16 'almost spring' chicken recipes to shake up your winter cooking

February brings plenty of reasons to get excited in the kitchen, from Lunar New Year and Pancake Day to Valentine’s at home. If your winter menu has been stuck in a loop of soups, stews and slow-cooked favourites, consider this your invitation to reset. These 16 chicken meals deliver fresh, global flavours and bring colour back to your plate. From golden traybakes to filling salads, here’s how to shake up your February cooking without stretching the weekly budget.

Check out our larger collection of chicken recipes for more inspiration, as well as our round-up of cheap and easy weeknight dinners for January and a refresh on the healthiest winter foods to add to your shopping list.

1. Spiced coconut chicken with coriander & lime

Fragrant coconut milk, zesty lime and fresh coriander bring tangy brightness to this easy chicken dinner. Light yet filling, it’s the perfect choice when you want something warm without feeling heavy. Try more of our Thai-inspired savoury coconut recipes, including this lemongrass & coconut chicken stir-fry.

2. Chicken kebabs with homemade flatbreads

Chicken skewers on a wooden board with flatbreads, salad and a yogurt dip

These juicy, herb-packed kebabs are served with fluffy homemade flatbreads and a vibrant salad. They’re ideal for sharing and bring a fresh, spring feeling to the winter table. Browse through our top kebab recipes to add more to your rotation.

3. Sriracha-glazed chicken burger & pickled cabbage

A sticky sriracha glaze and tangy pickled cabbage transform this quick chicken burger by Tom Kerridge into a punchy street-food favourite that's fast, fun and easy to pair with your choice of sides. Discover more burger recipes with everything you'll ever need to put inside a bun.

4. Harissa sticky chicken with couscous

This North African-inspired dish pairs smoky, spicy chicken with fluffy couscous and fresh herbs for a colourful, budget-friendly plate. It's bold, protein-packed and perfect for shaking up your typical weekday routine. Discover more sticky chicken ideas, including our sticky Chinese five-spice chicken traybake or sticky lemon traybake next.

5. Chicken pesto orzo salad

Fresh basil pesto, tender chicken and orzo come together in this light yet satisfying salad. Swap in whatever veg you have on hand for an easy office lunch or bright, fuss-free dinner. Discover more fresh chicken salads and tossed cold pasta ideas for lighter days.

6. Crispy fried chicken bowl with spring onion & ginger oil

A serving of crispy fried chicken bowl with spring onion & ginger oil

Crunchy chicken is finished with aromatic spring onion and ginger oil for a balanced bowl full of deep, contrasting flavours. Serve with rice and quick pickled veg for a colourful meal. Try more fried chicken recipes, from classic southern-style buttermilk to sweet-and-savory Korean-style.

7. Piri-piri chicken & corn pasta

Two bowls of piri piri chicken & corn pasta

Spicy piri-piri heat meets sweetcorn and tender chicken in this vibrant pasta that makes the most of storecupboard and freezer ingredients. It's a budget-friendly way to bring brightness to your midweek menu. Discover more ways to use frozen corn in the form of fritters, soups and easy salads.

8. Thai chicken cakes with sweet chilli sauce

These golden chicken cakes are packed with herbs and gentle spice – perfect for dipping into sticky sweet chilli sauce. If you’re bored of fishcakes, give these a try instead! The food processor does all the work for you, and it's great as a snack or main dish. If you have more time for cooking on the weekends, try our festive golden five-spice chicken or Hainanese chicken rice.

9. Green chicken salad

Crunchy greens, shredded chicken and zesty dressing make this salad taste like spring on a plate. It’s light, refreshing and ideal for days when you don’t have the time (or energy) to turn on the stove. Check out our entire collection of easy no-cook recipes for speedy, effortless meals.

10. Crispy chicken & pineapple tacos

Sweet, punchy pineapple and crunchy chicken bring bright, sunny flavours to these quick tacos. Add a squeeze of lime and a handful of herbs for an easy, zingy and crowd-pleasing dinner. Discover our other taco recipes, like this tacos dorados de barbacoa and bavette tacos with charred tomato salsa for a vibrant Mexican-inspired feast.

11. South African chutney chicken

Fruity mango chutney and warming spices provide a fun, tropical twist to this roast chicken dish. Serve with grains and greens for a balanced sweet-and-savoury meal to elevate your typical weekday dinner. Continue exploring South African flavours with our Cape Malay chicken curry with yellow rice recipe.

12. Crispy chipotle chicken fajitas

A weeknight favourite, these chipotle fajitas are packed with peppers, spices and plenty of colour – quick, budget-friendly and perfect for sharing around the table. Check out our other fajita recipes, including vegetarian and air-fryer alternatives.

13. Greek-style roast chicken

Lemon, oregano and garlic ensure this roast chicken feels lighter and brighter than most winter roasts. Pair with a simple salad or roasted veg for an easy, healthy and nourishing meal. Browse through our roast chicken recipes for other one-pan meals, such as roast chicken with peppers & feta.

14. West Indian-style chicken legs with sauce chien

Juicy chicken legs are marinated in citrus and spices, then finished with punchy sauce chien (a popular Creole hot sauce) for bold Caribbean flavours. Serve with fragrant rice and quick veg for a colourful, budget-friendly plate. Consider pairing this recipe with our fry bodi (Caribbean green beans) and yellow rice.

15. Gong bao chicken

Celebrate Lunar New Year with this fiery Chinese favourite, in which tender chicken pieces, crunchy peanuts and a smoky, tangy sauce take centre stage. Ready in under 30 minutes and packed with classic ma la flavours, it’s an easy way to impress any guest. Explore other Chinese-inspired recipes, from salt & pepper chicken to spicy Sichuan-style prawns.

16. Honey-mustard chicken

Honey and mustard come together in this glossy, simple traybake. It's an easy midweek dinner that still offers a mildly zesty kick – the marriage of classic flavours is a simple way to satisfy the whole family. For more honey-mustard pairings, consider our sausage roll spread or crème fraîche baked chicken.