100+ Easy Chicken Recipes for a Quick Dinner Tonight

December 09, 2015
Credit: Alison Miksch
We've rounded up our favorite, easy ways to prepare chicken. Chicken is arguably the South’s favorite protein to put on the dinner table. We love it for it’s nutritional value, accessibility, low cost, and—most importantly—extreme versatility. This much-loved poultry serves as a blank slate and flavor-absorbing foundation for every type of cuisine imaginable. It can be roasted, pan-seared, grilled, and even cooked in a Southerner’s favorite fashion—hand-breaded and deep-fried. We’ve rounded up more than 100 of our favorite chicken recipes so that you’ll never have to look to far to find an easy chicken recipe that will please your crowd any night of the week. These chicken recipes include everything from Southwest Chicken Tortillas, to BBQ Chicken Pizza, to Chicken Pot Pie. For your easy weeknight chicken dinners, look no further.
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Heirloom Tomato and Chicken Toss

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Heirloom Tomato and Chicken Toss

Serve this fresh summer salad with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful tomato juices. If you can't find heirloom tomatoes near you, don't worry—this salad will be just as delicious with any ripe tomato.

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Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

This family-friendly dish is sure to become a new holiday staple. Use fresh herbs in the cobbler.

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Chicken and Fontina Panini

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken and Fontina Panini

Crusty on the outside, gooey on the inside, this sandwich requires little effort and makes a satisfying lunch or light dinner. You can make hot sandwiches with two heavy cast-iron skillets—no panini press required. While you're cooking a sandwich in one skillet, heat the second one on a separate burner. Once hot, place the second skillet on top of the sandwich for 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat on the flip side, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes more.

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Chicken Stir-Fry

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Stir-Fry

Fresh veggies add prep time but allow you to customize this stir-fry with summer favorites. Add any veggie you like for a meal that is sure to please the whole family. The best part? This one-dish wonder will be ready in just 10 minutes.

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Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce

Make the dressing and prep the veggies the day before, and dinner will be on the table in minutes. This is a great recipe to really make your own by adding and subtracting fresh veggies to suite your taste.

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Southwest Chicken Tortillas

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Southwest Chicken Tortillas

Serve these Southwest Chicken Tortillas with sliced avocados and extra salsa on the side. We used corn tortillas, but feel free to use flour if you prefer. Feel free to add any toppings you like. You really can't go wrong with this family-favorite.

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Chicken and White Bean Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken and White Bean Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

This vibrant salad is quick to toss together and travels well, which makes it ideal for summer picnics and potlucks. Don't worry, the salad won't wilt when dressed, so make it ahead of time and store it for several hours in the refrigerator.

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Grilled Chicken Cutlets with Strawberry Salsa

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Cutlets with Strawberry Salsa

This fresh and light dish will be your go-to supper this season. The chicken cutlets get a big boost of flavor from a marinade of pineapple juice, ground ancho chile, cumin, vinegar, and oil. Be sure to allow enough time for the chicken to chill in the marinade for 30 minutes before grilling. You'll probably want to make an extra batch of our strawberry salsa to serve alongside. We also love to drizzle Tangy Strawberry Barbecue Sauce over the chicken.

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Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups

Leftover chicken gets a fresh makeover with crisp lettuce leaves, toasted walnuts, and dried cherries. Freeze any extra meat in portion sizes, and use in future recipes. We love the convenience of whipping up a batch of this easy-to-make chicken salad to have on-hand throughout the week. Serve in lettuce cups, like we did here, or with crackers and fruit.

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Sesame Chicken Tacos

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Sesame Chicken Tacos

Baja and Beijing collide in a healthy new way with taco night.

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Simple Whole Chicken with Roasted Broccoli-Mushroom Rice

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Simple Whole Chicken with Roasted Broccoli-Mushroom Rice

Each member of the family can enjoy his or her favorite piece of the bird with this recipe.

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Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots

The trick to extra-savory veggies is cooking the chicken atop the potatoes and carrots.

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Perfect Chicken Kabobs

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Perfect Chicken Kabobs

Mixing vegetables and meat on the same skewer is a no-go; you'll end up overcooking something. Instead, grill vegetable-only skewers to go with the meat-only kabobs. Choose thighs, a great cut of chicken for marinating because when they are deboned, the butcher leaves lots of nooks and crannies that trap the marinade. Finally, use a wide, flat skewer to keep the food from twirling around, making cooking and eating easier.

Watch: The Best Way To Make Kabobs

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Chicken with Cashews

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken with Cashews

Our Test Kitchen staffers declared that this Chinese-inspired recipe from 1979 beats any take-out meal.

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Korean Buttermilk Chicken Kabobs

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Korean Buttermilk Chicken Kabobs

Gochujang is a Korean condiment with tons of bright, peppery flavor. It's made with chile peppers but is sweet enough for kids. Try it on grilled meat or stirred into mayonnaise for a sandwich. If you'd like, swap pieces of pork tenderloin or sirloin steak for the chicken.

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Grilled Chicken-Vegetable Kabobs

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Chicken-Vegetable Kabobs

This easy kabob dish is both beautiful and delicious. You can substitute whatever veggies you have on hand for an easy supper.

Video: The Best Way To Make Kabobs

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Quick BBQ Chicken Pizzas

Credit: Photo: Jason Wallis

Recipe: Quick BBQ Chicken Pizzas

Baking the pizzas directly on the oven rack gives you a crisp crust in less time. You can substitute shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese for fresh.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Lettuce Cups

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Lettuce Cups

These cups pair the freshness of a salad with the heartiness of a taco. Serve as an appetizer or light dinner.

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Garlic-Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Thighs

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Garlic-Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Thighs

Tangy yogurt tenderizes the meat and balances the heat from the jalapeño peppers. Grill indoors on a grill pan, or rev up the outdoor grill. Steamed sugar snap peas round out the meal.

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Grilled Chipotle Chicken

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Chipotle Chicken

Ditch your plain grilled chicken for a zesty, perfectly spiced dinner instead. Grilled Chipotle Chicken delivers a smoky heat flavor with a touch of sweetness. Try Mexican oregano for extra zing.

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Chicken, Farro, and Vegetable Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken, Farro, and Vegetable Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Grilling the chicken and vegetables gives this healthy and hearty salad a smoky, sweet flavor. If you prefer, substitute sliced celery for fennel and pearl barley or wheat berries for farro.

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Grilled Chicken and New Potatoes

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Grilled Chicken and New Potatoes

Use a foil packet as a fuss-free cooking vessel for the leeks and potatoes (or any vegetable).

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Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

This winner of a chicken dinner is our new favorite roasting-pan supper.

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Buttermilk-and-Honey Chicken Kabobs

Credit: Jim Franco

Recipe: Buttermilk-and-Honey Chicken Kabobs

A buttermilk marinade ensures tender meat and juicy flavor.

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Chicken Cutlets with Herbed Mushroom Sauce

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Cutlets with Herbed Mushroom Sauce

Cleanup is easy with this one pan dinner (you'll make the sauce in the same pan you used to cook the cutlets). Serve the dish over mashed potatoes or with a loaf of crusty bread to sop up the earthy sauce. To cut costs, purchase fresh herbs labeled "poultry blend." You'll get an assortment of herbs for the price of one package.

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Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

You can’t go wrong with Chicken Pot Pie. You can’t go wrong with Bacon. This high-rating recipe combines both for a classic Southern dish that your family will request over and over again. Deli-roasted chicken and puff pastry shortcut time without cutting flavor; Thick, sizzling bacon slices, dry white wine, and mustard give the gravy and vegetables a savory punch. Want to know the secret for making the perfect potpie filling? Reserve the bacon drippings, and cook it in to the flour-based broth. You can make the mini version of this recipe by using ramekins instead of a baking dish.

Watch: Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

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Chicken Paillard with Citrus Salad and Couscous

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken Paillard with Citrus Salad and Couscous

Israeli couscous is also sometimes labeled pearl couscous.

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Chicken Enchiladas

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas

Make the enchilada sauce up to three days ahead; the flavors will meld and only get better. We used corn tortillas in this recipe, but feel free to swap for flour tortillas if you prefer. If you're fixing and freezing this recipe, complete up to baking in step 4. For best results, wait to bake until you're ready to eat.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti

Spend 20 minutes in the kitchen prepping this gorgeous, hearty sauce. Once the sauce simmers in the cooker, all that's left to do is cook a pound of pasta, and serve.

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Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

This rustic meal, a company's-coming riff on the old-school chicken-and-rice number, is held together by a tangy gravy flavored with country ham and mushrooms.

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Grilled Chicken and Garden Salsa

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Prepare the 3-ingredient marinade using Parmesan, mayonnaise, and lemon zest for flavorful chicken breast. Toss zucchini, onion, and bell peppers with olive oil, throw them over the fire, and let the season’s veggies speak for themselves.

Recipe: Grilled Chicken and Garden Salsa

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