Who says diabetic-friendly food has to be boring? Take a look at our highest-rated diabetic-friendly foods that are packed with flavor.
Top 10 Diabetic-Friendly Recipes
Updated on Feb. 21, 2023
Flavorful Chicken Fajitas
This flavorful recipe is definitely on my weeknight dinner rotation. The chicken fajita marinade in these popular wraps is mouthwatering. They go together in a snap and always get raves! —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky
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1/10
2/10
Sheet-Pan Chicken and Veggies
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sheet-pan chicken and veggies meal tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken thigh with 1 cup vegetables: 357 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 597mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
3/10
Broccoli Cranberry Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Growing up, I never liked broccoli, but I'm hooked on this salad's light, sweet taste. It gives broccoli a whole new look and personality. —Jessica Conrey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 121 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 233mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
4/10
Pumpkin Chili
Total Time
4 hours 20 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 192 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 658mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
5/10
Slow-Cooker Pork Chops
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender, slow-cooker pork chops with a creamy, light gravy. Serve with a green vegetable, mashed potatoes and coleslaw or a salad. These are the best slow cooker pork chops. —Sue Bingham, Madisonville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 pork chop: 279 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 606mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch.
6/10
Bruschetta Chicken
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We enjoy serving this tasty chicken bruschetta to both family and guests. It just might become your new favorite way to use up summer tomatoes and basil. —Carolin Cattoi-Demkiw, Lethbridge, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 316 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 563mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
7/10
Chicken with Spinach and Mushrooms
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chicken breasts stay nice and moist tucked under a blanket of melted cheese. It's extra special to serve but is not tricky to make. —Katrina Wagner, Grain Valley, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 203 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 210mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
8/10
Baked Tilapia
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you need a healthy, keep-it-simple solution to dinner tonight, you just found it. This restaurant-quality tilapia fillet recipe relies on spices you're likely to have on hand to deliver big flavor. This is how to make tilapia. —Dana Alexander, Lebanon, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 193 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 589mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
9/10
Slow-Cooker Bone-In Chicken Breast
Total Time
4 hours 5 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I use my slow cooker to prepare these well-seasoned chicken breasts that cook up moist and tender. My daughter, who has two young sons to keep up with, shared this great recipe with me several years ago. I now rely on cooking chicken in a Crock Pot many days a week.—Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken breast half: 211 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 392mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 fat.
10/10
Honey Chicken Stir-Fry
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a new mom, and my schedule is very dependent upon our young son, so I like meals that can be ready in as little time as possible. This all-in-one chicken stir fry recipe with a hint of sweetness from honey is a big time-saver. —Caroline Sperry, Allentown, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup stir-fry: 249 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 455mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 starch.
Also check out our diabetic-friendly bread recipes.
