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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Dump, Cook, Eat, Repeat! 39 Chicken Dinners to Revolutionize Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 19, 2024, updated November 27, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking dinner can sometimes feel like a chore, but with these 37 dump-and-cook chicken dishes, you can make mealtime simple and stress-free. Just toss your ingredients into a pot or slow cooker, and let them do the work for you. These recipes are perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This chicken traybake combines vibrant vegetables and juicy chicken thighs in one pan, all dressed in a flavorful Mediterranean sauce. It's an easy and convenient meal that brings together great flavors without much effort.

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    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole

    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole is a simple slow cooker dish that’s perfect for dinner after a long day. It’s budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and loved by the whole family, making it a great option for meal prep.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Southwest Chicken Dorito Casserole

    Baked Southwest Chicken Dorito Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    This cheesy chicken casserole combines shredded rotisserie chicken with cream cheese, sour cream, Rotel tomatoes, and green chilies, all topped with Nacho Cheese Doritos and cheddar cheese. It's a simple dish that's perfect for a quick dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies.
    Photo credit: This DIY Life.

    This honey garlic chicken with veggies is an easy and tasty dish that you can make in a slow cooker. It's a one-pot meal that you'll want to have on your dinner table often.

    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!

    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 perfect for busy families looking for a quick and healthy meal. Just mix everything together, pop it in the oven, and it's ready to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

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

    This British-Indian chicken curry is simple to prepare. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it cook while you relax.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Enchilada Casserole

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

    This easy Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole brings all the great flavors of enchiladas without the extra work of rolling tortillas or baking. It's a tasty combination of tortillas, tender chicken, and lots of cheese that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is a cozy meal that's easy to put together. It's a delicious option for a quick dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Fit As a Mama Bear.

    This creamy chicken dish is perfect for a family dinner. It's simple to prepare, making it great for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    Southern Baked Chicken Thighs

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

    This chicken dinner is easy to prepare with just three simple ingredients. It results in a crispy and flavorful meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is a simple one-pan dish that's great for a cozy dinner at home. It also keeps well, so you can enjoy it as leftovers the next day.

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    Cajun Chicken Foil Packs

    Cajun Chicken Foil Packets.
    Photo credit: Camp Grill Eat.

    These easy foil packets combine boneless chicken thighs, peppers, and onions with Cajun spices. They cook fast and keep things tidy, making dinner a breeze in just 30 minutes.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken & Gravy

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy.
    Photo credit: Babaganosh.

    Simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, set it, and come back to a tasty meal ready to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake

    Chicken broccoli bake on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: From Valerie's Kitchen.

    This chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole is simple to prepare; just combine all the ingredients and bake it in one dish. It's a great option for busy nights when you need a quick meal.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

    Crockpot chicken salsa topped with avocados.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Prepare tender chicken easily in the Crock Pot, perfect for busy nights or when you're hosting friends. This dish is great for meal prep, allowing you to enjoy a tasty dinner without much work.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Jerk Chicken With Red Beans And Coconut Rice

    One Pan Jerk Chicken With Red Beans And Coconut Rice
    Photo Credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen.

    One Pan Jerk Chicken with Red Beans and Coconut Rice is a favorite at home. It combines spicy, sweet, and smoky flavors all in one easy skillet dish.

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    Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

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

    This dish simplifies dinner by using canned soups and prepackaged rice mixes. It's great for busy nights or when you just want a straightforward, comforting meal.

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    One Pot Spinach Artichoke Chicken

    One Pot Spinach Artichoke Chicken
    Photo Credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    This chicken dish is easy to prepare in just one pan with a creamy spinach and artichoke sauce. It features cream cheese, chicken stock, and tender chicken breast cutlets.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

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

    This chicken parmesan pasta is a simple and quick one-pot dinner that you can whip up in the Instant Pot. Just combine pasta and chicken breast for an easy meal that doesn't require much work.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

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

    Hawaiian Chicken combines sweet and spicy flavors in a simple dish. With just four ingredients, this budget-friendly meal is quick to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

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

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry is an easy and tasty dinner that everyone will love. Using a sheet pan means you can cook everything at once without needing to stir it all the time.

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    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    This casserole is packed with cajun flavors and is super easy to prepare. There's no need to boil the pasta, making it a simple option for dinner.

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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.

    These Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs are full of flavor and come with plenty of veggies, making them a great choice for a healthy dinner. It's an easy meal that you can enjoy any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Chicken tortillas soup.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    This chicken tortilla soup is a family favorite that's both delicious and healthy. It's also simple to make and can be frozen for later.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Drumsticks & Potatoes

    Baked drumsticks.
    Photo credit: Go Healthy Ever After.

    This chicken and potato sheet pan dinner is easy to prepare and delicious. The lemon garlic seasoning gives it a fresh and flavorful kick.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    Spinach chicken artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    This spinach artichoke chicken casserole is quick to prepare with rotisserie chicken and frozen vegetables. You can have the entire meal ready in under an hour.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes.

    This one-pan chicken and potatoes dish is perfect for dinner. Juicy chicken thighs and drumsticks, along with tender potatoes, roasted garlic, and mushrooms, all cook together on one sheet pan, so cleanup is easy and it’s ready in just 15 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo chicken comes together easily in this simple pasta dish. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner.

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    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple combines spicy and sweet flavors that everyone will love. It's an easy meal to prepare all in one pan, filled with healthy vegetables.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines cheesy chicken, pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach all in one pot. It's an easy way to switch up your dinner plans.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken Stew

    Chicken stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is easy to prepare and packed with veggies. After just 10 minutes of prep, it cooks on its own and is ready in under 45 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dinner features chicken and broccoli and is simple to prepare, leaving you with extra servings for later. It's a satisfying meal that won't take much time to put together.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan dinner is great for busy nights when you want something delicious with minimal effort. It combines chicken, veggies, and sauce all cooked together on one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes dish is a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in no time. With a delicious tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes and oregano, it's perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken.
    Photo credit: Dinner at the Zoo.

    This teriyaki chicken is really easy to prepare; just toss chicken breasts, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey into the slow cooker. After it's cooked, shred the chicken and pour the tasty sauce over it, making it great to serve with rice for a simple dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Saporito Kitchen.

    Enjoy a simple and tasty chicken dinner that's great for any night. This Italian-inspired meal is slow-cooked for rich flavor and pairs well with pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes.

    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 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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