Between work, family commitments, and social obligations, many of us find ourselves short on time when it comes to preparing dinner. Fortunately, chicken is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked quickly and easily. Below is a compilation of 30 easy chicken dinner recipes perfect for busy weeknights. These recipes take minimal time and effort, allowing you to enjoy delicious home-cooked meals without the stress.
1. One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken
This simple one-pan recipe features chicken breasts sautéed with garlic and lemon. Served over a bed of steamed vegetables, it’s nutritious and easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breasts, garlic, lemon, mixed vegetables, olive oil.
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic.
3. Add chicken breasts, lemon juice, and vegetables.
4. Bake for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
2. Chicken Stir-Fry
This quick chicken stir-fry is bursting with flavor and requires just one pan. Feel free to use whatever veggies you have on hand.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken thighs, bell peppers, broccoli, soy sauce, ginger.
1. Cut chicken into strips and cook in a pan.
2. Add chopped vegetables and stir in soy sauce and ginger.
3. Cook until chicken is golden and veggies are tender.
3. BBQ Chicken Tacos
These BBQ chicken tacos can be made using leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken. They are quick and packed full of flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Ingredients: Shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, taco shells, coleslaw mix.
1. Toss shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.
2. Fill taco shells with chicken and top with coleslaw.
4. Chicken Alfredo Pasta
This creamy chicken Alfredo is the comfort food you need on a busy weeknight. It’s ready in under 30 minutes!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, fettuccine pasta, Alfredo sauce, Parmesan cheese.
1. Cook fettuccine pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, cook chicken until golden.
3. Add Alfredo sauce and simmer.
4. Combine with drained pasta and sprinkle with cheese.
5. Chicken and Vegetable Skillet
This chicken and vegetable skillet dish is a wonderful way to incorporate fresh vegetables. It’s not only quick but also healthy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breasts, zucchini, bell peppers, olive oil, Italian seasoning.
1. Heat olive oil and cook sliced chicken until browned.
2. Add chopped veggies and seasonings, sauté until tender.
6. Coconut Curry Chicken
This coconut curry chicken recipe is flavorful and can be served with rice or naan. It only takes about 30 minutes to make.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, coconut milk, curry powder, vegetables.
1. Cook chicken in a pot until browned.
2. Stir in curry powder and vegetables.
3. Add coconut milk and simmer for 20 minutes.
7. 30-Minute Chicken Tikka Masala
This 30-minute chicken tikka masala is a perfect weeknight meal that offers a rich and creamy sauce filled with spices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, tikka masala sauce, rice.
1. Cook chicken in a pan until no longer pink.
2. Add tikka masala sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Serve with cooked rice.
8. Chicken Quesadillas
These chicken quesadillas are a quick and easy meal, and you can customize them with your favorite toppings!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Ingredients: Flour tortillas, shredded chicken, cheese, salsa.
1. Place tortilla in a skillet, layer with chicken and cheese.
2. Top with another tortilla and cook until golden.
3. Slice and serve with salsa.
9. Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken Legs
With just a few ingredients, these roasted chicken legs are flavorful and your kitchen will smell amazing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken legs, garlic, herbs, olive oil.
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss chicken with garlic, herbs, and oil.
3. Roast for 40 minutes, turning halfway through.
10. Chicken and Rice Casserole
This comforting chicken and rice casserole is a classic meal that can be prepared in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breasts, rice, cream of chicken soup, broccoli.
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine all ingredients in a baking dish.
3. Bake for 30 minutes and serve.
11. Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Sweet and savory, these honey garlic chicken thighs are marinated to perfection and cooked in less than 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken thighs, honey, garlic, soy sauce.
1. Mix honey, garlic, and soy sauce to create a marinade.
2. Marinate chicken for at least 10 minutes.
3. Cook in a pan until golden and cooked through.
12. Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta
This cheesy chicken and spinach pasta is a one-pot wonder and a great way to sneak in some greens!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken, spinach, pasta, cheese, cream.
1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Add chicken and spinach to the pot, stirring until cooked.
3. Mix in cheese and cream until melted.
13. Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
For a light and healthy option, try these buffalo chicken lettuce wraps perfect for a quick dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Ingredients: Shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, lettuce, blue cheese.
1. Combine chicken with buffalo sauce in a bowl.
2. Serve in lettuce leaves topped with blue cheese.
14. Chicken and Bean Chili
Warm and hearty, this chicken and bean chili can be made in just one pot and is ideal for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken, beans, tomatoes, chili powder.
1. Sauté chicken in a pot until browned.
2. Stir in other ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.
15. Chicken Fajitas
Quick and delicious, these chicken fajitas are incredibly easy to make and can be enjoyed with your choice of toppings!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken, bell peppers, onions, fajita seasoning.
1. Cook sliced chicken with bell peppers and onion in a skillet.
2. Season with fajita seasoning and serve with tortillas.
16. Caprese Chicken
This easy caprese chicken dish brings together fresh flavors of mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil for a quick gourmet meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken, mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, balsamic glaze.
1. Cook chicken in a skillet until golden.
2. Top with mozzarella and tomatoes, cover until cheese melts.
3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with basil.
17. Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
These crispy baked chicken wings can be tossed in your favorite sauce, making them perfect for any night of the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken wings, baking powder, salt, sauce of choice.
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss chicken wings with baking powder and salt.
3. Bake for 40 minutes and coat with sauce before serving.
18. Chicken Pesto Pasta
This chicken pesto pasta can be ready to serve in under 30 minutes and is packed with flavor!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, pasta, pesto, Parmesan cheese.
1. Cook pasta and drain.
2. In a pan, cook chicken and mix with pasta and pesto.
3. Top with Parmesan cheese.
19. Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
These teriyaki chicken rice bowls are a simple and satisfying dinner option that your whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, teriyaki sauce, rice, broccoli.
1. Cook rice according to package instructions.
2. Sauté chicken in a pan, adding teriyaki sauce.
3. Serve over rice with steamed broccoli.
20. Chicken Parmesan
This easy chicken Parmesan can be prepared and baked ahead of time, making it perfect for busy nights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken cutlets, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, breadcrumbs.
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Coat chicken with breadcrumbs and bake until golden.
3. Top with sauce and cheese, then bake until bubbly.
21. Chicken Pot Pie
This chicken pot pie is quick to make using rotisserie chicken and can be ready in less than an hour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Ingredients: Rotisserie chicken, frozen veggies, pie crust, cream of chicken soup.
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix chicken, veggies, and soup in a bowl.
3. Pour into pie crust and bake for 30 minutes.
22. Mediterranean Chicken Skewers
These Mediterranean chicken skewers are full of flavor and perfect served with a side salad for a light dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, olive oil, lemon juice, herbs.
1. Cut chicken into cubes and marinate in olive oil and herbs.
2. Skewer and grill for about 10 minutes.
23. Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken
This stuffed chicken breast is not only easy to prepare but also a showstopper at the dinner table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breasts, spinach, cheese, garlic.
1. Slit chicken breasts to create pockets.
2. Stuff with cheese and spinach mixture.
3. Bake until cooked through.
24. Orange Glazed Chicken
This orange glazed chicken recipe uses fresh orange juice and is a refreshing twist on traditional chicken dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken thighs, orange juice, soy sauce, ginger.
1. Mix orange juice, soy sauce, and ginger in a pan.
2. Cook chicken in the sauce until golden and glazed.
25. Chicken Fried Rice
This chicken fried rice is a great way to use leftover rice and can be prepared in about 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, cooked rice, frozen peas, soy sauce.
1. Sauté chicken until cooked, then add rice and peas.
2. Stir in soy sauce and cook until heated through.
26. Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps
These Thai peanut chicken wraps are packed full of flavor and can be made in a matter of minutes!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Ingredients: Shredded chicken, peanut sauce, tortillas, fresh veggies.
1. Mix chicken with peanut sauce.
2. Wrap in tortillas with fresh veggies and enjoy!
27. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
This chicken and broccoli stir-fry is a quick way to enjoy a Chinese favorite at home!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, broccoli, soy sauce, garlic.
1. Sauté chicken and garlic until cooked through.
2. Add broccoli and soy sauce and stir-fry for a few minutes.
28. Chicken Caesar Salad
This quick chicken Caesar salad is light yet filling and is perfect for a busy night.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Ingredients: Grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, croutons.
1. Toss lettuce with Caesar dressing.
2. Top with sliced grilled chicken and croutons.
29. Sweet and Sour Chicken
This quick sweet and sour chicken recipe is a favorite for families and can be served over rice or noodles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, sweet and sour sauce, pineapple, bell peppers.
1. Cook chicken until browned, add peppers and pineapple.
2. Stir in sweet and sour sauce and simmer until heated through.
30. Roasted Chicken and Veggie Foil Packs
These roasted chicken and veggie foil packs are fun to prepare and make for easy cleanup!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Ingredients: Chicken breast, bell peppers, zucchini, olive oil.
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. On a foil sheet, place chicken and veggies, drizzle with olive oil.
3. Seal the foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Conclusion
With these 30 easy chicken dinner recipes, busy weeknights don’t have to mean sacrificing on flavor or nutrition. Each recipe is designed to be quick, straightforward, and perfect for a hectic schedule. You can prepare delightful meals that your family will love, using everyday ingredients and minimal prep time!
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken for these recipes?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breast or thighs for these recipes. Just ensure that you thaw them safely before cooking, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
2. How can I make these meals even quicker?
To save time, consider meal prepping on weekends. Chop vegetables, marinate chicken, and store everything in the fridge. You can also use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to cut down on cooking time.
3. Are these recipes kid-friendly?
Absolutely! Many of these recipes, like chicken quesadillas and chicken fried rice, are kid-approved and can be adjusted to suit your children’s tastes.
4. Can I substitute chicken with other proteins?
Yes, most of these recipes can be adapted to use turkey, pork, or beef. Just be aware that cooking times may vary depending on the protein.
5. What can I do with leftovers?
Leftovers can be saved and easily reheated for lunch the next day. You can also repurpose them into salads, wraps, or sandwiches!
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