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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Dump-and-Bake Chicken Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 2, 2025, updated March 21, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make dinner time a challenge, but these 20 dump-and-bake chicken dinners are here to simplify your routine. With minimal prep and easy cleanup, these recipes let you enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. From comforting casseroles to flavorful one-pan dishes, you'll find plenty of options to keep your family satisfied.

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare and ready in under an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, it's a tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs

    Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Simply Delicious.

    Baked honey mustard chicken thighs are a great choice for a weeknight meal, offering juicy and tasty chicken with minimal effort. This dish is simple to prepare and always satisfying.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole combines the tasty flavors of chicken fajitas into an easy baked dinner. It includes protein-rich black beans and quinoa, all mixed right in the baking dish without any pre-cooking.

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    Baked Parmesan Chicken

    Baked Parmesan Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    Baked Parmesan Chicken is sure to become a family favorite. This dish features a crispy, cheesy coating on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will definitely provide leftovers. It's a simple and satisfying option for dinner.

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    French Onion Chicken Bake

    French Onion Chicken Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Food Blog.

    This French Onion Chicken Bake puts a tasty spin on the classic soup. Juicy chicken breasts are combined with caramelized onions, beef broth, and melted gruyere cheese for a satisfying meal that comes together in about an hour.

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    Sheet Pan Drumsticks & Potatoes

    Baked drumsticks.
    Photo credit: Go Healthy Ever After.

    Sheet pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes are simple, healthy, and really tasty. The lemon garlic seasoning adds great flavor, making this a quick dinner option for busy weeknights.

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    Baked Chicken Thighs

    Baked Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Baked chicken thighs are simple to prepare and packed with flavor, coming out crispy on the outside while staying tender and juicy inside. They're generously seasoned with garlic and herbs for a delicious meal.

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    Baked Pesto Mozzarella Chicken

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

    This baked pesto mozzarella chicken is a quick and tasty dinner option that you can have ready in just 30 minutes. It's low-carb, gluten-free, and uses simple ingredients for an easy meal.

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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 great comfort food option. It's easy to prepare in just one pan, making it a perfect choice for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks

    Healthy Baked Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    This healthy chicken drumsticks recipe is a simple sheet pan dinner that delivers a tasty meal in about 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes is packed with fresh, vibrant flavors that everyone will enjoy. You can get it ready a day or two in advance, then just bake it when it's time for dinner.

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    Oven Baked Chicken Breast

    Black Pudding Stuffed Chicken Breast.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    This oven-baked chicken breast is juicy and packed with flavor. With just a few simple seasonings, it comes out perfectly every time, whether you choose to brine it or not.

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    Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken

    Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    An easy chicken dish with just 4 ingredients is always a win. This Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken is great for dinner and works well for meal prep, perfect for sandwiches, salads, and grain bowls throughout the week.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta packed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for a cozy dinner without much effort.

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    King Ranch Chicken Casserole

    King ranch chicken casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This dish is a classic Southern comfort meal that's easy to prepare. With gooey cheese, chicken, and southwest flavors, it delivers a lot of taste with very little effort.

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    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    A spoonful of Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This casserole checks all of the boxes with creamy chicken, mixed veggies, and crispy tater tots on top! Make it ahead and freeze for later, or bake it now and enjoy this favorite casserole that even picky eaters will love.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for quick weeknight meals. With just a little chopping to begin, you end up with a delicious mix of chicken, veggies, and sauce all cooked together in one pan.

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    Chicken Baked with White Wine, Garlic and Herbs

    Chicken Baked with White Wine, Garlic and Herbs.
    Photo Credit: Simply Delicious.

    Baked chicken thighs in a tasty white wine, butter, and herb sauce are simple to prepare for a weeknight dinner. This dish is also great for impressing guests at dinner parties.

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    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    .Chicken Casserole
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Southwest Chicken Casserole is a filling dish that combines juicy chicken, zesty spices, and gooey cheese all in one pan. With easy prep and a comforting blend of salsa Verde and black beans, this is a great option for busy weeknights that everyone will enjoy.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      20 Cucumber Dishes That Will Keep You Cool All Season Long
    • Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake.
      22 Easy Dump-and-Go Meals Straight from Grandma’s Recipe Box
    • Carne guisada.
      Set It and Forget It: 23 Slow Cooker Dinners That Basically Cook Themselves
    • Chow mein.
      5 Chinese Crockpot Recipes to Try This Week

    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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