Easy Chicken Dinners (14 Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights)
These Easy Chicken Dinners are the ones I lean on when the week gets busy: crockpot honey garlic chicken, air fryer chicken tenders, lemon garlic chicken thighs, chipotle chicken burrito bowls and more. There are 14 here, and five of them are on the table in 30 minutes or less.
Some days you want dinner in the slow cooker by lunchtime, and some days you have 20 minutes. This list covers both. If your crew loves ground beef too, my Easy Ground Beef Dinners roundup is the perfect partner to this one.
Tips for Easy Weeknight Chicken Dinners
- Use a meat thermometer: Chicken is done when the thickest part reads 165°F. It takes the guesswork out and keeps the meat juicy instead of overcooked.
- Pick thighs for the slow cooker: Boneless chicken thighs stay tender over long cooking times, which is why the crockpot honey garlic chicken calls for them.
- Thicken sauces at the end: A cornstarch slurry stirred in during the last few minutes turns thin slow cooker juices into a glossy sauce that clings to the chicken.
- Let it rest before slicing: Give cooked chicken 5 to 10 minutes before you cut it so the juices stay in the meat and not on the board.
- Cook once, eat twice: Leftover chicken is great in wraps, salads and pasta. The roast chicken even works in the chicken and broccoli alfredo the next day.
- Prep components for the week: Store chicken, rice and toppings in separate containers and you can build burrito bowls or rice bowls in minutes.
Slow Cooker Chicken Dinners
Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken
Chicken thighs cook in a sticky honey, soy and garlic sauce for about 4 hours. Thicken the sauce at the end, then spoon it over rice with sesame seeds and green onions.
Slow Cooker Coconut Chicken Curry
Chicken breast chunks simmer in coconut milk, tomatoes and warm curry spices. Ten minutes of prep, and it freezes for up to 3 months, so it’s a great one to double.
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken Meatballs
Chicken meatballs simmer in butter chicken sauce with coconut milk, garlic and ginger. It takes 5 minutes to get into the slow cooker, then serve it over basmati rice with naan for scooping.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and vegetables in a creamy broth with homemade dumplings steamed right on top. It serves 8, so there’s usually enough for lunch the next day.
Chicken Soup and Chili for Dinner
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
A big bowl of chicken noodle soup counts as dinner in my house. This one is made in one pot in 30 minutes, and blended cottage cheese gives the broth its creaminess.
White Chicken Chili
Shredded chicken, white beans, green chilies and cream cheese, all made in the slow cooker. Top it with avocado, cheese and cilantro, or serve it over rice to stretch it further.
Quick Chicken Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less
Chipotle Chicken
Boneless thighs with a smoky spice rub, seared in a skillet in about 15 minutes. Use it for tacos, quesadillas, salads or burrito bowls.
Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl
Spiced chicken, cilantro rice, black beans, corn salsa and guacamole, ready in 25 minutes. Keep everything in separate containers and it makes great meal prep lunches too.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders
Cornflake-crusted chicken tenders cooked in the air fryer, then tossed in a honey garlic sauce. They’re done in under 30 minutes, and they’re great over rice, in wraps or with fries.
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
Fettuccine and broccoli cook in the same pot, then get tossed with chicken and a homemade Parmesan cream sauce. It’s ready in 30 minutes with no jarred sauce needed.
Oven Roasted Chicken Dinners
Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
Bone-in, skin-on thighs roasted with lemon, garlic, butter and herbs until the skin is golden. Serve them with roasted vegetables, rice or mashed potatoes.
Spatchcock Chicken
Flattening a whole chicken means it roasts in under an hour with herb butter under the skin. It’s an easy Sunday dinner, and the leftovers go a long way.
Come cook with us! I share new easy recipes and dinner ideas in my Facebook group, and it’s a friendly spot to see what everyone is making this week. Join the group here.
Chicken Wings and Meatballs for Game Night
Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
Oven-baked wings glazed with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Serve them as a fun Friday dinner or put them out for the big game.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Ground chicken meatballs with buffalo sauce mixed right in, baked in about 20 minutes. Serve them with ranch or blue cheese, over rice or in sub rolls for dinner.
Easy Chicken Dinners FAQs
Need more easy dinners? My Easy Ground Beef Dinners, Easy Slow Cooker Dinners and Easy Soup Recipes roundups have plenty of weeknight favorites to keep the week easy.
