10+ Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes for Stress-Free Weeknight Meals

Easy chicken dinner recipes are perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends. These recipes are quick to prepare, allowing you to enjoy delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can create satisfying dishes that everyone will love.

Whether you’re making a simple stir-fry or a flavorful baked chicken, these recipes make cooking enjoyable and stress-free. You’ll discover how to mix flavors and choose quick cooking methods that fit your lifestyle.

1) 30-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

This quick and easy honey garlic chicken is perfect for busy nights. You can whip it up in just 30 minutes. The sweet and savory sauce makes it a favorite among family and friends.

Start with crispy chicken tossed in a delicious honey garlic sauce. Pair it with some steamed broccoli or asparagus for a complete meal. It’s a dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) chicken breast, diced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown.
4. Pour the honey garlic mixture over the chicken.
5. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring until chicken is cooked through.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds if desired.

2) Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Orzo

This Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Orzo is a quick and tasty dinner option. You’ll love how simple it is to prepare. The combination of tender chicken, bright lemon flavor, and creamy orzo is satisfying.

To start, you’ll need to gather your ingredients. Then, cooking in the Instant Pot makes everything speedy and easy. In no time, you’ll have a delicious meal on the table.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Sauté the chicken in the Instant Pot until browned.
3. Add the lemon juice, zest, and chicken broth.
4. Stir in the orzo and lock the lid.
5. Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.
6. Quick-release the pressure and stir in the heavy cream.
7. Serve warm, garnished with parsley.

3) Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole

Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole is a delicious meal that’s easy to make. It combines juicy chicken, colorful bell peppers, and cheese. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights.

You can prepare it in one pan, making clean-up a breeze. Just mix everything together and bake. The result is a cheesy, flavorful casserole that your family will love.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• 1 cup onion, sliced
• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• 1 cup rice, uncooked
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, bell peppers, onion, and fajita seasoning.
3. Add rice and chicken broth. Mix well.
4. Spread the mixture in a baking dish.
5. Top with sour cream and shredded cheese.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until heated through and cheese is bubbly.

4) Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy garlic chicken is a delicious option for a quick dinner. The chicken is cooked until tender and then coated in a rich garlic sauce. This dish is simple and satisfying.

In a skillet, you can make it all in one pot. The sauce combines garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan for a creamy finish. It pairs well with rice or pasta to soak up the sauce.

You can have this meal ready in about 20 minutes, making it great for busy nights.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Pour in heavy cream and stir in parmesan.
5. Simmer until thickened and serve.

5) Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma is a simple and tasty dinner idea. This recipe combines juicy chicken with delicious spices, all cooked on one pan. It saves you time and makes clean-up easy.

You start by cubing the chicken and slicing some onions. Then, mix olive oil with your favorite spices. Toss everything together and spread it on a sheet pan.

Bake it in the oven at 425°F (220°C) until the chicken is cooked through. The result is flavorful and tender chicken that you can enjoy in a pita or on rice.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) chicken, cubed
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Cube the chicken and slice the onion.
3. In a bowl, mix olive oil and spices.
4. Toss the chicken and onions in the spice mixture.
5. Spread the mixture on a sheet pan.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

6) Tuscan Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Tuscan chicken is a delicious and easy dinner option that packs a lot of flavors. It features tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. This dish pairs well with pasta, potatoes, or even crusty bread.

To make it, you will sear the chicken until golden brown. Then, you’ll create a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. The dish comes together in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet and cook until golden, about 5-7 minutes per side.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1 minute.
5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
6. Add spinach and let it wilt.
7. Return chicken to the skillet. Coat with sauce and heat through.
8. Serve warm.

7) Chicken Florentine Style

Chicken Florentine is a delicious and creamy dish that is perfect for a quick dinner. You can make it in about 30 minutes.

To start, you will need boneless chicken breasts. Cook them until they are golden and tender. It’s best to season them with salt and pepper for flavor.

Next, prepare a rich sauce with garlic, spinach, and cream. You can also add some white wine for an extra kick. Combine the chicken with the sauce, and let it simmer.

This dish pairs well with pasta or rice. Serve it warm and enjoy the creamy goodness!

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
3. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side until golden.
4. Remove chicken and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
6. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
7. Pour in heavy cream and white wine, then stir.
8. Return chicken to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.
9. Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

8) Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders are a quick and tasty dinner option. They take only about 15 minutes to prepare. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

You’ll need tender chicken pieces coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. The garlic gives a nice flavor that pairs well with the juiciness of the chicken.

This dish is simple enough for anyone to make. It’s great served with your favorite sides like vegetables or rice.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) chicken tenders
• 4 tablespoons (60g) butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the butter and allow it to melt.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add the chicken tenders and season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
6. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

9) Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry is a quick and tasty dish that’s perfect for dinner. You can whip it up in around 30 minutes, making it great for a busy night.

Start with tender chicken, fresh vegetables like broccoli and bell peppers, and a sweet teriyaki sauce. This dish is both healthy and satisfying.

You can serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy homemade takeout at home!

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast, sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
2. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.
3. Toss in the vegetables and stir-fry for about 3-5 minutes.
4. Pour in the teriyaki sauce and cook until everything is well coated.
5. Serve hot over rice or noodles if desired.

10) Easy Chicken Scampi

Easy Chicken Scampi is a quick and delicious dinner option. It combines tender chicken with a flavorful garlic and butter sauce. This dish comes together in about 30 minutes.

You can serve it over pasta or alongside vegetables for a complete meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without too much effort.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breasts, sliced
• ½ cup (114 g) butter
• ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Cooked pasta or rice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and half the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown.
3. Stir in garlic, parsley, and basil. Cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add the remaining butter and lemon juice, and mix well.
5. Serve over pasta or rice, if desired.