Chicken dishes are perfect for this season, offering warmth and satisfaction. They can be prepared in many ways to suit different tastes and preferences.
These 15 fall chicken recipes will help you make the most of the season’s flavors. You’ll find options ranging from hearty stews to roasted entrees.
Each recipe uses seasonal ingredients and cooking methods that bring out the best in chicken during autumn. Try them to add variety to your cool-weather menu and enjoy cozy meals with family and friends.
Honey mustard baked chicken thighs are a tasty fall dish. You can make them easily at home with a few simple steps.
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Pat the chicken thighs dry and place them in a baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.
Mix Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, and rosemary in a bowl. Pour this sauce over the chicken, making sure to coat it well.
Bake the chicken for about 45 minutes. The skin should turn golden brown and the meat should be tender. You can broil for a few minutes at the end for extra crispiness.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. The sweet and tangy flavors will warm you up on cool autumn evenings.
This fall-inspired dish combines the warmth of pumpkin with the heartiness of chicken chili. You’ll love how the pumpkin adds a creamy texture and subtle sweetness to the dish.
Start by sautéing onions, peppers, and garlic in olive oil. Add ground chicken and cook until browned.
Stir in diced tomatoes, pumpkin puree, and water.
Season your chili with chili powder, cumin, and a touch of turmeric for extra flavor. Let it simmer until the flavors meld together.
Serve your pumpkin spice chicken chili hot, topped with your favorite garnishes. It’s perfect for cozy autumn evenings or game day gatherings.
Apple Cider Chicken Skillet is a tasty fall dish that combines sweet and savory flavors.
You start by seasoning chicken thighs with spices like coriander, cinnamon, and thyme.
Next, you brown the chicken in a skillet. After removing the chicken, you cook onions and apples in the same pan.
The magic happens when you add apple cider to create a flavorful sauce. This sauce reduces and thickens as it cooks.
Finally, you return the chicken to the skillet to finish cooking in the apple cider sauce. The result is a juicy, flavorful chicken dish perfect for cool autumn evenings.
Herb-roasted butterflied chicken is a tasty fall dish that’s easy to make. You’ll flatten the chicken by removing its backbone. This helps it cook faster and more evenly.
Mix herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage with olive oil and lemon zest. Rub this mixture all over the chicken.
Roast it in a hot oven until the skin is crispy and golden.
The result is a juicy, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for cool autumn evenings. Serve it with roasted vegetables for a complete meal. This recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Balsamic fig chicken is a tasty fall dish that combines sweet and tangy flavors. You’ll love how the figs and balsamic vinegar create a rich glaze for the chicken.
To make this recipe, start by seasoning chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Cook them in a pan until the skin is golden brown.
In a separate saucepan, mix fig preserves, balsamic vinegar, and honey to create the glaze. Pour this mixture over the chicken and let it simmer.
The result is juicy chicken coated in a sticky, flavorful glaze. Serve it with roasted vegetables for a complete autumn meal.
This salad brings together fall flavors in a hearty, nutritious dish. You’ll love the combination of tender chicken, fluffy quinoa, and seasonal produce.
Start by cooking quinoa according to package directions. While it cools, grill or roast chicken breasts seasoned with garlic and herbs.
Add roasted butternut squash cubes, dried cranberries, and toasted pumpkin seeds to the quinoa. Dice the cooked chicken and mix it in.
For dressing, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard. Pour it over the salad and toss gently to combine.
This colorful salad makes a perfect autumn lunch or light dinner. The protein from the chicken and quinoa will keep you satisfied for hours.
This tasty Moroccan-inspired dish combines tender chicken with sweet potatoes for a cozy fall meal. You’ll love the mix of savory and sweet flavors in this one-pot wonder.
To make it, brown chicken thighs in a large pot. Add onions, garlic, and spices like cinnamon and cumin.
Stir in chunks of sweet potato and chicken broth.
Let everything simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sweet potatoes are soft.
The result is a warm, fragrant stew perfect for chilly autumn evenings.
Serve your tagine over couscous or with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. It’s an easy yet impressive dish for family dinners or casual entertaining.
This savory tart combines tender chicken with sweet caramelized onions for a cozy fall meal. You’ll love the flaky crust filled with a creamy mixture of chicken, onions, and herbs.
To make it, start by slowly cooking sliced onions until golden and sweet.
Spread the filling in a prepared tart shell and bake until golden brown.
The result is a warm, comforting dish perfect for chilly autumn evenings.
Serve slices of this tart with a simple green salad for a satisfying dinner. It’s also great for entertaining, as you can prepare it ahead of time and reheat before guests arrive.
Spiced pomegranate chicken brings warmth and comfort to your fall dinner table. This dish combines tender chicken with the sweet-tart flavor of pomegranate.
You’ll love how the pomegranate juice creates a rich, flavorful glaze. The chicken cooks until it’s fall-apart tender, soaking up all the delicious spices.
To make this dish, sear chicken thighs in a skillet until the skin is crispy. Then add pomegranate juice, garlic, and warm spices like cinnamon or cumin.
Let everything simmer together until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
Serve your spiced pomegranate chicken over rice or with roasted vegetables for a complete autumn meal.
Start by cooking onions, carrots, and celery in butter until soft. Add garlic and thyme for extra flavor.
Pour in chicken broth and add rice, cooked chicken, and mushrooms. Simmer until the rice is tender.
For a creamier version, stir in some milk or cream at the end. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot with crusty bread for a filling meal. You can make extra and freeze it for busy weeknights.
Why Choose Chicken For Fall Recipes
Chicken is a top pick for fall cooking. It’s tasty, healthy, and works well with autumn flavors. You can make many different dishes with chicken as the star.
Nutritional Benefits
Chicken packs a protein punch. It helps you stay full and warm on chilly days.
You’ll get lots of B vitamins from chicken too. These boost your energy as days get shorter.
Chicken is low in fat, making it a healthy choice. The white meat has less fat than dark meat. You can remove the skin to cut down on fat even more.
It’s also a good source of minerals like zinc and iron. These help keep your immune system strong for fall and winter.
Versatility In Flavor Profiles
Chicken takes on many flavors easily. You can use it in cozy soups, stews, and casseroles.
It pairs well with fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and sage.
Try chicken with apples or pears for a sweet and savory mix. Roast it with root veggies for a classic fall meal. You can even grill chicken on nice autumn days.
Chicken works in light salads or hearty pasta dishes. It’s great for meal prep too. Cook a big batch on Sunday for easy weeknight dinners.
Seasonal Ingredients To Pair With Chicken
Fall brings a bounty of flavors that pair perfectly with chicken. These seasonal ingredients add warmth and depth to your dishes.
Root Vegetables
Root veggies are fall staples that complement chicken beautifully.
Try roasting carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes with your chicken for a hearty meal. Their natural sweetness balances the savory meat.
Butternut squash is another great option. Cube it and roast alongside your chicken, or puree it into a creamy sauce.
Turnips and rutabagas add an earthy flavor. Mash them with butter and cream for a cozy side dish.
Don’t forget potatoes! Roast baby potatoes with rosemary, or make a comforting chicken and potato stew.
Autumn Herbs and Spices
Fall herbs and spices can transform your chicken dishes.
Sage is a classic autumn herb that pairs well with poultry. Add chopped sage leaves to your chicken rub or stuffing.
Thyme and rosemary are versatile herbs that complement chicken nicely.
Use them fresh or dried in marinades or sprinkle over roasted chicken.
Warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice add depth to chicken dishes.
Try a spice rub with these flavors for roasted chicken.
Garlic and onions are always in season and add savory notes to any chicken recipe.
Roast whole garlic cloves with your chicken for a mellow, sweet flavor.
