Chicken is a fantastic ingredient because it is affordable and full of protein and flavor. There are plenty of chicken-based recipes around, but sometimes they call for dozens of ingredients you don't have on hand. Easy chicken recipes for dinner with only a few ingredients are perfect for any day of the week, won't break your budget, and will always satisfy your appetite.
Cooking chicken doesn't have to be complicated. If you're looking for easy chicken dinner recipes with ingredients on hand, you've come to the right place.
Here are thirty of our tried and tested chicken recipes perfect for weeknight dinners. So don't stress about what to make for dinner tonight; scroll through this list and pick your favorite recipe. You might even have most of the ingredients on hand already!
1. Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
PEANUT-FREE•TREE NUT-FREE Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Where Your Treasure IsA cheesy, veggie, and chicken-filled spaghetti casserole using a whole chicken. It is made with "real," wholesome ingredients that all blend into pure comfort food.
2. Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan
EASY•LOW-FAT Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan SideChefA quick and easy-baked chicken parmesan recipe made with only five ingredients.
3. Salsa Chicken Casserole
EASY•LOW-FAT Salsa Chicken Casserole SideChefWith just a handful of ingredients and a quick stir-fry, this casserole can be on the table in under 30 minutes.
4. Chicken Quesadilla
EASY•LOW-FAT Chicken Quesadilla Food GuruThis is a great way to reuse leftover chicken. This recipe is so quick and easy to make too!
5. Pineapple Chicken
EASY•LOW-FAT Pineapple Chicken Buy This Cook ThatThis fast and delicious recipe for pineapple chicken will soon become a weeknight family favorite using only five ingredients. Tangy sweet pineapple blended with sauce, brown sugar, and soy makes a perfectly tender, moist baked chicken entree.
6. Coca-Cola Chicken Wings
EASY•PEANUT-FREE Coca-Cola Chicken Wings Zelda at SideChefDid you know that Coca-Cola Chicken Wings are one of the most popular dishes in China? These sweet, lightly spiced wings are perfect for any meal, from lunch to a late-night snack.
7. Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta
EASY•PEANUT-FREE Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta One Pot Chef ShowThis easy version of Chicken Alfredo Pasta is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or whenever you need a satisfying creamy pasta dish!
8. Air-Fried Teriyaki Chicken Wings
EASY•LOW-FAT Air-Fried Teriyaki Chicken Wings Beverly Ng at SideChefThese Air-Fried Teriyaki Chicken Wings are bold in flavor and only require five ingredients to cook. The air fryer will shorten the cooking time and save you all that added oil. Store-bought teriyaki sauce will help you cut time in the kitchen, but feel free to use your go-to recipe.
9. Chicken Stuffed Eggplant
PEANUT-FREE•TREE NUT-FREE Chicken Stuffed Eggplant Cocina FamiliarWhether you're looking for a simple weeknight meal or something to show off at your next dinner party, these cheesy, delicious stuffed eggplants are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
10. Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice
LOW-FAT•PEANUT-FREE Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice Chef'dSometimes, fried rice can seem bland-but this recipe has the flavor those other recipes are missing. The great tastes of soy, onion, ginger, garlic and sesame make this dish. Carrots, green beans, and peas round out this dish that’s sure to become a favorite.
11. Baked Chicken Schnitzel
EASY•LOW-FAT Baked Chicken Schnitzel SideChefBaked in the oven instead of deep-frying makes it healthier, but you never need to sacrifice any flavor! Besides using salt and pepper, mixing dried thyme in your breadcrumbs makes your schnitzel more next level. Before serving, let’s give them a splash of squeezed lemon juice to brighten the dish with freshness.
12. Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
PEANUT-FREE•TREE NUT-FREE Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole A Fork's TaleThis Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole fills a 9×13 baking dish, perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing half for later. It is loaded with Pepper Jack and Cheddar cheese with a semi-spicy chicken filling. Top this chicken enchilada casserole with black olives, salsa, and guacamole, and you have one easy, delicious meal!
13. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
EASY•PEANUT-FREE Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas SideChefMake this Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe when you crave some Mexican flavors but don’t have much time to cook! Chicken fajitas are ready to be served in only 30 minutes! Chop the vegetables you already have, throw them on a baking sheet, and put them in the oven. Grab your tortillas, squeeze the lime, and enjoy!
14. Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
EASY•LOW-FAT Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole Step Stool ChefThis one-dish dinner is easy to prepare, only calls for six simple ingredients, and is great for the whole family!
15. Chicken Fajita Pasta Bake
EASY•LOW-FAT Chicken Fajita Pasta Bake Drizzle Me SkinnyThe casserole is so easy to whip up and includes everything you want to stuff into your favorite fajita!
16. Simple Chicken Tacos
LOW-FAT•PEANUT-FREE Simple Chicken Tacos Alexandra's KitchenAssembling your Simple Chicken Tacos couldn’t be more fun, and kids and adults alike will consistently gobble up every shred of lettuce, cheese, chicken, and tortilla on their plates.
17. French Bread Buffalo Chicken Pizzas
EASY•LOW-FAT French Bread Buffalo Chicken Pizzas SideChefThese fantastic french bread pizzas are bursting with flavor and could not be easier to make. On the table and into your mouth in no time - the perfect meal to wrap up the week.
18. Fiesta Chicken Pasta
EASY•LOW-FAT Fiesta Chicken Pasta Cooking and CraftingZesty, filling, and so simple to put together! Perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This is one of those dishes you will have on your menu rotation schedule.
19. Easy Chicken Flautas
EASY•PEANUT-FREE Easy Chicken Flautas SideChefChicken Flautas is a quick and easy dish for an appetizer or a light dinner and is ready in 15 minutes. This recipe uses fewer ingredients but is more flavorful than you expect. Corn tortillas make the outside crunchy, combined with seasoned shredded chicken, and your preference topping will make this dish a perfect light meal.
20. Chicken Chilli Pepper Stir-Fry
EASY•LOW-FAT Chicken Chilli Pepper Stir-Fry SimonSpicy flavor, beans, and chicken all in one! Goes great with white rice.
21. Chicken and Scallion Stir-Fry
It’s sweet, it’s salty, and with the tang of the onions and fragrance of the ginger and garlic, it’s seriously addicting. Serve it over brown rice or eat it as a lettuce wrap.
22. Four-Cheese Chicken
LOW-FAT•PEANUT-FREE Four-Cheese Chicken Homemade and WholesomeThis chicken dish and it’s packed with protein and iron. It’s also a great source of calcium. Using low-fat cheese means fewer calories for those of us watching our waistlines.
23. Cheesy Chicken Meatballs
PEANUT-FREE•TREE NUT-FREE Cheesy Chicken Meatballs Olga's Flavor FactoryBaked meatballs aren’t very exciting, but with golden, crisply melted cheese, they are transformed into an elegant entree. The meatballs are moist and flavorful and don’t taste heavy.
24. Super Fast Chicken Fried Rice
EASY•LOW-FAT Super Fast Chicken Fried Rice One Pot Chef ShowSuper Fast Chicken Fried Rice is a quick and easy weeknight main meal, perfect for using leftovers! Chicken is stir-fried, then added to vegetables, egg, and cooked rice. Seasoned with soy sauce and wok-fried until hot, this delicious dish is adaptable and guaranteed to please the whole family - give it a go!
25. Chicken Caesar Salad Pasta Bake
EASY•LOW-FAT Chicken Caesar Salad Pasta Bake Drizzle Me SkinnyThis pasta bake is loaded with chicken and cheese and is super filling! Sometimes I add a little aioli sauce if I’m in the mood for a garlicky dinner. Be sure to have cooked shredded chicken on hand, and cook your pasta first.
26. Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken with Parmesan Asparagus
EASY•LOW-FAT Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken with Parmesan Asparagus SideChefThis sheet pan lemon chicken with parmesan asparagus is a simple dish everyone can make. It’s tasty and full of nutrients and protein from chicken breast and asparagus. The perfect amount of lemon and the right cooking time will make the chicken breast tender and tasty.
27. Quick Chicken Orzo Soup
EASY•LOW-FAT Super Quick Chicken Orzo Soup A Hint of RosemaryIt’s okay to use some shortcuts and still refer to it as homemade soup. Feel free to use that leftover rotisserie chicken and canned chicken broth in this one.
28. Hot Honey Mustard Chicken With Crispy Sweet Potatoes
EASY•LOW-FAT Hot Honey Mustard Chicken + Crispy Sweet Potatoes SideChefSweet and spicy go together so well; now add crispy and juicy into the equation, and you got Hot Honey-Mustard Chicken with Sweet Potatoes. The best thing about simple recipes like this one is you can count on them to be delicious and satisfying every time.
29. 20 Minute Curry Chicken With Spinach
EASY•LOW-FAT 20 Minute Curry Chicken With Spinach CaribbeanPotA dish that screams flavor, is simple to put together, and done in under 20 minutes.
30. Grilled Chicken Thighs with Herb Dry Rub
These chicken thighs are the perfect choice when you want an easy dinner. They only take ten minutes of prep and then a few hours to marinate in the fridge. Put the rub on the chicken in the morning; it will be ready to cook when you get home.