Chicken is as American as apple pie. It’s tasty, versatile, economical, and easy to prepare. But chicken can often be battered and fried, coated in a sweet glaze, or swimming in a sugary sauce. This may not work for you if you have diabetes and want to limit your intake of carbs and sugar.
But chicken can actually be a great option for people with diabetes. All cuts of chicken are high in protein, and many are low in fat. When prepared in a healthy way, chicken can be a great ingredient in a balanced, nutritious eating plan for diabetes.
This dish features tender chicken infused with fresh lemon and aromatic sage, served alongside fluffy rice for a flavorful and comforting meal. It contains 4 grams (g) of added sugar, 62 carbohydrates, and 6 g of fiber.
This recipe provides lean protein from chicken, healthy fats from avocado, and fiber from tomatoes and basil, which may help stabilize blood sugar levels. The ingredients also provide essential nutrients and antioxidants, promoting overall health.
This recipe combines lean protein from seasoned chicken, fiber-rich black beans, and customizable toppings. It offers a balanced meal that helps regulate blood sugar levels. The ingredients provide a mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making it a satisfying and low glycemic option.
This meal features tender, seared chicken thighs paired with sweet caramelized apples and a medley of roasted root vegetables. Each serving contains 64 g of protein and is low in saturated fat.
This meal is low in sugar and includes low sodium soy sauce, fish sauce, and peanut butter, making it diabetes-friendly. Plus, Brussels sprouts add fiber and essential vitamins. So this is a nutritious, balanced option for regular meals.
This dish is a great diabetes-friendly option for people looking for a high protein meal that is lower in calories and carbs. Packed with vegetables and fresh herbs, this meal is light and refreshing yet still nutritious.
Try these tips for preparing chicken so it’s less likely to raise your blood sugar.
Remove the skin from chicken before cooking it. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts whenever possible. They’re lower in fat than other chicken parts. In most recipes, you can substitute chicken breasts for other chicken parts.
If you’re cooking chicken on the stove, use cooking spray, low sodium broth, or olive oil instead of butter.
Shredded chicken is perfect for making healthy chicken sandwiches, chicken tacos, and chicken salads. Some recipes call for shredding just-cooked chicken with two forks. Instead, you can set your stand mixer or hand mixer on the low setting and let it do the work for you in seconds.
Poached chicken breasts are great for making warm or cold chicken salads and chicken casseroles.
To poach chicken, add boneless, skinless chicken breasts to a saucepan and cover them with water or low sodium broth and desired seasonings. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat to low, cover pan, and simmer chicken until its internal temperature is 165ºF (73.9ºC). This takes about 15 minutes.
Cooking chicken in the oven helps keep it moist. To make baked chicken, rub raw chicken lightly with olive oil and season it with your favorite spices. Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204.4ºC) and bake the chicken until its internal temperature reaches 165ºF (73.9ºC), about 30 minutes depending on the size of the chicken pieces.
Avoid slow cooker chicken recipes that use canned soups, high sodium sauces and broths, full fat cheeses, and prepared sauces made with added sugar. You can choose recipes that use vegetables, spices, brown rice, legumes, Greek yogurt, fruits, and low sodium broths.
Chicken is a great lean source of protein that helps stabilize blood sugar levels and supports muscle health without causing insulin spikes. It’s low in fat (particularly skinless cuts) and can be paired with high fiber vegetables or whole grains to create a balanced meal.
Additionally, chicken can be prepared in various ways — grilled, baked, or sautéed — with minimal added sugars or unhealthy fats, making it a versatile and healthy choice for people managing diabetes.