30 Best Christmas Chicken Recipes for Your Holiday Feast

Dress up your dinner table with these easy Christmas chicken recipes!

With colder weather ahead, we’re just inches away from the holiday season.

So it’s time to start planning your holiday meals, and Christmas chicken is on the menu! 

If you want to try something new this holiday season, I have some awesome recipes for you. 

From herbal chicken to sweet and spicy, this list has something for everyone.

This roundup of Christmas chicken recipes has dinner the whole family will celebrate.

Complete your Christmas feast with one of these dishes!

1. Sticky Glazed Christmas Chicken

This meal has all the holiday spices you love in one delicious chicken recipe. 

A brown sugar marinade creates a sweet and spiced sticky glaze for baked chicken.

Imagine a delicious ham glaze on tender spiced chicken. 

You can make this recipe with a whole chicken, or cutlets. Whatever you do, make a big batch! It will be gone quickly.

2. Cranberry Rosemary Chicken

Holiday dinners are incomplete without bright bursting cranberries. Add in a sprig of rosemary, and you have holiday magic in a roasting pan!

Pan-searing the chicken breasts before baking creates a perfect caramelization.

Sprinkle on fresh cranberries and rosemary, and bake to perfection.

Serve this with steamed veggies, rice, or potatoes for a meal everyone will love.

3. Christmas Chicken (Roast Chicken)

A beautifully roasted whole chicken is a classic Christmas staple. So bookmark this recipe for a show-stopping recipe this Yuletide season!

The best roasted chicken has loads of butter and flavor-enhancing ingredients.

With fresh herbs, citrus, and veggies, there is no lack of that here. 

For a juicy and flavorful chicken, season the night before and rest it in the fridge. 

4. Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken

If roasting a chicken intimidates you, this is the recipe for you!

You’ll have a beautiful, juicy, and flavorful bird in a snap. And the key is the fresh poultry herbs, garlic, and lemon.

Baste the meat with drippings as it cooks for juicy meat and crispy skin and this will be your next go-to Christmas chicken recipe!

5. Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken {Paleo}

Hosting a big crowd for Christmas dinner can seem intimidating.

But you’ll definitely wow the crowd with this beautiful paleo chicken recipe. With a sticky balsamic glaze and bright cranberries, you can’t go wrong!

Between the marinade and roasting, this chicken is unbelievably juicy and tender.

Serve it with roasted veggies, salad, or rice for a full meal.

6. Lemon & Herb Roasted Chicken

Whether you have a roasting pan or not, roasted chicken is a win for Christmas Day.

This recipe has a few tricks for making the best roasted chicken.

For example, you’ll chill the seasoned chicken overnight to keep it flavorful and moist.

Then, let the chicken rest for about 15 minutes before slicing so the juices can redistribute.

Serve it with potatoes and roasted veggies for a complete Christmas dinner!

7. Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Nothing says “warm holiday hug” like a hearty chicken pot pie.

And with a prep time of just 10 minutes, this is the perfect meal for a busy holiday season.

Use rotisserie chicken, cream of chicken soup, and mixed veggies for your pot pie fillings.

For full holiday flavor, serve this with a dollop of cranberry sauce! 

8. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

If you love spicy chicken wings but want to keep your fingers clean, try these meatballs!

They’re made like traditional homemade meatballs but with ground chicken instead of pork or beef.

Dress them with buffalo sauce and serve with ranch for dipping! You’ll never even know they’re so lean.

9. Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts

Cold winter evenings are made all the better with warm, comforting dinners. And this creamy garlic chicken hits the spot every time.

The chicken breasts come out with lovely caramelization and juicy meat. Add in a creamy garlic sauce, and this dinner is complete.

10. Baked Breaded Chicken

We often think of holiday dinners as being big, fancy, and typically stressful.

That’s why this easy meal is a breath of fresh air.

Chicken breasts coated with a parmesan and breadcrumb mixture before baking. When it’s ready, it’s insanely crunchy!

For extra flavor, add a packet of ranch mix to the breading.

11. Spicy Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Legs

Who doesn’t love a bit of Mediterranean flair at the holiday dinner table?

Serve up some deliciously spiced drumsticks and they’ll vanish in a flash.

The ample spices in this recipe are tamed down with Greek yogurt. But they’re still wonderfully potent.

Pair the dish with rice with extra sauce over top!

12. Chicken Piccata

Winner winner, Christmas chicken dinner! This simple piccata is always a favorite in my house.

Fried chicken cutlets are coated in a sublime sauce and topped with capers before serving. 

Serve it with pasta, salad, or risotto for a feast to remember.

13. Coq au Vin Blanc (Chicken in White Wine)

Coq au vin has the perfect level of sophistication and simplicity for a holiday meal. 

Pan-seared chicken and bacon in a succulent white wine sauce sounds like Christmas to me!

Add in cremini mushrooms and cream and you have one beautiful dinner.

14. Campbell’s Chicken Pot Pie

If Christmas dinner isn’t cozy, is it even Christmas? This pot pie is filling, full of flavor, and perfect for entertaining families.

If you follow this recipe, it’s quite easy to put together. Use pre-made pie crust, rotisserie chicken, and frozen veggies for dinner in a pinch.

15. Hoisin Chicken

Try something new at Christmas this year, with a tasty Asian stir-fry.

This hoisin chicken recipe has everything you want in a Chinese dish. Plus, it has the bonus addition of a sweet and sticky sauce.

Serve with rice for the perfect Christmas takeout substitute!

16. Bourbon Chicken

This simple bourbon chicken is the perfect quick and easy meal to serve for lunch on the holidays. 

Tender chicken in a Cajun-inspired sauce is just what you need to keep you going on Christmas day.

It’s full of flavor and ready to serve in thirty minutes!

17. Coca-Cola Chicken

No use serving a boring Christmas dinner with chicken like this around!

Begin by placing your chicken breasts in a single layer in a baking dish. Then, pour over the cola glaze combined with ketchup and Worcestershire.

After a spin in the oven, the chicken is sweet, sticky, and to die for.

18. Fall Harvest Cider Roasted Chicken with Walnut Goat Cheese + Grapes

Christmas might be in winter, but this fall-inspired dish is a must make for the holidays.

Everything in the name tells you this chicken is amazing.

Tender roasted chicken with grapes, goat cheese, and walnuts? I promise this combination is even better than it sounds! 

19. Buffalo Chicken Dip

Some families prefer finger foods for the holidays, so why not make chicken dip? 

Buffalo chicken dip has all the flavors of buffalo wings, with the convenience of a dip!

Serve it with veggies, crackers, or tortilla chips for dipping. Talk about a tasty Christmas snack!

20. Sweet and Sticky Pomegranate Chicken

Beautiful Christmas dinners don’t have to be stressful, and this recipe proves that point!

Cook chicken drumsticks (or any bone-in cut you prefer) in a pan and prepare for magic.

This pomegranate sauce is supremely sweet and savory. Sprinkle on arils for a bright and bursting garnish before serving. 

21. Rotisserie Chicken Salad

If you’re anything like me, you forget to plan for lunch before a big Christmas dinner.

This chicken salad is simple and light, so it’s ideal for a mid-day meal.

Tender rotisserie chicken, grapes, and crunchy almonds are all necessary for this salad. Don’t forget the tangy mayo sauce, too!

22. Sweet & Spicy Roast Chicken with Carrots, Dates & Pistachios

Wow the crowd with this beautiful and easy roast chicken recipe. 

The glaze is loaded with citrus, herbs, and spices for finger-licking-good chicken.

Adding dates to the mixture of carrots and onions brings a sweet and savory element.

Meanwhile, pistachios, chives, and fresh herbs are added just before serving. Yum!

23. Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders

If you’re serving kids at the Christmas table, this meal is for you!

Rather than unhealthy breaded chicken strips, serve up these glazed chicken tenders.

Simple, healthy, and delicious? Yes, please!

24. King Ranch Chicken Casserole

A hearty casserole is perfect for a potluck-style Christmas meal!

And with eleven layers of deliciousness, you know this is one hearty meal.

Layer corn tortillas, chicken, sauces, and cheeses in one pan before baking. Bake it to bubbly perfection, and dig right in! 

25. Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken

This copycat Applebee’s chicken recipe is sure to impress this holiday season.

It’s so easy to put together and tastes fantastic every time.

There’s a corn chip crust at the bottom of the chicken, and it’s topped with a creamy salsa.

Serve this with rice or even as a tasty tender sandwich!

26. Creamy Tomato Chicken Drumsticks

Stop serving plain ham for Christmas dinner and spice it up with a beautiful new chicken dish. 

Chicken drumsticks, mushrooms, and broccoli are baked in a creamy tomato sauce.

The sauce consists of canned tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and cream cheese. 

You can keep this meal healthy with cauliflower rice, or serve it with hearty pasta. No judgment of carbs at Christmas! 

27. Melt In Your Mouth Chicken

When your holidays are full of family, don’t sweat cooking and make a simple meal instead!

You need just five minutes to get this chicken into the oven. And mayo-coated chicken breasts result in ridiculously tender and juicy meat.

Serve this easy recipe with loaded mashed potatoes or mac and cheese.

It might not be the healthiest, but it could be the best chicken ever!

28. Chipotle Lime Butter Whole Roasted Chicken with Black Bean Corn Salad

This chipotle chicken and zesty bean salad will absolutely add some holiday flare to your table.

A whole chicken is seasoned with adobo sauce, lime, and chipotle seasoning. Serve your chicken over this tasty corn and black bean salad.

If you’re the type who enjoys an adult beverage with Christmas, margaritas are in order! 

29. Marry Me Chicken

Whether you have a lifelong love or not, marry me chicken might be the ticket to love in the holidays!

It’s supremely scrumptious and never disappoints.

There are loads of flavors combined in this recipe, so get your tastebuds ready.

Pop a bottle of your favorite wine and be sure your nails are manicured. You might be wearing some new bling after serving this for Christmas dinner!

30. Beer Can Chicken

Grab a leftover beer, and you’re ready to make your new favorite chicken! 

This funky recipe has been around for decades, and if you haven’t made it, you need to!

The flavor of this chicken comes from a simple dry rub. And the moisture from the beer keeps the meat super tender.

Plus, it looks so fun presented on the table.