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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Delicious Chicken Recipes That Require Almost Zero Prep Time

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on January 27, 2025, updated January 16, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Chicken is a go-to protein for many, and it doesn't have to take hours to prepare a great meal. With these 22 chicken recipes, you can whip up delicious dishes in no time, making weeknight dinners a breeze. Whether you're in the mood for something savory, spicy, or comforting, there's a quick chicken recipe here for everyone.

    Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Food Blog.

    This slow cooker cream cheese chicken chili is an easy dish filled with protein, veggies, and flavorful spices. The cream cheese gives it a rich and creamy broth, making it a cozy meal.

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    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 cooked slowly in a spicy chipotle sauce. This dish is sure to have everyone coming back for more.

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    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Drumsticks

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This is a simple dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something quick and tasty.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings

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

    Homemade BBQ chicken wings are easy to prepare in the slow cooker with just a few simple ingredients. This is a tasty appetizer that everyone will enjoy.

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    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    A spoonful of Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This casserole has creamy chicken, mixed veggies, and a crunchy layer of tater tots on top. It's perfect for busy nights, and you can either freeze it for later or bake it right away to enjoy a meal that everyone will like.

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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. It's packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, making it a tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Cheesy Salsa Chicken

    CHEESY SALSA CHICKEN.
    Photo credit: A Taste of Madness.

    This simple chicken dish uses just a few ingredients and comes together quickly. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want a tasty meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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

    Chicken cacciatore is simple to prepare in a slow cooker. The rich sauce combines diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bell peppers, onion, and Italian spices.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Stew

    Chicken stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is super simple to prepare. Just spend 10 minutes getting it ready, then let it cook on its own for a hearty meal filled with veggies in less than 45 minutes.

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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 provide some leftovers. It's a simple and satisfying option for dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

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

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken is a tasty twist on the popular Mississippi Pot Roast. This dish features ranch seasoning, gravy mix, pepperoncini peppers, and butter, creating a tangy flavor that's perfect over plain white rice.

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    Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

    Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich.
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    This recipe combines the spicy flavors of Nashville Hot Chicken with the convenience of a shredded chicken sandwich. It's a delicious and easy meal that you can whip up without much work.

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    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Swirls of Flavor.,

    This recipe creates a flavorful sauce while the chicken cooks in the slow cooker. It's a simple dish that requires minimal effort.

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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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    Crockpot Whole Chicken

    Crockpot Whole Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This slow cooker chicken is super tender and really simple to make. It's perfect for easy weeknight dinners and tastes just like rotisserie chicken.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is an easy one-pan meal that's full of comforting flavors. It's also great to have as leftovers, making it a perfect choice for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    This creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a cozy dish that you can easily prepare in your crock pot or on the stove. It's great for cold winter days or anytime you need a warm and satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King

    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines tender chicken with a mix of vegetables and seasonings for a comforting meal that's easy to prepare. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables
    Photo Credit: Wholesome Made Easy.

    This dish is really simple to make. Just toss some chicken thighs and veggies on a sheet pan, bake them, and you have a delicious dinner with juicy chicken and flavorful roasted vegetables.

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    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a tasty meal that you can whip up in under 45 minutes. With a flavorful tomato sauce made from fresh ingredients, this is a simple dinner option for busy nights.

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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 comfort meal. It's simple to prepare, making it perfect for a satisfying dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Easy and Delish.

    Chicken thighs can be ready in just 10 minutes and then cooked slowly until they're nice and tender. They're covered in a thick honey garlic sauce, making this a great option for busy weeknight dinners.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Ritz chicken.
      18 Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy
    • Beef and potato hot pot.
      24 Layer and Bake Dinners to Make With Ground Beef
    • No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake.
      Set It and Forget It: Simple Recipes for Stress-Free Cooking
    • A bowl full of soba noodle salad.
      20 Delicious Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Picnics

    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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