10+ Quick Chicken Breast Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals
Chicken breast is a go-to for a reason—it cooks fast and it’s good for you. If you’re short on time or just want something simple, these quick chicken breast recipes will help you get dinner done without a headache.
These recipes are all about saving you time but still giving you something tasty. With easy ingredients and no-nonsense steps, you can whip up a delicious chicken dish even on your busiest days.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Salt, pepper, and other basic seasonings
- Pantry staples like oil, garlic, honey, or herbs
Cooking Instructions
- Trim and season the chicken.
- Cook it however you like—bake at 375°F/190°C, pan-fry, or grill.
- Add a simple sauce or topping if you want extra flavor.
- Serve with whatever sides you like.
1) Honey Garlic Chicken Breast with 5-Ingredient Sauce
You can throw together a honey garlic chicken breast with just five ingredients. This one’s perfect for when you need dinner fast and don’t want to fuss. The sweet and savory sauce is ready in minutes and keeps the chicken juicy.
The sauce uses honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a couple of other easy things. It coats the chicken for a rich, sticky finish. You can cook the chicken in a pan or bake it at 375°F (190°C).
The whole thing takes about 12 to 15 minutes, so it’s great for those nights when you just can’t deal.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
Cooking Instructions
- Mix honey, garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar in a bowl.
- Heat a pan over medium and add chicken.
- Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, until the inside hits 165°F/74°C.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken in the pan.
- Let the sauce simmer for a couple minutes to thicken.
- Serve hot, spooning sauce over the top.
More details at RecipeTin Eats.
2) Oven Baked Chicken Breasts with Simple Seasoning
Baking chicken breasts is probably the easiest way to get dinner on the table. Grab some garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper for quick flavor.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). High heat cooks the chicken fast and keeps it juicy. Rubbing olive oil on the chicken before seasoning helps keep it tender.
Put the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until you see 165°F (74°C) inside. Let it rest a few minutes before slicing—trust me, it’s worth it.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Rub chicken with olive oil.
- Mix garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle seasoning on both sides.
- Place chicken on baking sheet.
- Bake 18-20 minutes until cooked through.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
3) 30-Minute Honey Garlic Crispy Chicken
Need something fast and a little crispy? This honey garlic chicken does the trick. You get a nice crunch on the outside, but the inside stays juicy.
Cook the chicken pieces in a pan, then toss with a honey garlic sauce. The whole thing takes about 30 minutes, tops.
The sauce is sticky and loaded with flavor—just honey, garlic, and a few basics. Use chicken breasts or thighs, whatever you have.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
- Add chicken, season, and cook until golden, 8-10 minutes.
- Mix honey, garlic, and soy sauce in a bowl.
- Pour sauce over chicken, cook 2-3 minutes until sticky.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Get the full details at 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken.
4) Stuffed Chicken Breast with Pesto and Mozzarella
Stuffed chicken breast sounds fancy, but it’s surprisingly simple. Just spread pesto inside each chicken breast and add mozzarella. Throw in tomato slices if you want.
Roll up the chicken and bake it. The cheese melts inside and the chicken stays juicy. This one takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
You can cook it all in one skillet or bake it in the oven. I like it with a light salad or some veggies.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 tablespoons pesto
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 1-2 medium tomatoes, sliced (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil for cooking
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut a pocket in each chicken breast.
- Spread pesto inside.
- Add mozzarella and tomato if using.
- Fold or roll chicken to close.
- Secure with toothpicks if you need to.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium.
- Brown chicken on both sides, 3-4 minutes each.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
- Remove toothpicks and serve warm.
More ideas at pesto mozzarella stuffed chicken breasts recipe.
5) Air Fryer Spiced Brown Sugar Chicken Breast
Got an air fryer? You can make juicy chicken breast in no time. This recipe uses a spice rub with brown sugar, paprika, and a few herbs. The brown sugar gives a light caramelized crust.
Lay the seasoned chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 8 minutes. Flip and cook another 5 to 12 minutes until golden and cooked through.
This method keeps the chicken tender and full of flavor. It’s an easy dinner or meal prep option.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried herbs (like thyme or oregano)
Cooking Instructions
- Mix brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and herbs.
- Rub mixture over chicken.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Place chicken in air fryer basket.
- Cook 8 minutes, flip, then cook 5–12 more minutes.
- Check that the inside hits 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest before serving.
6) Creamy Garlic Chicken in 20 Minutes
If you want creamy comfort food fast, this garlic chicken is for you. Cook seasoned chicken breasts until golden and done. Then make a rich sauce with garlic, heavy cream, and parmesan.
Stir the sauce in the same pan to pick up all the good bits. It keeps things simple and saves on dishes. Serve with rice or veggies for a quick meal.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium.
- Season chicken, cook 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
- Set chicken aside.
- Add garlic, cook 1 minute.
- Stir in cream and parmesan until smooth.
- Return chicken to pan, simmer 3-4 minutes in the sauce.
- Serve hot.
Try this one for a fast dinner you’ll want to make again. Full recipe here.
7) Chicken Marsala Ready in Under 30 Minutes
Chicken Marsala is one of those dishes that feels special but comes together fast. Sear chicken breasts in a hot skillet to get them golden. Then make a sauce with Marsala wine and mushrooms right in the same pan.
This one’s pretty flavorful for how little time it takes. The sauce is rich and goes perfectly with the tender chicken.
Serve with pasta, rice, or just a salad. Less cleanup, too—always a win.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Marsala wine
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Salt and black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high.
- Season chicken, cook until golden, about 4 minutes per side.
- Set chicken aside.
- Add garlic and mushrooms, cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Pour in Marsala wine and broth. Simmer 5 minutes to reduce.
- Return chicken, cook 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Serve warm.
8) Quick Chicken Bulgogi with Soy Sauce Glaze
You can whip up chicken bulgogi in a flash using chicken breasts. Slice the chicken thin so it cooks fast and really soaks up the soy sauce glaze.
This is one of those dishes that feels like it took way longer than it did. The glaze brings a salty, slightly sweet kick that works beautifully with garlic and ginger.
Just toss the chicken in a hot skillet and let it get golden and a bit caramelized. I usually serve it with rice or some steamed veggies if I’m feeling healthy.
Adjust the flavor if you want—try a little chili paste or a drizzle of sesame oil.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 green onion, sliced
Cooking Instructions
- Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil in a bowl.
- Add chicken slices and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through.
- Garnish with green onion and serve.
For more details, see Skillet Chicken Bulgogi Recipe.
9) Saltimbocca-Inspired Chicken Breast
Making Saltimbocca-style chicken at home is way easier than it sounds. Take thin chicken cutlets, top them with salty prosciutto and a couple of fresh sage leaves.
Sear the chicken in a pan until it gets a nice golden color. Then, finish it off with a splash of white wine and a little butter.
The sauce keeps things juicy and adds a mellow, rich flavor. I like this recipe for nights when I want dinner to feel a bit fancy but don’t want to fuss around.
Ingredients
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 4-6 sage leaves
- 3 slices prosciutto
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup white wine
- Salt and pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Place a sage leaf and a prosciutto slice on each chicken piece.
- Heat butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through.
- Remove chicken and add white wine to the pan.
- Let wine reduce for 2 minutes, then pour sauce over the chicken.
10) Chicken Cordon Bleu with Ham and Cheese
Start by flattening the chicken breasts so they’re nice and thin. Lay a slice of ham and some Swiss cheese on each one.
Roll the chicken up tightly around the filling. If it wants to unravel, just stick a toothpick in it.
Coat the rolls in breadcrumbs for that crispy outer layer. Bake or pan-fry them until the chicken’s cooked through and the cheese is all melty.
This one feels a bit special but doesn’t ask for much effort. Great for when you want something a little extra but don’t have all night.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices of cooked ham
- 4 slices of Swiss cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toothpicks (optional)
Cooking Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Pound the chicken breasts until they’re nice and thin.
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Lay a slice of ham and a slice of cheese on each chicken breast.
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Roll up each piece of chicken, then stick a toothpick through to keep it together.
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Sprinkle on some salt and pepper.
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Coat the chicken with breadcrumbs.
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Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken looks golden and cooked all the way through.