Simple chicken dishes

You don't have to be a professional chef to prepare a delicious chicken lunch or dinner. Even beginners can handle these simple dishes.

1. Tuscan-Style Chicken in a Skillet

Bacon, cream, and Parmesan—your mouth is watering! No need to go to the cafe; you can easily make tender chicken and cheese with fettuccine pasta at home, restaurant-style.

Recipe: Tuscan-style chicken in a frying pan

2. Lemon Orzo Pasta with Chicken in a Slow Cooker

Once you learn how to cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot, the possibilities are endless. This tender chicken dish is perfect for a dinner with friends, but it's so simple it's perfect for a workday, too. Be sure to wait 10 minutes for the pressure to release naturally; a quick release will result in dry, stringy meat.

Recipe: Lemon orzo pasta with chicken in a slow cooker

3. Baked Potato with BBQ Chicken

Thanks to the pressure cooker, Ree's juicy chicken is ready in just 12 minutes. Stuff the chicken into baked potatoes and top with sour cream, grated cheese, and chopped green onions.

Recipe: Baked Potato with BBQ Chicken

4. Chicken Tinga Tacos

Valerie fills her tacos with a mixture of chicken in sauce and sweet pickled onions.

Recipe: Chicken Tinga Tacos

5. Fried pasta with chicken, green beans and peanuts

Peanuts take center stage in Ree's simple dish. She tosses pasta with peanut butter sauce and tops the dish with crunchy, salted nuts.

Recipe: Fried pasta with chicken, green beans and peanuts

6. Mediterranean chicken in a slow cooker (keto diet)

This keto-friendly chicken is packed with Mediterranean flavors: healthy olive oil, briny olives, and rich Greek yogurt. If you don't have white wine vinegar, use red wine vinegar or even white distilled vinegar.

Recipe: Mediterranean chicken in a slow cooker (keto diet)

7. Chicken and 40 cloves of baked garlic

This recipe is for true garlic lovers. Chicken thighs are braised until tender in a roasted garlic sauce, then topped with roasted garlic slices. There's even enough garlic paste to make bread while the meat cooks.

Recipe: Chicken and 40 cloves of roasted garlic

8. Chicken Yakitori with a side of rice and green beans

As Rachel says, everyone loves food on a stick. She coats the chicken skewers in a sweet, sticky glaze, the flavor of which is echoed in the side dish—green beans and sesame tofu.

Recipe: Yakitori with chicken and a side dish of rice and green beans

9. Thick Chili with Chicken and Pickles

Trisha's chili takes just 45 minutes to prepare. The cayenne pepper oil gives the dish a unique flavor. It's quite spicy, so if you're making it for children, you can reduce the amount of oil.

Recipe: Thick chili with chicken and pickles

10. Pot Pie Chicken Burgers

Trisha's burgers are loaded with vegetables, and a simple white sauce makes them even more delicious.

Recipe: Pot Pie Chicken Burgers

11. Pan-fried herb-marinated chicken breast

This dish is perfect for a weekday dinner. On the weekend, marinate the chicken breasts and freeze them. The day before cooking, remove the chicken and let it defrost.

Recipe: Pan-fried chicken breast marinated in herbs

12. Country-Style Chicken and Vegetable Stew

Ree sears the chicken to bring out the maximum flavor, then cooks it into a warming stew with chunks of hearty root vegetables.

Recipe: Country-style chicken and vegetable stew

13. Linguine pasta with chicken parmesan in tomato sauce

Did you know this top-notch recipe from Trisha is inspired by Frank Sinatra? She puts a new spin on the beloved Italian Sunday sauce by adding bacon and sweet shallots.

Recipe: Linguine pasta with chicken parmesan in tomato sauce

14. Caramelized Chicken

Katie offers a sweet and savory take on a classic weeknight dinner. Serve the chicken with white rice—it'll soak up the delicious caramel sauce.

Recipe: Caramelized chicken

15. Casserole with chicken and tortillas

All your favorite Tex-Mex flavors combined into one quick and easy casserole.

Recipe: Casserole with chicken and tortillas

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16. Chicken Piccata

Giada's piccata is sure to please guests (over 1,000 top-rated reviews!). Giada serves the chicken in a luxurious, zesty caper-lemon sauce.

Recipe: Chicken Piccata

17. Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

This version of the classic, easy Alfredo sauce is flourless, and the mixture is simmered briefly with cheese to thicken it.

Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken

18. Chicken and Cauliflower Fried Rice

For a lighter version of fried rice, use cauliflower. The desired texture is achieved by using a food processor to thoroughly puree the cauliflower; the pieces should be firm and large enough to avoid a puree-like consistency.

Recipe: Cauliflower Fried Rice with Chicken

19. Chicken Enchiladas with Mole Poblano Sauce

Mole poblano is a festive dish in Mexico, often prepared for special occasions, and the process takes about four days. This recipe uses a simplified sauce that retains its deep, distinctive flavor. It's easy to make ahead and freeze, so any weekday can be a festive occasion.

Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas with Mole Poblano Sauce

20. Chicken Fajita Salad

Ree makes a fresh take on the meaty appetizer: this elegant and unusual salad is cooked entirely on the grill.

Recipe: Chicken Fajita Salad

21. Cajun Chicken Noodles

It's no coincidence that Ree's recipe is a hit—it's a quick and flavorful dish for the whole family.

Recipe: Cajun Chicken Noodles

22. Pasta Alfredo with Chicken and Caprese

This one-skillet dinner combines creamy Alfredo pasta with a fresh Caprese salad.

Recipe: Pasta Alfredo with Chicken and Caprese

23. Tortilla Soup with Chicken and Cheddar Cheese

Trisha loves this soup because it can be made ahead of time and left on the stove until serving time.

Recipe: Tortilla Soup with Chicken and Cheddar Cheese

24. Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff

In this dish, chicken is a great substitute for beef. Prep the ingredients in less than 15 minutes, and the slow cooker does the rest.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff

25. Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger (as well as the juices that escape from the meat) combine to create a delicious sauce for chicken thighs and rice. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add cornstarch at the end and cook for a little longer.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

26. Chicken with dumplings in a slow cooker

This warming chicken and dumplings dish cooks up in a flash in a slow cooker. It's a great weeknight dinner recipe.

Recipe: Chicken with dumplings in a slow cooker

27. Chicken breast in lemon sauce

Rachel Ray's chicken dinner recipe is inspired by a diner menu item.

Recipe: Chicken breast in lemon sauce

28. Quick Chicken Curry

Ree's curry is a true miracle: the dish is prepared in one pot and takes only 25 minutes.

Recipe: Quick Chicken Curry

29. Coconut milk curry with chicken and cauliflower

Liven up a weeknight with Melissa's curry. This vegetable-rich dish is ready in under 40 minutes.

Recipe: Coconut milk curry with chicken and cauliflower

30. Pan-fried chicken with broccoli

Marinate the chicken while you prepare the remaining ingredients. A fresh and healthy dinner will be on the table in just half an hour.

Recipe: Pan-fried chicken with broccoli

31. Portioned casserole with chicken, spinach and artichokes

Molly's tender, cozy, and delicious casserole is the perfect dish for making ahead. She keeps the recipe in the freezer and bakes it in the oven for just 30 minutes for a quick lunch.

Recipe: Portioned casserole with chicken, spinach and artichokes

32. Caprese chicken on a baking sheet

This easy one-sheet lunch requires no extra cookware. Juicy baked tomatoes and cheesy chicken breasts are enhanced with a vibrant touch of fresh basil and balsamic vinaigrette.

Recipe: Chicken Caprese on a baking sheet

33. Roman-style chicken

Giada adds fresh herbs, tomatoes, and peppers to the dish, making it light yet filling.

Recipe: Roman-style chicken

34. Chicken Quesadilla with Sauce

This quesadilla is one of Ree's family's favorite dinner dishes. Let's be honest: on a weekday, you crave something cheesy and carb-heavy for dinner.

Recipe: Quesadilla with chicken and sauce

35. Chicken Adobo in a Slow Cooker

This simplified version of a traditional Filipino dish is perfect for the Instant Pot (slow cooker, pressure cooker, and steamer). The pressure cooker mode makes it super quick, and even better, you only need to clean one pot.

Recipe: Chicken Adobo in a Slow Cooker

36. Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Cinnamon and molasses give this quick chili a rich, satisfying flavor.

Recipe: Chicken chili in a slow cooker

37. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

This protein-packed fajita uses a foil-lined baking sheet and a top-heat oven for a healthy weeknight meal that doesn't require much cleanup.

Recipe: Chicken Fajitas on a Baking Sheet

38. Oven-baked chicken with shallots and rosemary sauce

Shallots are ideal for roasting whole alongside large portions of meat. Chicken breast with shallots, cut into halves or quarters, and a casserole dish makes a quick weekday lunch. If you have white wine or champagne vinegar, drizzle a little over the sauce before serving.

Recipe: Oven-baked chicken with shallots and rosemary sauce

39. Chicken in a creamy sauce with spinach and artichokes in a frying pan

This chicken dinner is inspired by a favorite hot appetizer, combining the best of spinach and artichoke dip.

Recipe: Chicken in a creamy sauce with spinach and artichokes in a frying pan

40. Whole chicken in a slow cooker

The meat turns out juicy and tender. We rub the chicken with spices and place it on canning lids: the meat rises above the liquid, allowing it to cook in the slow cooker. Prick the skin underneath to release excess juices and ensure even cooking. Homemade barbecue sauce, perfect for basting chicken, is made in minutes.

Recipe: Whole chicken in a slow cooker

41. Chicken in a creamy sauce in a frying pan

This simple recipe uses one pan to do four things: fry, sauté, stew, and steam ingredients. Cleanup is kept to a minimum, so you won't have to run the dishwasher.

Recipe: Chicken in a creamy sauce in a frying pan

42. Chicken breasts in Marsala sauce

After frying the chicken, Tyler cooks prosciutto and cremini mushrooms in the same pan. The juices released from the meat infuse the sauce with a rich, caramelized flavor.

Recipe: Chicken breasts in Marsala sauce

43. Chicken thighs with potatoes, lemon and garlic

Water and butter come together to create a wonderful weeknight chicken dinner. Potatoes are cooked alongside crispy chicken thighs. First, boil them until tender, then fry them in the remaining butter until golden brown.

Recipe: Chicken thighs with potatoes, lemon and garlic

44. Chicken Pot Pie – American Pie

For a simple, hearty pie, Sunny uses quick-cooking chicken breast, cutting it into small pieces.

Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie – American Pie

45. Chicken Parmesan with Artichokes in a Skillet

This dinner has everything you could want in one skillet and comes together in less than an hour.

Recipe: Chicken Parmesan with Artichokes in a Skillet

46. Oven-baked chicken in crispy breading

Ellie uses crumbled cereal and whole grain crackers for a crispy coating on yogurt-marinated chicken.

Recipe: Oven-baked chicken in crispy breading

47. Fried chicken with potatoes and mushrooms

Rosemary sprigs and toasted lemon add a rustic flair to this hearty chicken, mushroom, and potato dish.

Recipe: Fried chicken with potatoes and mushrooms

48. Chicken feed

Coconut milk and Madras curry powder give this chicken dish a traditional Indian flavor.

Recipe: Chicken korma

49. Chicken thighs with onion sauce in a frying pan

What's the secret to the golden, crispy crust in this dish from Ina? After placing the meat in the pan, don't turn it or move it for 15 minutes. Use this time to add a side dish (or enjoy a glass of wine).

Recipe: Chicken thighs with onion sauce in a frying pan

50. Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry

Fresh ginger is the key to the vibrant flavor in this dish. Serve the stir-fry with a serving of rice.

Recipe: Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry

51. Crispy Coconut-Breaded Chicken Fingers with Mango Dip

Cooking with kids? They'll love these chicken fingers from Jeff. He coats the fillets in a mixture of coconut flour, whole-grain panko breadcrumbs, and unsweetened coconut flakes.

Recipe: Crispy coconut-breaded chicken fingers with mango dipping sauce

52. Sheet Pan Dinner: BBQ Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

This simple lunch of BBQ-glazed chicken, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes is assembled and cooked on one sheet pan—the perfect weeknight meal.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Dinner: BBQ Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

53. Pasta Casserole with Chicken Meatballs

These meatballs have a secret – they contain nutritious pumpkin! Kids won't even notice, as the meatballs are baked with pasta and topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Recipe: Pasta Casserole with Chicken Meatballs

54. Chicken Cordon Bleu, Hasselback Style

Ree stuffs thin slices of chicken breast with Canadian bacon, Swiss cheese, and a crispy breadcrumb topping—the dish is similar to a baked potato. Best of all, it can be made ahead and frozen for dinner.

Recipe: Hasselback-Style Chicken Cordon Bleu

55. Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Ree's casserole combines two dishes: spaghetti in mushroom sauce and chicken with bell peppers. Cook the spaghetti in the same liquid as the chicken—it will infuse the flavor. The cheddar will thicken the sauce and coat every piece of meat.

Recipe: Spaghetti casserole with chicken