Let’s be honest about something. When you tell people you’re making chicken in the microwave, they look at you like you just admitted to microwaving fish at the office. But here’s what nobody talks about: microwave chicken recipes can actually turn out tender, flavorful, and way better than another sad desk salad or expensive takeout run.
I spent years judging microwave cooking until desperation hit during a kitchen renovation. No stove. No oven. Just me, a microwave, and a deep need for actual protein. What I discovered surprised me. The microwave doesn’t ruin chicken if you know what you’re doing.
Why Microwave Chicken Gets a Bad Rap
The problem isn’t the microwave itself. It’s that most people blast chicken on high power for too long. This creates rubbery, sad meat that tastes like regret. Meanwhile, everyone assumes this is just how microwave chicken works.
Here’s the thing: microwaves cook from the outside in. So when you use high power, the edges overcook while the center stays raw. The solution? Lower power settings and slightly longer cooking times. This gives heat time to distribute evenly.
Also, moisture matters more than you think. Chicken breast especially dries out fast. Covering your dish traps steam, which keeps everything tender. Adding a tablespoon of liquid—broth, water, lemon juice—makes a massive difference.
What You Need to Know Before Starting
First, get a meat thermometer. Chicken needs to hit 165°F internally. No guessing allowed here. Food safety isn’t optional, and undercooked chicken will absolutely ruin your week.
Second, size matters. Thin chicken cutlets or small pieces cook way more evenly than thick breasts. If you’re working with thick pieces, pound them flatter or slice them into strips before cooking.
Third, marinating isn’t just for flavor. It actually helps chicken stay moist during microwave cooking. Even 15 minutes in Italian dressing or teriyaki sauce makes everything better.
The Recipes That Changed My Mind
Recipe 1: Lemon Herb Chicken Breast
Total Time: 8 minutes
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (6 oz, pounded to even thickness)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs (basil, oregano, or thyme)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Mix oil, lemon juice, herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper in a microwave-safe dish
- Add chicken and coat completely on both sides
- Cover dish with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap (leave small vent)
- Microwave on 70% power for 3 minutes
- Flip chicken over carefully
- Continue cooking on 70% power for 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Let rest covered for 2 minutes before slicing
Pro tip: The resting time isn’t optional. It lets juices redistribute so your chicken stays tender.
lemon-herb-chicken-breast-microwave
Ingredients
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (6 oz, pounded to even thickness)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried herbs (basil, oregano, or thyme)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix oil, lemon juice, herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper in a microwave-safe dish
Add chicken and coat completely on both sides
Cover dish with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap (leave small vent)
Microwave on 70% power for 3 minutes
Flip chicken over carefully
Continue cooking on 70% power for 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F
Let rest covered for 2 minutes before slicing
Notes
Recipe 2: Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Thighs
Total Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
- Whisk together teriyaki sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic in a shallow microwave-safe dish
- Add chicken thighs and turn to coat thoroughly
- Arrange in single layer without overlapping
- Cover with vented lid
- Microwave on 80% power for 5 minutes
- Flip chicken and spoon sauce over top
- Microwave on 80% power for another 4-5 minutes until fully cooked
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving
Why this works: Thighs have more fat than breasts, so they stay moist even with microwave cooking.
Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Whisk together teriyaki sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic in a shallow microwave-safe dish
Add chicken thighs and turn to coat thoroughly
Arrange in single layer without overlapping
Cover with vented lid
Microwave on 80% power for 5 minutes
Flip chicken and spoon sauce over top
Microwave on 80% power for another 4-5 minutes until fully cooked
Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving
Notes
Recipe 3: Buffalo Chicken Strips
Total Time: 7 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 8 oz chicken breast, cut into 1-inch strips
- 3 tablespoons buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Ranch or blue cheese for dipping
Instructions:
- Mix buffalo sauce, melted butter, and garlic powder in microwave-safe bowl
- Add chicken strips and toss to coat evenly
- Arrange strips in single layer
- Cover bowl with microwave-safe plate
- Microwave on high for 3 minutes
- Stir strips around and rearrange
- Microwave on high for 2-3 more minutes until cooked through
- Serve immediately with dipping sauce
The secret: Cutting chicken into strips means faster, more even cooking with less risk of dry spots.
buffalo-chicken-strips-microwave
Ingredients
8 oz chicken breast, cut into 1-inch strips
3 tablespoons buffalo sauce
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Ranch or blue cheese for dipping
Instructions
Mix buffalo sauce, melted butter, and garlic powder in microwave-safe bowl
Add chicken strips and toss to coat evenly
Arrange strips in single layer
Cover bowl with microwave-safe plate
Microwave on high for 3 minutes
Stir strips around and rearrange
Microwave on high for 2-3 more minutes until cooked through
Serve immediately with dipping sauce
Notes
Recipe 4: Chicken and Broccoli in Garlic Sauce
Total Time: 12 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 8 oz chicken breast, diced into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions:
- Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, cornstarch, and water in microwave-safe bowl
- Add diced chicken and stir to coat
- Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes
- Stir chicken, then add broccoli on top
- Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes
- Stir everything together
- Microwave uncovered for 2 more minutes
- Let stand 1 minute before serving over rice
Game-changer detail: Adding broccoli partway through prevents it from turning to mush while chicken finishes cooking.
chicken-broccoli-garlic-sauce-microwave
Ingredients
8 oz chicken breast, diced into bite-size pieces
2 cups broccoli florets
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Instructions
Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, cornstarch, and water in microwave-safe bowl
Add diced chicken and stir to coat
Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes
Stir chicken, then add broccoli on top
Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes
Stir everything together
Microwave uncovered for 2 more minutes
Let stand 1 minute before serving over rice
Notes
Recipe 5: Mediterranean Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives
Total Time: 9 minutes
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 chicken breast (6 oz), cut into chunks
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons sliced olives
- 2 tablespoons feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Place chicken chunks in microwave-safe dish
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with oregano, salt, and pepper
- Add tomatoes and olives around chicken
- Cover with lid or vented plastic wrap
- Microwave on 80% power for 4 minutes
- Stir everything gently
- Microwave on 80% power for 3-4 more minutes until chicken is done
- Top with feta cheese and serve
Why you’ll love this: It tastes like you actually tried, but it’s just a microwave doing all the work.
Mediterranean-chicken-tomatoes-olives-microwave
Ingredients
1 chicken breast (6 oz), cut into chunks
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons sliced olives
2 tablespoons feta cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper
Instructions
Place chicken chunks in microwave-safe dish
Drizzle with olive oil and season with oregano, salt, and pepper
Add tomatoes and olives around chicken
Cover with lid or vented plastic wrap
Microwave on 80% power for 4 minutes
Stir everything gently
Microwave on 80% power for 3-4 more minutes until chicken is done
Top with feta cheese and serve
Notes
Recipe 6: Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders
Total Time: 8 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 10 oz chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Whisk together honey, mustard, oil, paprika, salt, and pepper
- Add chicken tenders and coat completely
- Arrange in microwave-safe dish without stacking
- Cover with vented lid
- Microwave on 70% power for 4 minutes
- Turn tenders over
- Microwave on 70% power for 3-4 minutes until cooked through
- Let rest 1 minute before serving
Parent hack: Kids actually eat this without complaining. That alone makes it worth knowing.
Honey-mustard-chicken-tenders-microwave.
Ingredients
10 oz chicken tenders
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper
Instructions
Whisk together honey, mustard, oil, paprika, salt, and pepper
Add chicken tenders and coat completely
Arrange in microwave-safe dish without stacking
Cover with vented lid
Microwave on 70% power for 4 minutes
Turn tenders over
Microwave on 70% power for 3-4 minutes until cooked through
Let rest 1 minute before serving
Notes
Recipe 7: Cajun Spiced Chicken
Total Time: 8 minutes
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 chicken breast (6 oz), pounded thin
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
- Rub chicken breast with Cajun seasoning on both sides
- Place in microwave-safe dish
- Drizzle with oil and lime juice, add broth to dish
- Cover with vented lid
- Microwave on 70% power for 3 minutes
- Flip chicken
- Microwave on 70% power for 3-4 minutes until done
- Spoon pan juices over chicken before serving
Flavor tip: That broth keeps everything moist while the Cajun seasoning makes it taste like you grilled it.
Cajun-spiced-chicken-microwave-recipe.
Ingredients
1 chicken breast (6 oz), pounded thin
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
Rub chicken breast with Cajun seasoning on both sides
Place in microwave-safe dish
Drizzle with oil and lime juice, add broth to dish
Cover with vented lid
Microwave on 70% power for 3 minutes
Flip chicken
Microwave on 70% power for 3-4 minutes until done
Spoon pan juices over chicken before serving
Notes
Recipe 8: Creamy Mushroom Chicken
Total Time: 11 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 2 small chicken breasts (5 oz each)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Place chicken in microwave-safe dish and season with salt and pepper
- Scatter mushrooms around chicken
- Cover and microwave on 70% power for 5 minutes
- Meanwhile, mix cream cheese, milk, and garlic until smooth
- Flip chicken and stir mushrooms
- Spread cream cheese mixture over chicken
- Microwave on 70% power for 4-5 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F
- Let rest 2 minutes before serving
Real talk: This tastes fancy enough for date night but requires zero actual cooking skills.
Creamy-mushroom-chicken-microwave
Ingredients
2 small chicken breasts (5 oz each)
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons milk
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper
Instructions
Place chicken in microwave-safe dish and season with salt and pepper
Scatter mushrooms around chicken
Cover and microwave on 70% power for 5 minutes
Meanwhile, mix cream cheese, milk, and garlic until smooth
Flip chicken and stir mushrooms
Spread cream cheese mixture over chicken
Microwave on 70% power for 4-5 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F
Let rest 2 minutes before serving
Notes
Recipe 9: Sweet and Sour Chicken
Total Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 8 oz chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup sweet and sour sauce
- 1/2 bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions:
- Toss chicken cubes with cornstarch in microwave-safe bowl
- Add sweet and sour sauce and mix well
- Microwave covered on high for 4 minutes
- Stir in bell pepper and pineapple
- Microwave covered on high for 4 minutes
- Stir and check chicken is cooked through
- Microwave 1-2 more minutes if needed
- Garnish with sliced green onions
The payoff: Way cheaper than takeout and honestly tastes just as good.
Recipe 10: Pesto Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes
Total Time: 9 minutes
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 chicken breast (6 oz), sliced into medallions
- 2 tablespoons pesto
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions:
- Coat chicken medallions with pesto on both sides
- Place in microwave-safe dish
- Scatter tomatoes around chicken and drizzle with olive oil
- Cover with vented lid
- Microwave on 70% power for 4 minutes
- Flip chicken pieces
- Microwave on 70% power for 3-4 minutes until done
- Sprinkle with mozzarella, let rest 1 minute until cheese melts
- Garnish with fresh basil
Why it works: Pesto keeps chicken incredibly moist, plus it looks impressive if you’re trying to prove microwave cooking isn’t sad.
The Truth About Microwave Chicken
Look, I’m not saying microwave chicken beats a perfectly grilled piece hot off the barbecue. But on a Tuesday night when you’re exhausted and the alternative is cereal for dinner? These recipes absolutely deliver.
The real revelation is understanding that microwaves aren’t inherently bad at cooking chicken. We’ve just been using them wrong. Lower power settings, proper timing, and keeping moisture locked in—that’s literally the whole secret.
So next time someone judges your microwave chicken, just smile and enjoy your meal. Because you know something they don’t: quick doesn’t have to mean terrible.Retry
