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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Stress-Free Chicken Recipes for the Exhausted Cook

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 9, 2025, updated April 29, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking can feel overwhelming, especially after a long day. These 22 chicken recipes are designed to be simple and stress-free, making dinner a breeze. With easy steps and minimal ingredients, you can whip up satisfying meals without the fuss.

    One-Pan Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Cajun chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken pasta dish mixes spicy and creamy flavors, making it a favorite for everyone. It's an easy meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air frying thin chicken breasts is a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table. With garlic and basil for flavor, this dish is ready in just 6 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy and flavorful dish that combines crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano. It's simple to prepare with just a few dried herbs and little prep work, making it a favorite for everyone at the dinner table.

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    Chili Rubbed Chicken Thighs

    Chili rubbed chicken.
    Photo credit: Grits and Pinecones.

    Broiled chili-rubbed chicken thighs are simple to prepare and packed with flavor. This dish is perfect for a satisfying and juicy meal without a lot of work.

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    Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Happy Honey Kitchen.

    Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole is a simple dish that brings all the classic enchilada flavors together. This is a great option for family dinners when you want something easy to prepare.

    Get the Recipe

    BBQ Chicken Wraps

    Chicken wraps.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    BBQ Chicken Wraps are a quick and delicious meal that you can whip up in under 10 minutes. These cheesy and melty wraps are a great choice for an easy dinner.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Cooked chicken drumstick.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Marinating chicken drumsticks in olive oil, lime juice, and spices is a quick way to prepare a tasty meal. These drumsticks come out tender with a crispy skin, perfect for busy cooks.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl

    Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl.
    Photo credit: Fresh Apron.

    The Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl is a quick and easy meal perfect for busy nights. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s full of delicious flavors.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters come together in just 15 minutes, giving you crispy skin and juicy meat. The marinade with lime juice adds a nice kick and helps keep the chicken tender.

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    Caprese Chicken

    Caprese chicken.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This Caprese Chicken recipe streamlines dinner with just five simple ingredients. It's a one-pan meal that's perfect for busy cooks looking for an easy option.

    Get the recipe

    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is quick and easy, using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken along with fresh lemon and rosemary for a bright flavor. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a comforting meal without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is an easy and delicious option for a quick dinner. It's perfect when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Club Sandwich

    Chicken BLT.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    The Chicken Club Sandwich is packed with chicken, ham, bacon, avocado, lettuce, and tomatoes, making it a great choice for a quick meal or snack. It's easy to put together and satisfying for any time of day.

    Get the recipe

    Crispy Chicken Thighs

    Crispy chicken thighs.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    One-pan chicken thighs with crispy skin and juicy meat are ideal for a simple weeknight dinner. Pair them with salad, rice, or steamed veggies for a complete meal.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

    Chicken and mushroom stroganoff with sour cream in a sour cream sauce.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff is a quick and tasty dinner that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. This creamy dish brings together rich flavors inspired by Eastern Europe, making it a great choice for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Baked parmesan crusted chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Parmesan-crusted chicken is an easy and tasty meal that you can bake in the oven. This cheesy and crispy dish is perfect for dipping and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is an easy and tasty meal that's great for busy nights. It has a genuine Thai flavor and a nice crunch from the peanuts.

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    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    Coconut Lime Chicken & Pasta is an easy meal that you can share with family and friends. The zesty coconut lime sauce gives a fresh spin to regular pasta, and it comes together in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken Fajita Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This chicken fajita casserole is simple to make, healthy, and great for kids, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight dinner. With cream cheese, Greek yogurt, shredded chicken, fajita seasoning, and plenty of cheese, this dish is packed with flavor and can be enjoyed in various ways.

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    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Feta Cheese

    Creamy feta cheese chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Feta cheese gives this creamy chicken pasta a tasty kick. It's a simple dish that's perfect for a quick dinner.

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    Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Three Olives Branch.

    Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is an easy pasta dish that brings together all the classic flavors you love. It combines pasta in a creamy cheese sauce with ham and chicken, topped with a crunchy breadcrumb layer.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

    Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
    Photo Credit: Busy Day Dinners.

    This easy sheet pan dinner brings together delicious Mediterranean flavors for a satisfying meal. Every bite is filled with a great mix of ingredients that will brighten your evening.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken noodle soup.
      19 Grandma Approved Pasta Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy
    • Taco soup.
      24 Deliciously Lazy Beef Dinners Made for Your Spring Menu
    • Ground beef hot pot.
      16 Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make Mom's Day Special
    • Coq au vin.
      28 Delicious Crockpot Summer Meals That Simmer While You Play

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, 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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