Never run out of recipe ideas again and save these quick and easy chicken dinners to a collection in MyRecipes with just one click. With these dishes, you can transform the chicken in your fridge or freezer into a satisfying meal in 30 minutes or less. Make our One-Pan Chicken Florentine when you need a creamy, comforting plate. Or, try our five-ingredient Garlic-Thyme Chicken with Green Beans & Rice for a meal that feels effortless. Either way, have all these recipes organized and at your fingertips for whenever hunger strikes.
One-Pan Chicken Florentine
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.
Classic chicken Florentine—creamy spinach served alongside sautéed chicken—is a fast and easy meal. This recipe uses cornstarch to thicken the cream instead of cheese. This chicken recipe is simple enough for weekdays but also elegant enough for a dinner party.
Loaded Chicken Cutlets
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
These loaded chicken cutlets are an easy, all-in-one sheet-pan meal. Chopped broccoli is mixed with a creamy blend of cream cheese, shredded cheese and bacon for a savory topping that’s piled onto the chicken for a satisfying, veggie-packed twist on classic loaded cutlets. The dish comes together with minimal cleanup and is perfect for busy weeknights. A dollop of sour cream, more bacon and sliced scallions on top makes it even more delicious.
Balsamic Chicken Thighs with Arugula-Tomato Salad
Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.
This easy chicken dinner is a flavor-packed dish where juicy chicken thighs are cooked until golden, then coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze. They’re served over a crisp arugula and tomato salad. It’s a simple dinner for two that tastes delicious and comes together quickly.
Garlic-Thyme Chicken with Green Beans & Rice
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco.
This garlic-thyme chicken with green beans and rice is a quick meal perfect for busy weeknights. With just five simple ingredients (not counting oil, salt and pepper), this dish delivers big flavor without hassle. Look for packaged green beans that have already been trimmed to keep the prep moving along.
Loaded Chicken & Broccoli Salad
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This loaded chicken and broccoli salad is a protein-packed powerhouse that doesn’t skimp on the classic “loaded” flavors you love. With tender, juicy chicken and crisp, fresh broccoli as the base, this salad delivers a satisfying bite in every forkful. A creamy dressing ties everything together, while mix-ins like crispy bacon, shredded cheese and scallions add layers of flavor. It’s the perfect salad for a high-protein lunch or dinner that keeps you full and energized.
Sheet-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus
Ali Redmond
This chicken and asparagus recipe is a simple one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Chicken cutlets are coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze, roasting right alongside tender asparagus for an easy, well-balanced dinner. If you don’t have chicken cutlets on hand, you can easily make your own by slicing two 8-ounce chicken breasts in half horizontally. The thin cut ensures quicker, more even cooking, so everything on the sheet pan finishes at the same time for a fuss-free, delicious dinner.
Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This sick-day chicken noodle soup, packed with tender chicken, warm broth and soft noodles, is designed to soothe and nourish when you’re feeling under the weather. The combination of tender chicken breast, ginger and garlic boosts flavor, while the warm broth helps clear congestion and keep you hydrated. Ready in just 20 minutes, this soup is the perfect remedy for a cold, offering comfort and relief with minimal effort.
Marry Me Chicken & Spaghetti
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This “marry me” chicken pasta adds spaghetti and spinach to the beloved flavor combination and will have you saying “I do” in no time. A jar of sun-dried tomatoes does double duty here, with the flavorful oil they’re packed in being used to sauté the onion and chicken while the tomatoes go into the cream sauce.
Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Sandwiches
Matthew Francis
This caprese stuffed chicken breast features the classic ingredients of a caprese salad—juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil and balsamic vinegar—nestled into a seasoned and cooked chicken breast that can be picked up and eaten like a sandwich. The perfect chicken breast for this recipe is small, but avoid thin-cut breasts so you can slice them open easily. You can trim a regular chicken breast down to the right size, or cut a large 8-ounce breast in half crosswise to get two smaller pieces.
Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potatoes & Broccolini
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Chicken thighs and sweet potato get crispy in the oven while broccolini roasts alongside in a foil packet for even cooking and easy cleanup. Pro tip: For crispy skin, place the chicken thighs in the corners of the baking sheet, where there is more air circulation.
Chicken Cutlets with Creamy Mushroom & Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This delectable dinner features tender chicken cutlets smothered in a rich and creamy sauce infused with savory mushrooms and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. You can achieve crispy baked chicken in the oven, as we do here, with a light coating of cooking spray—make sure all the breading is coated. We love chicken cutlets for how quickly they cook, but feel free to swap them out for chicken thighs or even pork loin. Just be sure to pound them thin with a meat mallet or small saucepan so they cook all the way through.
Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This juicy chicken and broccoli stir-fry features tender-crisp broccoli coated in a velvety sauce flavored with hoisin—a flavorful sauce made from fermented soybean paste that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. Try this easy stir-fry with chicken tenders, boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or even pork tenderloin for a different twist.
Creamy Balsamic Chicken & Mushroom Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
The sauce in this creamy balsamic chicken and mushroom skillet recipe strikes the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. The shallots, garlic and thyme add aroma and flavor to the dish. Thin-cut chicken cutlets are key for getting dinner on the table quickly. If you can’t find chicken cutlets, make your own: Look for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are about 8 ounces each. Slice them in half horizontally and pound to an even thickness.
Easy Chicken Tenders with Lemon & Garlic
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
The secret to this easy chicken tenders recipe lies in the tangy lemon-and-garlic drizzle that picks up the savory flavors left in the pan from pan-searing. Pan-searing chicken tenders locks in moisture while crisping up the outside. If you’ve got extra time, let the chicken marinate in the dry rub for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. Feel free to experiment with other citrus flavors like oranges, mandarins or limes by swapping out the lemon zest and juice.
Chicken & Spinach Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing
Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
The creamy feta dressing steals the show in this protein-rich salad, which makes a perfect lunch or quick and easy dinner. While you can buy feta cheese already crumbled, we like crumbling our own fresh from the block for this salad. We prefer the slightly sharper flavor of sheep’s-milk feta, but cow’s-milk feta works just as well.
Creamy Chicken Pasta with Brussels Sprouts & Artichokes
Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
The creamy white wine–garlic sauce brings together artichokes and shaved Brussels sprouts with nutty whole-wheat pasta in this quick dinner. Use a mandoline or a very sharp knife to shave the Brussels sprouts. If you opt for pre-packaged shaved sprouts, note that they might be on the thicker side, requiring a few extra minutes of cooking time. You can swap in canned artichokes, but they tend to have more sodium than frozen, so give them a good rinse before adding.
Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole with Broccoli
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Whip up this quick and easy teriyaki chicken casserole in just one skillet—it’s the perfect go-to recipe for hectic weeknights, sure to satisfy a crowd. It’s ideal for making use of any leftover chicken and rice you have on hand. If you’re short on leftovers, a rotisserie chicken paired with a package of microwaveable brown rice is a good substitute.
Chicken Carbonara
Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek
This chicken carbonara has the classic all-yolk sauce, which yields a rich and creamy texture. For some carbonara recipes the residual heat and starch from the pasta are enough to thicken the yolks, but we prefer the double-boiler method to gently cook the egg yolks to a custard-like texture without the risk of overcooking them to a scramble.
Chicken Noodle Soup with Spinach & Parmesan
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Wine and garlic add depth to this quick and simple chicken noodle soup. The pasta will absorb broth as the soup sits, so if you want to make a double batch or are planning on eating this over multiple days, cook the pasta separately and add it when you’re ready to serve.
Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Look for pre-sliced pepper-and-onion mix in the produce section of the supermarket. It helps save prep time in this quick five-ingredient dinner. This easy dinner calls for hot cooked brown rice, which is perfect if you have leftovers. If not, look for microwaveable brown rice or frozen brown rice to keep prep minimal.
Anthony Anderson’s One-Pot Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese with Broccoli
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
This easy one-pot mac & cheese recipe gets an extra boost of protein from chicken. Buffalo sauce adds spicy tang—look for one without added sugar, like Frank’s RedHot.
Chicken Piccata Casserole
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist Jennifer Wendorf
This protein-packed chicken piccata casserole brings all the flavors of classic chicken piccata together in one dish. It’s the easiest piccata you’ll ever make—no dredging or sauce required! Cooking the lemon slices in butter mellows their bite and helps jump-start the lemony flavor of the dish while helping the butter get a little brown, bringing some nuttiness to the dish.
Creamy Chicken & Penne alla Vodka Casserole with Peas
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food stylist: Annie Probst, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
This cheesy chicken pasta casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight when you need a fast and easy dinner with minimal cleanup. Vodka sauce adds a creamy note to the sauce. If you don’t have vodka sauce on hand, add a few tablespoons of cream to regular marinara.
Anti-Inflammatory Chicken & Beet Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Tart cherry juice concentrate adds flavor and helps fight inflammation when teamed up with other anti-inflammatory foods like beets and walnuts in this quick salad. Buying packaged cooked beets cuts down on time (and mess!). Look for them in the produce section where other prepared vegetables are sold.
Grilled Honey-Mustard Chicken with Zucchini-Corn Relish
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman
This grilled honey-mustard chicken recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sour flavors. Ideal for a hot summer day, this quick dinner can also be made with boneless chicken breasts if you prefer.
Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Chicken & Fresh Berries
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickeyt, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
If you’re packing this grain bowl for work, combine the dressing ingredients in a small container. When you’re ready to eat, shake the dressing well, add it to the salad and toss. If you don’t have time to make a homemade dressing, use 3 tablespoons of store-bought olive oil vinaigrette. Keep prep time short by using rotisserie chicken (or leftover chicken) and a pouch of microwavable quinoa.
3-Ingredient Chicken Tikka Masala Sweet Potatoes
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Simmer sauces pack tons of flavor into one ingredient, which helps streamline this easy three-ingredient dinner. Here we pair sweet potato with chicken breast cooked in tikka masala simmer sauce, but a simmer sauce of any flavor profile will work well too.
Crispy Garlic–Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs
Rachel Marek
These savory-sweet chicken thighs come together quickly for the perfect weeknight meal. The sweet garlic-brown sugar sauce is balanced with cider vinegar for a little tang. Watch it carefully as it cooks and pull it from the heat as soon as it’s thickened to prevent burning.
Warm Up with a Quick Lemony Chicken Soup
Photographer: Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This 20-minute dish provides 32 grams of protein and is just 261 calories per serving. To ensure this comforting soup’s velvety texture, whisk a little of the hot broth into the eggs before adding them to the pot. Doing so cooks them gently and prevents curdling.
20-Minute Creamy Skillet Chicken with Corn, Tomato & Basil
Jacob Fox
This saucy 20-minute chicken recipe features fresh summer corn, tomatoes and basil. Serve this light and tangy quick dinner over pasta or brown rice.
