18 Spring Chicken Recipes for Delicious Dinners All Season Long

These dishes are lighter and brighter—and really taste like spring.

creamy asparagus chicken
Photo: Armando Rafael

We love chicken dinners all year round, but like to switch up our repertoire as the seasons change. That's where these spring chicken recipes come in. Our collection features everyone's favorite protein with seasonal vegetables, like asparagus, artichokes, and peas, cooked in lighter, quicker ways. We have one-pot dinners, including fricassees and braises, main-dish salads, and even some roast chicken dishes that are bright and just right for the season.

01 of 18

Roasted-Chicken Bread Salad With Peas

Roasted-Chicken Bread Salad with Peas
Johnny Miller

This salad dinner is all about spring. The chicken cooks quickly, and you'd be basically serving the main and sides right away. Perfect for speedy meals! Toss in some pea shoots before serving for extra greens.

02 of 18

Pan Roasted Chicken With Rhubarb

Pan Roasted Chicken with Rhubarb
Kate Sears

We think of rhubarb for desserts, but it works so well for savory dishes, too. Simply sautéed with turmeric, cumin, garlic, onion, and ginger, then thinned with broth, it makes a delicious sauce for boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

03 of 18

Chicken, Fennel, and Artichoke Fricassee

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Johnny Miller

Ready in just 35 minutes, this flavorful braise feels like spring (though it uses canned artichoke hearts rather than fresh for speed). The artichokes, red onion, and fennel infuse the braising liquid, which cooks down into a flavorful pan sauce for the chicken.

04 of 18

Chicken Potpie With Phyllo Clusters

light and bright chicken potpie with phyllo clusters
Chris Simpson

Here's a lighter take on chicken potpie that's just right for spring. There are leeks and artichokes, along with shredded chicken, in the filling. We swap the usual pastry crust for store-bought phyllo dough—it's brushed with butter and scrunched into crackly balls.

05 of 18

Chicken with Herbed Pea Purée and Spinach

chicken with herbed pea puree and spinach
Armando Rafael

Double down on green vegetables while simultaneously upping the appeal of tonight's dinner with this crispy cheese-topped chicken entrée. The pea mash has a pop of sweet pea flavor and packs in some spinach for extra nutrition. It's a real winner because it can be made with frozen peas.

06 of 18

Pan-Roasted Chicken With Za'atar, Potatoes, and Greens

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Za'atar, Potatoes, and Greens
Linda Pugliese

Here's a sheet-pan dinner that elevates the humble and economical chicken drumstick by tossing them with za'atar, a flavorful Middle Eastern spice mix, and roasting them with potatoes and fresh greens. Scoring the drumsticks before seasoning helps the meat absorb the spices and cook faster.

07 of 18

Warm Quinoa and Chicken Salad

Warm Quinoa and Chicken Salad
Christina Holmes

Rather than cooking every ingredient separately, this one-pot grain salad speeds up the process and minimizes dishes. The chicken and quinoa are cooked in the pot and the asparagus and peas are added in stages, so everything is just perfectly done.

08 of 18

Lemon Chicken Stir-Fry With Green Beans

lemon chicken with green beans and rice
Justin Walker

This high-heat cooking method speeds things up and contributes a slightly smoky flavor that elevates even the simplest ingredients. Whisk the ginger-lemon sauce and prep all the ingredients first, once this one gets cooking it comes together in only 10 minutes, leaving no time for last-minute measuring.

09 of 18

Easy Roasted Chicken Thighs

Easy Roasted Chicken Thighs

Transform a humble dish into a flavorful and exciting dinner by sprinkling a honey-mustard glaze over the top for the ultimate golden chicken with crispy skin and succulent meat. Save this recipe and then adapt it to be your own by trying different spice combinations.

10 of 18

Creamy Asparagus Chicken

creamy asparagus chicken
Armando Rafael

Braised chicken provides the best of two cooking worlds: crispy skin from searing and super moist and tender meat from gently simmering the protein in a shallow broth. Just a touch creamy, this chicken cooks in a white wine sauce alongside potatoes and leeks that turn meltingly tender, then crisp asparagus and dill are added at the end to freshen the whole dish up.

11 of 18

Braised Chicken With Artichokes, Olives, and Lemon

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GEORGE BARBERIS

Brothy chicken dishes are perfect for spring weather when you aren't sure that you want a piping-hot bowl of soup but crave something warm. Here, chicken is braised in an oregano and lemon broth with a touch of brininess from artichokes and olives. Enjoy the sauce spooned over top or sopped it up with fresh bread.

12 of 18

Chicken Risotto

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Mike Krautter

The weather might be warming up but a soothing bowl of comfort is still what we need for dinner. That's where this hearty chicken risotto, brimming with bright-colored vegetables, comes in.

13 of 18

Roast Chicken With Vegetables and Potatoes

Roast Chicken With Vegetables and Potatoes
Marcus Nilsson

Welcome the classic pairing that is chicken and potatoes to spring by tossing fresh herbs into the roasting pan during the final moments of cooking. Sprinkle lemon juice over the whole dish right out of the oven letting it meld with the pan juices for a beautiful tart sauce.

14 of 18

Chicken Breast Poached in Buttermilk

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Romulo Yanes

Chicken and buttermilk are not just paired for fried chicken; here the chicken poaches to perfection in this slightly tart dairy product. The buttermilk lends just enough acidity to tenderize the meat but not too much to overpower it. Serve the tender slices of chicken with a fresh crisp spring salad with crunchy almonds and radishes tossed with a chunky yogurt, shallot, caper, and lemon dressing.

15 of 18

Grilled Chicken and Zucchini Salad

Grilled-Chicken-and-Zucchini Salad recipe
Ren Fuller

This salad combines some of spring's most welcomed things: fresh crisp lettuces, bright, crunchy zucchini, and grilling weather. Start in the kitchen by marinating chicken, then take it outside where you can easily grill a recipe that serves 10.

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Poached Chicken Salad Sandwiches

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Romulo Yanes

A batch of creamy yogurt spread upgrades poached chicken for these decadent sandwiches. Adorn each sandwich with crisp greens for extra spring vibes and a beautiful color palate. This is a meal that looks as good as it tastes.

17 of 18

Spatchcocked Chicken on Bread With Herbs and Lemon

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Marcus Nilsson

Spatchcocking a chicken speeds up and helps promote more even cooking. Roasting the chicken on top of bread, as this recipe calls for, has two purposes: the bread creates a rack for maximum heat flow around the bird and also produces the tastiest toast to serve alongside.

18 of 18

Normandy-Style Chicken and Leeks With Creme Fraiche

Normandy-Style Chicken and Leeks with Creme Fraiche
Ngoc Minh Ngo

Assembling this tangy chicken and leeks will definitely bring a French flair to your spring dinners. The creme fraiche gives balance to the hard apple cider, making it an irresistible pan sauce that coats the chicken and the veggies. Serve with crusty bread.

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