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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Weeknight Wonders: 23 Easy Chicken Dinners for Busy Families

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated March 12, 2025 · Published April 11, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    Quick and easy chicken dinners can be a lifesaver for busy families during the week. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these 23 recipes will help you whip up satisfying meals that everyone will enjoy. From stir-fries to casseroles, there's something here for every night of the week.

    Mustard & Herb Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

    Mustard & Herb Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    These chicken thighs are soaked in a tasty mustard sauce and cooked on a sheet pan for an easy meal. It's a simple way to enjoy a full dinner without much work.

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    Pad Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Sti Fry)

    Pad Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Sti Fry).
    Photo credit: Foodess.

    Pad Woon Sen is a flavorful Thai stir fry that features glass noodles, chicken, and fresh vegetables all tossed together in a savory sauce. This dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli Skillet

    Teroyaki chicken and broccoli.
    Photo credit: Fit As A Mama Bear.

    This chicken teriyaki broccoli skillet features tender pieces of chicken cooked in a simple, gluten-free teriyaki sauce. It's a great dinner option for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodles Soup.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    This soup is warm and comforting, perfect for a cozy meal. It has tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty egg noodles in a tasty broth, and you can prep everything in just 10 minutes while the slow cooker handles the rest.

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    Caprese Chicken

    Caprese chicken.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This 5-ingredient Caprese Chicken is a simple and satisfying one-pan meal. It's filling and comforting, and you can whip it up with just a few ingredients and minimal cleanup.

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    Chicken Slow Cooker Enchiladas

    Chicken Slow Cooker Enchiladas.
    Photo Credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Chicken Slow Cooker Enchiladas are packed with flavor and easy to make. With tender chicken, zesty enchilada sauce, soft tortillas, and gooey cheese, this dish is great for a weeknight dinner or a get-together with friends.

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    Chicken and Gravy

    Chicken and Gravy.
    Photo Credit: Little Chef Within.

    This Chicken and Gravy Recipe is a simple slow cooker dish that takes the stress out of dinner time. With just a few ingredients, you'll have tender chicken in a flavorful gravy, all ready to enjoy.

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    Chicken and Chickpea Soup

    Chicken and Chickpea Soup
    Photo Credit: tried and true recipe.

    This chicken and chickpea soup is a simple dinner option. With just a few ingredients and some time to let it cook, you can have a warm and satisfying meal.

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    Chicken Soup with Cream Cheese

    Chicken Soup with Cream Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Num's the Word.

    This chicken soup with cream cheese is a warm and comforting dish. It uses just a few simple ingredients to create a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy on a chilly winter night.

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    Fried Chicken Cutlets

    Fried Chicken Cutlets.
    Photo Credit: Life's Ambrosia.

    Fried Chicken Cutlets are crispy, tender, and packed with flavor, making them a favorite for the whole family. These thinly sliced chicken breasts are breaded and fried until golden brown.

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    Baked Bruschetta Chicken with Balsamic Glaze

    Baked Bruschetta Chicken with Balsamic Glaze.
    Photo Credit: Laura Fuentes.

    Baked Bruschetta Chicken is a simple and healthy dish that's packed with flavor. It's a great choice for a quick dinner during the week!

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    Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

    Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Courtney's Sweets.

    This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is quick to prepare and is a great way to use up leftover chicken and rice. It's a simple dish that combines chicken, broccoli, and cheese for a satisfying meal.

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    Chicken Enchilada Casserole

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

    This one-pot chicken enchilada casserole brings all the great flavors of your favorite enchilada dinner without the fuss of rolling tortillas or baking. With layers of tortillas, tender chicken, and plenty of cheese, it's a dish that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

    Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Tender chicken in a sweet and savory ginger sauce is always a hit. Pair it with rice and steamed broccoli for a meal that fits perfectly into your regular dinner lineup.

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    Cheesy Chicken and Rice

    Cheesy Chicken and Rice
    Photo Credit: Easy Chicken Recipes.

    This one-pan casserole combines chicken breast, rice, broccoli, cauliflower, and Velveeta for a creamy and cheesy meal. It's simple to make and sure to be a hit with the whole family.

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    Marry Me Chicken

    Chicken with sauce on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Tender chicken breast is cooked just right and covered in a tasty sauce made with Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs. This is a great way to make your weeknight dinner special and impress everyone at the table.

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    30 Minute Instant Pot Chicken Chili

    30 Minute Instant Pot Chicken Chili
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Chili is quick to make, taking only 30 minutes total with just 5 minutes of prep. It's perfect for busy nights, allowing everyone to serve themselves while juggling activities like soccer practice and volleyball games.

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    Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

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

    This easy slow cooker recipe brings the classic tastes of Tuscany right to your home. It's a simple way to enjoy a delicious meal without much work.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Quesadillas

    A plate full of quesadillas.
    Image credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Cheesy quesadillas are so easy to make in the air fryer

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    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is a cozy dish that's simple to prepare. It's a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Meatballs

    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Meatballs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Homemade chicken meatballs get a flavorful boost when they're simmered in a spicy chipotle sauce. This dish is sure to have everyone coming back for more.

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    Mexican Shredded Chicken

    Pulled chicken.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    This shredded chicken has a tasty Mexican twist and is perfect for burritos, tacos, enchiladas, or as a main dish. Chicken thighs are seasoned with a smoky spice mix and cooked until crispy, then easily pulled apart with forks.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

    Chicken alfredo on a plate.
    Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

    This dish features tender and juicy chicken paired with perfectly cooked penne pasta. It's a simple and quick way to enjoy a tasty Alfredo pasta meal.

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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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