10+ Chicken Recipes Easy and Delicious for Quick Weeknight Meals

Chicken is one of those proteins that just fits into almost any meal. You don’t need much time or fancy ingredients to whip up something tasty.

Easy chicken recipes help you get a good meal on the table fast, even when your schedule’s packed. These are ideal when you want something satisfying but don’t want to fuss.

1) 30-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

If you’re after a speedy dinner, this one’s a winner. You fry up crispy chicken pieces and toss them in a sticky-sweet, garlicky sauce.

It comes together fast, and goes great with broccoli or asparagus on the side. Not a lot of ingredients here, and honestly, it’s hard to mess up.

The sauce hits that sweet spot between honey and garlic. Serve it over rice or noodles if you want to keep things simple.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Cook chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
3. Mix honey, garlic, and soy sauce in a bowl.
4. Pour sauce over the chicken and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes.
5. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

For more details, see 30-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken.

2) Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken feels a bit special, but you don’t need to work hard for it. Sear chicken breasts and let them simmer in a rich, garlicky sauce.

One pan is all you need, so cleanup is easy. The garlic keeps things fresh and the sauce is just, well, comforting.

It’s on the table in about 20 minutes. For an easy-to-follow recipe, check out this version of creamy garlic chicken.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Cook chicken 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Take it out.
4. Drop butter and garlic into the skillet, cook until fragrant.
5. Pour in broth and cream, simmer until thickened.
6. Put chicken back in and coat with sauce. Serve warm.

3) Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

Slow cooker chicken and gravy is about as easy as it gets. Toss chicken breasts, gravy mix, cream of chicken soup, and seasonings in your crockpot.

Let it cook low and slow. The chicken gets super tender, and the gravy soaks right in.

Serve it up with mashed potatoes or rice. If you want to bump up the flavor, add garlic powder, paprika, and a few herbs before cooking.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 1 packet chicken gravy mix
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Put chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. Stir gravy mix, soup, broth, and seasonings in a bowl.
3. Pour it over the chicken.
4. Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours (about 140°F/60°C).
5. Stir the gravy before serving.

4) Honey Glazed Chicken

Honey glazed chicken is quick, simple, and just plain good. The sweet and savory glaze gives the chicken a shiny, sticky finish.

You can use thighs, breasts, or drumsticks—whatever’s in your fridge. The glaze is usually honey, soy sauce, garlic, and maybe a hint of mustard or orange juice.

Cook the chicken, then let it simmer in the glaze until it’s sticky and irresistible. Great for a fast dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs or breasts
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
• 1/4 cup orange juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, mustard, and orange juice in a bowl.
4. Put chicken in a baking dish and pour half the sauce over it.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, basting with more sauce halfway.
6. Cook until chicken hits 165°F (74°C).
7. Serve with extra sauce on top.

For more details, check out this honey glazed chicken recipe.

5) Pesto Pasta with Chicken

Pesto pasta with chicken is one of those meals you can throw together in about half an hour. Sauté chicken pieces with garlic until golden, then toss with cooked pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and pesto.

It’s creamy, it’s flavorful, and you don’t need a lot of ingredients. Store-bought pesto totally works if you’re in a rush.

A sprinkle of parmesan on top makes it even better. Squeeze in some lemon at the end if you like a little zing.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked pasta (bow tie or your choice)
• 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup pesto sauce
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute.
3. Toss in chicken, cook until browned and done, about 7-8 minutes.
4. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, cook 2 minutes.
5. Add pasta and pesto, mix to coat.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Take off heat, sprinkle with parmesan.
8. Add lemon juice if you want, and serve warm.

For a full recipe with details, see this pesto pasta with chicken guide.

6) Easy Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas are a go-to when you want something hearty but don’t want to fuss. Fill tortillas with shredded chicken and cheese, then roll them up and cover with enchilada sauce and more cheese.

You can use red or white sauce, toss in beans or salsa, or keep it classic. They’re also great the next day.

Check out this step-by-step guide for easy chicken enchiladas here.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 8 corn or flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix)
• 1 cup enchilada sauce (red or white)
• 1 cup black beans (optional)
• ½ cup chopped green chiles (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix chicken, some cheese, beans, and green chiles if using.
3. Warm tortillas briefly to soften.
4. Fill each tortilla, roll up, and place in a baking dish.
5. Pour enchilada sauce over the top.
6. Sprinkle remaining cheese over everything.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.

7) Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs are a quick fix for crispy, juicy chicken. You just need a few spices and about 20 minutes.

Pat the chicken dry so the skin crisps up. Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano—honestly, use whatever you like.

Cook at 400°F (205°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway. The air fryer does all the work for you.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat chicken thighs dry.
2. Rub with paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (205°C).
4. Place chicken skin side down in the basket.
5. Cook for 12 minutes, flip, and cook another 3-5 minutes until crispy and done.

8) Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

Lemon pepper chicken tenders are bright, zesty, and super easy. The lemon pepper seasoning really pops.

You can cook them in a pan or bake them if you want to keep it light. They’re great for dipping—maybe honey butter, maybe lemon aioli.

Takes about 15 minutes, so they’re perfect for a quick meal. You can add a bit of breading if you like crunch, or just bake them as is.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (about 450 g) chicken tenders
• 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt to taste
• Honey butter or lemon aioli for dipping (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat chicken dry, season with lemon pepper and salt.
3. If you want crunch, coat with flour.
4. Lay tenders on a lined baking sheet.
5. Drizzle olive oil or spray lightly.
6. Bake 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
7. Serve warm with your favorite dip.

Try this easy lemon pepper chicken tender recipe for a quick, flavorful dinner! For full details, check lemon pepper chicken tenders recipes like this one from Butter Be Ready.

9) Butter Garlic Chicken

Butter Garlic Chicken is one of those dinners you can throw together in about 20 minutes. It’s simple—just chicken breast, butter, garlic, and a handful of herbs.

You’ll cook the chicken right in the butter and garlic, letting it get golden and juicy. It’s all done in one pan, which is a lifesaver for cleanup.

If you’ve got asparagus or green beans, toss them in too. Roasting everything together with that garlicky butter keeps the chicken super tender and packed with flavor.

I love how rich and savory this dish turns out, and honestly, it’s almost too easy to make.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: lemon juice or fresh parsley for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the butter in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and let it cook for about a minute, just until it smells amazing.
3. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and herbs.
4. Cook the chicken breasts in the pan for 6-7 minutes on each side, until they’re golden and cooked through.
5. If you want, squeeze a little lemon juice over the top before serving.

10) Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs

Sheet-pan chicken thighs are a no-fuss, tasty meal. Just roast the chicken with veggies all on one pan.

That means barely any cleanup—always a win. Use carrots, potatoes, onions, or Brussels sprouts if you’re feeling fancy.

Toss everything with olive oil and your favorite seasonings. Then bake at 425°F (220°C) until the chicken skin gets crispy and the veggies are nice and tender.

You can throw in garlic or a drizzle of honey if you want to mix things up. It’s one of those meals that just works on a busy night.

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional: garlic, honey, or mustard

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Grab a rimmed sheet pan and spread out the chicken thighs.

3. Scatter your chopped veggies around the chicken.

4. Drizzle olive oil over the whole thing.

5. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper.

6. Want extra flavor? Toss in your favorite spices or herbs.

7. Use your hands or a spoon to toss everything so it’s coated well.

8. Slide the pan into the oven.

9. Roast for 30-40 minutes.

10. The chicken should be cooked through, and veggies nice and soft when you’re done.