10+ Quick Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights

When you’re short on time but still want a delicious meal, quick chicken recipes are your best friend. These meals can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, making it easy to enjoy a tasty dish even on your busiest days.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding the whole family, you’ll find that simple chicken recipes can be both satisfying and easy to make.

With just a few ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up something delicious without stress. Quick chicken recipes offer a variety of flavors and styles to keep your meals exciting, ensuring that dinner doesn’t feel repetitive.

Let’s dive into some quick and easy chicken dishes that will make your weeknight cooking a breeze!

1) 30-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

You can whip up this tasty honey garlic chicken in just 30 minutes. It features crispy chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. This dish pairs well with veggies like asparagus or broccoli.

To start, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients. The combination of honey and garlic creates a delicious flavor that you’ll love. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
4. In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, and garlic.
5. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Serve hot with your favorite vegetables.

2) Creamy Garlic Chicken in 20 Minutes

Creamy Garlic Chicken is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting and delicious.

You will love the rich, garlic-infused sauce that makes the chicken so flavorful. This recipe uses simple ingredients and only one pan, making cleanup easy.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add chicken breasts and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and Italian seasoning, then stir well.
6. Return chicken to the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
7. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

3) 15-Minute Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

This 15-minute teriyaki chicken stir fry is an easy and tasty meal. You can whip it up quickly with just a few ingredients. The chicken cooks fast and becomes wonderfully flavorful with the teriyaki sauce.

Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Sauté the chicken in a hot skillet until it’s golden brown. Then, add your favorite veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots for added color and nutrition.

Finally, pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken and veggies. Cook everything until the sauce thickens. Serve this dish over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 grams) chicken breast
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) teriyaki sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the mixed vegetables and cook for 3-4 minutes.
5. Pour in the teriyaki sauce and stir everything together.
6. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
7. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

4) Quick Chicken Florentine

Chicken Florentine is a delicious dish that’s easy to make. You’ll enjoy tender chicken in a creamy spinach sauce. It’s perfect for a quick dinner on busy nights.

To start, pan-fry your chicken until it’s golden brown. Then, add garlic and fresh spinach to create a flavorful sauce. You can use white wine for extra taste or stick with chicken broth.

This dish takes about 20 to 30 minutes to prepare. Serve it over rice or pasta for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup white wine (or chicken broth)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Cook the chicken breasts until golden and fully cooked.
3. Remove the chicken and add garlic and spinach to the pan.
4. Stir in the cream and white wine; season with salt and pepper.
5. Return the chicken to the pan and coat with the sauce.
6. Serve hot over rice or pasta.

5) Chicken Shawarma Sheet Pan

Chicken shawarma on a sheet pan makes dinner easy and flavorful. You can have it ready in no time using just one pan. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without too much effort.

You’ll need chicken, spices, and vegetables. The spices add a wonderful taste that will make your kitchen smell amazing. Everything cooks together, so the flavors blend perfectly.

To start, you’ll roast the chicken until it’s golden brown and cooked through. This usually takes around 30 to 40 minutes at 400°F (200°C). You can slice it and serve it in pita bread or with rice.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breast, cubed
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix chicken, onion, olive oil, and spices.
3. Spread mixture on a sheet pan.
4. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Serve with your choice of bread or rice.

6) Easy Creamy Lemon Chicken

Easy Creamy Lemon Chicken is a quick dish you can whip up on a busy weeknight. It features tender chicken breasts cooked in a delicious creamy lemon garlic sauce.

This recipe takes about 25 to 30 minutes from start to finish. You’ll enjoy a tasty meal with minimal effort.

The creamy sauce adds great flavor, and it pairs well with rice or pasta.

Ingredients

• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• ½ cup salted butter
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 cup half-and-half
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown.
3. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and half-and-half.
4. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

7) Spicy Chicken Fajita Casserole

Spicy Chicken Fajita Casserole is a tasty and easy meal. It combines chicken, peppers, and cheese in one dish. You can have it ready in no time!

To make this dish, you’ll need sliced bell peppers and seasoned chicken. Layer them with rice and a three-cheese blend for a creamy finish. Bake it all together for a delightful flavor.

This casserole is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for busy nights. You can customize the spice level to suit your taste!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup rice, uncooked
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup cheese blend
• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• 2 cups chicken broth

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a baking dish, combine rice, broth, and fajita seasoning.
3. Layer with chicken, bell peppers, and diced tomatoes.
4. Top with cheese.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Enjoy!

8) Last Minute Juicy Chicken Thighs

When you need a quick meal, juicy chicken thighs are a great choice. You can have them ready in about 15 minutes. The secret is to use high heat for a nice sear.

Start by seasoning your chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a little oil. Once the oil is hot, place the thighs in the skillet skin-side down.

Cook for about 7 minutes, then flip them over. Lower the heat slightly and cook for another 5 minutes. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). This way, you’ll have perfectly cooked chicken.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• Your favorite spices (e.g., garlic powder, paprika)

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken thighs.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Place thighs skin-side down in the skillet.
4. Cook for 7 minutes.
5. Flip the thighs and cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Check the internal temperature; it should be 165°F (75°C).

9) Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders are a delicious and quick meal option. You can have tender and juicy chicken ready in about 20 minutes. The garlic butter sauce adds a savory flavor that makes this dish irresistible.

To make these chicken tenders, start with boneless chicken pieces. Cook them in a skillet until golden brown. Then, melt butter and add minced garlic for the sauce. Pour it over the chicken and let it simmer.

This dish pairs well with rice or steamed vegetables. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a casual gathering with friends.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add chicken tenders, seasoning with salt and pepper.
3. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until browned.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic.
5. Pour garlic butter over chicken and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
6. Garnish with parsley before serving.

10) Simple Chicken Scampi

Chicken scampi is a quick and tasty dish you can whip up in no time. This recipe features tender chicken in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. It’s full of fresh ingredients and ready in about 30 minutes.

You’ll need chicken breast, butter, garlic, and some herbs for a delicious meal. Serve it over pasta or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast
• ½ cup (115 g) butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F or 180°C).

2. Add chicken breast, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden.

3. Remove chicken and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.

5. Add the chicken back, along with parsley and oregano.

6. If desired, stir in lemon juice.

7. Serve hot.