10+ Chicken Breast Recipes Easy and Delicious for Quick Weeknight Meals

Chicken breast is a go-to for so many meals. It cooks fast and fits into tons of dishes.

If you’re after a quick dinner or want to prep meals ahead, simple chicken breast recipes are a lifesaver. They save you time without skimping on flavor.

Easy chicken breast recipes help you make tasty meals with minimal effort and ingredients. They’re ideal for anyone who wants home-cooked food but doesn’t feel like spending forever in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• Garlic (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side.
4. Transfer the chicken to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
5. Let the chicken rest before serving.

1) Honey Garlic Chicken Breast with 5-ingredient sauce

This honey garlic chicken breast is honestly so easy. You just need five ingredients for the sauce, which is a relief after a long day.

The sauce is sweet and savory, and it’s a breeze to throw together. You can have dinner on the table in about 15 minutes.

Pan or slow cooker? Both work. I like the skillet for speed, but if you want to set it and forget it, the slow cooker’s your friend.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar in a bowl.
2. Heat a pan over medium heat and add the chicken breasts.
3. Cook chicken about 6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
4. Pour the sauce over the chicken, simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
5. Serve warm with your favorite side.

You can try this easy recipe from RecipeTin Eats for more ideas.

2) Oven Baked Chicken Breast with simple seasoning

You don’t need much to make juicy baked chicken. Just salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika do the trick.

Bake at 425°F (220°C) and you’ll get a nice caramelized crust. The inside stays tender—nobody likes dry chicken, right?

Letting the chicken rest is important, even if you’re impatient. It keeps the juices in so your chicken isn’t dry and sad.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
3. Rub olive oil on chicken breasts.
4. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle evenly over chicken.
5. Place chicken in a baking dish.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes until cooked through.
7. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

For more tips on simple baked chicken, check this oven baked chicken breast recipe.

3) Grilled Chicken Breasts with Garlic and Herbs

Grilled chicken breast can be super flavorful if you use garlic and fresh herbs. Just marinate the chicken in garlic, herbs, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Grill it over medium-high heat—around 375°F (190°C)—and you’ll get juicy, tender chicken with hardly any effort.

This recipe is quick and feels healthy. I like it with a salad, but you do you.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix garlic, herbs, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Coat the chicken breasts with the marinade. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
3. Preheat grill to 375°F (190°C).
4. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

4) Chicken Piccata with lemon and capers

Chicken Piccata is a bright, tangy dish that’s actually really simple. You cook thin chicken breasts until golden, then whip up a quick sauce with lemon juice, butter, and capers.

The sauce is light but packs a punch. It’s a nice break from the usual chicken routine.

Serve it with pasta or veggies if you want a full meal. I like a little extra parsley on top for color.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup capers, drained
• Fresh parsley (optional for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice chicken breasts in half horizontally to make thin cutlets.
2. Season with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off the excess.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a pan over medium heat.
4. Cook chicken until golden on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from pan.
5. Add lemon juice, chicken broth, and capers to the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Stir in remaining butter until sauce thickens slightly.
7. Return chicken to pan and coat with sauce. Cook for 2 more minutes.
8. Serve with sauce spooned over the top, garnish with parsley if you like.

5) Classic Chicken Salad with mayo and celery

Classic chicken salad is always a winner. Just throw together cooked chicken breast, mayo, and celery.

The celery gives it a nice crunch, and you can add mustard or green onion if you’re feeling fancy. I like it on a sandwich, but honestly, it’s good straight from the bowl.

Mix it all up, season, and chill for a bit. The flavors get better if you wait, but who has patience?

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1 teaspoon mustard (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a bowl, combine chicken, mayo, and celery.
3. Add mustard if you like.
4. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.
5. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

More details about this classic recipe can be found at Classic Chicken Salad Recipe.

6) Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

If you have an Instant Pot, white chicken chili is a lifesaver. It’s creamy, mild, and comes together fast.

Chicken breast, white beans, and green chilies make it hearty but not heavy. The pressure cooker really brings out the flavors.

Toss in some corn and green veggies for color and sweetness. You’ll have dinner ready in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 can cannellini beans
• 1 can corn
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 can green chilies
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Set your Instant Pot to sauté. Cook onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add chicken breasts, beans, corn, chilies, broth, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
4. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
5. Remove chicken and shred it. Return it to the pot and stir well.
6. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

You can find detailed steps and tips on making this chili at Simply Recipes Instant Pot White Chicken Chili.

7) Garlic Knot Chicken Breast with buttery garlic sauce

If you love garlic knots, this chicken recipe is a must-try. The chicken gets cooked in a buttery garlic sauce that’s seriously addictive.

Start by searing the chicken cutlets until golden. Then, melt butter with olive oil and garlic for the sauce.

Coat the chicken in the sauce and let it soak up all that flavor. It takes about 15 minutes, start to finish.

I like serving this with veggies or pasta, depending on my mood. It’s a little indulgent, but worth it.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken cutlets (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and 3 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden.
3. Remove chicken and add remaining butter and garlic to the pan.
4. Cook garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Return chicken to pan and spoon garlic butter sauce over it.
6. Cook 2 more minutes, then serve.

For more details, visit this Garlic Knot Chicken recipe.

8) Three-Ingredient Baked Chicken Breasts

Sometimes you just want something ridiculously easy. This baked chicken uses only three ingredients: chicken breasts, butter, and a little seasoning.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then spread butter on top. Bake it and you’re done.

You can add herbs if you’re feeling inspired, but honestly, this works as-is. It cooks in about 25-30 minutes at 375°F (190°C).

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish.

3. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.

4. Toss a tablespoon of butter on top of each breast.

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The chicken should be cooked through—don’t be afraid to check with a fork.

6. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. That part’s important; trust me.

For more ideas, check this three-ingredient baked chicken breasts recipe.

9) Crockpot Chicken Breast and Rice with spices

You can whip up a simple meal with chicken breasts, rice, and whatever spices you’re into—all in a crockpot. The slow cooking really lets the flavors get cozy, and the chicken ends up super tender.

Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Toss them into the crockpot.

Add rice, broth, and if you’re feeling fancy, some chopped onions or bell peppers.

Let everything cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. The rice absorbs the broth and spices, and the chicken gets nice and juicy.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup white rice
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 small onion, chopped (optional)
• 1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. Place chicken in the crockpot.

3. Add rice, broth, onion, and bell pepper.

4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.

5. Check the rice and chicken to make sure they’re fully cooked before serving.

10) Seared Chicken Breast with Butter and Cayenne

You can whip up a tasty chicken breast by searing it in butter with a hit of cayenne. The butter gives it that rich, almost nutty flavor, and the cayenne—well, it brings just enough heat to keep things interesting.

This one’s quick, honestly perfect when you just want dinner on the table fast.

Start by seasoning your chicken with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Get your skillet hot, melt the butter, and let it sizzle.

Drop in the chicken and sear each side until you see that golden crust forming. Aim for an internal temp of 165°F (74°C)—don’t skip the check, nobody likes dry chicken.

Let it rest for a few minutes before you slice in.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne.
2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and sear for 5-7 minutes on each side.
4. Check that it hits 165°F (74°C) inside.
5. Take it off the heat and let it rest a bit before serving.