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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Easy Southern Dinners for Super Busy Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 6, 2025, updated September 4, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When life gets hectic, it can be tough to whip up a satisfying dinner. These 22 easy Southern recipes are perfect for busy nights, offering comfort and flavor without taking hours to prepare. From quick skillet meals to hearty casseroles, these dishes will keep your family happy and fed, even on the busiest of evenings.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Nachos

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

    Slow cooker chicken nachos are a simple and enjoyable meal to whip up. Just toss chicken breasts, nacho cheese, enchilada sauce, and taco seasoning into the crockpot. After a while, you'll have a tasty mix to pour over chips, making it a great choice for game day or any laid-back get-together.

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    One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice

    One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice.
    Photo Credit: The Dish Next Door.

    This version of broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken breasts is sure to please the whole family and is quick to prepare. It only requires one pot, making cleanup a breeze. Perfect for busy nights, this dish combines comfort and convenience.

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    BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs

    BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Pepper Bowl.

    BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs are a great option when you need a meal in a hurry, taking just 30 minutes to prepare. These grilled thighs are tender and juicy, covered in a flavorful BBQ sauce that adds a nice smoky sweetness. It's a satisfying dish that brings a taste of the South to your table without requiring much time or effort.

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    Slow Cooker Pulled Lamb

    Slow Cooker Pulled Lamb.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker Pulled Lamb is a go-to meal that’s easy to make. The lamb shoulder is seasoned and cooked slowly, which gives you tender and juicy meat that works well in many dishes. It’s great for tacos, sliders, burgers, salads, or even at BBQs. This dish is simple to prepare and delivers plenty of flavor.

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    BBQ Chicken Flatbread

    BBQ Chicken Flatbread.
    Photo Credit: Pepper Bowl.

    BBQ Chicken Flatbread is a tasty dish loaded with barbecue chicken, gooey cheese, and fresh cilantro. It's perfect for a quick dinner or a fun appetizer. This meal is simple to prepare and fits right into your busy weeknight routine.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    This meal is all about comfort and simplicity. With only 5 minutes of prep time, it’s ideal for busy days when you want something filling without spending hours cooking. It’s a hearty dish that everyone will love.

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    Texas Pasta

    Texas pasta.
    Photo Credit: Two Pink Peonies.

    This Texas Pasta dish is a quick and delicious choice for dinner. With lean ground beef, flavorful tomato sauce, and lots of cheese, it’s a meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This meal is quick and easy to prepare, perfect for those hectic weeknights. It features flavors that the whole family loves, making it a great choice for dinner. You'll find that this dish can easily become a staple in your weekly rotation.

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    Chicken Macaroni Salad

    Chicken Macaroni Salad.
    Photo Credit: Maple + Mango.

    Chicken Macaroni Salad combines creamy pasta with chicken salad for a delicious meal. It's easy to whip up and perfect for using leftover chicken. This dish works well for lunch or a quick dinner during the week. It's also a great choice for summer BBQs and picnics, making it a refreshing option on warm days.

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    Easy Cornbread Salad

    Cornbread Salad.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    Cornbread salad is a tasty mix of crumbled cornbread, fresh veggies, crispy bacon, cheese, and a zesty salsa ranch dressing. This classic Southern dish adds a fun twist to any gathering. It's a great choice for potlucks and gatherings, bringing together a variety of flavors in every bite.

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    Easy Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya

    Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya.
    Photo Credit: The Cinnamon Jar,

    This dish is a classic from Louisiana that brings together the hearty flavors of chorizo, chicken, and shrimp. It’s packed with a variety of vegetables and can even include some pineapple if you like a hint of sweetness. Perfect for busy nights, this meal is both satisfying and easy to prepare.

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    Southern Chicken and Dumplings

    Southern Chicken and Dumplings.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Southern Chicken and Dumplings is a hearty dish filled with tender chicken and a rich, creamy broth, all topped with fluffy dumplings. Prepared in a Dutch oven, this simple recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want something warm and filling. It's a classic comfort food that brings a taste of the South to your table.

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    Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Noodle Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Curried Chicken Noodle Soup gives a fresh twist to the classic dish. The blend of curry powder and turmeric adds a warm, rich flavor that feels cozy and filling. This soup is perfect for chilly days when you’re craving something hearty.

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    Chicken Fried Steak

    Chicken Fried Steak.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Chicken Fried Steak is a classic comfort food that brings a taste of home to your table. The steak is cooked until it's golden brown and then topped with a rich, creamy pepper gravy. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you want something hearty and satisfying.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu is a straightforward and filling dinner choice that appeals to even the pickiest eaters. It combines layers of ham, cheese, and chicken, creating a mix of flavors that everyone can appreciate. This dish is one of the simplest and tastiest meals you can whip up in a crock pot.

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    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Tea & Thyme.

    Southern Baked Mac and Cheese is a beloved dish that many people enjoy. This creamy side dish combines eggs, cream, and five different cheeses, creating a rich and comforting flavor. It's a favorite for gatherings and family dinners, and it has received countless positive reviews from those who have tried it.

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    Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Confessions of a Fit Foodie.

    This dish combines the delicious flavors of enchiladas into a simple Crockpot meal. There's no need to roll tortillas or bake anything, making it a straightforward one-pot option. Just layer tortillas, tender chicken, and lots of cheese for a cozy meal that the whole family will love.

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    6 Cheese Mac and Cheese

    6 Cheese Mac and Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Little Nonni.

    This 6 cheese mac and cheese is a comforting dish that everyone will love. With a mix of six different cheeses combined with pasta in a rich, creamy sauce, it’s a real treat. The crunchy, buttery breadcrumb topping gives it a nice texture that makes it even better. Once you try this, you might forget about the boxed versions.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Dizzy Cook.
    These BBQ chicken thighs are so easy to make, all ingredients go into the slow cooker and you can then either serve whole chicken thighs or shred them for BBQ chicken sandwiches. Perfect for weeknight dinners!

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    Bisquick Oven Fried Chicken

    Bisquick Oven Fried Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This recipe features crispy fried chicken made with Bisquick, and it can be baked or cooked in an air fryer. It brings back memories of the classic Shake 'n Bake, offering a quick and easy way to enjoy a comforting meal. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is simple to prepare and delivers great flavor.

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    Buffalo Mac and Cheese

    Buffalo mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kermperyd.

    This mac and cheese is a dream come true for anyone who loves comfort food. It combines spicy, cheesy, and creamy flavors that are simply delicious. With quick preparation and minimal cooking time, you can have a satisfying meal ready in about an hour.

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    Cajun Blackened Chicken Breast

    Cajun Blackened Chicken Breast.
    Photo Credit: In The Kitch.

    This Cajun-style blackened chicken breast is packed with flavor and is a favorite from Louisiana. It's a simple dish that brings a bit of Southern spice to your table. Perfect for busy nights, this chicken is easy to prepare and will satisfy your cravings for something delicious.

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      23 Casseroles So Good, You'll Want to Make Them Every Week

    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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