Description
These 7 Chicken Dinner Ideas for Summer are inspired by Italian-American family meals and Nonna Lucia’s magic in the kitchen. Perfect for solo cooking or feeding a crowd, these fresh and flavorful recipes bring brightness to your table all season long.
Ingredients
- Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken: 1 boneless chicken breast, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tsp olive oil, 1 clove garlic (minced), 1 tsp fresh rosemary (chopped), salt & pepper to taste
- Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast: 1 boneless chicken breast, 2 slices fresh mozzarella, 2–3 cherry tomatoes (halved), 3 basil leaves, 1 tsp balsamic glaze, salt & pepper
- BBQ Chicken Skillet with Corn & Peppers: 1 boneless, skinless chicken thigh, ½ cup corn kernels, ½ bell pepper (sliced), 2 tbsp BBQ sauce, 1 tbsp olive oil
- Peach Glazed Chicken Tenders: 3 chicken tenders, 1 ripe peach (diced), 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, salt & chili flakes
- Chicken and Avocado Summer Salad: 1 grilled chicken breast (sliced), ½ avocado (diced), 1 cup baby spinach, 5 cherry tomatoes, 1 tsp olive oil, juice of ½ lemon
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Green Beans: 1 chicken thigh, 1 tbsp butter, 1 clove garlic (minced), ½ cup green beans (trimmed)
- Crispy Chicken Parmesan Cutlet: 1 thin chicken cutlet, 2 tbsp breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp grated Parmesan, 1 egg (beaten), 1 tbsp marinara sauce, 1 slice mozzarella
Instructions
- Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken: Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Marinate chicken for 30 minutes. Grill 5–7 mins per side. Serve with arugula and grilled zucchini.
- Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast: Cut pocket in chicken. Stuff with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Secure, season, and bake at 375°F for 25 mins. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- BBQ Chicken Skillet: Heat oil in skillet. Cook chicken 5 mins per side, brush with BBQ sauce. Add corn and peppers, sauté until caramelized. Serve hot.
- Peach Glazed Chicken: Cook tenders until golden. In another pan, simmer peach, honey, vinegar, and chili. Pour glaze over chicken and simmer 2 mins. Serve with quinoa or wild rice.
- Chicken & Avocado Salad: Toss spinach, avocado, and tomatoes with lemon juice. Top with sliced chicken and drizzle olive oil.
- Garlic Butter Chicken: Melt butter in skillet, add garlic. Sear chicken until done. Add green beans, cover and steam 5 mins. Season to taste.
- Crispy Chicken Parmesan: Dredge cutlet in egg then breadcrumb-Parmesan mix. Pan-fry until crispy. Add marinara and mozzarella, cover to melt. Serve with spaghetti squash or salad.
Notes
These recipes are great for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners. Customize ingredients based on what’s in season. Each dish celebrates the flavors of summer with minimal effort and maximum taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling, Baking, Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dish
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: chicken dinner, summer recipes, easy meals, Italian-American, solo cooking, grilled chicken