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    Home » Quick & Easy Meals » Dump and Bake Recipes

    18 Dump-and-Go Chicken Dinners That Will Save You Time

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 2, 2025 · Published December 15, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 18 chicken dinners are perfect for busy nights when you want a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Just toss the ingredients in your slow cooker or Instant Pot, and let them do the work for you. Enjoy flavorful meals with minimal effort and time!

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This chicken traybake is easy to put together, bringing everything into one dish with a flavorful Mediterranean dressing. It features vibrant vegetables and juicy chicken thighs, making it a versatile meal that you can adjust to your liking.

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    Old Fashioned Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken baked on top of rice.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Chicken and Rice Casserole is a favorite meal that many people enjoy. It features flavorful chicken paired with tender rice, making it a simple choice for dinner. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Drumsticks

    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    Oven baked chicken drumsticks are a delicious choice for dinner, and using a sheet pan means cleanup is easy. This dish combines the wonderful flavors of garlic, parmesan, red pepper, and parsley, making it a satisfying meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot Cranberry Chicken

    Crock Pot Cranberry Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    This slow cooker recipe combines tender chicken breast with a mix of cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, rosemary, and spices. It's a simple way to prepare a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Perfect for busy nights, this dish offers a great balance of flavors that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    One pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes are great for a fast weeknight meal. The chicken legs are flavorful and the potatoes come out nicely roasted, making this dish both comforting and filling. You can easily throw together a simple salad while it cooks, giving you a complete dinner in no time.

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    Ranch Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Ranch potato bake.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole with broccoli, bacon, and cheese is a comforting meal that hits the spot. This dish is simple to put together in just one pan, which makes it a solid option for a quick dinner during the week. With its hearty ingredients, it's sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs are full of great flavors and come with a variety of veggies, making it a fantastic low-carb dinner choice. This meal is sure to satisfy everyone around the table.

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    Baked Pesto Mozzarella Chicken

    Easy Baked Pesto Mozzarella Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Baked pesto mozzarella chicken is a simple and delicious dinner that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. It's low in carbs and gluten-free, using easy-to-find ingredients. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Chicken and rice casserole is an easy and comforting dish to put together. This meal is filling and sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Ranch Sheet Pan Chicken & Veggies

    Sheet pan with chicken and veggies.
    Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

    This easy sheet pan chicken dinner with veggies is perfect for busy families who want a healthy, warm meal. Just mix everything together, pop it in the oven, and it's ready to serve. It's a simple way to get dinner on the table without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Baked BBQ Chicken

    Baked BBQ Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This chicken dish is perfect for a fast weeknight dinner. Tender chicken thighs are coated in a delicious glaze that everyone will love. It's an easy option that doesn't require much effort, making it a great choice for busy evenings.

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    Sheet Pan Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

    Sheet pan prosciutto wrapped chicken.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Prosciutto-wrapped chicken is an easy dish that comes together in no time. It's a great option for a weeknight meal when you want something delicious without spending hours cooking. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner that feels special.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole features the tasty flavors of chicken fajitas and is super easy to prepare. It includes filling black beans and quinoa, all tossed together in one baking dish without any need for cooking things separately first. It's a simple and satisfying meal that comes together quickly.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is easy to put together and can be on the table in less than an hour. With a kick from the buffalo sauce, some sneaky spinach, and lots of cheese, this dish is a filling option for a weeknight meal.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry is an easy and quick dinner option that everyone will love. With just one pan to use, you can get it ready with very little effort and no need to keep stirring. It's a great choice for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is packed with chicken and broccoli, creating a filling meal that satisfies. It's ideal for busy nights when you need something quick and easy. Plus, you'll probably have some leftovers to enjoy the next day.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy chicken and pasta come together with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in this filling comfort meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish is easy to prepare and offers a great balance of flavors that everyone will enjoy.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is ideal for busy weeknights. A bit of chopping is all it takes to combine chicken, vegetables, and sauce, all cooked together in one pan. It's a simple way to enjoy a tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    More Dump and Bake Recipes

    • Zucchini casserole.
      19 Set-It-and-Forget-It Dishes Your Guests Won’t Believe Were This Easy
    • Chicken tikka masala.
      28 Dump-And-Cook Chicken Dinners for Exhausted Cooks
    • Baked lamb chops with veggies.
      21 Dump-and-Go Dinners That Make Weeknights Feel Easy
    • A spoonful of chicken fajita casserole.
      26 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Simplify Your Life

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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