If you've been struggling to find new, delicious and high protein meals for your bariatric diet then you need to try these 21 mouthwatering chicken recipes

Chicken: bland, boring, tasteless. Or is it? Chicken doesn't have to be the boring protein in your diet you dread preparing...it can actually take on amazing flavor and its diversity can keep you satisfied on your bariatric journey.

Packed with about 6 grams of lean protein per ounce, chicken should be a staple in any bariatric diet. While you can't go wrong with seasoned grilled chicken, that only scratches the surface of the potential that chicken has in your diet.

Enjoy!

Healthy Orange Chicken

Serves: 4

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Orange chicken normally consists of chopped, battered and fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet orange-flavored chili sauce.

The words battered and fried rarely make their way into a bariatric diet, but orange chicken is too good to completely keep out of your diet. This lighter version tastes just as good as the real thing without the calorie consequences.

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cleaned + cut into 1 inch cubes

4 cups steamed broccoli or green beans

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

2.5 cups orange juice

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup coconut aminos

3 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon fresh ginger***

1 tablespoon orange zest

1 teaspoon pepper

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 362

Protein: 28 grams

Carbohydrates: 39 grams

Fat: 10 grams

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Healthy Baked Parmesan Chicken Nuggets

Serves: 4

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Chicken nuggets normally conjure thoughts of unhealthy drive-thru restaurants, kids meals and overly battered and fried chicken. Traditional chicken nuggets have no business making an appearance in a bariatric diet.

The good news is that these delicious home-made baked nuggets fit right in. Make these as a proper meal or as a protein-packed snack!

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces

1/2 cup parmesan cheese divided in half

1/4 cup cold water

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 460

Protein: 43.25 grams

Carbohydrates: 49.25 grams

Fat: 10 grams

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Healthy Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry

Serves: 4

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If you order a curry dish at a restaurant it's likely to have a lot of heavy cream and butter (that's how restaurants make food taste good, after all). Those two components make it difficult to fit into a bariatric diet.

That's what makes this recipe so confusing, you get all the good things about a curry dish without the unnecessary fat. Try this with steamed rice.

Ingredients:

2 lbs chicken, cut up into pieces

4 tbsp curry powder

1 medium onion, sliced

1 cup water

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

3 cups cooked brown rice

Seasoned salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 306

Protein: 38 grams

Carbohydrates: 35 grams

Fat: 2 grams

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20 Minute Healthy Sesame Chicken

Serves: 4

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Sesame chiken is a staple at most chinese food restaurants. This is normally off-limits because of the high sugar and batter content, plus the oil from frying.

That doesn't mean you can never have delicious sesame chicken again thanks to this amazing recipe. It tastes like the real thing, but it keeps you on track with your bariatric diet whether you're still losing weight or playing the maintenance game.

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1/2 inch strips or cubes)

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

1 pinch each salt & pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil or sesame

Cooked white rice for serving

Small bunch spring onionsscallions, chopped

For the sauce

3 Tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon sriracha add more for more heat

1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated

1 clove garlic minced

2 Tablespoons sesame seeds

1 tablespoon sesame oil optional

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 270

Protein: 26 grams

Carbohydrates: 14 grams

Fat: 11 grams

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MEAL PREP – HEALTHY ROASTED CHICKEN AND VEGGIES

Serves: 4

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Meal prep is hard and time consuming. Then  you have to worry about getting sick of what you prepared. Then you have to worry about the nutrition content.

This chicken meal prep recipe solves all of those problems. It has it all, protein, veggies and whole grains PLUS all in the amounts that fits perfectly into a bariatric diet. Make this when you have a busy week ahead of you so you can just grab it and go in the morning.

Ingredients:

2 medium chicken breasts boneless skinless cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 cup broccoli florets frozen or fresh

1 small red onion chopped

1 cup grape or plum tomatoes

1 medium zucchini chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

1 tablespoon italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper optional

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

1/2 teaspoon paprika

2 tablespoons olive oil

2-4 cups cooked rice of choice optional

4 meal prep containers

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 524

Protein: 24 grams

Carbohydrates: 80 grams

Fat: 11 grams

*Tip: Use less rice to lower the total carbohydrates per serving. Try 1/2 cup per serving!*

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Healthy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Serves: 6

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Mexican food, like many other types of cuisines, rely on high-fat components like cheese and butter and oil. Since 1 gram of fat contains more than twice the amount of calories as protein and carbohydrates that makes Mexican food tough to fit into your bariatric diet.

But this easy, 4-ingredient Enchilada recipe keeps the calories under control and delivers all of the great flavors you need from a Mexican dish. Pick your favorite salsas to add on top and enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 cups 12 ounces diced or shredded cooked chicken (such as rotisserie chicken meat)

1 ½ cups enchilada sauce

1 cup reduced-fat shredded Mexican-blend cheese