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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Easy Chicken Dinners for Busy Families

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 22, 2025, updated July 8, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy chicken dinners can be a lifesaver for busy families. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can whip up satisfying meals that everyone will enjoy. Here are 21 chicken recipes that are perfect for weeknight dinners, making mealtime a breeze.

    Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    A skillet of pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish features the bold flavor of sun-dried tomatoes combined with a blend of dried herbs. It's a straightforward and delicious choice for busy nights when you want something quick and filling.

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    Chili Rubbed Chicken Thighs

    Chili rubbed chicken.
    Photo credit: Grits and Pinecones.

    Broiled chicken thighs with a flavorful chili rub are a great choice for a quick and satisfying meal. This dish is easy to prepare and always turns out juicy and delicious. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This meal comes together in just 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy days when you want something tasty without spending too much time cooking. The chicken legs have crispy skin and juicy meat, thanks to a marinade with lime juice that keeps them tender and flavorful.

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    3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Shredded chicken tacos are simple to prepare with just three ingredients and a quick five minutes of prep time. They work well for busy weeknights when you need a fast family dinner. Just toss everything into the slow cooker, shred the chicken once it's cooked, and dinner is ready.

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    Loaded Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Loaded chicken potato casserole.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This chicken dinner is ideal for busy evenings when you need something simple and filling. It features tender chicken, crispy bacon, cheesy potatoes, and fresh green onions, creating a comforting meal that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders

    Air fried chicken tenders.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken tenders are perfect for busy nights when you want something quick and easy. A simple marinade with lime juice, olive oil, and spices adds great flavor, and a quick air fry cooks them up nicely. You'll have juicy chicken ready in no time, making dinner a breeze.

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    Pumpkin Chicken Curry

    Pumpkin and chicken curry on a bed of white rice in a blue bowl.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    Chicken breasts are chopped into small pieces and cooked in a rich pumpkin sauce that’s packed with flavor. This easy one-skillet dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, especially in the fall.

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    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Baked parmesan crusted chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Parmesan-crusted chicken is a simple and quick dinner option that you can easily bake in the oven. With its cheesy, crispy coating, this dish is bound to please everyone at the table.

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    Chicken Mango Wraps

    Chicken Mango Wraps.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    Chicken Mango wraps are a quick and easy meal perfect for busy evenings when you don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen. With delicious flavors and a touch of sweetness from the mango, this dish is sure to be a hit at the dinner table.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Feta Cheese

    Creamy feta cheese chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick chicken dinner with creamy pasta sauce and feta cheese is perfect for busy nights when you want something easy and delicious. This dish is straightforward to prepare and will leave you feeling full and happy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken

    Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken.
    Photo Credit: I heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken is a simple dish that you can prepare in your crock pot. The chicken simmers in a delicious sweet and savory sauce, making it a great option to serve with rice and vegetables. This meal is perfect for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)

    ©Provided by Pups with Chopsticks

    Thai Basil Chicken is a simple and flavorful dish that brings together chicken, beans, and aromatic Thai basil in a delicious sauce. It comes together in just 15 minutes, making it a great choice for a satisfying meal when you're pressed for time.

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    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is an easy option that uses rotisserie chicken, lemon, and rosemary. It's perfect for days when cooking feels like too much effort. Quick to prepare, this dish is a solid choice for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Thai Chicken Ramen

    Creamy thai chicken ramen.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Creamy chicken ramen with Thai flavors is a quick and easy dish that's great for busy nights. With rotisserie chicken and canned soup, you can put together a delicious meal in no time. This recipe is all about convenience while still delivering on flavor.

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    Crispy Oven BBQ Chicken

    Oven baked BBQ chicken.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    This chicken dinner is quick and easy, using just a handful of ingredients like barbecue sauce, chicken, and some spices. The result is crispy and juicy baked barbecue chicken that you can whip up in no time. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

    Chicken enchiladas with green sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken enchiladas with green sauce are a quick and easy meal that fits well into a busy schedule. With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can enjoy tender chicken, gooey cheese, and flavorful green chile sauce all wrapped up in warm tortillas. This dish is satisfying and perfect for a weeknight dinner.

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    Lemon Chicken & Rice Casserole

    A rice and chicken casseroele.
    Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes.

    This casserole combines zesty lemon, juicy chicken, and creamy rice all in one pot. It's a great option for busy evenings when you want a delicious meal without spending hours cooking. With its simple preparation, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Burgers

    A stack of chicken patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken patties offer a simple and quick meal solution for busy days when time is tight. Just season them, toss them in the air fryer, and you'll have delicious, juicy chicken ready to eat in no time. This is a great option for when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Barley Pulao

    Chicken barley pulao.
    Photo Credit: Chocolates and Chai.

    This dish puts a fun spin on the classic Chicken Pulao. It’s a one-pot meal that swaps out rice for barley, giving it a unique flavor and some extra health perks. This version keeps the essence of traditional pulao while offering something a little different.

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    Chicken and Chickpea Soup

    Chicken and Chickpea Soup
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    Chicken and chickpea soup is a great choice for evenings when you want something simple and cozy. With just a few ingredients and a little time on the stove, you can whip up a filling meal in no time. It's perfect for busy nights when you still want a warm and satisfying dish.

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    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Lemons & Zest.

    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta combines the delicious flavors of Tuscan chicken with an easy, hands-off approach. This dish features tender chicken, mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and your choice of pasta all cooked together in a rich, creamy sauce. It's a complete meal that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy nights.

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    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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