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Quick and Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes

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These recipes are a compilation of our favorite quick and easy chicken dinner recipes. These recipes can all be made in around 30 minutes or less - so they are perfect weeknight meals. 

Do you need a go-to chicken dinner recipe? Something that’s simple to make but also tastes great and is healthy. These easy chicken recipes don’t require tons of work or finicky ingredients. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

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Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe

These delicious grilled BBQ chicken thighs are the best recipe! They're absolutely bursting with flavor, and you'll get the juiciest thighs.

Barbecue grilled chicken thighs on a platter.

Awesome Lemon Chicken Pasta

This easy lemon chicken pasta is full of flavor! It's the perfect weeknight meal because it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish, and it's so delicious.

Lemon chicken pasta with sliced lemons and spinach on top.

Lemon Chicken Rice Soup

This lemon chicken rice soup recipe is perfect for when you want a cozy bowl of warm and hearty soup.

While this soup is on the thicker side, it's brightened up from the rice and tender chicken with lots of lemon, leeks, carrots, and celery.

A closeup shot of a bowl of lemon chicken rice soup.

Quick & Easy Chicken Tikka Masala

This creamy, delicious chicken tikka masala is ready in about 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal. Serve it with naan or rice for a delightful meal.

A bowl of chicken tikka masala next to some naan.

Cucumber Sweet Pepper Chicken Salad

You are going to love this crunchy cucumber sweet pepper salad with chicken. It's so simple to pull together and has loads of great fresh flavor!

Cucumber sweet pepper salad in a white bowl with a spoon.

Ground Chicken Chili

This awesome ground chicken chili is going to be your new family favorite! It's a savory and substantial bowl of chili with two types of beans and made healthier by using ground chicken.

A bowl of ground chicken chili topped with avocado and cilantro.

Baked Caprese Chicken

This delicious baked Caprese chicken recipe combines juicy chicken breasts, mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and pesto for a flavorful meal!

Baked Caprese chicken in a large cast iron pan.

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

This Mediterranean chicken salad is everything you need in an easy, quick weeknight meal.

It's full of delicious flavors like artichokes, bell peppers, beans, and chickpeas!

A closeup shot of a bowl of Mediterranean chicken salad.

Lemon Chicken with Orzo

This lemon chicken with orzo recipe is a delicious weeknight meal. It takes less than 30 minutes to make, a large chunk of which is hands-off time. The best part is it's made in one pot, so it requires very little cleanup!

Chicken with orzo and lemons in a cast iron skillet.

Chicken Chili with Black Beans

This chicken chili with black beans recipe is delicious and easy to make! It's a delightful combination of shredded chicken, black beans, kidney beans, bell peppers, spices, and beer.

A closeup of a bowl of chicken chili with a spoon.

Orzo and Chicken Salad Recipe

This delicious orzo pasta salad with shredded chicken, bell peppers, olives, and a wholegrain mustard dressing is a great weeknight meal.

Orzo and chicken salad in a large glass mixing bowl.

Tips for Cooking the Best Chicken

  • Buy chicken that’s been raised in humane conditions, is organic, and is hormone and antibiotic-free. It tastes better and is more sustainable.
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to test the temperature for the most accurate results.
  • Try pounding chicken thin for a quicker and more even cook.

Other Delicious Chicken Dinner Recipes

Need some more healthy chicken dinner inspiration? Check out the delightful recipes.

Chicken Dinners FAQs

What is good with chicken?

Chicken pairs well with many side dishes - you can choose something quick and easy like roasted veggies or roasted potatoes. If you are looking for something special, these salads and sides all go great with chicken.

How long do you cook chicken?

  • Oven - A whole chicken, roasted in a 350-degree oven, usually takes an hour and 40 minutes to cook. Boneless breasts usually take 30 to 40 minutes in a 350-degree oven.
  • Grilled - Boneless breasts should be grilled 9 to 10 minutes per side. Boneless thighs usually cook in 7 to 8 minutes per side.
  • Pan-Fried - Boneless breasts usually take 8 to 10 minutes per side, and boneless thighs will take 5 to 7 minutes.

Here’s a helpful guide you can print to remember chicken cooking times.

What temperature does a chicken breast have to be?

Generally, the safe internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 Celsius). Use an instant read thermometer to determine the inner temperature of the chicken. The juices from the chicken should be clear and not pink.

Karen @ Seasonal Cravings

Wednesday 20th of April 2016

What a great list of dinner recipe ideas! I'm always on the lookout for new ones. Thanks for including mine!