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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    26 Easy Dump-and-Bake Chicken Dinners for Busy Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 1, 2025, updated February 28, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When you're short on time but still want a satisfying meal, dump-and-bake chicken dinners are the perfect solution. These simple recipes require minimal prep and let the oven do the work, making weeknight cooking a breeze. From creamy casseroles to flavorful one-pan dishes, these 26 easy meals will help you get dinner on the table without the fuss.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan.
    Photo Credit: Wholly Tasteful.

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan is a simple and impressive meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. With just a few ingredients, this dish is both visually appealing and full of flavor.

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    Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy chicken and rice casserole dish.
    Photo Credit: Rose Bakes.

    This recipe is a simple way to prepare a hearty chicken dinner using canned soups and ready-made rice mixes. It's great for busy weeknights or whenever you want a comforting meal without much 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 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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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies.
    Photo Credit The Feathered Nester.

    This dish features tender chicken thighs and fresh vegetables all cooked together on one pan. It's a healthy and easy meal that's great for busy weeknights.

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    Southern Baked Chicken Thighs

    SOUTHERN BAKED CHICKEN THIGHS.
    Photo credit: Healthy Mom Healthy Family.

    This chicken dish is simple and tasty, using just three ingredients. It turns out crispy and satisfying, perfect for a quick meal.

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    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Ritz cracker chicken casserole features tender chicken in a creamy sauce, all topped with crunchy buttery cracker crumbs. This simple dinner can be ready in no time with very little effort.

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    Ranch Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Ranch potato bake.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole with broccoli, bacon, and cheese is a great comfort food option. It's easy to prepare in just one pan, making it a perfect choice for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Sheet Pan Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

    Sheet pan prosciutto wrapped chicken.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Prosciutto-wrapped chicken is a simple dish that you can prepare quickly and with little effort. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something tasty 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, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for a cozy dinner without much effort.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken thigh tray bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    This chicken thigh tray bake is easy to prepare and great for a quick family dinner, taking less than 45 minutes from start to finish. Just roast chicken thighs along with Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and carrots in a tasty marinade.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

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

    This comforting and simple chicken dinner is both filling and delicious. With just a few pantry staples, it comes together quickly in about 30 minutes.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry is a simple and fast dinner that everyone will enjoy. Using a sheet pan means you can prepare it without much effort and without needing to stir anything.

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    Chicken Broccoli Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    This is a simple and satisfying meal that you can prepare in under 30 minutes. It combines the creamy goodness of mac and cheese with the flavors of broccoli and chicken alfredo.

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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

    Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    One pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes are a simple and satisfying dinner option for busy nights. With zesty chicken legs and nicely roasted potatoes, you can have a warm meal ready in no time, and a quick salad on the side makes it a complete and healthy dinner.

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    Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

    Million dollar casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This casserole combines shredded chicken, cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup, all topped with buttery Ritz crackers. It's a simple and satisfying dish that's perfect for busy nights.

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    Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    Dijon sheet pan chicken.
    Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Sheet pan meals are a real help on busy nights, and this maple Dijon chicken dish is simple to prepare and full of flavor. With seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and roasted veggies, it’s perfect for cozy dinners when you want something filling without much work.

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    King Ranch Chicken Casserole

    King ranch chicken casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This dish is a classic comfort food that’s simple to prepare. With gooey cheese, chicken, and southwest flavors, it’s a flavorful casserole that requires very little effort.

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    One Pan Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes.

    This chicken and potatoes dinner features juicy roasted chicken thighs and drumsticks, along with tender potatoes, roasted garlic, and mushrooms, all cooked together on one sheet pan. It’s a simple meal that only takes 15 minutes to prep before it goes into the oven.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will definitely provide leftovers. It's a simple and satisfying option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Ranch Sheet Pan Chicken & Veggies

    Sheet pan with chicken and veggies.
    Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

    This easy sheet pan chicken dinner with vegetables is great for busy families looking for a healthy meal. Just toss everything together, bake it, and serve—it's really that simple!

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is an easy one-pan meal that brings the flavors of comfort food right to your table. It's also great to have as leftovers, making it a perfect choice for busy nights.

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    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    A casserole dish full of spinach artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    This creamy casserole is made with rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies, making prep a breeze! You can make it in under 1 hour, from start to finish.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs are full of delicious flavors and packed with vegetables, making it a great low-carb dinner option. This meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    A serving of Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken enchilada casserole combines all the delicious flavors of enchiladas in a simple layered dish. With corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and red enchilada sauce, it's a satisfying meal that's easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Cajun flavors are always a hit, and this casserole is super easy to prepare. You can skip boiling the pasta, and the creamy sauce that develops while it bakes is sure to impress.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
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      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day
    • Cheesburger sliders.
      18 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Spring

    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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