• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Flavor-Packed Chicken Dinners Ready in 40 Minutes or Less

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on November 26, 2024, updated November 26, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Chicken dinners can be quick and satisfying, which is what makes them so perfect for busy weeknights. With a variety of flavors and easy recipes, you can whip up a delicious meal in 40 minutes or less. From spicy to savory, these dishes will keep your dinner routine exciting and enjoyable.

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

    Chicken and mushroom stroganoff with sour cream in a sour cream sauce.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff is a creamy and hearty dish that brings a taste of Eastern European cooking to your table in just 30 minutes. It's a great option for a comforting meal that doesn't require spending all day in the kitchen.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Baked parmesan crusted chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Parmesan-crusted chicken is a simple and delicious dinner option that everyone will enjoy. It's cheesy, crispy, and perfect for dipping, all ready in under 30 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

    Buffalo chicken quesadillas.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish brings together cheese and spice for a delicious meal. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner during the week!

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

    Chicken legs marinated in Mexican chicken marinade.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Enjoy crispy skin and juicy meat with this easy Air Fryer Chicken Legs recipe. In just a short amount of time, you can have delicious chicken legs that are golden brown outside and tender inside.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

    Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches come together in under 30 minutes, offering a tasty twist on a classic. The spicy chicken paired with a zesty blue cheese coleslaw creates a perfect combination.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Tenders

    Baked Chicken Tenders.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Oven-baked chicken tenders are quick and easy to prepare in just 25 minutes. With simple ingredients from your pantry, they’re a healthier option than fried chicken and perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce or enjoying straight from the oven.

    Get the recipe

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thin chicken breasts cooked in the air fryer create a quick and tasty dinner. With just 6 minutes of cooking and plenty of garlic and basil seasoning, this dish is full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Spanish Chicken Stew

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

    This chicken stew is quick and easy, using rotisserie chicken to save time. It's loaded with fresh lemon and rosemary flavors that make it a delicious meal.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Teriyaki Stir-fry

    Chicken teriyaki.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 25 minutes, including prep time. Packed with chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots, it’s a satisfying low-carb dish on its own, or you can add noodles or rice to feed a crowd.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

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

    Air fryer chicken cutlets are perfect for a quick and easy dinner any night. With their crispy texture and juicy flavor, you'll find yourself wanting to make them again and again.

    Get the recipe

    Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

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

    This chicken dinner is loaded with flavor, featuring sun-dried tomatoes and dried herbs. It's a simple and tasty meal that you can whip up in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a weekly favorite that’s both healthy and satisfying. It features a flavorful base and is topped with crunchy peanuts for added texture.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl.
    Photo credit: Fresh Apron.

    This tasty chicken dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It comes together in under 40 minutes and is loaded with great flavors.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps

    Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    These tasty wraps feature a flavorful peanut sauce and plenty of fresh veggies, creating a delightful Thai-inspired chicken dish. Perfect for a quick meal, they come together in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    Chicken lettuce wraps.
    Photo credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    These quick cashew chicken lettuce wraps come together in one pot in just 20 minutes. It's a tasty meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Mini Baked Chicken Tacos

    20 Minute Mini Baked Chicken Tacos
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These corn tortillas are stuffed with taco-seasoned chicken and topped with shredded cheese, then baked until crispy. It's a chicken taco that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Get on my Plate.

    This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is perfect for a quick family dinner or a tasty side dish that everyone will enjoy. It combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, pasta, and fresh veggies all mixed together in a creamy ranch dressing for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken

    Honey Mustard Chicken in a stainless steel pan.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

    This creamy Honey Mustard Chicken skillet dish is ready in just 30 minutes. It's packed with great flavors and is easy to make in one pan, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza

    Chicken bacon ranch pizza.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken dinner is loaded with great flavors and can be ready in just 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Kung Pao Spaghetti

    Kung Pao Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Spice Cravings.

    Kung Pao Spaghetti is a delicious twist on your favorite Chinese takeout. This dish combines tasty pasta, chicken, and veggies in a simple homemade kung pao sauce, topped with peanuts and spring onions, all ready in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

    Instant Pot Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: Binky's Culinary Carnival.

    Instant Pot Chicken Tacos are a quick and simple dinner option for busy weeknights. You can use fresh or frozen chicken, making it easy to whip up a meal even after a long day.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Lasagna.
      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
    • A veggie casserole.
      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day
    • Cheesburger sliders.
      18 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Spring

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Tortilla soup.
      21 Easy Crockpot Chicken Dinners for Busy Nights
    • Thai coconut skewers.
      22 Easy Recipes to Satisfy Your Takeout Cravings at Home
    • Irish beef stew.
      Set It and Forget It: 26 Easy Beef Dinners for Any Night
    • Walking taco casserole.
      23 Easy Dinner Casseroles That Are Perfect for Any Night

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB