Summer is the best time for fun and food. Chicken is perfect for warm days. It is light, easy to cook, and tastes great.
These 18 Best Summer Chicken Recipes are good for dinner, picnics, and parties. Some are grilled. Some are cool and fresh. All are super easy to make.
You will find lemon, BBQ, fruit, and more in these recipes. There is something yummy for everyone.
Let’s look at 18 easy chicken meals for summer.
1. Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken
This chicken is full of lemon and garlic taste. It is soft and juicy.
You need:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 spoons olive oil
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- Salt and pepper
How to make it:
Mix oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Put chicken in it for 30 minutes. Grill for 5-6 minutes on each side.
2. BBQ Chicken Skewers
This is sweet and smoky. It’s fun to eat.
You need:
- 1 pound chicken, cut in cubes
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 red bell pepper, cut
- 1 onion, cut
- Sticks (skewers)
How to make it:
Put chicken, pepper, and onion on sticks. Brush with BBQ sauce. Grill for 10-12 minutes. Turn often.
3. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This is a cold dish. It’s good for hot days.
You need:
- 2 cups cooked pasta
- 1 cup cooked chicken, cut
- 1/4 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/4 cup grated cheese
- Lettuce
How to make it:
Mix pasta, chicken, dressing, and cheese. Keep cold. Add lettuce when ready to eat.
4. Honey Lime Chicken Thighs
This chicken is sweet and a little sour.
You need:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 spoons honey
- Juice from 2 limes
- 1 spoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper
How to make it:
Mix honey, lime juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Put chicken in it for 1 hour. Cook on grill or pan for 6-8 minutes each side.
5. Mango Chicken Lettuce Wraps
This is fresh, fruity, and light.
You need:
- 1 cup cooked chicken, cut
- 1 mango, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1 spoon lime juice
- Lettuce leaves
How to make it:
Mix chicken, mango, onion, and lime juice. Spoon into lettuce leaves.
6. Crispy Chicken Tenders
Crispy outside, soft inside. Kids love it.
You need:
- 1 pound chicken strips
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper
How to make it:
Dip chicken in egg, then in breadcrumbs. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Turn halfway.
7. Chicken and Pineapple Kebabs
Sweet and salty. Pineapple makes it yummy.
You need:
- 1 pound chicken, cut in cubes
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
- Sticks (skewers)
How to make it:
Put chicken and pineapple on sticks. Brush with sauce. Grill for 10-12 minutes.
8. Spicy Chicken Tacos
Hot and tasty. Easy to make.
You need:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 spoon taco spice
- 1/2 cup salsa
- Small tortillas
How to make it:
Mix chicken, spice, and salsa. Warm it. Put in tortillas.
9. Grilled Chicken Caprese
Tomato and cheese make this a summer favorite.
You need:
- 2 grilled chicken breasts
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil
- Balsamic glaze
How to make it:
Put tomato, cheese, and basil on chicken. Add balsamic on top.
10. Chicken Avocado Salad
Soft avocado and chicken are great together.
You need:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cut
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion
- Juice from 1 lime
- Salt
How to make it:
Mix all things in a bowl. Keep cold.
11. Chicken Alfredo Zoodles
It’s like pasta, but with zucchini.
You need:
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 2 zucchini, made into noodles
- 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce
- Salt and pepper
How to make it:
Heat chicken and sauce in a pan. Add zoodles and cook for 2 minutes.
12. Chicken Fajita Bowls
Colorful and healthy. Good for lunch or dinner.
You need:
- 1 pound chicken, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 spoon fajita spice
- Rice or quinoa
How to make it:
Cook chicken and veggies with spice. Put on rice or quinoa.
13. Chicken Sliders
Mini chicken sandwiches. Great for parties.
You need:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- Small buns
- Pickles (optional)
How to make it:
Mix chicken and BBQ sauce. Put on buns. Add pickles if you like.
14. Lemon Herb Chicken Drumsticks
Easy and tasty. Great for the grill.
You need:
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1 spoon olive oil
- 1 spoon dried herbs
- Salt and pepper
How to make it:
Marinate drumsticks for 1 hour. Grill for 20-25 minutes. Turn often.
15. Chicken Pita Pockets
Easy lunch idea. Fun to eat.
You need:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cut
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup chopped cucumber
- Pita bread
How to make it:
Mix chicken, yogurt, and cucumber. Fill pita pockets.
16. Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Spicy and cool. Very fast to make.
You need:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- Lettuce or tortillas
How to make it:
Mix chicken and buffalo sauce. Add ranch. Wrap in lettuce or tortilla.
17. Balsamic Chicken and Berries
Sweet and fancy. Great for summer dinners.
You need:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
- Fresh basil
How to make it:
Grill and slice chicken. Add berries and basil. Drizzle balsamic on top.
18. Chicken and Corn Tostadas
Crispy and cheesy. Fun to eat.
You need:
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1 cup corn
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
- Tostada shells
How to make it:
Put chicken, corn, and cheese on shells. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes.
Final Thoughts
These chicken recipes are fun, fast, and full of flavor. You can grill, bake, or eat them cold. They are great for hot summer days.