5 Flavor-Packed Ways to Make Chicken Breast the Highlight of Dinner

Everyday Food

A grilled chicken cutlet is a simple summer staple -- sometimes too simple. Here is a handful of easy ideas for turning it into deliciously different meals.

Lemon Chicken with Herb Salad

2 tablespoons grated lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, mashed to a paste
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Salt and pepper
4 chicken cutlets
1 1/2 cups fresh parsley
1 1/2 cups basil leaves
Shaved Parmesan
Toasted pine nuts

1. Combine lemon zest, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper. Add chicken cutlets and toss to coat. Grill chicken. Toss together parsley and basil and dress with 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve chicken with herb salad, Parmesan, and pine nuts.

Related: Hands Down, The 20 Grilling Recipes You Must Try This Summer

Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Radish Salad

3 tablespoons finely chopped chipotles in adobo
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 chicken cutlets
1 bunch sliced radishes and chopped radish greens
4 sliced scallion greens
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
8 toasted flour tortillas
Smashed avocado

1. Stir together chipotles with cumin and salt. Add chicken and toss to coat. In another bowl, toss together sliced radishes and scallion greens. Dress with olive oil and lime juice; season. Grill chicken, then slice and serve on tortillas, topped with avocado and radish salad. Garnish with radish greens.

Coriander Cutlets with Zucchini-Spinach Salad

4 chicken cutlets
Salt and pepper
2 teaspoons coarsely ground coriander
2 medium zucchini
5 ounces baby spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
Ricotta

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, and coriander. Grill chicken. With a vegetable peeler, shave zucchini into wide ribbons, discarding core. Add spinach and dress with olive oil and lemon juice; season. Slice chicken and serve over salad; top with dollops of ricotta.

Related: 34 Reasons to Eat a Burger Every Day

Grilled Chicken Parmesan

6 plum tomatoes
Thinly sliced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil plus more for brushing
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper
4 split hero rolls
4 chicken cutlets
Grated Parmesan (1/2 cup total)
Thinly sliced mozzarella (4 ounces total)

1. Core and halve tomatoes. Slip some garlic into each half, then toss with olive oil, red pepper flakes, and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Brush rolls with olive oil. Grill rolls until toasted and tomatoes until tender. Season chicken and grill one side; flip, then top with Parmesan and mozzarella. Grill until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted. Make sandwiches with rolls, chicken, and tomatoes.

Teriyaki Chicken with Rice Salad

3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
6 tablespoons rice vinegar, divided
1 smashed garlic clove
4 cups cooled cooked rice
1 cup sliced cucumber
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Chicken

1. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and garlic; bring to a boil and reduce by half. Toss together rice and cucumber; dress with 5 tablespoons rice vinegar and sesame oil; season. Grill chicken, brushing with soy glaze and turning often. Serve chicken with rice salad.

More from Everyday Food:
35 Beyond Delicious No-Bake Dessert Recipes
15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way You Cook
Fast, One-Pot Meal Ideas To Feed the Whole Family
Easy, Everyday Meatless Recipes

This Grilled Chicken with Shaved Cucumber Salad is one more for the books.

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