I see you over there with your crispy golden brown skin and bright, flavorful sauce. This is for those of us who want our chicken to actually taste like something amazing without all the salt.
Chicken is naturally a low-sodium protein, and when you use the right ingredients, you don’t need much else.
Think creamy Cajun chicken, zesty orange chicken, and comforting fiesta chicken soup, all with less than 600mg of sodium per serving. You’re gonna go nuts
1. Healthy Kung Pao Chicken
You can forget about takeout because making kung pao chicken at home is where it’s at. This recipe lets you get all those saucy, savory flavors you’re craving while keeping things low-sodium. YES.
And you can bring that number down even more by using low-sodium soy sauce or tamari.
Sodium: 448.8mg
2. Low-Sodium Chicken Rice Casserole
Chicken and rice is just one of those classic combos that always hits the spot, especially when you’re watching your salt. This casserole is pure comfort in a dish and it’s big enough for everyone.
We’re talking a creamy sauce loaded with chicken, wild rice, and mushrooms. And if you want to make it dairy-free? Just swap in some coconut milk. So good.
Sodium: 71mg
3. Cilantro Lime Chicken
This cilantro lime chicken is basically summer on a plate. It’s so fresh and light, and that zesty flavor is just everything.
You’re only using half a teaspoon of salt across four whole chicken breasts, which is just the right amount to make the flavors pop without going overboard. I am so here for this.
Sodium: 400.9mg
4. Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Tray Bake
When life gets busy, you need a recipe that’s going to come to the rescue! This tray bake is the perfect post-work meal. It’s not just low in sodium and packed with protein, it’s also stupidly easy.
Just coat the chicken and veggies in olive oil, balsamic, pepper, and rosemary. Add the tiniest pinch of salt, then pop it in the oven. Now you can kick back and relax.
Sodium: 149mg
5. Low-Sodium Asian Style Lettuce Wraps with Chicken
Stuck in a lunch rut? These vibrant Asian-style wraps are exactly what you need. Each one is brimming with a filling of fresh veggies and chicken.
They’re loaded with protein, vitamins, and minerals. They’re also gluten-free!
Sodium: 534mg
6. Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken Soup
If you’re looking for a low-sodium soup, you have to try this party in a bowl! It makes up for the lack of sodium with so much amazing flavor. It’s savory, earthy, tomatoey, and has a bright lime kick and wonderful spices.
Get it going in the slow cooker around noon, and it will be perfect for dinner.
Sodium: 202mg
7. Low-Sodium White Chicken Chili
A chili that’s low in sodium might seem impossible, but this white chicken chili will make you a believer. With all the spices and mix-ins, you won’t even think about the fact that there’s no table salt.
Stir in some lime juice, and the flavor is just incredible. Just make sure to grab low-sodium broth and white beans, and be mindful of your toppings.
Sodium: 317.5mg
8. Healthy Orange Chicken
Asian takeout might be off the table, but this healthy orange chicken is a total YES! Every bite of chicken is coated in a delicious orange sauce.
There’s no added salt, so all the sodium comes from the other ingredients.
Sodium: 570mg
9. Hasselback Baked Caprese Chicken
Having friends over while you’re on a low-sodium diet is so easy with this dish. Caprese gets tucked into hasselback-style chicken breast, and it looks absolutely stunning.
It tastes incredible, and it’s so simple to make. Just use a tiny bit of salt when you marinate the chicken; the balsamic will pack in plenty of flavor.
Sodium: 345mg
10. Low-Sodium Enchiladas
With these enchiladas on the table, nobody will even think about your low-sodium diet. The inside has a savory filling of chicken, canned corn, and black beans.
On the outside, you have amazing toppings like enchilada sauce, sour cream, jalapeño, and cheese. Just double-check your labels to make sure everything is the low-sodium version!
Sodium: 325.7mg
11. Salt-Free Smoked Paprika Chicken with Lime
How do you season chicken without salt? Easy, you use a rub of warming spices. Cayenne, cumin, and paprika create such a tempting flavor.
But the lime is the real key here. The acid from the citrus does amazing things to bring out the flavor of the juicy chicken.
Sodium: 110mg
12. Chicken Orzo
You are going to want to put this one-pot chicken dinner on repeat. The juicy chicken, tender orzo, and veggies make for such a well-balanced meal.
And because there’s no added salt, it’s perfectly low-sodium. Plus, cleanup is an absolute breeze!
Sodium: 96mg
13. Greek Grilled Chicken
This Greek grilled chicken is for everyone, whether you’re watching your sodium or not. The chicken gets so much flavor from the Mediterranean marinade and the char from the grill.
The fact that it’s low in sodium is just a happy bonus. It’s also super easy to make with fewer than 10 ingredients.
Sodium: 197mg
14. Chicken Bulgogi
Chicken bulgogi is a Korean BBQ dish, and the name literally translates to “fire meat.” So you know this one is amazing on the grill.
The marinade is usually soy-based, but this version uses coconut aminos to keep it low-sodium. It also has fresh veggies and pears to brighten up the flavor.
Sodium: 311.5mg
15. Low-Sodium Chicken Tikka Masala
Lower your blood pressure without lowering the flavor with this tikka masala. A normal tikka masala from a restaurant can be loaded with sodium.
This homemade version has less than 200mg in each serving! So go ahead and dig in. The yogurt-marinated chicken and tomato gravy are totally mouthwatering.
Sodium: 144mg
16. Bok Choy Chicken
Here is a wholesome chicken dinner you can whip up in just 20 minutes. It’s a simple stir-fry with chicken, bok choy, and ginger.
The chicken gets marinated in soy sauce and cornstarch for flavor and texture. Then, everything gets tossed in a light Chinese brown sauce. It’s a super simple method that’s great with other proteins, too.
Sodium: 97mg
17. Low-Sodium Creamy Cajun Chicken
Who even needs salt when you have this creamy Cajun sauce? All the spices and aromatics create an explosion of flavor.
You’ll want to pour it on everything! But for a diet-friendly meal, stick with the chicken.
Sodium: 174mg
18. Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Eating healthy should still taste good. Just take a look at this soup. It’s packed with chicken, veggies, and Mexican spices for a total flavor sensation.
And it gets even better with all the toppings. Tortilla strips, avocado, and cilantro are all amazing choices. I also love a little squeeze of lime.
Sodium: 316.6mg
19. Low-Sodium Chicken and Red Lentil Stew
A bowl of this healthy stew is guaranteed to warm you right up. It’s packed with protein from the chicken and red lentils.
And with all the veggies, spices, and aromatics, it’s super hearty. Remember to add the lemon juice and zest while it cooks to infuse it with even more flavor so you won’t need salt.
Sodium: 125.5mg
20. Poached Chicken With Steamed Rice & Veggies
This poached chicken dish is just what the doctor ordered! It’s low-sodium, well-balanced, gluten-free, and spice-free.
Those four things also make it a great option for anyone with digestive issues. The key is to use a low-sodium chicken brand and salted butter instead of adding extra salt.
Sodium: 460mg
21. Rosemary Chicken (Tuscan Style)
This Tuscan-style chicken is a total winner. It’s low-sodium, low-carb, high in protein, and packed with flavor.
It’s also classy enough for a special night but quick enough for a weeknight. The recipe does call for salt, but you can always adjust how much you use.
Sodium: 183.6mg
22. Low-Sodium Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
A lot of Mexican food can have a ton of sodium, but not these fajitas! Each serving is less than 150mg of sodium.
The secret is using a low-salt fajita seasoning. Just toss the chicken, peppers, and onions with it on a sheet pan, and your meal will be ready in under 30 minutes.
Sodium: 140mg
23. Low-Sodium Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is a classic that you can easily make low-sodium. The key is to grab low-sodium mayo and mustard.
And you can skip adding any extra salt. Instead, a squeeze of lemon and some garlic powder is all you need for flavor. This is a perfect way to use up leftover chicken.
Sodium: 76mg
24. Low-Sodium Balsamic Chicken and Zoodles
Chicken with zoodles is a great choice for a low-sodium and low-carb meal. The sweet, tangy, and herby marinade makes the chicken so delicious.
And the spiralized zucchini with tomatoes keeps the side feeling fresh and light. A little tip: chicken from the store often has added salt. You can soak it in water to get some of the sodium out, just pat it dry afterward.
Sodium: 147mg
25. Low-Sodium Lemon Chicken
What’s the trick to flavorful low-sodium chicken? A squeeze of lemon! Just like salt, acidic foods really boost the flavor of the meat.
And lemon is the best—it’s bright, citrusy, zippy, and fresh. To make sure all that goodness soaks in, just pierce the chicken with a fork and let it bathe in the seven-ingredient marinade.
Sodium: 76mg