10+ Simple Chicken Recipes You Can Make in Minutes

Chicken’s a go-to for so many meals—it’s easy to cook and pairs up with just about any flavor you’re craving. You don’t have to be a chef to whip up something the whole crew will actually eat.

Simple chicken recipes save you time and effort while still delivering great taste and nutrition. With just a handful of ingredients and basic steps, you can get a delicious meal on the table fast.

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Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
4. Cook the chicken 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.

1) Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry

Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry is one of those meals you can pull together on a whim. Chicken and fresh veggies like broccoli and carrots get tossed in a quick sauce that’s sweet from honey and bold from garlic.

You only need one pan, so cleanup’s a breeze. It’s great for nights when you want something healthy but don’t want to wait forever.

Serve it over rice or noodles if you want a full meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) chicken breast, sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add broccoli and carrots, cook 3-4 minutes.
5. Mix honey and soy sauce, then pour into the pan.
6. Cook until sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper, then serve warm.

For more details, check out Dinner at the Zoo.

2) Baked Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts

Baked lemon garlic chicken breasts are about as easy as it gets. Lemon juice and garlic keep the chicken juicy while giving it a fresh kick.

You’ll use olive oil, lemon zest, and juice for a bright, zesty taste. Garlic steps in with a punch that’s not too much.

A sprinkle of dried oregano or paprika adds a bit of color and extra flavor.

Pair it with rice, veggies, or even a quick salad.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1-2 lemons (zest and juice)
• 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish.
4. Pour the lemon garlic mixture over the chicken, coating evenly.
5. Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
6. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

You can find more tips at Hungry Happens.

3) Classic Butter Garlic Chicken

Classic butter garlic chicken is pure comfort. You cook chicken pieces in a buttery, garlicky sauce that’s rich but not heavy.

The sauce comes together with just a few basics. You can bake or pan-fry the chicken, then let all that goodness soak in.

Serve it up with rice or veggies if you want to keep things simple.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts or thighs
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if baking.
2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
4. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
5. Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides (5-7 minutes).
6. If baking, transfer chicken and sauce to a baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
7. Garnish with parsley before serving.

Want a step-by-step? Here’s one from Don’t Go Bacon My Heart.

4) Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

The slow cooker does all the work for this one. Chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, and gravy mix come together for a cozy, rich sauce.

Season your chicken with pepper and garlic powder for extra flavor. Mix up the soup, gravy, and broth right in the slow cooker.

Let it cook on low for about 4 hours. The chicken turns out super tender.

Serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles. The gravy seeps in and makes everything taste better.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 packet chicken gravy mix
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. Add cream of chicken soup, gravy mix, and chicken broth.
3. Sprinkle pepper and garlic powder over the chicken.
4. Stir gently to mix soup and gravy, but leave chicken mostly covered by sauce.
5. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
6. Check that chicken is cooked through before serving.

5) Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Thighs

Air fryer crispy chicken thighs are a game-changer. Pat the skin dry first—it really does help it crisp up.

Season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano. Place the thighs skin side down in the basket.

Cook at 400°F (205°C) for about 12 minutes. Flip them and go for another 6 to 8 minutes until the skin looks perfect.

Let them rest a bit before digging in. You get juicy meat and crunchy skin without the mess of frying.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
2. Mix paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Rub on chicken.
3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (205°C).
4. Place thighs skin side down in the basket. Cook 12 minutes.
5. Flip skin side up. Cook 6-8 more minutes.
6. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

More tips for air fryer chicken thighs here.

6) One-Skillet Last Minute Chicken

One-skillet last minute chicken is a lifesaver. If you forgot to plan dinner, this recipe’s got your back.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown the pieces in a hot skillet.

Add bell peppers and onions. Pour in some broth or a splash of sauce to keep it juicy.

The whole thing’s ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy nights.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Cook chicken 5-6 minutes each side until golden.
4. Remove chicken and add bell pepper and onion to skillet. Cook 3-4 minutes.
5. Return chicken to skillet. Add chicken broth.
6. Cover and cook 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
7. Serve hot.

7) Pesto Pasta with Chicken

Pesto pasta with chicken is a weeknight favorite. Cook up some chicken with garlic, toss it with pasta, and add sun-dried tomatoes and pesto for a burst of flavor.

The creamy sauce comes together fast. Parmesan on top? Absolutely.

You only need one pan or pot. Cleanup’s not a big deal.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 8 ounces bow tie pasta
• 3 tablespoons pesto sauce
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
3. Add garlic and chicken cubes, cook until chicken is no longer pink.
4. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, cooked pasta, and pesto sauce.
5. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes.
6. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

8) Easy Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas are one of those meals you can throw together with what’s in your fridge. Just roll up shredded chicken and cheese in tortillas, then smother everything with enchilada sauce and more cheese.

Bake until bubbly. Add beans or green chiles if you’re feeling it.

You don’t need fancy ingredients—just the basics. Here’s a simple chicken enchiladas recipe if you want to try it.

Ingredients

• 3-4 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
• 15 corn or flour tortillas
• 3 cups enchilada sauce
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 1 can black beans (optional)
• 1 can green chiles (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Mix shredded chicken with 1 cup enchilada sauce. Toss in beans or chiles if you’re using them.

3. Fill each tortilla with some chicken mixture and a bit of cheese. Roll them up snugly.

4. Put the rolled tortillas seam side down in a baking dish.

5. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the top.

6. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese.

7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

8. Let everything rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

9) Sheet-Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs

Sheet-pan roasted chicken thighs are just so easy. You get a full meal and barely any mess.

Just toss chicken thighs and veggies—think potatoes, carrots, onions—on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil and your go-to seasonings over everything.

Roast it all at 400°F (about 200°C) for 30-35 minutes. The chicken skin crisps up, and the veggies get that perfect roasted flavor.

Switch up the vegetables with whatever’s hanging out in your fridge.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 2 cups potatoes, chopped
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 1 cup onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: garlic powder, paprika, rosemary

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Put chicken thighs and chopped veggies on a rimmed baking sheet.

3. Drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and any spices you like.

4. Toss the veggies around to coat them.

5. Place chicken skin side up.

6. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the skin is crispy and the vegetables are tender.

10) Simple Pound Chicken Breast Bake

Flattened chicken breasts cook faster and stay juicy. Just pound them with a meat mallet or even a rolling pin until they’re about 1/2 inch thick.

Season both sides with salt, pepper, and a little butter or olive oil. Want more flavor? Add garlic powder or herbs.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) until the chicken is cooked through and still tender. It’s honestly hard to mess this up.

Serve it with veggies, rice, or salad—whatever you’re in the mood for.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1–2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: garlic powder, dried herbs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Grab some chicken breasts and lay them between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper.

3. Take a mallet or rolling pin and gently pound the chicken until it’s about 1/2 inch thick.

4. Rub the chicken all over with butter or olive oil.

5. Sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper, and any spices you like.

6. Place the chicken on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.

7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

8. Check that the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C) so you know it’s done.

9. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before you dig in.