10+ Chicken Dinner Recipes You’ll Love to Try Tonight

When it comes to dinner, chicken is a popular choice because it is easy to cook and works well with many flavors. You can make simple dishes or try new recipes that bring something fresh to your table.

Chicken dinner recipes give you a range of options that fit your time, taste, and cooking skills. Whether you want something quick or a meal to share, chicken can be the main star in your dish.

Ingredients

• Chicken (breasts, thighs, or drumsticks)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven or stove depending on your recipe.
2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
4. Serve with your choice of sides or sauces.

1) Instant Pot Lemon Frozen Chicken with Orzo

You can make a quick and tasty chicken dinner using frozen chicken and orzo in an Instant Pot. The lemon adds a fresh, bright flavor that makes the dish feel light but filling.

Start by adding shallots and thyme. Cook them until the shallots soften, which only takes a couple of minutes.

Then, stir in orzo, chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. The orzo will cook perfectly with the chicken.

The Instant Pot cooks the frozen chicken thoroughly without drying it out. The lemon and herbs blend together to give the meal a nice zest and aroma.

Ingredients

• Frozen chicken breasts
• Orzo pasta
• Shallots
• Fresh thyme
• Chicken broth
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Set your Instant Pot to sauté on high.
2. Add olive oil, shallots, and thyme. Cook until shallots soften (about 2 minutes).
3. Add orzo, chicken broth, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir well.
4. Place frozen chicken breasts on top of the orzo mixture.
5. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
6. Use natural release for 5 minutes, then quick release the rest.
7. Stir and serve.

2) Chicken Florentine Style

Chicken Florentine is a simple, tasty dinner you can make quickly. You cook chicken breasts until golden brown.

Then, smother the chicken with a creamy spinach sauce made with garlic, white wine, and a bit of lemon. The sauce is rich but light because of the fresh spinach.

It all comes together in one pan, making clean-up easy. This dish pairs well with pasta or a side of rice.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Cook chicken until golden, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
4. Add garlic to pan and cook until fragrant.
5. Pour in white wine and simmer until reduced by half.
6. Stir in cream, lemon juice, and spinach. Cook until spinach wilts.
7. Return chicken to pan and heat through, about 3 minutes.
8. Serve warm.

Learn more about this recipe at Chicken Florentine Style Recipe.

3) Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma

You can make a simple and tasty chicken shawarma dinner using just one sheet pan. The chicken is marinated in spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika, often with Greek yogurt to keep it juicy.

Roast the chicken with onions and other vegetables for an easy, all-in-one meal. This dish cooks quickly at a high temperature, around 425°F (220°C).

The spices give the chicken a nice flavor. You can serve it with a fresh cucumber salad or pita bread for a complete dinner.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds chicken thighs, sliced
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yogurt, spices, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Add chicken and coat well; marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
4. Spread chicken and onions on a sheet pan in one layer.
5. Drizzle with olive oil and toss lightly.
6. Roast for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked and browned.
7. Serve with your favorite sides.

Learn more about this meal at the Chicken Shawarma Sheet Pan Dinner page.

4) 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

You can make a tasty chicken dinner quickly with 30 minute honey garlic chicken. The chicken is cooked until crispy and then tossed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.

This dish pairs well with vegetables like broccoli or asparagus. You don’t need many ingredients, so it’s great for busy weeknights.

The sauce is a nice mix of honey, garlic, and a little bit of spice. To get the best results, cook the chicken in a hot pan or oven for a crispy texture before adding the sauce.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Honey
• Garlic cloves
• Soy sauce
• Olive oil
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Cook chicken in a hot pan or bake for 15-20 minutes until crisp.
4. Mix honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes.
5. Toss cooked chicken in the honey garlic sauce.
6. Serve with your choice of greens or rice.

Find a detailed recipe here.

5) One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken

This one-pan garlic butter chicken is a simple and tasty dinner you can make quickly. You cook the chicken with butter, garlic, and a few spices all in one pan.

It keeps things easy and creates juicy, flavorful chicken. You can add vegetables like asparagus to the pan for a full meal.

The butter and garlic mix forms a rich sauce that makes every bite delicious. This recipe usually takes about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Butter
• Garlic cloves
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Asparagus or other vegetables (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Place chicken breasts in the pan and season with salt and pepper.
4. Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
5. Add asparagus or preferred vegetables and cook until tender.
6. Squeeze lemon juice over the top before serving for extra flavor.

Find more details on this one-pan garlic butter chicken recipe.

6) Smashed Cucumber and Chicken Salad

This salad is fresh and crunchy, perfect for a light chicken dinner. You’ll use shredded chicken combined with smashed cucumbers for a nice texture.

The cucumbers are salted and drained to remove extra water, keeping the salad crisp. The dressing usually has a mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors like soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili-garlic paste.

Fresh herbs like mint and cilantro add a bright touch to your dish. This salad is easy to make and doesn’t need heat, so it’s great for summer meals or when you want something quick and tasty.

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 2 large cucumbers
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons chili-garlic paste
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• Fresh cilantro and mint, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Smash cucumbers lightly and sprinkle with salt. Let sit 15 minutes, then drain water.
2. Whisk chili-garlic paste, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and canola oil to make the dressing.
3. Mix cucumbers, shredded chicken, cilantro, and mint in a bowl.
4. Pour dressing over and toss gently to combine.
5. Chill for 10 minutes before serving.

7) Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Teriyaki chicken stir fry is a quick and tasty dinner you can make any night. You’ll cook tender chicken with fresh veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, and onions.

Then, coat everything in a sweet and sticky teriyaki sauce. This dish comes together fast and can be ready in about 30 minutes.

You can serve it over rice or noodles. The homemade sauce is simple and adds just the right flavor.

With a little oil, chicken, and your favorite vegetables, you have a colorful and balanced meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• ½ cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Toss in broccoli, bell pepper, and onion, cooking for another 5 minutes.
4. Pour in teriyaki sauce and stir to coat everything evenly.
5. Cook for 2 more minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
6. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

8) Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole

This cheesy chicken fajita casserole is a simple and tasty meal you can make any night. It has juicy chicken, colorful bell peppers, and melted cheese.

You get a mix of protein and veggies all in one dish. The fajita seasoning adds a nice kick without too much spice.

Plus, the cheese makes everything creamy and delicious. It’s perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.

You cook everything in one pan, then bake it until bubbly and golden. This easy recipe saves time and cleanup.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• 1 cup sour cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Toss chicken and sliced peppers with fajita seasoning in a large bowl.
3. Mix in the sour cream until everything is well coated.
4. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
5. Sprinkle both cheeses on top.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
7. Let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving.

For more details, check this Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole recipe.

9) Creamy Lemon Chicken

Creamy Lemon Chicken is a simple and tasty dinner. The chicken cooks in a smooth lemon sauce with garlic and herbs for fresh flavor.

You can make this dish in about 25 minutes. Serve it with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

This one-pan meal keeps cleanup easy. The creamy lemon sauce adds tang and richness to the chicken.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or herbs for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Cook chicken 5-7 minutes per side until browned.
4. Remove chicken and set it aside.
5. Add garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
6. Stir in chicken broth, lemon juice, zest, and cream.
7. Return chicken to the skillet.
8. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
9. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

For more tips, try this easy creamy lemon chicken recipe.

10) Baked Chicken Tacos

Baked chicken tacos are easy and tasty. You bake the chicken with spices, fill tortillas, and bake again for a warm, melty finish.

Use rotisserie chicken or cook your own with olive oil, lime juice, and garlic for extra flavor. These tacos come together in about 25 to 30 minutes.

Add your favorite toppings like cheese, salsa, or avocado. Make them just how you like.

Ingredients

• Cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken (shredded)
• Olive oil
• Lime juice
• Garlic (minced)
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Salt and pepper
• Corn or flour tortillas
• Shredded cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Mix olive oil and lime juice in a bowl.

3. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.

4. Toss the chicken in the spice mix.

5. Fill tortillas with the seasoned chicken.

6. Add cheese to each tortilla.

7. Place the filled tortillas on a baking sheet.

8. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

9. Remove when the cheese melts and the tortillas are warm.