54 Ultimate Chicken Comfort Food Recipes

By Southern Living Editors
February 23, 2012
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner
Winner, winner, delicious chicken dinner? Southerners are quite fond of the protein-rich ingredient that serves as the focal point of almost every meal: chicken. You can’t blame us—chicken is guaranteed to make any dish great, if not better. Not to mention all the side dishes that were made to complement this delicious meat. There’s nothing better than fried chicken with a side of Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese. Beef and pork almost don’t stand a chance. Chicken can be cooked in so many ways, from fried to smoked to oven-roasted to slow-cooked—you can try a new way every night of the week. We collected the most sought-after chicken recipes that are certain to provide comfort on those cold winter nights. From the classics like Southern Fried Chicken and Country Captain Chicken to reinvented recipes like Chicken Pot Pie with Leeks and Mushrooms and Green Chile Chicken Stew, we have comforting recipes that will win over even the pickiest of eaters.
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Chicken-Mushroom Skillet

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Recipe: Chicken-Mushroom Skillet

Chicken and mushrooms join forces to create the ultimate savory dish.

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One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

Golden-brown, honey-chile chicken thighs steal the show in this dish.

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Curried Chicken Pot Pie

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Curried Chicken Pot Pie

Pie for dinner? Yes please! Make a couple of these dinner pies and store in the freezer for an easy weeknight meal.

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Green Chile-Chicken Stew

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Green Chile-Chicken Stew

The perfect south-of-the-border recipe to break out in the cold winter months.

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Easy Southern Fried Chicken

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Easy Southern Fried Chicken

It simply doesn’t get better than crispy Southern Fried Chicken.

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Chicken Tamale Pie

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Chicken Tamale Pie

This one-skillet chicken pie is your new weeknight go-to meal.

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Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken

Credit: MyRecipes

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken

For busy days, try this dump-it-and-forget-it slow cooker chicken recipe.

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Mama's Fried Chicken

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Mama’s Fried Chicken

Pair this crispy and juicy fried chicken with homemade macaroni and cheese.

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Easy Chicken Spaghetti

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Easy Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken, spaghetti, and a whole lot of cheese make this irresistible casserole.

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Smoked Chicken Corn Chowder

Recipe: Smoked Chicken Corn Chowder

This creamy and smoky chowder is just what your winter nights call for.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

The easiest taco Tuesday weeknight dinner involves slow-cooker chicken.

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King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Credit: William Dickey

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Casserole

This creamy and warm chicken casserole will be your favorite go-to casserole.

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Creamy Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Collard Greens

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Creamy Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Collard Greens

Pair this nutritious and hearty soup with homemade biscuits.

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Skillet Chicken with Beans and Greens

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Skillet Chicken with Beans and Greens

This easy chicken and veggie dish starts with a skillet.

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Baked Chicken Thighs with Dressing

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Baked Chicken Thighs with Dressing

Chicken thighs are paired with apples, celery, and cornbread. Sheet pan dinner for the win!

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Stew with Pumpkin and Wild Rice

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Stew with Pumpkin and Wild Rice

We dressed up pumpkin to make this fall-favorite chicken stew.

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Soulful Chicken Soup

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Soulful Chicken Soup

Chicken noodle soup is always better when it’s made from scratch.

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Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Add some spice to your chicken dish by making this creole cuisine.

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Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Just like Mama used to make. This classic recipe is a weeknight dinner wonder.

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Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew

What’s for dinner? This Southern classic stew that includes tomatoes, veggies, and shredded chicken.

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Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Homemade Chicken Nuggets

These yummy and crispy chicken nuggets are kid approved.

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Simple Whole Chicken with Roasted Broccoli-Mushroom Rice

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Simple Whole Chicken with Roasted Broccoli-Mushroom Rice

Place broccoli, mushroom, and chicken on a sheet pan, throw it in the oven, and dinner is served.

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White Lightning Chicken Chili

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: White Lightning Chicken Chili

This comforting chicken chili recipe will be on repeat all winter long.

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Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

Lemon adds a refreshing spritz to this roasted chicken dish.

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Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

Sherry is the secret ingredient in making this casserole so creamy.

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Kickin' Orange-Glazed Chicken

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Kickin’ Orange-Glazed Chicken

Switch up your usual oven-roasted chicken by adding a sweet, citrus glaze.

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Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Chicken, broccoli, and cheese-filled tortellini make up this unbeatable dinner combination.

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Chicken Thighs and BBQ Beans

Credit: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Recipe: Chicken Thighs and BBQ Beans

BBQ beans add smoky and savory nodes to this chicken dish.

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Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes

Make it a Greek night with this festive and zesty sheet pan dish.

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Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings

This Chicken and Dumplings dish is certain to warm your stomach and satisfy all of your Southern cravings.

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Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Wrap thick bacon slices around chicken breast to create an iconic savory dish that everyone will love.

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