These heart-friendly meals are so tasty they make eating healthy simple.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., which means that focusing on your heart health is essential to living a longer, healthier life. There are various ways to improve your heart health, such as reducing stress, getting more sleep, and exercising. Nutrition also plays a huge role in keeping your heart healthy. People often equate heart-healthy recipes with boring, bland meals but this doesn't always have to be the case. There are plenty of recipes that are as delicious as they are beneficial for your ticker!
One important thing to remember is that there's no one "right" way to eat for heart health, according to Rachael Hartley, RD. So "instead of stressing over individual foods, think about the big picture of your eating pattern." Hartley tells Woman's Day that it's better to think of "ways to choose more heart-healthy fats, like olive oil, nuts and seeds, and avocado, eat fatty fish more often, increase intake of whole grains and other high fiber carbohydrate foods, and eat more fruits and veggies."
The following heart-healthy recipes cover everything from fish-forward dishes to colorful vegetable combinations. And the best part is that you you don't have to be a pro in the kitchen to indulge in these heart-friendly meals.
Chicken Recipes
Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken
This recipe has chickpeas and sweet peppers which are packed with heart-healthy protein and vitamins. And it can all be cooked on one sheet which means fewer dishes and less fuss.
Get the Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken recipe.
Chicken Kebabs
Chicken has fewer saturated fats than red meats, which is why it's a healthier choice of meat for your heart health. These simple chicken kebabs can be thrown on the grill and whipped up in a jiffy.
Get the Chicken Kebabs recipe.
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Apricot-Glazed Chicken and Corn
This zesty chicken dish only takes half an hour to make and its sweet and spicy goodness will quickly make it a family favorite.
Get the Apricot-Glazed Chicken and Corn recipe.
Chicken Salad Collard Wrap
Ditch the typical processed flour tortilla and use a big collard green leaf for these chicken salad wraps.
Get the Chicken Salad Collard Wrap recipe.
Baked Chicken Cutlets with Pineapple Rice
Typical chicken gets a boost from Asian-inspired ingredients, like ginger and cilantro. According to a study published in Nutrition, daily ginger consumption was associated with a 13% lower risk of coronary heart disease.
Get the Baked Chicken Cutlets with Pineapple Rice recipe.
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Roasted Chicken and Garlic Potatoes with Red Pepper Relish
Swap chicken fingers and French fries for roasted chicken and potatoes.
Get the Roasted Chicken and Garlic Potatoes with Red Pepper Relish recipe.
Lemon-Thyme Chicken
Chicken is a solid component of a heart-healthy diet, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring. This classic lemon-thyme chicken will be a flavorful choice you come back to again and again.
Get the Lemon-Thyme Chicken recipe.
Roasted Citrus Chicken Salad
This tangy chicken is sure to leave your tastebuds and your health goals satisfied.
Get the Roasted Citrus Chicken Salad recipe.
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Chicken Marbella
This quick and easy chicken dish is a medley of flavors — a little sweet and a tad tangy. Plus, it's packed with 36 g protein per serving.
Get the Chicken Marbella recipe.
Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette
Skip the tortillas for lettuce and these easy chicken fajitas become way healthier.
Get the Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette recipe.
Spinach, Chickpea, and Chicken Pitas
Stuffed to the brim with healthy vegetables, these pita sandwiches are as tasty as it gets.
Get the Spinach, Chickpea, and Chicken Pitas recipe.
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Sesame Chicken and Chili Lime Slaw
Swapping out bread crumbs for sesame seeds makes this chicken dinner a heart-healthy option, according to WebMD.
Get the Sesame Chicken and Chili Lime Slaw recipe.
Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs
To make this dish vegan, substitute pieces of zucchini, summer squash, and red onion for the chicken and 2 tablespoons olive oil for the yogurt, tossing all the vegetables in the marinade before grilling. Omit the feta.
Get the Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs recipe.
Mediterranean Chicken Pitas
With hummus, olive oil, and plum tomatoes, these quick chicken pitas are easy and healthy.
Get the Mediterranean Chicken Pitas recipe.
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Kale and Romaine Chicken Caesar Salad
Kale contains folate which may boost memory, as well as calcium and potassium which help keep the heart healthy. Greek yogurt provides a significant source of protein (double that of regular yogurt), which curbs appetite and aids weight loss.
Get the Kale and Romaine Chicken Caesar Salad recipe.
Grilled Chicken Caprese
Chicken is a great way to add filling protein to a Caprese salad.
Get the Grilled Chicken Caprese recipe.
Seafood Recipes
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Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette
Salmon is known for being light and heart healthy, but this recipe does not skimp out on big bold flavors.
Get the Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette recipe.
Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles
Loaded with lean protein from the shrimp and green veggies from the zoodles, this dish is as tasty as it is healthy.
Get the Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles recipe.
Elizabeth Berry
Updates Editor
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
Kate Franke
Editorial Assistant
Kate Franke (she/her) is the editorial assistant at Woman’s Day. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!
