10+ Quick Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Cooking chicken can be quick and easy, even on the busiest days. A few simple recipes can help you whip up delicious chicken dinners in no time. Whether you’re rushing home from work or just looking for a fast meal, these quick chicken options will save you time without sacrificing flavor.

In this article, you’ll find a variety of quick chicken recipes that are perfect for any weeknight dinner. From tasty stir-fries to simple sheet pan meals, there’s something here for everyone. You’ll be able to enjoy satisfying meals that you can prepare in 30 minutes or less.

1) Spicy-Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken

This spicy-sweet honey garlic chicken is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in no time. The combination of honey, garlic, and a hint of spice creates a delicious sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.

You’ll need just a few ingredients to make this dish. It’s great for busy weeknights or when you want something flavorful without a lot of effort.

Ingredients

• 8 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of Korean chili paste
• 3 tablespoons of honey
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix together garlic, chili paste, honey, and soy sauce.
2. Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add your chicken and cook until browned.
4. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook until heated through.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving. Enjoy!

2) Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy garlic chicken is an easy and delicious recipe. You can have it ready in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The sauce is rich and full of flavor, thanks to the garlic and cream.

You start by cooking tender chicken breasts in a skillet. Then, you make a creamy sauce with garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. It’s simple and satisfying!

Serve it with rice or pasta for a complete meal. This dish is sure to impress your family or guests.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked (165°F or 75°C).
4. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
6. Pour in heavy cream and stir.
7. Add parmesan cheese and mix until melted.
8. Return chicken to the skillet and coat with sauce.
9. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve.

3) Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry is a quick and tasty meal you can whip up in no time. It features tender chicken, colorful veggies, and a delicious teriyaki sauce that brings everything together.

To make this dish, you will need fresh broccoli, bell peppers, and onions. These vegetables not only add flavor but also nutrients. Cooking takes about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.

With a little oil in your pan, cook the chicken until it’s golden brown. Then, toss in your veggies and stir-fry until they’re crisp but tender. Pour the teriyaki sauce over everything, and give it a good mix. Enjoy your homemade stir fry with rice or noodles for a complete meal!

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) chicken breast, sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• ¼ cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
2. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add broccoli, bell pepper, and onion. Stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes.
4. Pour teriyaki sauce over the stir-fry and mix well.
5. Cook for another 2 minutes until heated through. Enjoy!

4) Crispy Chicken with Honey Garlic Sauce

This crispy chicken recipe is quick and tasty. You’ll enjoy the crunch from the chicken and the sweet, sticky honey garlic sauce.

To make this dish, start with boneless chicken thighs. Season them well for great flavor. Pan-fry the chicken until it’s golden brown and crispy.

Next, prepare the honey garlic sauce by mixing garlic, honey, and soy sauce. Once the chicken is done, coat it in the sauce for a delicious finish.

Serve your crispy chicken with steamed rice for a complete meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken thighs
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
3. Cook chicken until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side.
4. In a bowl, mix garlic, honey, and soy sauce.
5. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and stir well.
6. Serve hot with rice.

5) Quick Butter Chicken

Quick butter chicken is a flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy days. You can make it in just 20 minutes, which is great when you want something tasty without a long cooking time.

You only need a few simple ingredients, like chicken, butter, and tomato sauce. This dish is creamy and goes well with rice or naan bread.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) boneless chicken, diced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft.
3. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned.
4. Stir in the tomato sauce, cream, garam masala, and salt.
5. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until heated through.
6. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot. Enjoy!

6) Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole

Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole is a delicious and easy dinner option. You’ll love how quick it is to prepare this dish, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Start with juicy chicken and add colorful bell peppers. Fajita seasoning gives it a wonderful flavor, while gooey cheese makes it extra comforting.

This dish combines everything in one pan, simplifying cleanup. It’s a family favorite and sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large pan, cook the sliced bell pepper and onion until soft.
3. Add the cooked chicken and fajita seasoning, stirring to combine.
4. Mix in the cream cheese until melted and creamy.
5. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with shredded cheese.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

7) Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders are a quick and tasty meal. You can cook them on the stovetop in under 20 minutes. They are juicy and full of flavor, making them a family favorite.

To make this dish, you need chicken tenderloins cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce. The fresh garlic adds a delightful taste while the butter keeps the chicken tender.

You can serve these tenders with rice, pasta, or a fresh salad. They are perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious but easy.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken tenderloins
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Melt the butter in the skillet.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the chicken tenderloins and season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp should reach 165°F or 74°C).
6. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

8) 15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

This dish is perfect for busy weeknights. You can have a tasty meal on the table in just 15 minutes!

Start by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts into small cubes. This helps them cook quickly and evenly. Then, gather your simple ingredients. You will need honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a bit of oil.

Cook the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and let it cook until fragrant. Pour in the honey and soy sauce to create a delicious glaze. Stir until the chicken is cooked through and nicely coated.

This honey garlic chicken pairs well with rice or steamed veggies for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cut the chicken into small cubes.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and cook until browned.
4. Mix in garlic and sauté for a minute.
5. Pour in honey and soy sauce, stirring well.
6. Cook until chicken is fully cooked and coated.

9) Last Minute Juicy Chicken Thighs

For a quick and tasty meal, try making juicy chicken thighs. They cook fast and are full of flavor, perfect for busy weeknights.

You will need chicken thighs, seasoning, and some oil. You can use garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. These spices add a delicious taste without much effort.

To start, heat your skillet over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C). Add oil to the pan and let it warm up.

Season the chicken thighs on both sides. Place them skin-side down in the hot skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes until crispy, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes.

Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) before serving. Enjoy your meal!

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat (375°F or 190°C).
2. Add oil to the pan.
3. Season both sides of the chicken thighs.
4. Place chicken skin-side down in the skillet.
5. Cook for 5 minutes until crispy.
6. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) before serving.

10) Easy Chicken Scampi

Easy Chicken Scampi is a quick and tasty dish you can whip up in just 30 minutes. It combines chicken, garlic, and a light lemon butter sauce that brings great flavor to your meal.

You’ll typically use simple ingredients like chicken tenders, garlic, and bell peppers.

This recipe is great for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without a lot of fuss.

You can serve it over pasta or with a side of bread to soak up that yummy sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ cup butter
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and half the butter in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in lemon juice, remaining butter, and parsley.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.