• 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
  • Ă—
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Set It and Forget It Chicken Dinners You’ll Want to Make All the Time

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 20, 2025, updated July 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking can be a hassle, especially on busy days. These 21 chicken dinners are perfect for those who want a simple, no-fuss meal that can be prepared and left to cook while you focus on other things. From slow-cooked favorites to quick oven bakes, these recipes will make weeknight dinners a breeze.

    Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta

    Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta features juicy chicken, a mix of tasty spices, and a rich creamy sauce that everyone will enjoy. It's a simple dinner option that elevates your pasta experience and is perfect for family meals.

    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

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Loaded Chicken Bacon Potato Soup

    Slow Cooker Loaded Chicken Bacon Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This Slow Cooker Loaded Chicken Bacon Potato Soup is a filling dish that can easily stand on its own as a meal. With its creamy texture and rich flavors, it combines chicken, bacon, and potatoes for a comforting experience. Perfect for busy nights, this soup requires minimal effort and delivers a satisfying dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Popular Recipes.

    This slow cooker chicken chili is packed with flavor and features tender chicken combined with a tasty mix of spices, beans, and salsa verde. The result is a creamy broth that’s both smooth and satisfying. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is easy to prepare and will warm you up.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    These Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos feature tender, shredded chicken that's packed with flavor. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. Before serving, a quick trip under the broiler with some cheese adds a delicious touch. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Boursin Cheese Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Boursin Cheese Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Boursin Cheese Chicken Pasta is a tasty meal that comes together with just a handful of ingredients. This dish features chicken in a rich, creamy herb sauce that simmers beautifully. It's a comforting option that’s perfect for any night of the week.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

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

    Crock pot cashew chicken combines tender chicken breasts with classic Asian flavors and some veggies, creating a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy, even the kids. This simple dinner requires minimal prep time and can be ready in about three hours. It's a great option for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

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

    This Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken is a great way to enjoy the flavors of Italy right at home. With tender chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, basil, and a mix of tasty seasonings, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. It's an easy meal that you can set up and let cook while you go about your day.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken and Red Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken and Red Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow cookers are a great way to prepare a delicious baked ranch chicken dish that your family will love. With only five ingredients, this recipe is simple and perfect for busy weeknights. It combines tender chicken with flavorful potatoes, making it a satisfying meal that requires minimal effort.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken

    Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken.
    Photo credit: Food Meanderings.

    This chicken dish is quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes. It's packed with flavor and sure to please everyone at the table. Perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole

    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole is a comforting meal that comes together in one pot. It’s perfect for using up leftover chicken and combines simple ingredients like biscuits, frozen vegetables, and cheese. This dish is easy to prepare and is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken features tender chicken breasts simmered in a deliciously sweet and tangy sauce inspired by Asian flavors. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple yet satisfying. It's a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy, making dinner time a breeze.

    Get the Recipe

    Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

    Crockpot chicken salsa topped with avocados.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This chicken dish is healthy, tasty, and incredibly tender, all thanks to the Crock Pot. It's perfect for busy nights, family gatherings, or when you want to prepare meals in advance. Just set it up and let it cook while you go about your day.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Meatballs

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

    Homemade chicken meatballs get a flavorful boost when they are slowly cooked in a spicy chipotle sauce. This dish is sure to satisfy everyone at the table, leaving them eager for more. It's a simple way to elevate a classic meal and bring some excitement to dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Juicy chicken, bell peppers, and onions cook together with a zesty seasoning for a delicious meal that’s perfect for busy nights. Just set it and forget it!

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches

    Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches are simple to prepare. With everything cooking in the slow cooker, you end up with tasty shredded chicken that’s perfect for making a satisfying sandwich. This dish is great for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Transform simple chicken pasta into a flavorful Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta with just one key ingredient: pesto sauce. With a handful of other ingredients and a few easy steps, you can have a tasty meal ready for dinner in no time.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Old Fashioned Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken baked on top of rice.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This Chicken and Rice Casserole is a timeless favorite. The chicken and rice are well-seasoned, and the rice turns out just right. It’s a simple dish that makes dinner a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • CREAMY BAKED ZITI.
      18 Family Friendly Pasta Recipes That Are Perfect for Weeknights
    • Texas pasta.
      25 Grandma Approved Casseroles That Simplify Mealtime
    • Cheesy potatoes.
      12 Comforting Southern Sides for Your Next BBQ
    • Slow cooked ribs.
      Simplify Your Summer Nights with These 20 Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinners

    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.

    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

    • 21 Set It and Forget It Chicken Dinners You’ll Want to Make All the Time
    • Mocha cheesecake.
      22 Best Cheesecake Recipes You Didn't Know You Needed
    • Arayes.
      20 Quick and Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Busy Weeknights
    • Lemon pepper salmon.
      20 Easy Summer Dinners That Will Give You Your Time Back

    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