10+ Chicken Dinner Recipes for Easy and Delicious Family Meals

Chicken dinners really bring people together, don’t they? Whether you’re going for something fancy or just need a quick meal, chicken’s always got your back.

You don’t need to be a pro chef to whip up a good chicken dinner. Having a few solid recipes on hand just makes life easier.

Here are some easy, delicious chicken dinner recipes that fit all kinds of schedules and moods. You’ll find something here, no matter how much (or little) you like to cook.

1) 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

This 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken is one of those dinners you can throw together fast. You cook the chicken until it’s crispy, then toss it in a sweet and garlicky sauce.

Serve it with something green, like broccoli or asparagus, and you’re set.

The sauce is a simple mix: honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a splash of vinegar. Let it bubble until thick, then coat the chicken.

No fancy skills needed. It’s a lifesaver on busy nights.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Cook chicken 6-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
4. Set chicken aside for a minute.
5. Toss garlic, honey, soy sauce, and vinegar into the skillet.
6. Let the sauce thicken for 3-4 minutes.
7. Put the chicken back in and coat it all over. Serve warm.

2) Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma

Sheet pan chicken shawarma brings big flavor with hardly any effort. Start by tossing chicken strips in cumin, coriander, and paprika, then let Greek yogurt do its magic and keep things juicy.

Roast the chicken and onions together on one pan. Cleanup? Basically nothing.

You’ll get juicy chicken with crispy edges. Top it with a cool cucumber yogurt sauce for a fresh bite.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, sliced
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon coriander
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 Persian cucumber, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yogurt with cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Coat chicken strips and let them marinate for 30 minutes.
3. Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
4. Spread chicken and onions on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil.
5. Roast for 37-40 minutes until chicken is cooked and edges get crispy.
6. Stir diced cucumber into yogurt for a quick sauce. Spoon it on top.

3) Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Orzo

Here’s a one-pot wonder for your Instant Pot. Chicken, lemon, and orzo come together in one easy, mess-free dish.

The lemon keeps things zippy, and the orzo soaks up all the good flavors.

Throw in some spinach or peas if you’re feeling it. It’s creamy and comforting, but not fussy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 cup (185g) orzo pasta
• 2 cups (480ml) chicken broth
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: spinach or peas

Cooking Instructions

1. Set Instant Pot to sauté, heat olive oil.
2. Brown chicken on both sides, 3-4 minutes each, then take it out.
3. Cook garlic for a minute.
4. Add orzo, broth, lemon juice, and zest.
5. Put chicken back in, season with salt and pepper.
6. Seal and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
7. Quick release, then stir in spinach or peas if you want.
8. Serve and dig in.

4) Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken is one of those weeknight meals you’ll want on repeat. Sear your chicken breasts until they’re golden and juicy.

Then, make a quick sauce with garlic and cream. It clings to the chicken, making each bite rich and cozy.

If you want a step-by-step, check out this page: Creamy Garlic Chicken.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Cook chicken 5-7 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through.
4. Set chicken aside.
5. Add garlic, cook for a minute.
6. Stir in broth and cream.
7. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
8. Return chicken, spoon sauce over.
9. Let it heat through for a couple minutes before serving.

5) Chicken Florentine Style

Chicken Florentine is creamy, garlicky, and quick. Sear chicken breasts, then build a sauce with garlic, spinach, white wine, and cream.

It only takes about 30 minutes. Serve it with pasta, rice, or a hunk of bread to soak up the sauce.

Spinach brings a fresh pop and some greens to the plate.

Want more details? Here’s a Chicken Florentine recipe.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Cook chicken in butter over medium heat until golden and cooked through.
3. Take chicken out, add garlic to the pan.
4. Pour in wine, let it reduce by half.
5. Add cream and spinach, cook until spinach wilts.
6. Return chicken, coat with sauce.
7. Serve hot with your favorite side.

6) Chicken Enchiladas with Spicy Enchilada Sauce

Chicken enchiladas are always a hit. Use shredded chicken, cheese, and corn tortillas for the filling.

Make a simple enchilada sauce with chili powder, garlic, and tomato sauce. Pour it over the rolled tortillas before baking.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling. Top with sour cream or fresh cilantro for a cool finish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 8 corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 1 cup spicy enchilada sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix chicken, half the cheese, onions, chili powder, and garlic powder.
3. Warm tortillas in a pan or microwave.
4. Fill each tortilla with chicken mixture and roll up.
5. Line them up in a baking dish.
6. Pour enchilada sauce over the top.
7. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
8. Bake 20 minutes until bubbly.

7) One-Pan Chicken & Gnocchi

One-pan chicken and gnocchi is a weeknight win. Cook both in the same pan, and you barely have dishes to wash.

Brown the chicken, then add gnocchi and a creamy Parmesan garlic sauce. The gnocchi soaks up all that flavor.

Want to toss in mushrooms or spinach? Go for it. It’s cozy, filling, and easy to customize.

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 (16-ounce) package gnocchi
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: mushrooms, spinach

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium.
2. Season chicken, cook until golden and cooked through, 5-7 minutes per side. Set aside.
3. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute.
4. Pour in cream, bring to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan.
5. Add gnocchi, cook until tender and sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
6. Return chicken, heat through. Add mushrooms or spinach if you like.
7. Serve warm.

8) Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Teriyaki chicken stir fry is a go-to for busy nights. Combine chicken with veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, and onions.

Toss everything in a sweet, sticky teriyaki sauce. You can get this on the table in about 30 minutes.

It’s great with rice or noodles. Making your own sauce is easy, and you can tweak the flavors however you want.

This meal is bright, healthy, and just a little bit addictive. If you’re ready to mix things up, here’s an easy teriyaki chicken stir fry recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high.
2. Toss in the chicken and cook until it’s not pink anymore—usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove it and set aside.
3. Throw broccoli, bell pepper, and onion into the same pan. Stir fry for 4-5 minutes.
4. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
5. Add the chicken back to the pan. Pour the sauce over everything.
6. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook for about 2 minutes, just until the sauce thickens up.
7. Serve hot with rice or noodles.

9) Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole

So, here’s a dish that’s honestly just fun to make and even better to eat. Cheesy chicken fajita casserole brings together juicy chicken and a mess of colorful bell peppers.

If you want dinner that’s filling but not fussy, this one’s a winner. It’s all about that comforting, cheesy vibe.

You’ll cook the chicken with fajita seasoning, then toss it with sliced peppers and onion. The creamy, cheesy sauce just pulls it all together—kind of irresistible, really.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), sliced
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• 1 cup cream or sour cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Cook the chicken with fajita seasoning until it’s not pink anymore.
4. Add the bell peppers and onion; cook until they’re soft.
5. Stir in the cream or sour cream and half the cheese.
6. Scoop the whole mixture into a baking dish.
7. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
8. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

10) Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is one of those dishes that’s both comforting and a little bit exciting. Crispy chicken pieces get coated in a sweet, tangy orange sauce that wakes up your taste buds.

You don’t have to deep fry anything here—just use bite-sized chicken breast, and the cooking’s quick and painless. The sauce? Orange juice, soy sauce, and a touch of honey or sugar for that classic sticky-sweet vibe.

Honestly, the bright flavor works so well with rice or some steamed veggies. Cooking the chicken until it’s golden gives you that satisfying crunch before it soaks up all the sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup flour
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions:

1. Toss chicken pieces in flour so they’re evenly coated.
2. Heat oil in a pan to about 350°F (175°C).
3. Fry the chicken until it’s golden and crispy, usually 5-7 minutes.
4. Mix orange juice, soy sauce, honey, and cornstarch in a bowl.
5. Pour the sauce into a pan, then cook until it thickens up.
6. Throw the fried chicken into the sauce and toss everything together.
7. Serve it warm with rice or your favorite veggies.

If you want to see it step by step, check out this easy orange chicken recipe from Modern Honey.