Let's talk about chicken. It's probably the most-cooked protein in my fridge, yet I find myself getting stuck in the same boring roast chicken routine. Luckily, there are so many different ways to cook chicken, inspired by cuisines from around the world. Here are a bunch of international chicken recipes to work into your dinner rotation.
1. Coq Au Vin
Transport yourself to a cozy Parisian bistro with the help of this French recipe. Loaded with chicken (drumsticks and thighs are best), onion, carrots, and mushrooms in a rich and savory red wine and chicken sauce, it tastes like the poultry version of Beef Bourguignon.
Recipe: Coq au Vin
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2. Cuban Mojo Chicken
The key to this tangy and juicy Cuban chicken is letting the poultry marinate in a mixture of olive oil, citrus juice, mint, cilantro, and spices for at least 12 hours.
Recipe: Cuban Mojo Chicken
3. Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata
This one-pot recipe is ready in just about 30 minutes. It calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are pounded thin, dredged in flour, and cooked in a creamy lemon caper sauce.
Recipe: Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata
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4. Chicken Adobo
This Filipino chicken recipe comes together in a single pot with just a handful of ingredients, like bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces, white vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic. Depending on your tolerance for spice, you can add some chipotle chiles to kick things up a notch.
Recipe: Chicken Adobo
5. Chicken Pad Thai
Better than take out? It just might be. This Thai favorite is made with chicken, eggs, rice noodles, and veggies all tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce made with peanut butter, fish sauce, lime, and garlic.
Recipe: Chicken Pad Thai
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6. Chicken Shawarma
This Middle Eastern dish features chicken, which is marinated in a blend of olive oil, garlic, lemon, and lots of spices. Roast it in the oven for an easy weeknight meal, and serve it with pita, chopped veggies, and a dip like hummus or tzatziki.
Recipe: Chicken Shawarma
7. Crispy Chicken Parmesan
The trick to getting chicken parmesan extra crispy is frying the chicken cutlets before topping them with marinara sauce and cheese. Then, it's into the broiler until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese melty.
Recipe: Crispy Chicken Parmesan
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8. Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken
If you don't want to deep fry the chicken, try baking it in the oven or cooking it in the air fryer until crispy. Serve it over rice with sautéed broccoli or string beans.
Recipe: Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken
9. African Chicken Peanut Stew
You'll find this comforting dish in many West African countries. It's made with chicken thighs, tender sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and collard greens in a creamy, savory peanut butter and chicken stock broth.
Recipe: African Chicken Peanut Stew
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10. Chicken Tikka Masala
This spicy, creamy Indian classic can be prepared on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot. Chicken gets marinated in plain yogurt, lemon, garlic, and ginger, then it's cooked in a tomato and cream sauce that gets a kick from lots of spices like turmeric, garam masala, paprika, and more.
Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala
11. Baked Nashville Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches
This Nashville-style hot chicken is baked rather than fried, but it's still seriously crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
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12. Chicken Street Tacos
There are no fancy toppings necessary for these authentic-tasting street tacos. Boneless chicken thighs are cut into bite-sized pieces, marinated in spices, and sautéed in cast iron. Then, pile the chicken into corn tortillas and top them with a simple mixture of onion, cilantro, and jalapeño.
Recipe: Chicken Street Tacos
13. Thai Basil Chicken
Instead of ordering takeout tonight, try whipping up this Thai-inspired recipe from scratch. It's surprisingly easy and comes together with chicken, basil, chilies, and bell pepper in a three-ingredient stir fry sauce.
Recipe: Thai Basil Chicken
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14. Rice Noodles With Lemongrass Chicken
Marinated in lemongrass, garlic, lime, fish sauce, and soy sauce, this Thai chicken is delicious enough to eat on its own, but it's even better over a bed of rice noodles with lots of fresh veggies.
15. Easy Chicken Marsala
Starting with thinly pounded chicken breasts seriously speeds up the cooking time. If you can't find marsala wine, try using sherry, port, or sweet vermouth.
Recipe: Easy Chicken Marsala
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16. Nigerian Jollof Rice with Chicken
Fluffy rice and veggies are cooked in butter, chicken bouillon, and a homemade tomato, bell pepper, ginger, and garlic paste. Top it with baked chicken for a hearty meal that's perfect for feeding the whole family.
17. Thai Coconut Chicken Curry
It's hard to believe that this creamy curry is totally dairy-free. Red curry paste, yellow curry powder, and coconut milk give it a delightful richness.
Recipe: Thai Coconut Chicken Curry
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18. Green Chicken Enchiladas
Sometimes you just crave something cheesy and cozy...like these enchiladas verdes. You only need a few cheap ingredients, and you can even start with store-bought rotisserie chicken to speed things up in the kitchen.
Recipe: Green Chicken Enchiladas
19. Chicken Cacciatore
This rustic, Italian chicken dish will transport you right to the hilly vineyards of Tuscany. This chicken stewed in tomato sauce pairs perfectly with a glass of your favorite red wine.
Recipe: Chicken Cacciatore
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20. Chinese Steamed Chicken with Ginger Scallion Sauce
The hardest part about making this recipe is planning ahead: you'll want to pat the chicken dry, rub it with salt, and let it sit in the fridge overnight so that the final result is juicy and flavorful. Tossed in a four-ingredient ginger scallion sauce, it's next-level good.
21. Chicken Biryani
Basmati rice is loaded with tender, yogurt-marinated chicken, crispy onions, coriander, and mint for a seriously satisfying homemade take on an Indian favorite.
Recipe: Chicken Biryani
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22. Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Two words: peanut sauce. Need I say more?
23. Oven-Baked Peri Peri Chicken
This South African and Portuguese chicken dish calls for a marinade of olive oil, orange and lemon juice, paprika, and oregano. If you like a little spice, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
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24. Chicken Cordon Bleu
Leave it to the French to discover what is possibly the most delectable way to eat chicken, which is breaded, stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese, baked, and smothered in Dijon mustard cream sauce.
Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu
25. Chicken Pozole Verde
The Mexican take on chicken soup, this comforting recipe is made with tender chicken, poblano chiles, tomatillos, hominy, and onions. Top your bowl with sliced avocado, radish, and tortilla chips.
Recipe: Chicken Pozole Verde
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26. Chicken Francese
There's something totally irresistible about this pan-fried chicken nestled in a creamy, tangy sauce made of lemon juice, butter, dry white wine and chicken broth.
Recipe: Chicken Francese
27. Greek Baked Chicken and Orzo
This Greek chicken is baked in orzo with onions, bell peppers, and canned plum tomatoes. Drizzle it with good olive oil, lemon juice, a sprinkle of feta cheese, and some fresh herbs to take things to the next level.
Recipe: Greek Baked Chicken and Orzo
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28. Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
Not only is this one-pan chicken recipe easy, but it's also very affordable and made with just a few basic ingredients, like bone-in, skin-on chicken, flour, milk, sour cream, and lots of paprika.
Recipe: Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
29. Spanish Arroz con Pollo
This Spanish-style chicken and rice comes together in a single pot, making it an easy recipe to make for a family or when you're hosting a crowd. The chicken is seasoned in lots of flavorful spices, then it's baked in brothy, tomato-based rice.
Recipe: Spanish Arroz con Pollo
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30. Chicken Milanese
Sometimes, simple is best. This classic Italian chicken cutlet is breaded, pan-fried until golden, and topped with lemony arugula. It's the weeknight meal you'll want to make on repeat.
Recipe: Chicken Milanese
31. Roasted Tandoori Chicken
If you're sick of plain old chicken, shake things up with this roast chicken with an Indian twist. The whole bird gets coated in tandoori-seasoned yogurt and then roasted until the skin is nice and crispy.
Recipe: Roasted Tandoori Chicken
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32. Kung Pao Chicken
You can make this spicy Szechuan classic made with chicken, red chilies, hot peppercorns, roasted peanuts, and scallions in your own kitchen. And best of all: the whole thing comes together in about 30 minutes.
Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken
33. Korean Chicken Wings
Rubbed in baking powder and spices, then coated in a sticky Korean-inspired glaze made with soy sauce, gochujang, honey, and sesame oil, these decadent wings can be baked, fried, or air fried.
Recipe: Korean Chicken Wings
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34. Chicken Lettuce Wraps
P.F. Chang's got nothing on you once you whip up these Chinese-inspired chicken lettuce wraps in your home kitchen.
Recipe: Chicken Lettuce Wraps
35. Chicken Souvlaki
Cut chicken into cubes and marinate them in olive oil, yogurt, garlic, lemon, and oregano. Arrange them into skewers and grill until slightly charred, then serve them over salad or in pita bread with your favorite Greek spreads and chopped veggies.
Recipe: Chicken Souvlaki
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36. Moroccan Chicken Tagine Skillet
This North African chicken dish is an irresistible flavor burst of salty, sweet, and savory thanks to kalamata and castelvetrano olives, preserved lemon, cinnamon, saffron, and paprika.
Recipe: Moroccan Chicken Tagine Skillet
37. Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice
Don't be intimidated by the ingredients. The vast majority of ingredients are spices for the chicken marinade, and if your pantry is lacking a few, you can do without them. Whatever you do, don't skimp on the tahini yogurt sauce, which requires just four ingredients.
Recipe: Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice
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38. Chicken Katsu
The Japanese take on fried chicken cutlets, this chicken breast is dredged in panko and pan-fried until golden brown. Serve it over rice, or better yet, as a sandwich between two slices of fluffy milk bread.
Recipe: Chicken Katsu
39. Chicken Banh Mi
These Vietnamese-inspired sandwiches are filled with pickled veggies and grilled chicken that have been marinated in a spicy and zesty mix of garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, lime, and Sriracha.
Recipe: Chicken Banh Mi
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40. Saffron Rice with Chicken, Yogurt, and Spinach
This Persian recipe is made with basmati rice, spinach, prunes, and chicken thighs, which are marinated in yogurt and saffron.
41. Chicken Yakitori
Pro tip: use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. The dark meat gives the final skewers so much more flavor. If you can't find tapioca starch, use cornstarch to thicken the yakitori sauce.
Recipe: Chicken Yakitori