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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Set It and Forget It Chicken Dinners That Always Hit the Spot

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 15, 2025, updated August 12, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking chicken can be simple and satisfying, especially when you can set it up and let it do its thing. These 22 chicken dinners are perfect for busy nights, allowing you to enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. From comforting casseroles to flavorful slow-cooked dishes, these recipes are sure to please everyone at the table.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Tortellini is a tasty and easy meal that everyone will enjoy. It's quick to put together, making it perfect for busy nights. Even the pickiest eaters in the family will love this dish.

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    Slow Cooker Thai Curried Chicken Soup

    Slow Cooker Thai Curried Chicken Soup.
    Photo Credit: Lauren Kelly Nutrition.

    This Thai curried chicken soup is a warm and satisfying dish that's easy to prepare. With its rich flavors and creamy texture, it brings a taste of comfort to your table. Perfect for a cozy night in, this soup is sure to please everyone.

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    Slow Cooker One Pot Chicken Burritos

    Slow Cooker One Pot Chicken Burrito Filling.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chicken burrito filling combines fresh veggies, salsa, Tex-Mex spices, and quick-cooking rice for a tasty meal. It's simple to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a hit with everyone. Perfect for a quick dinner, this dish is sure to satisfy.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan.
    Photo Credit: Wholly Tasteful.

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan is a simple and impressive meal that can be ready in just 30 minutes. This dish is not only easy to prepare but also looks fantastic and is packed with flavor, using just a few ingredients.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Spinach Artichoke Pasta

    Slow Cooker Chicken Spinach Artichoke Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    The flavors of spinach artichoke dip come together beautifully in this slow cooker chicken spinach artichoke pasta. With tender boneless chicken breasts, fresh spinach, and artichokes, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. It's a simple and satisfying meal that brings a comforting taste to your dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken and Rice Casserole

    Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken and Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting and filling meal. It's packed with flavor and is perfect for busy nights when you want something easy to prepare. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. This dish is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

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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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    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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    Crockpot Mexican Chicken

    Crockpot Mexican Chicken.
    Photo Credit: I heart Naptime.

    Crockpot Mexican chicken is an easy dish that simmers in the slow cooker with black beans, corn, and salsa. The chicken turns out tender and can be shredded easily, making it versatile for different meals. Serve it over rice, in burrito bowls, or in tacos. This is a solid choice for busy nights when you want something tasty without much effort. Everyone will enjoy this flavorful meal.

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    Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken

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

    Chicken cooked slowly in a rich tomato and garlic sauce, finished off with melted mozzarella cheese. This dish brings a taste of Italy right to your table, with a flavorful homemade tomato topping that enhances the chicken perfectly. It's a satisfying meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for any night of the week.

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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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    Slow Cooker Chicken with Sweet Peach Barbecue Glaze

    Chicken with sweet barbecue glaze served with mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Modern Honey.

    This simple dish features chicken covered in a deliciously sweet peach barbecue sauce. With just five ingredients, it’s a breeze to prepare. Perfect for busy nights, this meal is satisfying and requires minimal 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, 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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    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Drumsticks

    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    Oven baked chicken drumsticks are a tasty option for dinner, especially when you prepare them on a sheet pan to make cleanup easier. This recipe features the great flavors of garlic, parmesan, red pepper, and parsley, creating a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala features tender chicken simmered in a rich mushroom and wine sauce, with a touch of cream stirred in just before serving. This dish is perfect served over mashed potatoes, creating a comforting meal that's easy to prepare. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious 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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    Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken

    Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken is a simple and fun way to prepare dinner on busy nights. This dish puts a unique spin on regular chicken, making it a hit with everyone at the table. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a tasty meal that brings a little excitement to your dinner routine.

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    Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Slow cooker white chicken chili is easy to make and really filling. You only need a few ingredients, and there's no need to cook anything beforehand. You can find tips in the recipe notes for thickening the chili, whether you want to use dairy or not, along with plenty of ideas for toppings.

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    Slow Cooker Queso Chicken

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

    This dish combines some classic pantry staples to create a delicious queso chicken that everyone will love. With the bold flavors of taco seasoning, Rotel, and salsa con queso, it brings a taste of Mexico right to your table. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun meal while watching the game. This is a dish you'll want to keep on hand for any occasion.

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    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs are simple to prepare and feature crispy, golden chicken thighs cooked in a tasty garlic and white wine sauce with juicy mushrooms. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner that everyone will love.

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    Chicken Enchilada Casserole

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

    This one-pot Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole brings all the delicious flavors of enchiladas without the fuss of rolling tortillas or baking. It features layers of tortillas, tender chicken, and plenty of cheese, making it a hit with the whole family. It's a simple and satisfying meal that you can set and forget, perfect for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes

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

    Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes is a tasty meal that everyone in the family will love. It features tender chicken, baby carrots, and red potatoes all cooked together in a rich, creamy sauce made with ranch dressing mix and cream of chicken soup. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Ravioli lasagna.
      22 Grandma Approved Dinner Casseroles That Are Perfect for Meal Prep
    • Oven baked BBQ chicken.
      22 Satisfying Southern Meals That Won't Break the Bank
    • Salsa chicken.
      22 Set It and Forget It Recipes You Can Make With Chicken
    • Coq au vin.
      21 Best Crockpot Meals That Are Super Easy to Prepare

    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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