As the days get shorter and the temperature starts to drop, there's nothing like delicious and hearty fall chicken recipes to warm you up from the inside out. We’ve collected fifteen of our favorite fall recipes with chicken.
From cozy casseroles to delicious skillet meals, there's something for everyone here.
Different Ways to Cook Chicken
Roasted Whole Chicken
A whole roasted chicken is a classic dish that is both delicious and easy to prepare. This can be done by placing the chicken in a roasting pan and cooking it at a high temperature for a period of time.
Braised Chicken
Braised chicken is a dish that is made by browning chicken pieces in a fat, such as butter or oil. Once the chicken is browned, it is then simmered in liquid until it is cooked through.
The type of liquid used for braising can vary, but it is usually some combination of broth, wine, and/or water.
Poached Chicken
Poached chicken is a dish that is made by cooking chicken in water. However, it can also be made by cooking chicken in other liquids, such as broth or milk.
The key to making a successful poached chicken dish is to cook the chicken slowly and evenly. This can be done by simmering the chicken in the liquid, or by using a slow cooker.
Fried Chicken
Another common method is to fry the chicken in a pan. This involves coating the chicken in a light batter and then frying it in hot oil until it is golden brown and cooked through.
Grilled Chicken
Chicken can also be grilled, which involves cooking it on a grill over direct heat. This method usually results in a juicy and flavorful chicken.
Spatchcocked Chicken
Spatchcocked chicken is a dish in which the bird is butterflied and cooked flat. This allows for more even cooking, as well as crisp skin all around.
To spatchcock a chicken, first remove the backbone with a sharp knife. Then, open up the chicken so that it lies flat, and press down firmly to crack the breastbone.
Season the chicken as desired, then cook on a grill or in a hot oven until cooked through.
Pan Fried and Oven Baked Chicken
If you're looking for something a little healthier, you can try pan-frying chicken. To do this, heat some oil in a skillet over medium-high heat before adding the chicken and cooking for 4-5 minutes per side.
Another popular method is baking. This can be done by preheating the oven, then placing the chicken in a baking dish and seasoning it as desired before putting it in the oven to cook.
Rotisserie Chicken
Rotisserie chicken is cooked on a rotating spit. This cooking method allows the chicken to self-baste.
The results are a moister and more flavorful final product. Rotisserie chickens are cooked until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sous Vide Chicken
Sous vide chicken is a type of poultry dish that is cooked using the sous vide cooking method. This involves sealing the food in a vacuum-sealed bag.
Then the chicken is cooked in a water bath at a precise temperature. The result is a chicken dish that is tender and juicy.
Air Fried Chicken
Air-frying chicken is a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food.
This method of cooking requires less oil than traditional frying, making it a healthier option.
Beer Can Chicken
Beer can chicken is a popular cooking method that results in tender, juicy chicken. The basic idea is to place a half-full can of beer in the chicken's cavity, so that the beer steams the chicken from the inside out.
The beer also prevents the chicken from drying out, and adds a subtle flavor to the meat.
Smoked Chicken
Smoked chicken is a popular dish that is enjoyed by many people. The process of smoking meats has been around for centuries and was used as a way to preserve food.
However, today smoked chicken is prepared for its unique flavor. The process of smoking chicken involves exposing the meat to smoke from a wood fire.
Ways to Add Flavor to Chicken
Chicken can be tasty on its own, but it is nice to add flavor to it every once in awhile, especially if your family consumes it frequently.
Marinade
A marinade is a sauce you soak chicken in before you cook it. It can be anything from a yogurt to lemon juice.
You can also use sweet liquids to make your chicken taste more sweet. They take some advance planing, but the result is much more flavorful chicken.
Cook it With Fruit
When you put your chicken in a crock pot, or the oven to roast it, slip some fruit like lemons or oranges in there with it. The fruit will cook at the same time as your chicken allowing the juices to soak into the chicken meat.
Brine Your Chicken
Brining a chicken is a process where you soak the chicken in a salt water before cooking. While this won’t change the taste as much as a marinade or cooking with fruit, it does bring out the natural flavors of the chicken.
Add Herbs
Adding a herb rub is an easy way to flavor your chicken. You can add simple spices like salt and pepper, or spend time making a more complicated spice mixture.
Stuff Your Chicken
Just as you can cook your chicken with fruits, you can also stuff your chicken with a variety of ingredients to improve the flavor of the chicken. Fruit, spices, herbs, and even other meats can all be stuffed in chicken to add flavor.
Serve With Sauce
If your chicken is already in the oven, consider making a sauce to make it more flavorful. Gravy, or even a simple cranberry sauce can help improve the taste of chicken.
Herbs to Add to Fall Chicken Recipes
- Cilantro
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Marjoram
- Tarragon
- Garlic
15 Fall Chicken Recipes
1. Sesame Ginger Chicken
Sesame ginger chicken is a dish that the whole family can love. The sesame ginger sauce for chicken is simple to whisk together, and grilling the wings helps to create a golden crust while sealing in the juices and flavors.
Adding another spread of the sauce just before serving brings the flavors home. Try this recipe from Lemons for Lulu for a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy.
2. Dairy Free Butter Chicken
If you're looking for a delicious, dairy-free butter chicken recipe that's healthy, gluten-free, and full of flavor, look no further. This dish can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker/crockpot, and it makes a perfect comforting meal.
The key to making this dish dairy-free is to use coconut milk in place of cream. Also, this recipe is gluten-free by using arrowroot flour instead of all-purpose flour to thicken the sauce.
So go ahead and give this dairy-free butter chicken recipe from Nutrition in the Kitchen a try - you won't be disappointed.
3. Instant Pot Chicken & Dumplings With Canned Biscuits
Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food that can be time-consuming to make. Luckily, with an Instant Pot, you can have this delicious meal on the table in twenty minutes or less.
This recipe uses canned biscuits, peas, and carrots, making it super easy to make. So next time you're craving comfort food, don't spend hours in the kitchen.
Instead, try this instant pot chicken and dumplings recipe from Life Family and Fun.
4. Maple Thyme Grilled Chicken Thighs
Chicken is a versatile dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways. However, grilling chicken thighs in a maple, thyme and rosemary marinade is a surefire way to create a delicious and juicy dish.
The result is a savory and sweet chicken dish that is perfect for weeknight dinners or summer cookouts. Best of all, this grilled chicken recipe is gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy it.
5. Butternut Squash Sage Chicken Spaghetti
This creamy, healthy, butternut squash sage chicken spaghetti with Greek yogurt is the perfect cozy fall meal. It's easy to make with just one pot and a blender, and it's great for the whole family.
The best part is that it's gluten-free. You'll end up with a meal that is not only delicious but will also warm you up on a cold winter day.
6. Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
The fall season wouldn’t feel like fall without a nice soup recipe. Check out this recipe for Chicken and Wild Rice Soup by Lemons for Lulu which is easy to make for a crowd.
7. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Chicken can take a long time to cook and it can be difficult to know when it’s done. Cut out the guess work by cooking your chicken in a slow cooker. Find the directions for a BBQ version on Life Family Fun.
8. White Chicken Chili
The fall isn’t just soup season, it is also chili season. Cuddle up next to the fire with a bowl of white chicken chili when you follow this recipe by Nutrition in the Kitch.
9. Simple Roast Chicken
Sometimes simplicity is best. Try making this simple roast chicken recipe from Lemons for Lulu which involves a nice butter and herb baste so the chicken won’t get dry as it cooks.
10. Parmesan Crusted Chicken
When you are craving something with a little crunch, there is nothing like this parmesan crusted chicken. Eat it by itself or on a salad. The dish is tasty no matter how you serve it.
11. Spice Rubbed BBQ Chicken
For those that want to practice their chicken rub skills, this spice rubbed BBQ chicken from Nutrition in the Kitch is a good place to start.
You’ll need lots of spices so ensure you add everything to your grocery list before you plan to make this dish.
12. One Skillet Mushroom BBQ Chicken
One skillet mushroom BBQ chicken is a recipe that is designed for the whole family to share. It only has a few ingredients and can be made in just 35 minutes, making it an excellent choice for a week night dinner.
13. Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken Pot Pie is a family classic and fall favorite. Follow this recipe from Lemons for Lulu to to make a crustless version of this dish using refrigerated buttermilk biscuits.
14. Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Pulled Chicken
Slow cooker honey sesame pulled chicken is a sweet chicken recipe that will help curve your craving for takeout food at a fraction of the calories.
Find the recipe on Nutrition in the Kitch, then put it in the crock pot before you leave for work so it will be ready when you get home.
15. Lemon Pepper Dry Rub Wings
Maybe you have a craving for chicken wings. When that’s the case, grab this recipe from Lemons for Lulu to make a lemon pepper dry rub for them which is a healthier alternative to a sugary sauce but will still curb your craving.
Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Chicken
- Not washing your chicken before you cook it
- Not drying your chicken after you wash it.
- Not seasoning your chicken
- Marinading your chicken with acidic liquids as this can toughen the meat
- You didn’t pound your meat to even it outline
- You are boiling your chicken
- Not serving your poached chicken immediately
- Cooking two pieces of chicken too close together
- Not using a thermometer to know when your chicken is done
- Not letting your chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before you serve it.
FAQ
The healthiest way to cook chicken is by baking it in your oven (without butter) or cooking it in a pan on your stove.
In either case, you should use a healthy oil like olive oil, and be careful to avoid adding ingredients like butter, which raises the calorie count.
To cook chicken without drying it out, you should first start by brining your chicken. Then coat the chicken with a baste before baking.
The chicken should be re-basted frequently during the cooking process.
It’s better to cook chicken slowly. If you rush the cooking process, it is much more likely that the meat will become overcooked and tough.
You could also end up with burned meat on the outside and not fully cooked chicken on the inside from cooking it too quickly.
Chicken is done when it reaches the internal temperature of 165°F or when you cut it open and the juices run clear.
Conclusion
No matter which of these fall chicken recipes you decide to make, you will enjoy bringing in the new season with something hearty in your stomach. Even if you don’t decide to make one of the recipes on this list, now you know all of the different ways you can cook chicken. Just don’t forget to use one of the methods of adding some flavor every once in awhile or you might get tired of eating chicken.
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