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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    29 Quick Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated August 29, 2025 · Published March 17, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    Quick and easy chicken recipes can make weeknight dinners a breeze. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up satisfying meals that the whole family will enjoy. Here are 29 chicken recipes that are perfect for busy evenings, ensuring you spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your loved ones.

    Parmesan Chicken Casserole

    Parmesan Chicken Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This casserole combines the familiar tastes and textures of chicken parmesan in a simple, easy-to-serve dish. It's perfect for a quick meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Apple and Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast

    Apple and Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    Apple Brie Stuffed Chicken is a simple yet fancy dish that's great for a special dinner. Juicy chicken breasts are filled with creamy brie and sweet apples, then topped with a tasty maple, garlic, and Dijon sauce.

    Get the Recipe

    Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets

    Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets.
    Photo Credit: The Healthy Epicurean.

    Crispy baked chicken nuggets coated in Panko breadcrumbs are a simple and tasty option for dinner. They come with a quick homemade honey mustard for dipping that adds a nice touch.

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    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken casserole mixes ranch seasoning with a creamy mac and cheese sauce, tender noodles, shredded rotisserie chicken, and crispy bacon. It's baked together for a comforting dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy!

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    Chicken Goujons

    CHICKEN GOUJONS.
    Photo credit: Cinnamon & Kale.

    These baked chicken goujons are a healthier twist on chicken nuggets and can be ready in just 30 minutes. They're great for a simple family dinner during the week.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Gluesticks.

    Creamy slow cooker chicken and noodles are a great comfort food option. It's simple to prepare with everyday ingredients you likely have on hand, and it's really tasty!

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    One Pan Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes.

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

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    White Wine Roasted Chicken Thighs and Leeks

    White Wine Roasted Chicken Thighs and Leeks.
    Photo Credit: Big Delicious Life.

    Roasted chicken thighs with crispy skin and soft leeks come together in a tasty sauce made with white wine, garlic, lemon, butter, and fresh herbs. This one-pan chicken dinner is sure to become a favorite for any night of the week.

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    Creamy Tarragon Chicken Breasts

    Creamy Tarragon Chicken Breasts.
    Photo Credit: Krumpli.

    This dish features chicken breast in a creamy sauce made with tarragon, vermouth, and garlic. It's a quick and tasty meal that brings a touch of French cooking to your table.

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    Baked BBQ Chicken

    Baked BBQ Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This easy chicken dish is great for a weeknight meal. Juicy chicken thighs are covered in a tasty glaze that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Get on my Plate.

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is perfect for a simple family dinner or a tasty side dish for gatherings. It combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, pasta, and fresh veggies all mixed together in a creamy ranch dressing.

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    Spanish Chicken And Rice

    Spanish chicken thighs and rice with olives on a light plate.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This Spanish Chicken and Rice is full of flavor and is a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. It's a great option for a weeknight dinner or a cozy Sunday meal.

    Get the recipe

    Balsamic Chicken with Peaches

    Balsamic chicken with peaches.
    Photo Credit: Dédé Wilson.

    This dish features juicy chicken thighs paired with sweet peaches, tangy balsamic vinegar, rich maple syrup, and fragrant rosemary, all cooked in one pan. It's a simple and tasty option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    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 cooked in the slow cooker is a simple and satisfying meal. In just 5 hours, you can enjoy a delicious dish that's perfect for any night.

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    Chicken Noodle Casserole

    A plate of chicken noodle casserole.
    Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic.

    This Chicken Noodle Casserole is packed with chicken, veggies, and egg noodles in a creamy sauce that brings everything together. It's an affordable meal that you can easily adjust with whatever ingredients you have at home.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs.
    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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    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

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

    Thin chicken breasts can be cooked in the air fryer for a quick and tasty dinner. In just 6 minutes, they come out well-seasoned with garlic and basil.

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    Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken

    15-Minute Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken served over pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cuisine & Travel.

    This chicken dish is great for a simple weeknight meal, and it's juicy, tender, and packed with flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Cooked chicken drumstick.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken drumsticks can be ready in just 20 minutes after soaking in olive oil, lime juice, and spices. They turn out tender with a nice crispy skin, making this a go-to way to prepare them.

    Get the recipe

    Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    Sundried tomato chicken sauce with penne pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Sun-dried tomato chicken pasta is a creamy and satisfying meal. It's a quick dish that packs a lot of flavor and can be ready in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    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 Veggie Pesto Pasta

    A serving of veggie pesto pasta chicken.
    Photo Credit: Foxes Love Lemons.

    This meal is quick and easy, ready in just 30 minutes with some clever cooking tips. It's a complete dinner that won't take up much of your time.

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    Sha Sha Chicken

    Sha Sha Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Sound of Cooking.

    This sha cha chicken is simple to prepare and can be ready in just 10-15 minutes. It's full of rich flavors and goes great with white rice and vegetables.

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    Sun-Dried Tomato Red Pesto Chicken

    Sun-Dried Tomato Red Pesto Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Real Meal Deal.

    Sun-Dried Tomato Red Pesto Chicken is a creamy chicken casserole that's packed with flavor and easy to prepare. It's perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Garlic Creamy Chicken

    Garlic Creamy Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Endless Meal.

    Creamy garlic chicken is a perfect choice for a comforting meal. It's my family's favorite when we want something warm and satisfying.

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    Roasted Miso Chicken Thighs

    Roasted Miso Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Cozy Cravings.

    Easy Roasted Miso Chicken Thighs are packed with flavor and require very little effort to prepare. They are marinated in a tasty mix of miso, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, then roasted to perfection, staying juicy and delicious, with extra sauce perfect for drizzling over rice.

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    Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder

    Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder.
    Photo Credit: An Edible Mosaic.

    This creamy chicken corn chowder is made in a Crockpot, combining tender chicken, potatoes, and veggies for a warm and filling meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without a lot of work.

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    Lemon Chicken and Rice

    Lemon Chicken and Rice.
    Photo Credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

    One pan lemon chicken and rice is packed with flavor and is a delicious main dish. Each bite is bursting with a refreshing lemon taste!

    Get the Recipe

    Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

    A serving of Bruschetta Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: On My Kids' Plate.

    Bruschetta chicken pasta is a simple weeknight meal loaded with chicken, cherry tomatoes, and fresh ingredients. It can be enjoyed warm or as a refreshing cold pasta salad.

    Get the recipe

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    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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