10+ Chicken Dishes Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Chicken dishes are just so easy to whip up, and you can make them a hundred different ways. Whether you’re after something quick or feeling a bit fancy, chicken’s always up for it.

You’ll find simple recipes here that actually fit your schedule and your taste.

If you know how to cook chicken, you can feed just about anyone and keep them happy. With a few basic ingredients and some easy steps, you’ll have meals that are both comforting and packed with flavor.

Let’s explore some ideas for making chicken at home.

1) Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Teriyaki chicken stir fry is one of those dishes you can throw together on a random Tuesday. It’s got juicy chicken, fresh veggies—think broccoli, bell peppers, onions—and a sweet, sticky sauce that doesn’t need much fuss.

You can have it on the table in about half an hour, which is honestly a lifesaver on busy nights. It’s healthier than take-out, and you get to enjoy that amazing smell while it cooks.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into strips
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup cooked rice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high.
2. Add chicken and cook until browned.
3. Toss in broccoli, bell pepper, and onion; stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
4. Pour in teriyaki sauce and cook for 2 more minutes.
5. Serve over rice if you want.

Find more details on teriyaki chicken stir fry here.

2) Easy Chicken Scampi

Chicken scampi is one of those meals that feels a little special but takes barely any time. You cook chicken tenders in a buttery garlic sauce with just a handful of herbs.

Pair it with pasta—angel hair or spaghetti works great. If you’re feeling it, toss in some bell peppers for a pop of color and flavor.

The sauce is light but still packs a punch, thanks to olive oil, butter, garlic, and some dried herbs. You probably have everything you need already.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• ½ cup butter
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz angel hair pasta (optional)
• Bell peppers (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter and olive oil in a pan over medium.
2. Add garlic and cook for a minute, just until it smells good.
3. Season chicken, add to the pan, and cook 5-7 minutes per side until browned and done.
4. Stir in parsley, basil, and oregano.
5. Cook pasta while the chicken finishes up.
6. Serve chicken over pasta and spoon the sauce on top.
7. Add sautéed bell peppers if you want.

3) Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole

This casserole gives you all the fajita flavors in one cozy dish. Juicy chicken, peppers, onions, and a generous blanket of cheese—what’s not to love?

Start by cooking the chicken and veggies with fajita seasoning. Mix everything with cheese and bake until it’s bubbling and golden.

You can use whatever cheese or spices you like, and cleanup’s a breeze since it’s all in one pan.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), sliced
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium.
3. Cook chicken strips until just cooked through.
4. Add peppers, onion, and fajita seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Mix chicken and veggies with rice and sour cream.
6. Transfer to a baking dish, top with cheese.
7. Bake 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

4) Creamy Lemon Chicken

Creamy lemon chicken is a weeknight hero—simple, fast, and bright. You cook chicken breasts in a tangy lemon and garlic cream sauce that’s both rich and refreshing.

It’s perfect with pasta, rice, or just some roasted veggies. You only need a few ingredients, and it all comes together in one pan.

The lemon keeps it fresh, while garlic adds a savory kick. You’ll have dinner ready in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium.
2. Season chicken and cook until golden, about 6 minutes per side.
3. Set chicken aside.
4. Add garlic to the pan, sauté for a minute.
5. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and cream.
6. Simmer the sauce, then return chicken to the pan.
7. Cook until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve.

5) Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Garlic butter chicken tenders are ridiculously quick and satisfying. The butter keeps the chicken juicy, and the garlic gives it that irresistible flavor.

It’s a weeknight go-to for sure. You only need a few things, and dinner’s done in 10 to 20 minutes.

Serve these with lemon wedges or whatever veggies you have on hand—easy win.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) chicken tenders
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium.
2. Add garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant.
3. Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
4. Cook chicken in the skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until done.
5. Serve hot, with lemon wedges if you’re into that.

Learn more about garlic butter chicken tenders at Little Sunny Kitchen.

6) Baked Chicken Tacos

Baked chicken tacos make taco night even easier. Start by tossing chicken with garlic, lime juice, olive oil, and chili powder.

Bake the chicken until juicy, then stuff it into tortillas with cheese. A quick bake melts everything together, and that’s it.

Top with avocado, salsa, or whatever you like.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast, cut into strips
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or colby jack)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix olive oil, lime juice, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss chicken in the mix, spread on a baking sheet.
4. Bake chicken for 15-20 minutes.
5. Lower oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Fill tortillas with chicken and cheese.
7. Bake 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted.

7) Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken

Honey garlic crispy chicken just hits the spot—crunchy outside, sticky and sweet inside. Pan-fry chicken until it’s golden, then toss it in a thick honey garlic sauce.

It goes great with rice or some steamed veggies. The sauce is super simple: just honey, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce.

Chicken thighs work best for that juicy, crispy bite, but breasts are fine too.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken thighs, cut into pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp oil for frying
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high.
3. Fry chicken pieces until golden and crispy, about 6-8 minutes per side.
4. Remove chicken and set aside.
5. In the same pan, add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
6. Mix in honey and soy sauce, cook until the sauce thickens.
7. Return chicken to pan and coat with sauce. Serve hot.

For more details on this recipe, see the crispy honey garlic chicken guide.

8) Chicken Adobo

Chicken Adobo stands out as a classic Filipino favorite. You get salty, tangy, and savory flavors all in one bite.

To make it, cook chicken slowly in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and a handful of spices. The chicken soaks up all those flavors and turns out super tender.

Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or longer if you’ve got the time. After that, simmer everything together until the sauce thickens and clings to the chicken.

It’s a pretty straightforward dish—nothing fancy, just good food. Serve it with rice, and you’ve got a meal that feels both homey and special.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken thighs or legs
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp whole peppercorns
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and brown sugar in a bowl.
2. Add chicken and marinate for 30 minutes, or leave it for up to 3 hours if you want.
3. Pour everything into a pot and bring it to a boil.
4. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, until the chicken’s cooked through and the sauce gets nice and thick.
5. Serve hot with rice.

Learn more about the flavors of Chicken Adobo here.

9) Chicken Tortilla Dump Dinner

Here’s one for those nights when you just don’t want to fuss. You layer cooked chicken, beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with chilies in a casserole dish.

Add strips of corn tortillas and a good amount of cheese on top. As it bakes, everything melds together into a cozy, cheesy meal.

It’s quick to throw together and filling enough to please a crowd. Top it with sour cream or avocado if you’re feeling extra.

Ingredients

• 5 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 2 cans (10-15 oz) diced tomatoes with chiles
• 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, drained
• 1 bag (10 oz) frozen corn
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 8-10 corn tortillas, cut into strips
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Stir together chicken, tomatoes, beans, corn, broth, chili powder, cumin, and salt in a big bowl.
3. Spread half of this mixture in a casserole dish.
4. Add half the tortilla strips and half the cheese on top.
5. Repeat with the rest of the mixture, tortillas, and cheese.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
7. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

10) Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy garlic chicken is one of those dishes that feels a little fancy but is actually super easy. Chicken breasts cook up fast, and the sauce—loaded with garlic, cream, and cheese—comes together in no time.

It’s rich and flavorful, but not too heavy. I like it with rice or pasta, but honestly, it works with just about anything.

Most versions only take about 20 minutes, so you don’t have to spend your whole evening in the kitchen. That’s a win in my book.

If you want to try it, there are tons of recipes online, like this easy creamy garlic chicken recipe.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

3. Cook it for about 5 to 7 minutes per side, until it turns golden and looks cooked through.

4. Take the chicken out and set it aside for now.

5. Toss garlic into the skillet.

6. Let it cook for about a minute, just until it smells amazing.

7. Pour in heavy cream and sprinkle in Parmesan cheese.

8. Stir everything together until the sauce thickens a bit—it shouldn’t take long.

9. Put the chicken back in and make sure it gets coated in the sauce.

10. Let it cook for another couple of minutes.

11. Serve it warm, with parsley on top if you’re feeling fancy.