14 Chicken Breakfast Recipes Packed With Protein

This soul-food favorite gets a healthy twist with air-fried chicken and protein waffles.
Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages

While chicken is a dinner (and lunch) staple, this protein-loaded poultry rarely makes its way to our breakfast plate — but maybe it should.

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Chicken, especially the breast, is much more nutritious than other highly-processed breakfast meats like bacon and sausage.

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Here are 14 delicious chicken breakfast recipes — each with 15 grams of protein or more — to add to your morning menu.

1. Balinese-Inspired Chicken, Egg and Rice

This breakfast stir-fry serves up oodles of protein thanks to chicken and eggs.
Image Credit: Susan Marque/LIVESTRONG.com
  • Protein:‌ 28 grams

Your leftover rice and veggies from last night's dinner make this morning's breakfast stir-fry super simple and convenient. In a pinch, you can even toss in your favorite frozen vegetables, which are just as nutrient-dense (if not more so) as their fresh counterparts.

And with chicken two ways — breast and eggs (OK, eggs aren't technically poultry, but you get the idea) — you reap double the protein power with 28 grams per serving.

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Get the Balinese-Inspired Chicken, Egg and Rice recipe and nutrition info here.

2. Organic Chicken Breakfast Patties

These homemade chicken sausages are more nutritious than store-bought varieties.
Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com
  • Protein:‌ 24 grams

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Unlike the mystery meat you find in the frozen food aisle, these homemade chicken sausage patties are made with simple whole-food ingredients like rolled oats, fresh herbs and apple butter for a hint of natural sweetness.

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One serving of three palate-pleasing patties provides 9 grams of gut-friendly fiber and 24 grams of satiating protein.

Get the Organic Chicken Breakfast Patties recipe and nutrition info here.

3. Sweet Potato and Sausage Breakfast Casserole

This slow cooker chicken breakfast casserole is the perfect morning meal for busy weekdays.
Image Credit: azurita/ Adobe Stock
  • Protein:‌ 35 grams

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The best breakfasts are nutritious, flavorful and fast, and this slow cooker casserole — which only requires five minutes of hands-on prep — checks all the boxes. The hearty blend of sweet potatoes, chicken sausage and cheddar cheese will fill you up without weighing you down.

And if you meal prep this casserole on Sunday, you'll have four servings ready to go for Monday morning. That's practically enough portions to cover the whole workweek.

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Get the Sweet Potato and Sausage Breakfast Casserole recipe and nutrition info here.

4. California Chicken Breakfast Burrito

This chicken breakfast burrito is bursting with flavor.
Image Credit: Sweet and Savory Meals
  • Protein:‌ 54 grams

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Stuffed with fresh greens, juicy chicken breast and velvety avocado, this robust breakfast burrito — with a healthy balance of carbs, protein and fat — boasts everything you need to boost your energy levels and kickstart your morning.

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If you're short on time, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken (or last night's leftovers) instead.

Better yet, make a bunch of these breakfast burritos and freeze them individually. The next time a craving calls your name, simply reheat one in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Get the California Chicken Breakfast Burrito recipe and nutrition info at Sweet and Savory Meals.

5. Easy Chicken and Protein Waffles

These lighter chicken and waffles are cooked in the air fryer.
Image Credit: Kinda Healthy Recipes
  • Protein:‌ 36 grams

This sweet and savory combo of chicken and waffles offers all the comforting flavors of the scrumptious soul food staple but with fewer calories and less fat. Cooking in an air fryer not only perfectly crisps up your chicken without extra oil, but also saves you time in the kitchen.

And, with a satiating scoop of protein powder blended in the batter, these wonderfully filling waffles serve up an impressive 26 grams of the muscle-building macro.

Get the Easy Chicken and Protein Waffles recipe and nutrition info at Kinda Healthy Recipes.

6. Buffalo Chicken Egg Bakes

These Buffalo chicken-inspired egg bakes bring the spicy to mundane mornings.
Image Credit: Hungry Girl
  • Protein:‌ 20 grams

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This creative chicken-based breakfast proves that Buffalo wings aren't just for tailgating. Bursting with heat, the hot sauce and cayenne pepper in these egg bakes will surely wake you up on groggy mornings.

Baking these egg bites in a muffin tin helps you build the perfect portions. Just one serving of two gives you more than 19 grams of protein.

Get the Buffalo Chicken Egg Bakes recipe and nutrition info at Hungry Girl.

7. Chicken Fajita Breakfast Skillet

If you're concerned about the calorie count in this dish, eat half a serving and save the rest for tomorrow's breakfast.
Image Credit: Sugar Dish Me
  • Protein:‌ 51 grams

Fajita fans will love this savory skillet recipe that transforms the delicious dinner dish into a beautifully balanced breakfast. Crisp, roasted potatoes, tender pan-grilled chicken and sautéed bell peppers come together in a cinch to create this flavorful fajita. Toppings like spicy salsa will make your taste buds tingle while fresh avocado slices add a creamy texture (and heart-healthy fats).

Get the Chicken Fajita Breakfast Skillet recipe and nutrition info at A Sugar Dish Me.

8. Chicken Cream Cheese Croissants

This savory stuffed croissant is filled with chicken and veggies for a satisfying treat.
Image Credit: Devour Dinner

Bake up a cafe-worthy treat in just 30 minutes. These savory croissants are made with just five basic ingredients, including the convenient pop-can croissant dough. Each croissant packs in 1/4 cup (2 ounces) of chicken. With cream cheese, bell pepper, and green onions in the mix, it's oozing with flavor appeal.

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Just two ounces of roasted chicken breast delivers 18 grams of protein, per the USDA. The croissant and cheese add some more, making each one a satisfying, high-protein meal.

Get the Chicken and Cheese Croissants recipe at Devour Nutrition.

9. Chicken and Egg Hash

This flavorful skillet meal packs in 15 grams of satiating protein.
Image Credit: Copyright Toby Amidor, The Best of Rotisserie Chicken Cookbook, Robert Rose 2020. Photo Courtesy of Gail Watson Photography
  • Protein:‌ 15 grams

Rotisserie chicken makes a splash in this satisfying breakfast hash. Finely shredded and well-distributed, the chicken adds texture to the tender diced potatoes and soft-yolked eggs.

A fragrant medley of onions, garlic and bell pepper with a blend of warming spices add to the dish's overall appeal.

Get the Chicken and Egg Hash recipe and nutrition info at Toby Amidor Nutrition.

10. Chicken Muffins

Enjoy two savory Chicken Muffins to get 16 grams of satiating protein.
Image Credit: Haute and Healthy Living
  • Protein:‌ 16 grams

Protein meets convenience with these savory Chicken Muffins. What makes them breakfast-worthy is that they are individually portioned, loaded with protein and simple to make. Two muffins to gives you a power-boosting 16 grams of protein at only 170 calories.

These mini meat muffins are made with lean ground chicken as well as onions, garlic and carrots for a veggie-ful boost of flavor and nutrients. Oats are used to bind the mixture and add texture to the dish.

Make these ahead and freeze for a yummy and convenient re-heatable breakfast option.

Get the Chicken Muffins recipe at Haute and Healthy Living.

11. Buffalo Chicken Potato Hash

Kick-start your day with this savory, protein-rich breakfast hash.
Image Credit: Cupcakes and Kale Chips
  • Protein:‌ 21 grams

A bit of hot sauce gives this breakfast hash a spicy kick of flavor, but you can turn down the heat by using less.

This meal is super satisfying and filling: You'll get plenty of different textures from soft potatoes with their crispy edges, tender vegetables and meaty lean ground chicken bites. And blue cheese is a perfect complement to the dish!

Get the Buffalo Chicken Potato Hash recipe and nutrition info at Cupcakes and Kale Chips.

12. Skillet Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

A versatile protein-loaded meal, this dish makes breakfast a breeze.
Image Credit: Real Food Whole Life
  • Protein:‌ 21 grams

This chicken breakfast recipe is simple enough to meal-prep ahead of time without too much hassle. What's more, this flavorful dish transforms easily into a breakfast hash. (Simply chop the chicken, mix into the potatoes, and reheat. You can even add an egg on top for some extra protein.)

With finely diced sweet potato and an infusion of honey, garlic and chipotle, you'll get a burst of flavor with every bite.

Get the Skillet Chicken and Sweet Potatoes recipe and nutrition info at Real Food Whole Life.

13. Chipotle Chicken Flatbread

This warmed naan "pizza" has plenty of protein and heart-healthy fats.
Image Credit: Chelsea's Messy Apron
  • Protein:‌ 62 grams per pizza

Pizza for breakfast — Yes, please. And if you also love avocado and BLT's, this Chicken Chipotle Flatbread is for you. Warmed naan is topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, pepper jack cheese, shredded chicken and a flavorful drizzling of creamy chipotle ranch dressing.

Don't let the calories scare you. With 62 grams of satiating protein and 32 grams of monounsaturated fats for the whole recipe, you'll likely get your fill with just a slice or two of the "pie."

You can even scale the recipe up or down depending on your needs. One-fourth of the recipe is plenty for a protein-rich meal.

Get the Chipotle Chicken Flatbread recipe and nutrition info at Chelsea's Messy Apron.

14. Make-Ahead DIY Breakfast Bowls

This colorful bowl has satiating protein, immune-boosting vitamins and healthy fats.
Image Credit: Real Food Whole Life
  • Protein: 15 grams

A healthy breakfast on the go couldn't be easier, especially when you've got your ingredients prepped and ready to assemble.

These Make-Ahead DIY Breakfast Bowls will give you about 15 grams of satiating protein per bowl thanks to the chicken and egg. Leafy greens, potatoes, and avocado round-out this dish with plant-based vitamins, antioxidant nutrients, and heart-healthy fats.

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