10+ Chicken Recipes for Dinner to Keep Your Evenings Tasty and Easy

Chicken’s a dinner staple for good reason—it’s easy to cook and pairs well with so many flavors. Whether you’re into simple meals or crave something a little fancier, chicken recipes always come through.

You’ll find tons of chicken recipes that make dinner satisfying without eating up your whole evening. Here are some ideas to shake up your meal routine.

1) 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

This honey garlic chicken is quick, crispy, and drenched in a sweet-spicy sauce. It goes great with broccoli or asparagus—honestly, whatever veggies you’ve got.

The sauce only needs a handful of ingredients, and dinner’s on the table in about 30 minutes. When weeknights get hectic, this one’s a lifesaver.

You can cook the chicken on the stove or toss it in the oven if you prefer. The sauce hugs every bite, so you get plenty of flavor with hardly any effort.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Honey
• Garlic cloves
• Soy sauce
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Cook chicken until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side.
4. Mix honey, minced garlic, and soy sauce in a bowl.
5. Pour sauce over chicken and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
6. Serve with your favorite vegetables.

For more details, see this 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken recipe.

2) Chicken Florentine Style

Chicken Florentine is all about chicken cooked with spinach in a creamy, garlicky sauce. You’ll start by browning the chicken, then whip up a sauce with garlic, white wine, and cream.

Fresh spinach keeps the sauce rich but not too heavy. It’s a sneaky way to get more greens in your dinner.

You can use chicken breasts or thighs—whatever’s on hand. Serve it with rice, pasta, or just a hunk of bread to mop up the sauce. Want to boost the flavor? Add a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of parmesan.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side.
4. Remove chicken and set aside.
5. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
6. Pour in white wine and simmer until reduced by half.
7. Stir in cream and spinach; cook until spinach is wilted.
8. Return chicken to skillet and warm through.
9. Serve hot at about 145°F (63°C) internal temperature.

For more details, see this Chicken Florentine recipe.

3) Instant Pot Lemon Frozen Chicken with Orzo

Need dinner fast? This Instant Pot recipe lets you cook frozen chicken breasts straight from the freezer. The lemon gives it a fresh pop that makes the orzo pasta really shine.

Mushrooms and shallots bring a bit of earthiness. You’ll have a creamy, cozy meal in no time. If you like leftovers, just double the orzo and broth.

Ingredients

• 2 frozen chicken breasts (6 ounces each)
• 8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 2 teaspoons thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté and melt butter.
2. Add shallots and mushrooms; cook for 3 minutes.
3. Add frozen chicken breasts on top.
4. Pour in chicken broth, orzo, lemon juice, zest, and thyme.
5. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
6. Let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release.
7. Check seasoning and stir gently before serving.

For more on this dish, see Instant Pot Lemon Frozen Chicken with Orzo.

4) Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma

Sheet pan chicken shawarma is a one-pan wonder. You marinate chicken in yogurt and spices—think cumin, coriander, paprika—then roast it with onions and veggies.

Everything cooks together, so cleanup’s a breeze. The chicken gets crispy outside and stays juicy inside.

Serve it with cucumber, a quick salad, or wrap it in pita. You’ll want to make this one on repeat.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 large red onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix yogurt, spices, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Add chicken thighs and coat them well with the marinade. Let sit 15 minutes.
4. Spread chicken and sliced onions on a sheet pan.
5. Roast for 30-40 minutes until chicken is cooked and edges are crisp.
6. Serve warm with your favorite sides.

5) Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy garlic chicken is pure comfort and comes together fast. The chicken gets pan-seared, then bathed in a creamy, garlicky sauce.

You’ll start by browning the chicken, then make a quick sauce with garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan. The result? Saucy, rich, and perfect with rice or pasta.

This one’s ready in about 20 minutes, so it’s great for those nights when you’re just not in the mood to fuss.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side.
4. Remove chicken and set aside.
5. Add garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute.
6. Pour in heavy cream and parmesan, stirring until sauce thickens.
7. Return chicken to skillet and coat with sauce. Heat for 2 minutes.
8. Serve warm.

See a full recipe at Budget Bytes’ creamy garlic chicken.

6) Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Teriyaki chicken stir fry is a go-to for busy nights. You’ll cook chicken with broccoli, bell peppers, and onions, then toss everything in a homemade teriyaki sauce.

It’s colorful, quick, and you can tweak the sauce to your taste. Serve it over rice or noodles—whatever you’re craving.

This meal comes together in about 30 minutes. Not bad for something so tasty.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Cook chicken until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add broccoli, bell pepper, and onion; stir fry for 3-5 minutes.
4. Mix soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic in a bowl.
5. Pour sauce into the pan, cook for another 2-3 minutes until thick.
6. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

7) Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole

Cheesy chicken fajita casserole is just what you need when you want something filling and full of flavor. It’s got juicy chicken, bell peppers, and a blanket of melted cheese.

You just mix everything together, bake it, and dig in. If you’re into easy dinners, this one’s a winner.

It’s awesome with a side salad or some rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 packet fajita seasoning
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 1 cup cooked rice (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine chicken, sliced peppers, onion, fajita seasoning, and cooked rice if using.
3. Pour mixture into a greased baking dish.
4. Top evenly with shredded cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

For a full recipe, see this cheesy chicken fajita casserole.

8) Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

Slow cooker chicken and gravy is pure comfort food with almost no work. Toss chicken breasts, gravy mix, cream of chicken soup, and spices into your slow cooker.

The chicken turns out super tender, and the gravy’s thick and savory. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something warm with zero hassle.

Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. It’s about as close to homemade as you can get without actually standing at the stove.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 1 packet chicken gravy mix
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme

Cooking Instructions

1. Put the chicken breasts in your slow cooker.

2. Sprinkle them with pepper, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme.

3. Spoon the cream of chicken soup and chicken gravy mix right on top.

4. Cover and cook—low for about 6-7 hours, or high for 3-4 if you’re in a hurry.

5. Shred the chicken with two forks.

6. Stir it all together so the gravy coats everything.

7. Serve warm over whatever side you like best.

For more details on this recipe, see slow cooker chicken and gravy.

9) Honey Glazed Chicken

Honey glazed chicken is simple but packs a sweet and savory punch.
To start, pan-fry the chicken until you get that golden color.

Next, whip up a sticky glaze with honey, soy sauce, and a little garlic.
The glaze clings to the chicken, making it shiny and honestly pretty irresistible.

I love serving this with rice or some steamed veggies.
It’s quick—perfect for those nights when you just want food on the table fast.

If you want a little heat, toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes.
As the sauce cooks, it thickens up and gives your chicken that perfect glaze.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts or thighs
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium.

2. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, until it’s browned and cooked through.

3. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl.

4. Pour the glaze over the chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats everything.

5. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

10) Pesto Pasta with Chicken

Pesto pasta with chicken is one of those dinners that comes together fast and tastes amazing.
You just mix cooked chicken with pasta and a creamy basil pesto.

Want more flavor?
Throw in some cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes.

This recipe usually wraps up in about 20 to 30 minutes.
You can even cook it all in one pot—less cleanup, more time to eat.

Don’t forget a shower of parmesan on top before you serve.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, sliced
• 8 ounces pasta (farfalle or penne work great)
• 1/2 cup basil pesto
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the pasta following the directions on the package. Drain it, then set it aside.

2. Pour some olive oil into a pan and warm it up over medium heat. Toss in the chicken and cook until it turns brown.

3. Throw in the tomatoes. Let them cook for about 2 minutes.

4. Scoop in the pesto, then add the cooked pasta. Give everything a good mix.

5. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste.

6. Dish it up and finish with a generous handful of parmesan cheese on top.