Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (2024)

If chicken is starting to sound boring, you just need a recipe refresh.

By Christopher MichelUpdated: May 11, 2022

Buy a couple packs of chicken to throw in the fridge for a weeknight dinner, and it's a double-edged sword. On the one hand, chicken is easy to cook. On other, you may worry your family will roll their eyes with boredom.

Not anymore. We've been working overtime to fill out this list with the easiest, simplest, most delicious-est (that's not a word but who cares) chicken dinner ideas, so that you can whip up a weeknight meal after work, often in mere minutes, and hear nothing but "Wow! This is good!" and "Can we have that again?"

Whether you've got ground chicken, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or even a whole bird in the fridge, there's an idea—or ten—on this list. So start scrolling and rest easy. No one's going hungry tonight.

Crispy, Delicious Chicken Parmesan

Is there a more comforting chicken recipe for dinner? It's like having a plate of warm hugs.

Get the recipe for Chicken Parmesan.

Fast Easy Chicken Marsala

This elegant chicken breast recipe is good enough to impress on date night, easy enough to make on a weeknight, and tasty enough the family might lick their plates.

Get the recipe for Chicken Marsala.

Easiest-Ever Chicken Alfredo

Switch up pasta night with this super-easy homemade sauce.

Get the recipe for Chicken Alfredo.

RELATED: 60 Easy Pasta Recipes for Quick, Comforting Weeknight Meals

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Best Chicken Quesadillas

Looking for an easy chicken recipe that only uses a few ingredients? We took this weeknight classic and found a few ways to make it even smarter.

Get the recipe for Chicken Quesadillas.

Classic Chicken Pot Pie

It doesn't get much more classic than pot pie. It doesn't get much more delicious, either.

Get the recipe for Classic Chicken Pot Pie.

Best Classic White Chicken Chili

This lighter take on standard chili is full of flavor—and a great way to use ground chicken!

Get the recipe for White Chicken Chili.

RELATED: 20 Inspiring Chili Recipes to Feed a Hungry Crowd

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Easy Weeknight Chicken and Dumplings

This upgrade to your standard chicken soup is a country classic— and for good reason.

Get the recipe for Chicken and Dumplings.

Homemade Chinese-Style Orange Chicken

Get delivery-style chicken without the delivery fees—or wondering what's in it. (And still in 30 minutes!)

Get the recipe for Homemade Chinese-Style Orange Chicken.

Crispy Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Rosemary

Thighs are not only healthy, but they're delicious and a lot easier to make than breasts! Give this a try and the family will be asking you to make it again and again.

Get the recipe for Crispy Chicken Thighs.

RELATED: 70+ Super Delicious Dinner Recipes You Can Make In a Cast Iron Skillet

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Weeknight Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas

Break out this casserole bake the next time you want to give your leftover rotisserie chicken a cheesy, spicy upgrade.

Get the recipe for Weeknight Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas.

Roast Chicken with Tarragon-Braised Fennel

You'll want at least a day to let this Sunday dinner chicken marinate, but the planning pays off with a meal that can't be beat.

Get the recipe for Roast Chicken with Tarragon-Braised Fennel.

Swedish Meatballs with Chicken

We've remade this classic crowd-pleaser into a healthy dinner that gets to the table in less than half an hour!

Get the recipe for Swedish Meatballs with Chicken.

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Strawberry-Cabernet Barbecue Sauce

Okay, so technically this is just a recipe for the sauce. But any sauce that makes chicken taste this good deserves to be on the list.

Get the recipe for Strawberry-Cabernet Barbecue Sauce.

Chicken and Black Bean Nachos

Fire up the grill to make this foil pack recipe. Not only can you eat it just about anywhere, but there's also no dish-washing needed for this dinner. Now that's a winner!

Get the recipe for Chicken and Black Bean Nachos.

Rotisserie Chicken and Potato Chowder

This hearty soup will keep you full long after you've savored the final spoonful. The addition of crisp bacon is a delicious addition to the classic meat and potatoes combo.

Get the recipe for Rotisserie Chicken and Potato Chowder.

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Classic Buffalo Chicken Dip

This ridiculously tasty dip takes is also simple and takes just 20 minutes to make. Bonus: you can build a whole snack dinner around it!

Get the recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip.

Tex-Mex Chicken Meatballs

Keep a pack of ground chicken handy and whip up these easy, flavorful meatballs!

Get the recipe for Tex-Mex Chicken Meatballs.

RELATED: 50 Delicious New Ways to Have Meatballs for Dinner

Ground Chicken Pad Thai

Doesn't Thai food for dinner sound great?

Get the recipe for Ground Chicken Pad Thai.

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Cornflake-Crusted Baked Chicken

This baked version of the fried comfort food classic offers all the crunch you want thanks to flaky cereal. But it's so tasty that it's sure to become a new family favorite!

Get the recipe for Cornflake-Crusted Baked Chicken .

Ground Chicken Tacos

Ground chicken turns taco night into a healthier meal, without losing flavor!

Get the recipe for Ground Chicken Tacos.

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (2024)

FAQs

How many meals do you get out of a chicken? ›

Here's how I would typically divide a large chicken for multiple meals: 2 lbs of boneless breast and tenders = 2 MEALS. 2 drumsticks, 2 wing flats, 2 drumettes = 1 MEAL. 2 large thighs = 1 MEAL.

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How do you get the most meals out of a whole chicken? ›

Turn the chicken breast-side up, then press down firmly on the breastbone to flatten and open out the chicken.

Meal 1: Spatchco*cked roast chicken with orzo and roast vegetables. ...
Meal 2: Chicken, leek and ham pasties. ...
Meal 3 Freekeh, chicken and pomegranate salad. ...
Meal 4: Chicken and mango coconut curry.

More items...

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How to season chicken like a restaurant? ›

Dry rub or marinade: Applying a dry rub or marinade to the chicken before cooking can add flavor and mimic the taste of grilled chicken. Try using a blend of herbs and spices, such as garlic powder, paprika, and cumin, to add a smoky flavor.

How many meals can you get from a rotisserie chicken? ›

I am sharing how I take one Costco Rotisserie Chicken and turn it into 5 meals for my husband and me. That's FIVE MEALS, not five servings! Plus, I use my InstantPot to make a delicious chicken soup from the bones, so technically that's SIX meals! And no, they aren't chintzy, starvation diet-sized meals.

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How many adults does one chicken feed? ›

Herb Fed Free Range Chicken

Size of bird	Portions
1.8kg (3.9lb)	3-4 people
2kg (4.5lb)	4-6 people
2.5kg (5.5lb)	6-8 people

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What part of a whole chicken takes the longest to cook? ›

Dark meat, such as chicken thighs or legs, will take longer to cook, because they have a higher fat content and density.

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Can you eat a whole chicken everyday? ›

While chicken can be a versatile and convenient protein to cook, if your diet doesn't have a diverse protein profile, you lose out on some key nutrients—including essential fats, such as omega-3s. "Eating chicken every day as your sole protein source could result in some nutrient gaps," says Burgess.

Is eating a whole chicken a lot? ›

Portion Size: A whole chicken is a large portion, and consuming it in one sitting may exceed typical single-serving sizes. It's advisable to consider portion control to maintain a balanced and healthy diet. Nutritional Balance: Eating only chicken may not provide a well-rounded nutritional profile.

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What brings out the flavor in chicken? ›

Marinating is good for flavouring and tenderising your chicken at the same time. It's best to marinate your chicken overnight to give the flavours plenty of time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken in salty water prior to cooking.

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What spices enhance the flavor of chicken? ›

5 best spice and herbs blends for chicken and meat

Paprika and garlic powder. Paprika is a great spice that makes any chicken dish stand out, it comes in many forms sweet, hot, regular and smoky. ...
Basil and rosemary. ...
Ginger and lemongrass. ...
Turmeric and chili. ...
Coriander and cumin.

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How do chefs get chicken so tender? ›

It is very important to marinate chicken whenever you plan to cook with high, direct heat such as grilling or pan searing, as these techniques tend to dry out the meat as it cooks. A marinade is an acidic solution that gets a head start on breaking down the structure of a protein before it is cooked.

How many servings can you get out of a whole chicken? ›

A four- to five-pound chicken is commonly referred to as a broiler-fryer and will easily serve four to six people. The chicken is done when it registers 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.

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How many pieces do you get from a chicken? ›

If you don't want to roast or grill a whole chicken at once, you need to cut it into individual parts before you cook it. Here are 7 steps for cutting a whole chicken into 8 pieces: 2 breast halves, 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks, and 2 wings. Lay the bird on its back.

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How many dishes can I make with a whole chicken? ›

Learn how to stretch chicken into multiple meals! Use this guide to make 7 meals from one whole chicken. You CAN feed your family good food on a budget! Meals like jalapeno chicken popper casserole and buffalo chicken pizza make your chicken go further!

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How many does a whole chicken serve? ›

An average-size chicken weighs about 1.5kg and will feed 4 people. If you're cooking for 5 or 6, go for a 1.8kg-2kg bird. Do buy the best you can – preferably free-range and organic. Slow-grown birds have more flavour, and produce a much better cooked result, without taking welfare issues into account.