Easy Chicken Dinners for Busy Weeknights

These easy chicken dinners are perfect for any night of the week, whether you’re looking for something quick, comforting or bursting with bold flavors.

When it comes to weeknight dinners, chicken is the ultimate go-to! It’s quick, versatile and packed with protein, making it the star of any meal. From sheet pan meals to comforting classics and one-pan wonders, these recipes will make your weeknight dinners a breeze.

Plus, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to make the most of your chicken, check out my guide on how to cut up a whole chicken — it’s a budget-friendly way to get more bang for your buck and perfect for meal prep!

Parmesan Herb Crusted Chicken: Crispy, golden and full of flavor, this Parmesan herb-crusted chicken is the perfect dish for a quick, flavorful dinner. Pair it with a kale caesar salad or roasted veggies for a balanced meal.

Broccoli-Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breasts: Tender chicken breasts stuffed with a cheesy broccoli filling—this recipe is comfort food at its finest. The gooey cheese and crisp veggies make it a weeknight winner!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken: Set it and forget it! This sweet and savory honey garlic chicken is a family favorite. Just toss everything in the slow cooker, and in a few hours, you’ll have a tender, saucy meal ready to go. Serve it with steamed rice or roasted veggies for a balanced, fuss-free dinner.

Simple Roast Chicken with Garlic and Lemon: Juicy roast chicken infused with garlic and lemon is a timeless classic. With crispy skin and tender meat, this recipe is perfect for Sunday dinner or meal prepping.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas: Colorful, flavorful and cooked in one pan! These sheet pan chicken fajitas are loaded with seasoned chicken, bell peppers and onions, making them the perfect hands-off dinner option.

Sheet Pan Pineapple Chicken and Broccoli: Sweet and savory with a tropical twist! This sheet pan meal combines juicy pineapple, tender chicken and broccoli for a quick, vibrant dinner with minimal cleanup.

Sheet Pan Chicken Teriyaki and Veggies: A delicious teriyaki sauce coats chicken and a mix of veggies in this easy sheet pan dinner. Serve it over creamy coconut rice for a complete meal that’s both healthy and satisfying.

Sheet Pan Nachos with Chicken: The ultimate game-day meal! Pile tortilla chips high with chicken, cheese, and your favorite toppings for a fun and easy dinner or snack everyone will love.

Chicken Schnitzel: Golden, crispy chicken cutlets are simple yet irresistibly delicious. Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes or a side of potato salad for a hearty dinner.

Chicken Paprikash: This comforting Hungarian classic features tender chicken simmered in a rich paprika sauce. Serve it with German spaetzle for a comforting meal your whole family will love.

Parmesan Baked Chicken Tenders: These baked chicken tenders are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of cheesy goodness. Dip them in your favorite sauce for an easy family-friendly meal.

Baked Popcorn Chicken with Honey-Garlic Glaze: Bite-sized, crispy popcorn chicken gets a flavorful upgrade with a sweet and sticky honey-garlic glaze. Perfect for dipping or snacking!

Sticky Pineapple Chicken: This sticky pineapple chicken is bursting with sweet and tangy flavors. Serve it over rice or noodles for a takeout-inspired dinner that’s easy to throw together.

Easy Orange Chicken and Broccoli: Juicy chicken thighs and crisp-tender broccoli florets tossed in the most flavor-packed orange chicken sauce made with just a few pantry ingredients. This insanely satisfying, better-than-takeout DIY version will be on your table in 20 minutes or less.

Bruschetta Chicken: Fresh, light and full of flavor, bruschetta chicken features juicy chicken breasts topped with a tomato-basil mixture. It’s perfect for a lighter dinner option that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

Chicken Milanese with Green Apple Salad: It’s easy enough for busy weeknights but impressive enough to serve at a dinner party. Crispy chicken paired with a refreshing, tangy apple salad makes it a go-to favorite.

Chicken Piccata Pasta: Creamy, lemony and deliciously saucy, this chicken piccata pasta combines tender chicken with a light, flavorful sauce over pasta. It’s an easy dish that feels elegant enough for entertaining.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta: This recipe stars spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and bacon tossed in a garlicky Parmesan cheese sauce. It’s like an amped up mac and cheese that comes together in one pot.

Black Pepper Chicken: If you love bold flavors, this black pepper chicken is for you. Tender chicken pieces are stir-fried with bell peppers in a savory black pepper sauce—perfect for serving over rice.

Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice: Take on the takeout with this dish starring tender chicken, juicy pineapple and perfectly cooked rice.

Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps: For a fresh, low-carb option, try these Chinese chicken lettuce wraps.

Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry with Noodles: Grab whatever chicken (or steak, shrimp or tofu) you’ve got, plus any combo of veggies and noodles to whip up this 30-minute dinner.

Baked Chicken and Cheese Taquitos: Crispy, cheesy and oh-so-delicious, these chicken taquitos are easy to make and perfect for dipping. Best of all, they can be oven-baked or air-fried!

One-Pot Chicken and Yellow Rice: Juicy chicken thighs, aromatic spices, veggies and turmeric-infused rice all cooked together in one pan for minimal cleanup.

Easy Chicken Lo Mein: Craving Chinese takeout? This chicken lo mein comes together in just minutes and is packed with vegetables and savory flavors, making it a family favorite.

Baked Orange Chicken: My version is tossed in a really simple DIY orange chicken sauce that’s sweet, tangy and oh-so addicting. Best of all, you can make this recipe with chicken breasts or chicken thighs, so use whatever you’ve got.

Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs: All you need is 30 minutes and a few simple ingredients for these extra-moist meatballs.

Baked Orange Chicken Meatballs: Extra-moist meatballs tossed in a really simple DIY orange chicken sauce that’s sweet, tangy and oh-so addicting. Whip up a side of rice or noodles while the meatballs are baking and dinner is done!

Stuffed Jalapeno Popper Chicken: A flavor-packed mix of sautéed jalapeños, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic and bacon stuffed inside juicy chicken breasts.

French Onion Chicken: Juicy chicken, caramelized onions and crispy, cheesy toasts for dunking. This flavor-packed recipe all cooks in a single skillet for the ultimate easy and comforting meal!

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