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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Dump-and-Cook Chicken Ideas for Stress-Free Weeknight Dinners

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 1, 2025, updated January 16, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy dinner ideas can be a challenge, especially on busy weeknights. These 23 dump-and-cook chicken recipes are perfect for anyone looking to whip up a satisfying meal with minimal effort. Just toss the ingredients together, let them cook, and enjoy a delicious dinner without the stress.

    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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    Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

    Slow Cooker Butter Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    Butter Chicken is a creamy and flavorful dish that's really simple to prepare in your slow cooker. It pairs well with pilau rice or cauliflower rice if you're looking for a Keto-friendly choice.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

    Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
    Photo Credit: Eating In An Instant.

    Chicken parmesan pasta in the Instant Pot is a simple dinner that combines pasta and chicken breast into a quick, one-pot meal. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work.

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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 Whole Chicken

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.
    Photo Credit: 4 Sons R Us.

    Slow cooker whole chicken is a simple way to enjoy the deliciousness of a roast chicken any night of the week. Just set it up and let it cook, giving you a warm and comforting dinner with 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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

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

    Transform simple chicken breasts into flavorful balsamic chicken using just a handful of ingredients. With the rich taste of balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, and garlic, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

    Chicken thighs and pineapple sauce in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken is a simple dish that combines sweet and spicy flavors. With just four ingredients, this easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    A tater tot casserole with chicken and bacon is easy to prepare in the slow cooker. In just 5 hours, you’ll have a delicious meal ready to enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

    tikka masala in a bowl with rice.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This slow cooker chicken tikka masala is a simple and delicious dish that you can prepare with minimal effort. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work for a cozy homemade curry night.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

    Sheet pan chicken thighs.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    This comforting and simple chicken dish is perfect for a satisfying meal. With just a few pantry staples, it comes together quickly in about 30 minutes.

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    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is covered in a rich, creamy sauce filled with tasty Mediterranean flavors. This is an easy and delicious dinner you can prepare ahead of time for a busy weeknight.

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    Crock Pot Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

    Crock Pot Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Hawaiian Pineapple chicken is a tender and flavorful dish that's easy to prepare. With just a little bit of prep time, your slow cooker or instant pot will handle the rest.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple way to prepare a big batch of this Tex Mex favorite. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner will be ready in no time!

    Get the Recipe

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

    Chicken tikka masala served over white rice.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This dish is great for busy weekdays when you need a simple and tasty Indian-inspired meal. Just throw everything into your Crock Pot and you're all set!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken

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

    This Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken combines classic pizza ingredients for a tasty meal. Topped with pepperoni or your favorite toppings, it's a dish that everyone in the family will love!

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    Slow Cooker One Pot Chicken Burrito Filling

    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 minute rice for a tasty meal. It's simple to prepare and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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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 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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe is all about simple, zesty chicken with lemon and pepper. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it turn ordinary chicken thighs into a tasty and juicy dish.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Garden in the Kitchen.

    Chicken breasts cook slowly in a flavorful onion broth and are topped with melted Gruyere cheese. This is a comforting dish that's simple to prepare.

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    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Make getting dinner on the table super easy with this no boil chicken pasta bake. It takes almost no prep work and results in a tasty and filling meal.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Orzo pesto salad.
      21 Easy Pasta Salads That Are Great for Busy Weeknights
    • Sheet pan chicken fajitas.
      21 Stupid Simple Veggie Loaded Dishes That Are Perfect for Meal Prep
    • Barbecue chicken dip.
      12 Crockpot Dips You Need for Your Next Party
    • Bolognese.
      27 Easy Meal Prep Ideas for Any Budget

    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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