recipes

The Best Chicken Recipes That Have Made It Into Our Hall of Fame

The 56 best and the boldest, all in one place.
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Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Amy Wilson

Here at BA, we publish a loooooootttt of chicken recipes, and choosing which fall into the “very best chicken recipes” isn’t easy. After all, you can prepare it loads of different ways, and each has its own merits: There’s fried, roasted, marinated, poached, sandwiched. Some of the best chicken recipes don’t even need sides (looking at you chicken cordon bleu, you too, popcorn chicken)! And while we love all our chicken recipes, there’s always going to be a pecking order. These are our very best chicken recipes—the dishes our staff and readers alike turn to again and again. In other words, this is our Chicken Recipes Hall of Fame.

  • Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Kat Boytsova
    5/56

    Chicken Biryani

    This satisfying rice dish can often be an elaborate, ambitious affair, but our version simplifies the process without sacrificing any complexity of flavor.

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  • 6/56

    Chicken Cordon Bleu

    This classic recipe features chicken breasts stuffed with thin slices of ham and cheese that are then coated in breadcrumbs and pan-fried.

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  • Photo by Laura Murray, Food styling by Yekaterina Boystova
    11/56

    Masala Fried Chicken

    The vibrant flavor and color of this spicy, finger-licking-good fried chicken comes from an abundance of ground dried spices, so be sure to use the freshest ones you can find.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio
    12/56

    Chicken and Rice Meatballs With Hummus

    Gluten-free meatballs are as easy as adding cooled cooked rice instead of bread to ground meat.

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  • Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova
    13/56

    Slow-Roast Gochujang Chicken

    This isn’t the crisp-skinned, high-heat-roast chicken you’re probably familiar with. Instead, it’s a melt-in-your-mouth tender, schmaltzy, slow-roast version.

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  • Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Pearl Jones
    14/56

    Spicy Chicken Katsu Sandwiches

    The shattering panko crispiness of katsu-style cutlets plus the fiery heat of Nashville-style hot chicken, all in one sandwich.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, styling by Sean Dooley
    15/56

    Chicken and Green Bean Stir-Fry

    Shaoxing wine, a Chinese fermented rice wine, is the secret sauce that makes this recipe sing.

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  • Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    16/56

    Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    Low investment and high reward, this not-so-traditional larb is the unofficial late-night meal of much of the BA staff.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Amy Wilson
    17/56

    Grilled Chicken With Lemon and Thyme

    When it comes to grilling chicken breasts, it's skin-on, bone-in all the way. The meat stays juicier, and you get the bonus of crispy skin.

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  • Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova
    18/56

    Obe Ata Stew With Chicken and Spinach

    Obe Ata is a Nigerian sauce that incorporates floral habanero chiles and bell peppers. This recipe uses obe ata as the base for a spicy, warming chicken and sweet potato stew. 

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  • Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate Buckens
    25/56

    Red Chile Chicken

    This spicy-sweet chicken transforms a bird right off the rotisserie into a versatile filling for nachos, enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and more.

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  • 26/56

    One-Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

    Rotisserie chicken, store-bought puff pastry, and just one skillet keep this hearty dinner recipe from feeling too fussy—or taking all day to make.

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  • 33/56

    Vinegar-Braised Chicken and Onions

    For this dish, balsamic vinegar adds the sweetness needed to balance the sharp flavor of red wine vinegar.

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  • Alex Lau
    34/56

    BA's Best Buffalo Wings

    Two key steps ensure extra-crisp wings: letting them sit at room temperature evens the cooking time, and the cornstarch dredge transforms into a crunchy shell when fried. If you like your wing sauce super spicy, increase the amount of cayenne.

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  • Hirsheimer & Hamilton
    41/56

    Caramel Chicken

    Don’t be put off by the sugar in this recipe—it’s balanced by the vinegar and soy sauce.

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  • Ditte Isager
    42/56

    Chicken Khao Soi

    A simple curry paste gives this northern Thai–inspired soup surprising depth of flavor.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco and Tom Cunanan, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime
    43/56

    Chicken Inasal

    Forget everything you think you know about grilled chicken. This recipe shatters expectations by packing in tons of flavor from lemongrass, seasoned rice vinegar, achiote seeds, and even Sprite.

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  • Zach DeSart
    44/56

    Fried Chicken Biscuits

    Fried chicken on a hot buttered biscuit—what’s not to like?

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  • Peden + Munk
    47/56

    Grilled Chicken Tacos

    Chicken breasts aren't the only cut sold skinless and boneless. Thighs are, too. They're fattier than breasts, which means they're more flavorful; plus, they're less expensive. Put them to work in any fast weeknight preparation, starting with these spiced tacos.

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  • Marcus Nilsson
    48/56

    Massaman Chicken

    Use prepared massaman curry paste to speed up the preparation of this nuanced dish.

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  • Peden + Munk
    49/56

    Moroccan Chicken Brochettes

    Dark-meat chicken is the best for grilling: Unlike lean breasts, thighs have plenty of fat, so they won’t dry out.

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  • Photo by Jeremy Leibman
    50/56

    Nashville-Style Hot Chicken

    No doubt about it, six tablespoons of cayenne is a lot, but that’s what Hattie B’s considers “medium.” For a milder heat, decrease to two tablespoons.

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  • Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Kat Boytsova
    55/56

    Digaag Qumbe (Yogurt-Coconut Chicken)

    Warming cumin, cardamom, turmeric, and ginger make this Somali chicken stew recipe from Hawa Hassan a rich aromatic experience.

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  • Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Kat Boytsova
    56/56

    Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken Thighs

    Welcome to your newest go-to summer marinade, featuring some spicy sambal, brown sugar and coconut milk to balance out the heat, and lots of fresh ginger and lime juice.

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