KANSAS CITY — Restaurants are innovating with chicken dishes to offer new varieties of the classic comfort food.

Boston Market is offering a healthier take on a fast food favorite with its new Oven-Crisp Chicken Strips. Made with all-white, all-breast meat chicken, the breaded strips are baked and not fried.

"With nearly half of Americans preferring baked over fried foods, we're excited to introduce Oven-Crisp Chicken Strips as a new way for guests to enjoy the better-for-you crunch they crave," said George Michel, CEO of Boston Market.

Garden Herbs and a roasting cooking method take Bob Evans’ new chicken dish to the next level. The chain’s new Herb Roasted Chicken consists of marinated roasted chicken seasoned with garden herbs, topped with a citrus garden herb sauce and garnished with a cut lemon.

Also opting for herbs to amp up its chicken, Au Bon Pain is introducing The Herb Chicken Salad Sandwich. The handheld features antibiotic-free chicken mixed with a signature herb blend and avocado dressing topped with cucumbers, shredded carrots, tomatoes and field greens, all served on a toasted semolina baguette.

Click to view a slideshow of new menu items.