce.
Read the full recipe: Tarragon cream chickenDinner 06 / 50
Garlic Parmesan chicken
A silky garlic sauce and a generous grating of Parmesan make this a cosy weeknight option.
Read the full recipe: Garlic Parmesan chickenDinner 07 / 50
Creamy leek chicken
Slowly softened leeks bring sweetness to a mellow mustard cream sauce.
Read the full recipe: Creamy leek chickenDinner 08 / 50
Blue cheese and walnut chicken
Tangy blue cheese and crunchy walnuts give lean chicken a rich, savoury finish.
Read the full recipe: Blue cheese and walnut chickenDinner 09 / 50
Peppercorn cream chicken
A steakhouse-inspired pepper sauce brings warmth and richness to chicken breast.
Read the full recipe: Peppercorn cream chickenDinner 10 / 50
Creamy pesto chicken
Basil pesto and juicy tomatoes make a fragrant green-flecked sauce with very little chopping.
Read the full recipe: Creamy pesto chickenDinner 11 / 50
Tomato basil chicken
A generous tomato sauce with fresh basil is a dependable partner for golden chicken.
Read the full recipe: Tomato basil chickenDinner 12 / 50
Tomato olive and caper chicken
Olives and capers add a briny edge to a chunky Mediterranean-style tomato sauce.
Read the full recipe: Tomato olive and caper chickenDinner 13 / 50
Roasted red pepper chicken
Roasted peppers make a sweet, vivid sauce with a gentle smoky note.
Read the full recipe: Roasted red pepper chickenDinner 14 / 50
Smoky tomato and chickpea chicken
Chickpeas make this smoky tomato skillet hearty enough for a relaxed family dinner.
Read the full recipe: Smoky tomato and chickpea chickenDinner 15 / 50
Tomato mascarpone chicken
Mascarpone softens the tomato's acidity and gives the sauce a velvety finish.
Read the full recipe: Tomato mascarpone chickenDinner 16 / 50
Harissa tomato chicken
Harissa brings aromatic chilli warmth, balanced by tomato and a little honey.
Read the full recipe: Harissa tomato chickenDinner 17 / 50
Tomato fennel chicken
Fresh fennel and its seeds give this tomato sauce a gentle, fragrant sweetness.
Read the full recipe: Tomato fennel chickenDinner 18 / 50
Aubergine tomato chicken
Soft aubergine adds substance to a rustic tomato sauce that soaks beautifully into couscous.
Read the full recipe: Aubergine tomato chickenDinner 19 / 50
Spicy tomato and butter bean chicken
Creamy butter beans take the edge off a lively chilli and tomato sauce.
Read the full recipe: Spicy tomato and butter bean chickenDinner 20 / 50
Balsamic cherry tomato chicken
Burst tomatoes and balsamic vinegar make a glossy sauce that is sweet and sharp.
Read the full recipe: Balsamic cherry tomato chickenDinner 21 / 50
Honey mustard chicken
Sticky honey balances the bite of mustard in a sauce made for spooning over rice.
Read the full recipe: Honey mustard chickenDinner 22 / 50
Maple cider chicken
Apple cider and maple syrup make a rounded pan sauce with a light mustard finish.
Read the full recipe: Maple cider chickenDinner 23 / 50
Orange rosemary chicken
Orange juice and rosemary create a fragrant sauce with a little sweetness and plenty of freshness.
Read the full recipe: Orange rosemary chickenDinner 24 / 50
Apricot mustard chicken
Apricot jam gives this mustard sauce body and a fruity sweetness without fuss.
Read the full recipe: Apricot mustard chickenDinner 25 / 50
Cranberry balsamic chicken
Tart cranberries and balsamic vinegar make a deep red sauce for a comforting dinner.
Read the full recipe: Cranberry balsamic chickenDinner 26 / 50
Lemon caper chicken
Lemon and capers keep this buttery pan sauce bright and lively.
Read the full recipe: Lemon caper chickenDinner 27 / 50
Lime coriander chicken
Fresh lime and coriander lift a light buttery sauce with a touch of honey.
Read the full recipe: Lime coriander chickenDinner 28 / 50
Lemon dill cream chicken
Dill and lemon give cream sauce a fresh, delicate flavour that suits spring vegetables.
Read the full recipe: Lemon dill cream chickenDinner 29 / 50
Garlic herb gravy chicken
A proper pan gravy with garlic and herbs brings roast-dinner comfort to a quick skillet.
Read the full recipe: Garlic herb gravy chickenDinner 30 / 50
White wine sage chicken
Sage and white wine give this glossy pan sauce a savoury, autumnal character.
Read the full recipe: White wine sage chickenDinner 31 / 50
Soy ginger chicken
Ginger and garlic cut through a glossy soy sauce with a lightly sweet finish.
Read the full recipe: Soy ginger chickenDinner 32 / 50
Teriyaki-style chicken
A simple sweet soy glaze clings to the chicken and tastes lovely with plain rice.
Read the full recipe: Teriyaki-style chickenDinner 33 / 50
Sweet chilli lime chicken
Sweet chilli sauce gets a fresher edge from lime and spring onion.
Read the full recipe: Sweet chilli lime chickenDinner 34 / 50
Gochujang honey chicken
Fermented chilli paste brings savoury heat to a sticky honey glaze.
Read the full recipe: Gochujang honey chickenDinner 35 / 50
Hoisin plum chicken
Hoisin and plum make a rich, fruity sauce with a gentle ginger warmth.
Read the full recipe: Hoisin plum chickenDinner 36 / 50
Peanut lime chicken
A creamy peanut sauce with coconut and lime makes a filling dinner with plenty of crunch.
Read the full recipe: Peanut lime chickenDinner 37 / 50
Sesame ginger chicken
Tahini gives this ginger sauce a nutty creaminess without dairy.
Read the full recipe: Sesame ginger chickenDinner 38 / 50
Coconut lime chicken
Coconut milk softens the sharp lime and savoury fish sauce in this fragrant supper.
Read the full recipe: Coconut lime chickenDinner 39 / 50
Thai red curry-style chicken
Red curry paste and coconut milk make an aromatic sauce with soft strips of pepper.
Read the full recipe: Thai red curry-style chickenDinner 40 / 50
Thai green curry-style chicken
Green curry paste gives coconut sauce a fresh chilli kick, with green beans for texture.
Read the full recipe: Thai green curry-style chickenDinner 41 / 50
Mild coconut curry chicken
A mild curry powder and coconut milk sauce makes an approachable family supper.
Read the full recipe: Mild coconut curry chickenDinner 42 / 50
Butter chicken-style skillet
A quick tomato and butter sauce takes inspiration from the flavours of butter chicken.
Read the full recipe: Butter chicken-style skilletDinner 43 / 50
Mango coconut curry chicken
Ripe mango adds fruity sweetness and a soft texture to a mellow coconut curry sauce.
Read the full recipe: Mango coconut curry chickenDinner 44 / 50
Paprika sour cream chicken
Sweet paprika and soft peppers make a warm red sauce, mellowed with sour cream.
Read the full recipe: Paprika sour cream chickenDinner 45 / 50
Cajun cream chicken
Cajun seasoning adds a peppery warmth to a creamy sauce with sweet red pepper.
Read the full recipe: Cajun cream chickenDinner 46 / 50
Smoky barbecue chicken
A tangy barbecue pan sauce gives seared chicken a smoky, sticky finish.
Read the full recipe: Smoky barbecue chickenDinner 47 / 50
Buffalo butter chicken
Hot sauce and butter make a punchy coating with just enough honey to round it out.
Read the full recipe: Buffalo butter chickenDinner 48 / 50
Chipotle tomato chicken
Smoky chipotle and lime give a simple tomato sauce a lively finish.
Read the full recipe: Chipotle tomato chickenDinner 49 / 50
Spanish-style saffron almond chicken
Ground almonds thicken a golden saffron sauce with a gentle nutty flavour.
Read the full recipe: Spanish-style saffron almond chickenDinner 50 / 50
Sundried tomato walnut chicken
Walnuts give a sun-dried tomato sauce a rich texture and a nutty, savoury edge.
Read the full recipe: Sundried tomato walnut chickenOne ingredient, a whole month of possibilities
Keep a few favourites in rotation and change the sides to suit the season. Lemon garlic chicken works with spring greens as happily as winter mash; tomato sauces welcome bread, pasta or beans; coconut sauces are particularly good with plain rice to catch every spoonful.
For more dinner inspiration, explore The everyday table cookbook.