10+ Chicken Recipes Easy and Delicious for Quick Weeknight Dinners

If you want meals that are tasty and simple, easy chicken recipes are a great choice. Cooking with chicken lets you create many dishes without much time or complex skills.

You can enjoy home-cooked meals quickly and with less stress. Whether you cook for yourself or your family, you can find dishes that fit your schedule and taste.

Knowing a few simple chicken recipes can make your weeknights smoother. You can keep your meals interesting without much effort.

Ingredients:

• Chicken (breasts, thighs, or tenders)
• Basic seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika)
• Olive oil or butter

Cooking Instructions:

1. Season your chicken with chosen spices.
2. Heat oil or butter in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, around 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness.
4. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

1) 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

This 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken is a great choice when you want a tasty meal fast. You cook crispy chicken pieces first, then toss them in a sauce made from honey, garlic, and a bit of spice.

Serve it with veggies like broccoli or asparagus for a simple dinner. The sweet and savory flavors make this dish easy to enjoy any night.

The recipe uses just a few ingredients. It does not take much effort but will still impress your family or friends.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden.
3. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
4. Add garlic to the pan and cook 30 seconds.
5. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes.
6. Return chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Cook until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through (165°F or 74°C inside).
8. Serve with your favorite side.

Find the full recipe here.

2) Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy garlic chicken is a simple dish with a rich, flavorful sauce. You cook tender chicken breasts in a garlic-infused cream sauce.

This recipe is great if you want an easy meal ready in less than 30 minutes. It uses one skillet, so cleanup is quick.

The creamy sauce has garlic, cream, and a bit of seasoning. It pairs well with rice, pasta, or vegetables.

You can find a helpful recipe for creamy garlic chicken here.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden, about 6 minutes per side.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1-2 minutes.
5. Add chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
6. Simmer sauce until thickened, about 5 minutes.
7. Return chicken to skillet and heat through. Serve warm.

3) Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

This slow cooker chicken and gravy recipe is simple and perfect for busy days. Add chicken breasts to the slow cooker with a mix of cream of chicken soup, gravy mix, and seasonings.

The slow cooker does the work while you relax. The chicken turns out tender and full of flavor.

Serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles. You only need a few ingredients, and the slow cooker takes about 4 hours on low to cook everything.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 packet chicken gravy mix
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Optional: garlic powder, paprika, thyme

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. Mix cream of chicken soup, gravy mix, chicken broth, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
4. Cover and cook on Low for 4 hours (about 135°C/275°F).
5. Stir gently before serving.

4) Honey Glazed Chicken

Honey glazed chicken is a simple and tasty dish you can make with just a few ingredients. The sweet honey gives the chicken a nice shine and flavor.

You can use chicken breasts or thighs. The sauce usually contains honey, soy sauce, and a little garlic.

It cooks in just a few minutes, creating a sticky and delicious glaze. Add a pinch of chili flakes if you like a bit of heat.

Serve it with rice or vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts or thighs
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Mix honey and soy sauce, then pour over chicken.
6. Transfer pan to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
7. Spoon sauce over chicken before serving.

For more details, see this honey glazed chicken recipe.

5) Pesto Pasta with Chicken

Pesto pasta with chicken is a simple dish that tastes fresh and flavorful. Cook chicken pieces with garlic until they are tender.

Toss the chicken with cooked pasta and a creamy pesto sauce. This meal is quick, taking about 30 minutes to make.

You can add sun-dried tomatoes or Parmesan cheese to boost the flavor. Cook everything in one pot or pan to save time on cleanup.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
• 8 ounces pasta (bow tie or your choice)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup pesto sauce
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and chicken pieces. Cook until chicken is no longer pink.
3. Stir in pesto sauce and sun-dried tomatoes, if using.
4. Add cooked pasta to the pan and toss everything together.
5. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

6) Easy Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas are a simple, tasty meal you can make quickly. Fill tortillas with shredded chicken, cheese, and sauce.

You can use corn or flour tortillas. Adding beans or green chiles makes them even better.

Baking enchiladas melts the cheese and lets the sauce soak into the tortillas. It usually takes about 30 minutes, so it’s great for weeknight dinners.

Try the recipe with shredded chicken mixed with salsa or a creamy white sauce to change up the flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 8 corn or flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 1 cup enchilada sauce or creamy white sauce
• ½ cup black beans (optional)
• ¼ cup chopped green chiles (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix chicken, beans, chiles, and part of the cheese in a bowl.
3. Fill each tortilla with the chicken mix and roll it up.
4. Place rolled tortillas in a baking dish.
5. Pour sauce over all tortillas and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
6. Bake 20–25 minutes until cheese melts and sauce bubbles.

7) Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs are a quick way to get juicy meat with crispy skin. You only need a few basic spices to season them.

The air fryer cooks the thighs in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for a fast meal. Cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer locks in moisture and makes the outside crispy.

Cook them at 360°F (182°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Then, raise the heat to 400°F (204°C) for a few minutes to make the skin extra crispy.

Check that your chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) inside to be safe to eat. Change the spices to fit your taste.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat the chicken thighs dry and rub with olive oil.
2. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
4. Cook chicken for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Increase temperature to 400°F (204°C) and cook for 3-5 minutes to crisp skin.
6. Check internal temperature, should be 165°F (74°C).
7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

8) Tuscan Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach

Tuscan chicken is a simple and tasty dish you can make any night. Start by searing chicken breasts until golden brown.

Cook the chicken in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and garlic. This dish comes together quickly and uses just a few ingredients.

Serve it with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce. The recipe takes about 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Cook chicken until golden, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
4. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the pan; sauté for 1-2 minutes.
5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stir well.
6. Add spinach and Parmesan cheese. Cook until spinach wilts and sauce thickens.
7. Return chicken to the pan. Simmer for 5 more minutes until cooked through.
8. Serve warm with your favorite side.

9) Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs

Sheet-pan chicken thighs make a simple, tasty dinner with little cleanup. Cook the chicken with veggies all on one tray.

This method is easy to prepare and lets the flavors mix as everything roasts. Season the chicken with your favorite spices, or use garlic, olive oil, and herbs.

Roast at 425°F (220°C) to get crispy skin and juicy meat. Add vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or Brussels sprouts for a full meal in one pan.

Toss everything with oil and seasoning, then roast until cooked through.

Ingredients

• 4-6 chicken thighs
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, Brussels sprouts)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (rosemary or thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Place chicken thighs and vegetables on a rimmed sheet pan.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, herbs, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss everything to coat evenly.
5. Roast for 35-40 minutes until chicken is cooked and skin is crispy.
6. Serve hot.

You can find more tips on roasted sheet pan chicken thighs here.

10) Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

Lemon pepper chicken tenders are a quick, tasty meal. They bring a bright, zesty flavor with a simple lemon and pepper seasoning.

Bake or pan-fry the chicken tenders for an easy meal. Pair them with honey butter sauce or your favorite dip for extra flavor.

These tenders cook fast, usually in about 15 minutes. They’re perfect for a busy weeknight or a casual lunch.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Optional: fresh lemon zest

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) if you plan to bake.
2. Toss chicken tenders with flour.
3. Add lemon pepper seasoning and salt to the chicken.
4. Heat olive oil in a pan.
5. Arrange the tenders on a baking sheet if baking.
6. Cook the tenders for 12-15 minutes.
7. Turn the tenders halfway through cooking.
8. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Find more details on lemon pepper chicken tenders here.