10+ Chicken Recipes Easy for Busy Weeknights

Cooking chicken can be simple and rewarding, making it a favorite in many households. Easy chicken recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. They allow you to whip up delicious and nutritious meals in no time.

Whether you want to bake, grill, or sauté, there are countless ways to prepare chicken that suit your taste and schedule. From savory stir-fries to flavorful baked dishes, you’ll find something enjoyable and satisfying to cook.

1) Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet

Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet is a quick and tasty meal. You can make it in about 20 minutes. The chicken is juicy and coated in a sweet, garlicky sauce.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. You only need a few ingredients to get started. It’s an easy way to bring flavor to your dinner table.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breasts, sliced
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet.
3. Cook chicken until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Pour in honey and soy sauce; stir well.
6. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve warm.

2) Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders are a quick and tasty option for dinner. These chicken pieces are seasoned with zesty lemon and black pepper, creating a delicious flavor. You can cook them in the oven or an air fryer.

To make this dish, you’ll only need a few ingredients. It’s perfect for a family meal and takes just about 15 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Optional: honey or dipping sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the olive oil and lemon pepper seasoning.
3. Coat the chicken tenders in the mixture.
4. Place the tenders on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked.

3) Tuscan Chicken with Spinach

Tuscan chicken with spinach is a delicious and creamy dish that’s simple to make. You can enjoy this meal any night of the week. It combines tender chicken, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich sauce.

To start, season your chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook them in a skillet until they’re golden brown. Remove the chicken and add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach to the pan.

Next, pour in heavy cream and stir in Parmesan cheese for a creamy sauce. Return the chicken to the skillet and let it simmer until cooked through.

Enjoy this dish with pasta or a side salad for a complete meal!

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Cook chicken in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet.
5. Stir in fresh spinach until wilted.
6. Pour in heavy cream and mix in Parmesan cheese.
7. Return chicken to the skillet and simmer until cooked through.

4) Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken is a delightful dish you can prepare quickly. This recipe uses juicy chicken breasts cooked in a rich sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.

The sauce is creamy and pairs wonderfully with pasta or rice. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal. You only need about 30 minutes to get this dish on the table.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook until browned on both sides.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Pour in heavy cream and stir well.
6. Return chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes until cooked through.
7. Garnish with fresh basil before serving. Enjoy!

5) Sheet-Pan Chicken and Veggies

Sheet-pan chicken and veggies is a simple dish that brings lots of flavor to your table. You can prepare it quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Just toss your favorite vegetables with chicken and herbs for a tasty, healthy meal.

Common vegetables to use include broccoli, sweet potatoes, and zucchini. You can also add bell peppers or carrots for extra color. The chicken roasts alongside the veggies, making clean-up easy.

You can season this dish with lemon and Parmesan for a delightful twist. It all cooks on one pan, which saves time and effort.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 cups broccoli, chopped
• 2 cups sweet potatoes, diced
• 2 cups zucchini, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon, juiced
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Place the chicken and vegetables on a sheet pan.
3. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over everything.
4. Season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

6) Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

Garlic butter chicken thighs are a simple and tasty dish you can make any night. The chicken is juicy with crispy skin and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

To make this recipe, you need just a few ingredients. The garlic butter sauce adds a rich taste that complements the chicken wonderfully. Plus, it cooks in one skillet for easy clean-up.

Ingredients

• 4-6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chicken bouillon.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the chicken thighs, skin side down, and cook until golden brown.
5. Flip the chicken and add butter and minced garlic to the skillet.
6. Transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C).
7. Garnish with parsley and serve.

7) Chicken Adobo Delight

Chicken Adobo is a delicious and simple dish you can make at home. It combines chicken with vinegar and soy sauce for a savory flavor that’s hard to resist. The addition of garlic and bay leaves makes it aromatic and tasty.

To make Chicken Adobo, start by marinating the chicken in vinegar and soy sauce. This helps to infuse the flavors. Then, cook it gently until the chicken is tender.

Serve this dish with rice for a complete meal. The sauce is perfect for drizzling over the rice.

Ingredients

• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
• ¾ cup distilled white vinegar
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine the chicken, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, brown sugar, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Place the mixture in a pot over medium heat.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is tender.
5. Serve with rice and enjoy!

8) Quick Chicken Tortilla Dinner

This quick chicken tortilla dinner is perfect for busy nights. You can prepare it in just a few steps, making it great for family meals.

Start by cooking some chicken and wrapping it in tortillas. You can add your favorite toppings like cheese, lettuce, or salsa. Bake until everything is hot and the cheese is melted.

For an easy twist, try using a microwave for a faster option. This meal is also fun to make with kids.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 4 flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup lettuce, chopped
• Salsa, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Lay tortillas flat and add cooked chicken.
3. Top with cheese and lettuce.
4. Roll up the tortillas and place them in a baking dish.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted. Enjoy!

9) Crispy Chicken Katsu

Crispy Chicken Katsu is a delicious dish that’s easy to make at home. You’ll love its crunchy coating and juicy chicken inside. This dish is perfect for lunch or dinner.

To start, you need boneless chicken thighs or breasts. The chicken is pounded to a uniform thickness for even cooking. Then, it’s coated in panko breadcrumbs for that extra crunch.

Fry the coated chicken in hot oil until golden brown. This usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain the chicken on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

You can serve it with rice or in a sandwich. Don’t forget to pair it with your favorite sauce for added flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Pound the chicken to 1/2 inch thick.
2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Set up a breading station with flour, beaten egg, and panko.
4. Coat the chicken in flour, dip in egg, then coat with panko.
5. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/180°C).
6. Fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
7. Drain on paper towels and serve.

10) Caramelized Sweet Chicken

Caramelized Sweet Chicken is a delicious and easy dish you can whip up in no time. It features tender chicken pieces glazed in a sweet, sticky sauce that will have everyone coming back for more.

To start, you will need basic ingredients. These include chicken breasts, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. These combine to create a flavorful mix that is both sweet and savory.

This dish cooks quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The caramelization adds a lovely depth of flavor, making your meal feel special.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.

2. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.

3. Add the chicken breasts. Cook until both sides are browned.

4. Sprinkle brown sugar over the chicken.

5. Pour soy sauce in and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.

6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.