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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Set It and Forget It Chicken Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 2, 2025, updated July 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make dinner time feel like a chore, but with these 21 easy chicken recipes, you can set it and forget it. These meals are perfect for tossing in the oven or slow cooker, allowing you to enjoy a delicious dinner without the hassle. From comforting casseroles to flavorful one-pot dishes, these recipes will simplify your evenings and keep everyone satisfied.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas.
    Photo Credit: Britney Breaks Bread.

    This dish features tender shredded chicken combined with red bell pepper, green chiles, and onions simmered in a flavorful red enchilada sauce. Layer in some corn tortillas, olives, and extra cheese, and you have a delicious one-pot meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    This meal is simple to prepare and cooks on its own, making it perfect for a busy day. It features tender chicken thighs paired with sweet potatoes, creamy coconut milk, and a blend of Indian spices. This dish is not only delicious but also gluten and dairy free, making it a great option for various dietary needs.

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    Crockpot Chicken Cordon Bleu

    Crockpot Chicken Cordon Bleu.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish features tender chicken, savory ham, and gooey Swiss cheese simmered together in a creamy sauce. Topped with buttery stuffing, it creates a cozy and filling meal that's perfect for any night. It's a simple way to enjoy a hearty dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Simple Everyday Recipes.

    This creamy chicken and rice soup is super easy to whip up. It includes carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms, chicken, rice, and a mix of spices, all brought together with some cream. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner, especially when served with grilled cheese or some crusty bread on a chilly night.

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    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken

    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines Italian dressing, brown sugar, and chicken breasts in a slow cooker for a simple and tasty meal. It's an easy way to prepare dinner that everyone in the family will love. Serve it alongside your favorite sides for a complete meal that's full of flavor.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sheet pan chicken fajitas are packed with flavor and are super easy to prepare. With just a few minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious dinner ready in under 30 minutes. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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 Chipotle Chicken Meatballs

    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Meatballs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Homemade chicken meatballs are packed with flavor when they simmer in a spicy chipotle sauce. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table and keep them coming back for seconds.

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    Slow Cooker No Peek Chicken

    Slow Cooker No Peek Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This slow cooker no-peek chicken dish features tender chicken, flavorful onions, and rice all cooked together in one pot. It's a simple and satisfying dinner option that requires minimal effort. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do the work while you go about your day.

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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 Balsamic Chicken

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

    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken is a delicious and easy dish that cooks gently in a mix of balsamic vinegar, garlic, Italian herbs, and juicy tomatoes. It’s perfect served over pasta or rice, creating a satisfying meal that’s both savory and slightly sweet. This is a great option for busy weeknights or when you just want a comforting dinner at home.

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    Slow Cooker Ritz Chicken

    SLOW COOKER RITZ CHICKEN.
    Photo credit: The Cookin Chicks.

    Tender chicken breasts are cooked slowly in a creamy sauce, topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. This dish is easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for dinner. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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

    This chicken gnocchi soup is a comforting dish inspired by the classic Olive Garden recipe, filled with rich herbal flavors and tender chicken. It's simple to prepare in a slow cooker, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Skip the trip to the restaurant and whip this up at home; it's sure to be a hit with your family.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken thigh tray bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    This chicken thigh tray bake is easy to prepare and ideal for a quick family dinner, taking less than 45 minutes from start to finish. Just toss chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and carrots together with a tasty marinade and let the oven do the work.

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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 really easy to prepare and only requires one pan, making cleanup a breeze. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Hot Honey Garlic Chicken

    Hot Honey Garlic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    Hot honey adds a sweet and spicy flavor to this Hot Honey Garlic Chicken dish. It can be prepared easily in either an air fryer or an oven.

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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 Dill Pickle Chicken

    Slow Cooker Dill Pickle Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Dill Pickle Chicken is a fantastic dinner option. The chicken is packed with flavor from ranch seasoning, gravy mix, and garlic, giving it a nice tang. It’s perfect served on buns, making for a simple and delicious meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Buffalo Chicken Chili

    Buffalo Chicken Chili (Slow Cooker)
    Photo Credit: The Nessy Kitchen.

    This slow cooker buffalo chicken chili is a breeze to prepare and is ideal for busy weekdays or game days. Using straightforward ingredients, it blends the classic taste of chili with the spicy kick of buffalo wings. This dish could easily become your go-to chili recipe.

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    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken is a simple and tasty dish that brings together zesty flavors with minimal effort. The combination of au jus and ranch seasonings, along with pepperoncini, creates a delicious gravy that really enhances the chicken. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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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    More Recipe Roundups

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      20 Quick and Easy Summer Dinners for When You’ve Got Better Things to Do
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      17 Dump-And-Go Vegetable Dishes Made for Busy Evenings
    • Brown sugar chicken.
      16 Slow Cooker Dishes That Will Have Your Kids Asking for Seconds
    • A plate full of buffalo cauliflower wings.
      20 Vegetarian Summer Dinners That Will Have Everyone Asking for Seconds

    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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