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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Easy Chicken Dinners That Do All the Work for You

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 17, 2025, updated July 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Chicken is a go-to for many weeknight dinners, and these 21 easy recipes make cooking a breeze. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, you can whip up satisfying meals that the whole family will enjoy. From slow cooker options to one-pan wonders, these dishes do all the work for you.

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Mayo

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Mayo.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This slow cooker mayo chicken is packed with flavor and is sure to please everyone at the table, including the kids. It's an easy dish that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy nights. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy your time.

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    Salsa Chicken

    Salsa chicken.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Salsa Chicken is a quick and healthy meal that's packed with flavor. It requires very little prep time, making it a go-to choice for busy evenings. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta

    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Chicken enchilada pasta is a delicious twist on a classic favorite. This dish combines tender chicken, zesty green chiles, and pasta, all smothered in a rich and creamy cheese sauce. It's a comforting meal that brings together all the great flavors of chicken enchiladas in a new way.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let it cook on its own while you take care of other things. It combines chicken, vegetables, and plenty of sauce, all in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry..
    Photo Credit: 4 Sons R Us.

    Slow cooker chicken curry is a warm and satisfying meal that's packed with flavor. It features tender chicken, a variety of vegetables, and a wonderful blend of spices. This simple crockpot dish is sure to become a go-to option for dinner at home.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken cacciatore is easy to make in a slow cooker. It features a flavorful sauce made with diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bell peppers, onions, and Italian herbs. This dish is great for summer when you want a filling meal without spending hours cooking. Just set it up and let the slow cooker handle the rest. Enjoy a cozy dinner that brings a taste of Italy to your home.

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    Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder

    Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder.
    Photo Credit: An Edible Mosaic.

    This creamy chicken corn chowder is perfect for a cozy meal. With tender chicken, potatoes, and a mix of vegetables, it’s a satisfying dish that warms you up. Just toss everything into the Crockpot and let it do the work for you.

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    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This chicken dinner is packed with tropical flavors that everyone will enjoy. It's a simple recipe that you can just throw together and let cook, making it perfect for busy nights. This dish is sure to become a favorite in your family's meal rotation.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    BBQ chicken wings are simple to make in the slow cooker with just a handful of ingredients. This dish is perfect for gatherings and is sure to please everyone. With minimal effort, you can enjoy delicious wings that are full of flavor.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

    Chicken alfredo on a plate.
    Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

    This dish features tender and juicy chicken paired with perfectly cooked penne pasta. It's a simple way to enjoy a tasty Alfredo pasta meal, and it comes together in no time. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe is all about convenience without sacrificing flavor.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that will definitely satisfy your hunger. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something filling without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This chicken fajita soup is perfect for a busy weekday or a gathering with friends. It features tender chicken breasts cooked slowly with peppers, corn, and beans in a flavorful chicken broth. In just about 4 hours, you can have a hearty meal ready to enjoy. This dish is a great addition to your meal plan for a satisfying dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken

    Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken,.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Mongolian Chicken is a dish that’s likely to become a staple in your kitchen. It’s simple to prepare, and the flavors are so good that you might think twice about ordering takeout. This meal is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Fire-roasted green chilies, jalapenos, and ranch dressing come together with boneless skinless chicken breasts to create a tasty Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken. This dish offers a fresh take on a classic appetizer that everyone in the family will love. It's a simple and satisfying meal that brings bold flavors to the table.

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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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    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. It's a hearty meal that's simple to prepare, perfect for a cozy night in. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner that everyone will love.

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    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Juicy chicken cooks slowly in a creamy parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, filling your kitchen with a delicious aroma. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Just set it up and let it do its thing, and you'll have a comforting dinner ready to enjoy.

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    Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a delicious and satisfying meal. With smoked sausage, Cajun spices, and a rich cheesy sauce, it’s sure to please everyone at the table. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare, taking less than 10 minutes, and it cooks in under an hour. It's packed with spicy buffalo sauce, has some hidden spinach, and is super cheesy. This dish is a satisfying and easy option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken

    Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken is a simple and tasty meal that everyone will love. With just a few basic pizza ingredients, you can create a comforting dish that's perfect for busy nights. Topped with pepperoni or any of your favorite toppings, this chicken is sure to please the whole family.

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    Slow Cooker Cool Ranch Tacos

    Slow Cooker Cool Ranch Tacos.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Cool Ranch Tacos bring a fun twist to your taco night. With just four simple ingredients, you can create a delicious meal with minimal effort. These tacos are so tasty that you might find yourself wanting to make extra to satisfy everyone.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Effortless Chicken Dinners That Cook While You Relax
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      23 Easy Crockpot Dinners for Super Busy Nights

    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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