10+ Quick Chicken Recipes to Whip Up Delicious Meals Fast

When you’re short on time but still craving something tasty, quick chicken recipes really come to the rescue. Chicken cooks up fast and fits into so many dishes, making it a lifesaver for those busy days or last-minute dinner plans.

You don’t need fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen to whip up a satisfying meal. With just a few basics and some simple steps, you can have something everyone at the table will actually look forward to eating.

Ingredients:

• Chicken (breasts, thighs, or drumsticks)
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil or butter
• Basic spices (like garlic powder, cayenne, or paprika)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and your choice of spices.
2. Heat olive oil or butter in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, usually 4-6 minutes per side depending on thickness.
4. Serve with your favorite sides or sauces.

1) 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

This 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken is quick and honestly pretty addictive. You cook up crispy chicken, then toss it in a sweet and slightly spicy honey garlic sauce. It’s a family favorite, especially when you pair it with broccoli or asparagus.

The sauce comes together fast, with honey and garlic leading the way. You’ll have dinner sorted before you know it—no marathon cooking sessions required.

Use chicken breasts or thighs, whatever you’ve got. The trick is getting that crispy outside before you let it soak up all that sauce.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Cook chicken until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes per side.
4. Mix honey, garlic, and soy sauce in a bowl.
5. Pour sauce over chicken, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Serve with steamed vegetables or rice.

For more, check this 30 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken recipe.

2) Last Minute Juicy Chicken Thighs

Need dinner fast? This last minute chicken thigh recipe has your back. It cooks up quickly and stays juicy, with just a handful of ingredients and about 15 minutes of your time.

Season the thighs with salt, pepper, and a bit of garlic, then sear them in a hot skillet until the outside gets nice and crisp. Let them rest a few minutes so the juices don’t run out—trust me, it’s worth the wait.

You’ll end up with tender, flavorful chicken that didn’t take much effort. Perfect for those nights when you can’t be bothered with a big production.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook thighs for 6-7 minutes on each side until crispy and cooked through.
4. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

For more details, check this Last Minute Chicken Recipe.

3) Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken is one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together in a flash. You get tender chicken simmered in a rich, garlicky sauce that’s surprisingly easy to make.

Everything happens in just one skillet, so you don’t have to worry about a mountain of dishes. The sauce is creamy and loaded with flavor—definitely a weeknight winner.

Serve it over rice or pasta to soak up all that sauce. You can have dinner on the table in under 20 minutes—seriously.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream; simmer for 3-4 minutes.
6. Add Parmesan and stir until sauce thickens.
7. Return chicken to skillet and coat with sauce. Cook for 2 more minutes.
8. Garnish with parsley if you like. Serve warm.

For more details, see this Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe.

4) Marry Me Chicken

Marry Me Chicken is one of those recipes that feels a little special but doesn’t eat up your whole evening. You get tender chicken in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes—rich, tangy, and just really good.

Start by seasoning and browning the chicken, then make the sauce right in the same pan. Garlic, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes bring a nice punch of flavor.

It all comes together with just a few ingredients and one pan. Cleanup is a breeze, and you get a meal that tastes like you spent way more time on it.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• Flour
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Garlic
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper; dredge in flour.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Brown chicken until golden, then remove from pan.
4. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes; cook briefly.
5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan; simmer until sauce thickens.
6. Return chicken to pan; cook until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Serve hot with sauce spooned over the top.

Learn more about this simple recipe at Little Sunny Kitchen’s Marry Me Chicken.

5) Sheet Pan Crispy Chicken

Sheet pan crispy chicken is about as easy as it gets. Toss chicken and veggies on one pan, season everything, and let the oven do the work.

The chicken gets crispy on the outside and stays juicy inside. Add potatoes and green beans—or whatever veggies you have—for a full meal with almost no cleanup.

Just season with herbs and olive oil, pop the pan in the oven, and let everything cook together. It’s a solid choice when you want something fresh but can’t be bothered with extra steps.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs or breasts
• 2 cups chopped potatoes
• 1 cup green beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like thyme or rosemary)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss potatoes and green beans with half the olive oil, salt, and herbs.
3. Place chicken and veggies on a sheet pan.
4. Drizzle remaining olive oil over chicken and season with pepper.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and skin is crispy.
6. Remove and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

6) Easy Butter & Olive Oil Seared Chicken

Here’s a super simple way to make chicken that’s juicy and full of flavor. Just use butter and olive oil—nothing fancy.

Season your chicken with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of garlic powder. Heat up the butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high.

This combo makes the chicken cook evenly and adds a buttery, rich flavor. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until it’s golden outside and cooked through.

If you want a little extra aroma, toss in some garlic or parsley at the end. You’ll have dinner on the table in under 20 minutes, no sweat.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
• Optional: minced garlic, chopped parsley

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and cook 4-5 minutes per side until 165°F (74°C) inside.
4. Optional: add garlic and parsley in the last minute.
5. Remove and let rest before serving.

7) Honey Garlic Chicken Breast

Honey garlic chicken breast is a go-to when you want something sweet, savory, and fast. The sauce only needs honey, garlic, and soy sauce—no complicated stuff.

You can cook it on the stove or bake it in the oven, whatever’s easiest. The chicken stays juicy, and the sauce clings to every bite.

Serve it up with rice, veggies, or maybe a salad if you’re feeling healthy. The sauce isn’t too sticky or overpowering, so it’s just right.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add chicken breasts, cooking 5-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
3. Mix honey, garlic, and soy sauce in a small bowl.
4. Pour sauce over chicken and simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and serve warm.

8) Simple Baked Chicken Breasts

Baked chicken breasts are about as straightforward as it gets. Just season, add a bit of oil or butter, and let the oven handle the rest.

Rub the chicken with salt, pepper, and whatever herbs you like. Brush on some olive oil or melted butter to keep it from drying out in the oven.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway so both sides cook evenly. When it’s done, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing—don’t skip this part.

This is perfect for a quick dinner or meal prep. For more tips, check out how to make juicy baked chicken breasts here.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Optional: garlic powder, thyme, paprika

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil or butter.
3. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and optional spices.
4. Place chicken in a baking dish.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
6. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

9) One-Pan Chicken with Vegetables

One-pan chicken with vegetables really keeps things easy and healthy. You toss chicken and a bunch of veggies onto a single sheet pan.

Cleanup’s a breeze, which is honestly half the battle on a weeknight. I like to use broccoli, sweet potatoes, zucchini, or carrots, but you can swap in whatever’s in your fridge.

Season everything with garlic, lemon, and whatever spices you’re feeling that day. Just bake it all together until the chicken’s done and the veggies soften up.

You’ll have dinner on the table in about 30 to 45 minutes. It’s a solid choice when you want something fresh but don’t want to fuss over a bunch of pots.

If you want more inspiration, check out a similar recipe here.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 large sweet potato, cubed
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the veggies with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Put the chicken breasts on a sheet pan and spread the vegetables around them.
4. Lay lemon slices on top.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken hits 165°F (74°C) inside.
6. If you’re using Parmesan, sprinkle it on and bake everything for 5 more minutes.
7. Serve it up while it’s warm.

10) Quick Cajun Chicken Skillet

You can whip up a Cajun chicken skillet in just 20 to 30 minutes. It’s all about one pan, seasoned chicken, and some bright bell peppers.

The Cajun seasoning brings a spicy, bold flavor without much effort. Start by cooking the chicken in a bit of butter or oil until it’s golden.

Toss in garlic and those sliced peppers. If you want it juicy, splash in a little chicken broth and let it simmer.

Dinner’s ready before you know it. I like serving this with rice or even just a quick salad.

You can always dial the spice up or down by tweaking the Cajun seasoning.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• ½ cup chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss some butter into a skillet and get it melting over medium heat.

2. Grab your chicken, sprinkle on Cajun seasoning, and lay it in the pan. Let it cook for about 5–7 minutes on each side, just until it turns a nice golden brown.

3. Throw in some garlic and chopped bell pepper. Give it about 3 minutes, just enough for everything to soften up.

4. Splash in the chicken broth and let the whole thing simmer for 5 minutes.

5. Dish it up while it’s hot—go for rice or veggies on the side, whatever you’re feeling.

If you want the full rundown, check out this easy Cajun chicken skillet.