20 Healthy Mexican Chicken Recipes

Packed with vibrant flavor and wholesome ingredients, Mexican food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world for good reason.

Although some consider the commercialized version of Mexican food unhealthy, the homemade version of the cuisine naturally consists of nourishing ingredients that fulfill the body’s nutritional needs. 

Mexican food incorporates a colorful array of fresh vegetables and healthy proteins such as grilled chicken.

From hearty soups to refreshing salads to classic burritos, these healthy Mexican chicken recipes are suitable for a variety of occasions and cater to a wide range of tastes.

1. Chicken Tinga

This recipe for chicken tinga–-shredded chicken in a smoky chipotle-flavored sauce–uses store-bought rotisserie chicken as an easy, accessible way to cook the classic, healthy Mexican dish.

Although the recipe suggests using the finished tinga to fill tacos, you can also put it in a variety of other dishes. 

The rich flavor of the chicken tinga will brighten up any burrito, salad, sandwich, or tostada.

2. Healthy Chicken Enchiladas

These classic chicken enchiladas are hearty and filling but still light and healthy.

It’s hard to believe that this recipe consists of only natural, wholesome ingredients when it melts into gooey, cheesy enchilada goodness. 

The best thing about these enchiladas is that they don’t skimp on taste or health!

The secret to its bold flavor is canned chipotle peppers in adobo: each component adds dimension and zest to the sauce, which is then generously drenched over the enchiladas.

For another healthy option, try this Green Chile and Chicken Enchiladas.

3. Chicken Fajitas

Perfect for a Tuesday night or a special occasion, this healthy take on Tex-Mex chicken fajitas takes only 30 minutes from start to finish.

The process is incredibly easy: fry the peppers and onions in a pan, cook the chicken, and mix it together. Despite this deceptively simple process, the final product comes out restaurant-quality.

You can serve the fajitas on their own, in lettuce cups, or in tortillas.

4. Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This chicken tortilla soup will warm you up on any cold winter day, but it tastes just as good in any season.

With a colorful variety of vegetables and spices, this soup bursts to the seams with flavor. The homemade tortilla strips and lime add the perfect finishing touch.

Even better: it’s filled with healthy proteins and nutrients to fuel your body.

5. 5-Ingredient Chicken Quesadillas

With only 5 ingredients, these delicious quesadillas come together with food you probably already have in your pantry. 

The quesadillas turn out crispy, melty, and flavorful but not too heavy. A guaranteed family favorite, you’ll find yourself making them again and again.

The best thing is, you can add whatever extra vegetables you have in your fridge, or customize the toppings for your own twist.

6. Healthy Soft Chicken Tacos

This one-pan dish incorporates all the components of a classic taco: cilantro, lime, cheese, and, of course, deliciously spiced chicken.

You can make this recipe on the stovetop or in an oven: either way, it will turn out flavorful, melty, and zesty in under 25 minutes.

This recipe tastes equally delicious with corn or flour tortillas–it’s up to you.

7. Healthy Chicken Burritos

This shredded chicken burrito recipe is healthier than the versions you would get at a restaurant while still maintaining the quintessential burrito flavor. 

You can easily make the burritos gluten-free, dairy-free, or any other dietary restriction you may need to accommodate.

It’s a perfect go-to meal when you’re running short on time or just want something easy, dependable, and delicious.

8. Mexican Chicken Soup

Filled with flavorful and nutritious ingredients, this Mexican chicken soup is perfect for the winter but delightful in any season.

It’s easy and simple (only 35 minutes!) but tastes like it took double the time to make.

There’s a depth and complexity of flavor throughout the soup, but it’s still a light and airy meal.

9. Healthy Mexican Chicken Casserole

While casseroles are not a traditional Mexican dish, the Mexican flavors baked into this easy, healthy casserole taste heavenly. 

Using the health superfood quinoa as a base, it’s just as nutritious as it is delicious–but you would never know by simply tasting it.

The casserole turns out cheesy, crispy, and delightfully tender after only 35 minutes (including just 15 minutes of prep).

10. 1-Pan Mexican Shredded Chicken

This is the definitive Mexican-style chicken recipe.

Balanced, spicy, and perfectly flavored, this chicken livens up any meal you add it to

You can even use it in some of the other recipes in this list–for instance, it works perfectly in chicken burritos and chicken enchiladas.

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, jackfruit works as a great substitute for chicken in this recipe.

11. Mexican Grilled Chicken Salad

The opposite of a conventional (boring!) salad, this Mexican chicken salad is loaded with corn, beans, lime, and spiced chicken.

Topped off with a cooling, zesty dressing of avocado, Greek yogurt, and cilantro, the salad bursts while still being all-natural and incredibly nutritious.

Whether you eat it as the main course or a side, this salad works perfectly for all occasions.

12. Chicken Milanesa Torta

This authentic Mexican Torta de Milanesa starts with making the milanesa: a breaded, crispy chicken cutlet.

Then you assemble the sandwich with avocado, refried beans, mayo, cheese, and pickled jalapeño. 

Tortas de milanesa are usually made with steak or pork, but this healthier chicken version tastes even better.

13. Mexican Chicken and Rice

Perfect for using up leftover ingredients in the fridge but still a cohesive, delicious meal, this Mexican chicken and rice recipe is hearty, filling, and healthful.

For such an easy recipe, it incorporates tons of flavor: spice from jalapeños, tang from lime juice, and a delicious savory undertone from the masterful spice blend used throughout the dish.

14. Crockpot Mexican Chicken

This smoky, savory chicken recipe is perfect for meal prep: you can use it in a variety of different contexts, including burritos, sandwiches, salads, quesadillas, and more. The potential is endless!

Although it packs a solid punch of flavor, the chicken is not too spicy, making it perfect for picky eaters.

You’ll find yourself making this recipe over and over again and using it in any meal you can.

15. Healthy Chicken Tostadas

The base of this simple, nutritious tostada recipe is chicken tinga: shredded chicken drenched in a mouthwatering sauce of tomato, chipotle pepper, adobo, and spices.

Once your tinga is cooked, it’s incredibly simple to assemble the tostadas: simply top your corn tortillas with refried beans, the chicken tinga, homemade guacamole, salsa, lettuce, and queso fresco.

These loaded tostadas are just as tasty as they are healthy, incorporating fresh, wholesome ingredients.

16. Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chile Verde

This healthier slow-cooked version of chile verde substitutes the traditional pork for tender chicken thighs and tastes just as flavorful as the original.

This comforting, hearty dish will fit the bill in any weather, but especially on a rainy day. 

Garlicky, spicy, and zesty, it is filled with flavors that all work together to create the perfect bowl.

Serve your chile verde with tortillas, tortilla chips, rice, beans, or anything else you can think of.

17. Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken

Made in a slow cooker or the ultra-easy Instant Pot, this shredded chicken recipe is easy to cook but comes out tasting as good as–or better than–the versions you would find in restaurants. 

The best thing about this recipe? Simply dump all the ingredients into your Instant Pot or slow cooker, wait for it to cook, and shred it up. It’s as simple as that!

18. Mexican Chicken Bowl

This Chipotle copycat comes out fresher, more flavorful, and healthier than the original!

Served on rice or shredded lettuce, this burrito bowl packs in various fresh vegetables, homemade spiced chicken, and toppings for the perfect combination of textures and flavors. 

The recipe is also super customizable: add whatever ingredients you’re looking to use up from the fridge.

Plus, the guac is free.

19. Healthy Mexican Chicken Bake

High in protein but low in calories, this chicken bake incorporates Mexican flavors into a healthy, delicious dish that you’ll find yourself making over and over again.

The chicken breasts are topped with spices, salsa, and shredded Mexican cheese for a melty, saucy meal.

Pro tip: eat this bake with a side of cornbread, tortillas, rice, or beans.

20. Mexican Pulled Chicken and Beans

The most budget-friendly option on this list, this Mexican chicken and beans recipe with tortilla chips and lime is filling, wholesome, and healthy. 

It contains the perfect combination of vegetables, protein, and carbs to fuel your body.

For a fresh, crisp addition, it’s served with a simple side salad of lettuce, cucumber, and herbs. 

This recipe is perfect for students, families, or anyone on a budget but still wants a delicious meal exploding with flavor.