Learning new preparation techniques for cooking chicken in a healthy way can open up a whole new way of cooking in your kitchen. Most people find themselves repeating the same dozen or so recipes over and over again, but that can get pretty boring after awhile. The majority of healthy chicken recipes incorporate boneless skinless chicken breasts, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to preparation ideas. In order to put some variety in your menu plans, consider using these techniques for tasty and healthy chicken.

This is one of the preparation techniques that can be done in a number of ways. You can always simply boil chicken breasts until they are tender and thoroughly cooked, and then add the chicken to meals like stir fry or casseroles. Adding chicken to stews, soups and chili are all methods of slow cooking as well.

For something a little more flavorful, consider slow cooking the chicken with an assortment of fresh vegetables and broth. Simmer the chicken and veggies for at least five hours in a crock pot; add two tablespoons of flour to the pot and let it cook until it thickens. Serve it over brown rice for a filling, tasty meal anytime of day. Leftovers can be frozen for later use, making this a perfect lunch solution for busy people.

You can create a beautiful brown crust on chicken breasts when broiling them, even without the use of oils and flours. Brush your chicken breasts with broth and season to taste with salt, pepper and other spices. Place the chicken in a pan and cover it with foil, then bake the chicken until it's almost completely cooked. Take the foil off the chicken and brush it with broth until it's moist. Place the chicken under the broiler for up to five minutes, or until it's as crisp and brown as you'd like it.

Although it sounds fattening, this is one of the most popular preparation techniques for cooking healthy chicken because it's fast, easy, and it can be incorporated into a one pan dish. Instead of using oil to pan fry your chicken breasts, consider using broth or canned, chopped tomatoes as your base. Add vegetables and even a little rice once the chicken is almost completely cooked, and you've created a one dish meal for the entire family to enjoy.

Pan frying chicken allows you the ability to be imaginative in your recipes. For example, you can control whether you want the chicken crispy and browned, or soft and juicy. For stir fry meals you'll want to fry the chicken in broth until each side is brown and a little crispy. If you want to create a succulent chicken meal, use more liquid and cook the chicken for less time. These techniques alone will open a whole slew of culinary possibilities.