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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Quick and Easy Dump-and-Bake Chicken Dinners for the Whole Family

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 6, 2025, updated March 21, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    If you're looking for simple and delicious chicken dinners that the whole family will enjoy, these 21 dump-and-bake recipes are perfect for you. With minimal prep and easy cleanup, these meals let you spend more time with your loved ones and less time in the kitchen. From comforting casseroles to flavorful one-pan dishes, there's something here for everyone.

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a simple and comforting dish that's perfect for any night. With just rice, broccoli, and rotisserie chicken topped with cheddar cheese, it’s an easy one-pan meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms

    Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms.
    Photo Credit: Kalynn's Kitchen.

    Roasted chicken thighs with mushrooms are packed with flavor from onions and rosemary. This dish is a simple low-carb and Keto-friendly dinner that's perfect for a weeknight meal.

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    Oven-Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

    Oven-Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Food Exit.

    Oven-Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs are a tasty dish with juicy chicken thighs seasoned with a zesty mix of lemon pepper, garlic, paprika, and herbs. This is a great option for a simple and satisfying meal.

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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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    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs deliver big flavors without much work. This easy sheet pan dinner combines spicy harissa paste, zesty lemon, and sweet honey with tender chicken, onions, and sweet potatoes, making it a perfect choice for a busy weeknight.

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    Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

    Million dollar casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This casserole combines shredded chicken, cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup, all topped with buttery Ritz crackers. It's a simple and satisfying dish that's perfect for busy nights.

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    Mustard & Herb Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

    Mustard & Herb Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    These chicken thighs are coated in a tasty mustard sauce and cooked on a sheet pan for an easy meal. It's a complete dinner that requires very little work!

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    Melt in Your Mouth Chicken

    Melt in Your Mouth Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    This chicken dish is super easy to make with just 6 simple ingredients. Boneless chicken breasts are smothered in a creamy Parmesan sauce and baked until they're juicy and tender, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.

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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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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This dish features tender chicken thighs and fresh vegetables all cooked together on one pan. It's a healthy and easy meal that's great for busy weeknights.

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    Baked Ranch Chicken

    Baked ranch chicken on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This easy dish creates a creamy sauce while it bakes. Enjoy tender, juicy chicken covered in a tasty gravy and topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs.

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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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    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Ritz cracker chicken casserole features tender chicken in a creamy sauce, all topped with crunchy buttery cracker crumbs. This simple dinner can be ready in no time with very little effort.

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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 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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    Apple Cider Chicken Thighs

    Apple Cider Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Apple Cider Chicken Thighs are crispy and juicy, with a beautiful golden brown color. The chicken is baked with a tasty garlic and apple cider glaze that combines sweetness with savory spices, making it perfect for a family dinner or a simple weeknight meal.

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    Baked Chicken & Potatoes

    Baked chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    This baked chicken and potatoes dish is a simple one-pan meal with juicy chicken in a flavorful lemon garlic butter sauce, crispy potatoes, and tasty broccoli. It's a great weeknight dinner that doesn't take much work and is sure to please everyone.

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    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Everyone loves a good cajun flavor combination, and I love the ease of this casserole. It's a game changer that you can make without boiling the pasta, and you'll love the creamy sauce that forms as it bakes.

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    Chicken Parmesan

    Chicken Parmesan.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Easy Chicken Parmesan is a classic baked chicken dish topped with red sauce and mozzarella cheese. This is a great dinner option that can be ready in about an hour.

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    Healthy Baked Chicken Fajitas

    Healthy Baked Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Vibrantly G-Free.

    This baked chicken fajita dish is quick to prepare and uses just a few simple ingredients. It's perfect for busy weeknights and cooks itself in the oven.

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    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is a cozy meal that's simple to prepare. It's a satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy.

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    Southern Baked Chicken Thighs

    SOUTHERN BAKED CHICKEN THIGHS.
    Photo credit: Healthy Mom Healthy Family.

    This chicken dish is simple and tasty, using just three ingredients. It turns out crispy and satisfying, perfect for a quick meal.

    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.

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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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