Chicken Breast Recipes That Aren’t Boring

Let’s face it: Chicken breasts can get tired and, well, boring. You can only eat grilled chicken with rice and steamed veggies for so long.

Chicken breasts can get a bad rap for being bland and dry, compared to tender dark meat like thighs and wings. However, they’re a versatile meat that are a lean energy source, full of protein and easy to prepare. When cooked correctly, they can be juicy, tender and delicious.

Here are a fewtips for keeping chicken breasts moist when cooking:

• Pound them to even thickness with the bottom of a wide glass or jar.
• Season them with plenty of salt and pepper.
• Use a marinade for no less than three to four hours before cooking.

In time for National Poultry Day on March 19, here are four chicken breast recipes that will wow your family and friends – and they’re certainly not boring.

Cheese can jazz up any chicken breast. With only a few ingredients and minimal prep time, this stuffed chicken will only take under an hour to cook. If you want a hint of basil, you can add pesto to the mix, and cream cheese will bring a little something extra to the mozzarella.It’s like having chicken stuffed with pizza – what more could you want?Try out this simple recipe from The Modern Proper.

If you want to add some Tex-Mex flare to your chicken, this colorful meal will not disappoint. While you let the chicken breasts sear in an optional buttermilk marinade, you prepare the salsa, which includes corn, sundried tomatoes, cannellini beans and basil with plenty of lemon juice. Add some pesto couscous to round out this dish that is sure to be a new favorite. Find this recipe on Chelsea’s Messy Apron.

Chicken marsala is a timeless dish using a Marsala wine reduction sauce. This recipe version adds heavy cream and tomatoes for a pop of color. Make sure to pound the chicken breasts so that they cook evenly in the pan. Find this recipe at Pinch of Yum.

This is a quick recipe that uses many ingredients that are probably already in your pantry or refrigerator. The roasted red pepper sauce is the real hero of this dish, with hints of onions, garlic and crushed red pepper for a little kick. Slice up the chicken breasts if you want to feed more people. Give this recipe from A Spicy Perspective a shot.

Not to be confused with “Marsala,” tikka masala is a British-Indian dish composed of chicken chunks (“tikka”) marinated in yogurt and spices like coriander, ginger and turmeric nestled in a flavorful curry sauce. It makes for a hearty, balanced meal since it’s usually served with basmati rice and a piece of delicious naan bread. Although cook time is about an hour, you’ll want to marinate the chicken a few hours in advance. Check out this tikka masala recipe from Bon Appetit.

Celebrate National Poultry Day with Doris Italian Market. You can find chicken breasts – and all the other poultry cuts you need – at any one of our five locations.