10+ Easy Weeknight Chicken Recipes for Quick and Delicious Dinners

Cooking during the week can feel rushed as you balance work, school, and other responsibilities. Easy weeknight chicken recipes can help you prepare delicious meals in a flash, making your dinner time enjoyable and stress-free.

With just a few ingredients and quick cooking methods, you can create a variety of tasty dishes that everyone in your family will love.

Whether you prefer baking, sautéing, or grilling, chicken is a versatile option that can be paired with many flavors. You can discover wonderful ways to make your weeknight meals exciting and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Easy chicken recipes not only save time but also inspire creativity with ingredients you have on hand.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a fantastic weeknight dinner that takes just 30 minutes to make. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want something tasty and satisfying.

The dish features juicy chicken breasts cooked in a rich, creamy sauce. You’ll love the combination of garlic, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Plus, it’s all made in one pan, so cleanup is a breeze.

For a deliciously satisfying meal, serve it over pasta or with a side of crusty bread. The creamy sauce pairs well with many sides and will have everyone asking for seconds!

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. Cook chicken until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side.
4. Remove chicken and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for a minute.
6. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.
7. Pour in heavy cream and add Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
8. Return chicken to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.
9. Serve warm!

2) Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken is a quick and delicious dish perfect for busy weeknights. The bright flavors of lemon and garlic make this chicken feel fresh and zesty. You will enjoy the tender, juicy chicken paired with a rich, buttery sauce.

To start, gather your ingredients and season your chicken well with salt and pepper. The chicken can be cooked in a skillet over medium heat. As it cooks, the lemon and garlic create a wonderful aroma that fills your kitchen.

When the chicken is done, you can deglaze the pan with lemon juice. This helps create a glossy sauce that adds great flavor.

Enjoy this dish with some rice or vegetables for a complete meal!

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic (fresh or powder)
• Butter
• Fresh lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown.
4. Add garlic and lemon juice to the pan.
5. Deglaze the pan and let sauce reduce slightly.
6. Serve with your choice of sides.

3) Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

For this recipe, you’ll use chicken thighs, which are juicy and flavorful. You’ll also need a simple blend of seasonings, cornstarch for crispiness, and some oils for cooking.

The sweet and savory honey garlic sauce is what makes this dish really shine. It goes well with colorful vegetables, adding both nutrition and crunch.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (like bell peppers and broccoli)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
2. Toss chicken in cornstarch until coated.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high (375°F or 190°C) heat.
4. Add chicken and cook until golden brown.
5. Stir in garlic and mixed vegetables, cooking until tender.
6. Pour in honey and sesame oil; stir to coat everything evenly.
7. Serve warm and enjoy!

4) One-Pan Chicken Fajitas

One-Pan Chicken Fajitas are perfect for a busy weeknight. This dish combines tender chicken with colorful bell peppers and onions, all cooked together for a tasty meal. You’ll love the easy clean-up too!

To start, you need chicken breast, bell peppers, onions, and fajita seasoning. You can customize this recipe with your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or cheese.

Cooking is a breeze. Just toss everything in one pan, season it well, and let it roast until golden. The whole meal can be ready in about 30 minutes!

It’s flavorful and satisfying, making it a family favorite. Enjoy this dish with warm tortillas for a delicious wrap!

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 grams) chicken breast
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine chicken, bell peppers, onion, olive oil, and fajita seasoning.
3. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.

5) Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Baked Parmesan crusted chicken is a delicious and easy dish for busy weeknights. This recipe features chicken breasts coated in a mix of Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. It’s simple to prepare and full of flavor.

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your chicken cooks evenly and gets that nice golden crust.

Next, mix together breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.

Coat each chicken breast in the breadcrumb mixture. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). The outside should be crispy and the inside juicy.

This dish pairs well with salad or steamed veggies. It’s a family favorite and always a hit at the dinner table.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper in a dish.
3. Coat each chicken breast with the mixture.
4. Place on a lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.

6) Chicken Alfredo Bake

Chicken Alfredo Bake is a tasty and easy dish you can whip up on a busy weeknight. It combines creamy Alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and pasta for a comforting meal.

You can prepare it with just a few simple ingredients. This makes it perfect for families who want something filling without spending hours in the kitchen.

You can also customize it by adding vegetables like broccoli or spinach for extra nutrition. Just mix everything together, bake it, and you’re ready to eat!

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked penne pasta
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 2 cups Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together cooked pasta, chicken, and Alfredo sauce.
3. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
4. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

7) Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs

Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs are delicious and easy to make. The sweet and tangy flavors come together perfectly.

You will need bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best results. They become tender and juicy when cooked. The key ingredients are 100% maple syrup and smooth Dijon mustard.

Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper. Mix the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and a little apple cider vinegar for added flavor. Coat each thigh with this mixture.

Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 40 minutes. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). It’s great to baste the chicken halfway through cooking for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
3. Mix Dijon mustard, maple syrup, soy sauce, and vinegar in a bowl.
4. Coat chicken thighs with the mixture.
5. Bake for 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

8) Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl

The Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl is a quick and tasty meal, perfect for busy weeknights. You can have this dish ready in under 30 minutes. The flavors blend well, making it a favorite for families.

Start with tender diced chicken cooked in a homemade teriyaki sauce. Pair it with rice and fresh veggies like broccoli and carrots for added nutrition. You can even customize it with your favorite ingredients.

The recipe is simple. Just sauté the chicken and veggies in a skillet, then stir in the sauce. Serve it all over rice and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) chicken breast, diced
• 2 cups (150 g) broccoli florets
• 1 cup (80 g) carrots, sliced
• 2 cups (300 g) cooked rice
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat (about 350°F/175°C).
2. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Stir in broccoli and carrots; cook for 3-4 minutes.
4. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic; add to the skillet.
5. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
6. Serve over cooked rice.

9) Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a fun and tasty meal you can whip up quickly. They’re great for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering. You can enjoy them without the extra carbs from bread.

To make these wraps, start with cooked chicken tossed in spicy buffalo sauce. You can use shredded chicken or diced chicken tenders. Adding fresh ingredients like crisp lettuce, avocado, and shredded cheese makes them even better.

These wraps are easy to customize. You can add ranch dressing for extra flavor. They are perfect for anyone wanting a light but filling option.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
• 8 large lettuce leaves
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or blue cheese)
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix cooked chicken with buffalo sauce in a bowl.
2. Arrange lettuce leaves on a plate.
3. Fill each lettuce leaf with buffalo chicken.
4. Top with avocado and shredded cheese.
5. Drizzle ranch dressing over the filling.

10) Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken

Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken is a delicious and simple dish you can enjoy during the week. With fresh herbs and garlic, it makes your kitchen smell amazing. It’s perfect for a family dinner.

To get started, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). A whole chicken works best for this recipe, as it stays juicy and flavorful.

For the ingredients, you’ll need a whole chicken, garlic, butter, and your favorite herbs like rosemary and thyme. The combination of these ingredients creates a tasty meal.

Once your chicken is prepped, rub the herb butter all over, focusing on the skin. Place it in a roasting pan and cook until the skin is golden brown and the meat is tender.

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Prepare the chicken by removing any giblets.
3. Mix butter and chopped garlic.
4. Rub the butter mixture under and over the skin.
5. Sprinkle herbs over the chicken.
6. Roast in the oven for about 1 hour.