27 Chicken Recipes For Dinner That Don’t Overcomplicate Life

Weeknights get hectic fast, and nobody wants to play kitchen scientist after a long day. That’s where these 27 chicken recipes step in, simple, fast, and proven to keep everyone at the table happy. It’s dinner without the sighs, the kind you can pull off while scrolling your phone and pretending to supervise homework.

A serving of chicken tamale pie topped with a dollop of sour cream and garnished with chopped herbs on a white plate. — Spicy Chicken Tamale Pie. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Crispy Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Golden fried chicken pieces with a side of dipping sauce. — Crispy Chick-fil-A Nuggets. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Party trays always empty before the main meal hits since extras go straight into snack boxes for busy nights. Sharing Crispy Chick-fil-A Nuggets means every finger food lover stays happy without much fuss. Great for dipping in pretty much anything. Works for lunch or dinner when there’s nothing else planned.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Juicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Close-up of a cheeseburger with a sesame bun, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and beef patty. — Juicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Hands reach for these at dinner tables because every bite just feels right when plates get stacked. Juicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich lets you enjoy something fresh and simple without too much work. Works alone or with sides. Always gone by the end of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Tangy Buffalo Chicken Salad

A croissant sandwich filled with buffalo chicken and blue cheese, served on a white plate with celery sticks in the background. — Tangy Buffalo Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Bowls clear out quick at busy meals when you need just a bit of heat mixed in for a change. Tangy Buffalo Chicken Salad perks up plates with easy greens to keep things light after a heavy day. Good in wraps or solo. Every forkful gets finished fast.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Buffalo Chicken Salad

Comforting Marry Me Chicken Soup

A creamy pasta dish with spinach, shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and shell pasta, garnished with herbs. — Comforting Marry Me Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Dinner feels easy as bowls line up for refills so leftover pots get packed for next lunch. Comforting Marry Me Chicken Soup means everybody gets their fill without extra sides or bread. Handles busy weeknights like a champ. Pot rarely has anything left.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Marry Me Chicken Soup

Crispy Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings

Close-up of grilled chicken wings with a crispy texture, next to a red bowl of creamy dipping sauce. — Crispy Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Platters disappear at game tables and any wings that remain always end up in foil for late night TV. Crispy Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings saves the mess for paper towels and happy faces. Good with fries or on their own. Empty plates every single time.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Wingstop Louisiana Rub Wings

Loaded Million Dollar Casserole

A serving spoon lifts a portion of creamy, baked casserole with a crunchy topping, revealing melted cheese. — Loaded Million Dollar Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Scoops stacked on plates keep bellies full at dinner, and extras always box up for quick next-day meals. Loaded Million Dollar Casserole gives each diner a big bite of comfort. Works alongside salads or hot sides. Casserole dish always looks clean soon after.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Million Dollar Casserole

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip

A hand dips a tortilla chip into a cheesy baked dish topped with sliced green onions. — Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Dips spread across the table during busy dinners, so leftovers go right into wraps or lunch bowls when needed. Grabbing a taste of Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip means less hassle and more snacking. Matches well with chips or veggies. Everyone always asks for more.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Crisp Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap

Close-up of sliced chicken wraps with lettuce, cheese, and a creamy sauce, next to an open jar of mustard on a wooden surface. — Crisp Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Wraps make dinner quick with pieces easy to grab so any spares pack up for lunches or rushed snacks. Crisp Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap gets plates cleaned without waiting for oven times. Stacks up with soup or alone. Last wrap always disappears.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap

Smoky Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken breast slices served over a bed of greens with lemon wedges on the side. — Smoky Chipotle Grilled Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Plates fill quickly at dinner and leftovers work for meal prep nights, making everything easier after a long day. Smoky Chipotle Grilled Chicken brings smoky flavor without needing a complicated recipe. Goes with rice or salad just fine. Always requested again.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Loaded Chicken and Bacon Ranch Crack Dip

A bread bowl filled with a creamy dip, garnished with shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and bacon bits. Celery sticks are placed on the side. — Loaded Chicken and Bacon Ranch Crack Dip. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bowl scrapes begin early at dinner parties, and any extras keep for sandwich fillings in a snap. Passing around Loaded Chicken and Bacon Ranch Crack Dip makes snack plates more fun than usual. Pairs well with crackers or bread. Dip bowl never stays full long.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Chicken and Bacon Ranch Crack Dip

Flaky Chicken Pot Pie

A slice of chicken pot pie being lifted, showing its creamy filling with chunks of chicken and vegetables, garnished with thyme. — Flaky Chicken Pot Pie. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Slices fill up plates before anyone starts asking for seconds so leftovers get packed for next-day comfort food. Flaky Chicken Pot Pie means dinner stays simple without the hassle of side dishes. Heats up easy for late night cravings. Pie pan always looks bare by the end.
Get the Recipe: Flaky Chicken Pot Pie

Crispy Sesame Chicken

A close-up of glazed chicken pieces with sesame seeds and chopped scallions on a bed of rice. — Crispy Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bowls get stacked up near the TV so spares wind up as easy next-day lunches for school or work. Crispy Sesame Chicken puts just enough crunch on the table for a laid-back meal. Works solo or with rice. Not a single piece left when the clock strikes dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sesame Chicken

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes

Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes topped with blue cheese, drizzled with ranch dressing, and garnished with green onions. — Spicy Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Potatoes pack out trays in no time while extras become easy lunches or snacks by dinnertime. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes changes up regular potato night without more dishes. Good with salad or just on their own. Always gone before anyone reaches for dessert.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes

Crispy Raising Cane Tenders

A breaded and golden-brown fried chicken tender being dipped into a white sauce in a bowl, with more chicken tenders in the background. — Crispy Raising Cane Tenders. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Tenders vanish from platters faster than napkins get pulled so leftovers fit into quick wraps or lunch bowls later. Picking up Crispy Raising Cane Tenders keeps dinner on track with no extra work. Easy with fries or salad. Not a crumb left when the meal wraps.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Raising Cane Tenders

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Pasta

A plate of spaghetti topped with grilled chicken strips and garnished with chopped parsley, bell peppers, and shredded cheese. — Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Forks twirl around bowls in seconds and spares go right into food containers for next day hunger. Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Pasta means bringing restaurant vibes home. Good hot or cold with bread. Stack of bowls always clears quickly.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Pasta

Tangy Hot and Sour Soup

Bowl of hot and sour soup with mushrooms, tofu, and sliced green onions, with a spoon on the side. — Tangy Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bowls scoop up fast when everyone wants something different for easy dinners and extras feed next-day cravings. Ladling out Tangy Hot and Sour Soup brings a punch to simple weeknights. Pairs with rice or spring rolls. Nothing ever left in the pot.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Hot and Sour Soup

Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta

A plate of creamy penne pasta garnished with chopped parsley and grated cheese, featuring pieces of sun-dried tomatoes. A black fork is resting on the plate. — Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Plates pile high during busy dinners thanks to this easy pasta so leftovers save the day for at-work meals. Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta makes comfort food quick. Packs up for lunch in minutes. Always runs out before the fridge closes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Sweet Orange Chicken

A bowl of crispy tofu coated in sesame sauce, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, served on a bed of lettuce. — Sweet Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bowls get cleared at family tables and leftovers work well for next-day meal plans when nobody feels like cooking. Sweet Orange Chicken gives a fresh bite to dinner without the takeout bill. Nice with rice or veggies. The bowl is always empty first.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Orange Chicken

Charred Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Thai chicken skewers topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped herbs and peanuts, served over a bed of white rice. — Charred Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Skewers get picked clean at the table with extras lining up for snacking in the fridge later on. Passing around Charred Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers adds good bites to busy nights. Goes with dipping sauce or salad just fine. Nothing ever stays on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

A bowl of rice topped with broccoli, chicken, red peppers, green onions, and sesame seeds, with black chopsticks resting on the side. — Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Trays fly off the table as soon as dinner starts so anything left drops straight into containers for easy next-day lunches. Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry means no fuss or long cook times. Best with noodles or rice. Always runs out fast.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Flavorful Chicken Fried Rice

Close-up of chicken fried rice with peas, carrots, sliced green onions, and chopsticks. — Flavorful Chicken Fried Rice. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bowls bring comfort to dinner tables and leftovers always work for packed lunches on busy mornings. Heading for Flavorful Chicken Fried Rice fixes dinner without any guessing. Good hot or cold. Nothing stays in the bowl for long.
Get the Recipe: Flavorful Chicken Fried Rice

Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

A dish of seasoned chicken breasts garnished with parsley, surrounded by carrots and potatoes in a bowl. — Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Plates fill up slowly during family meals and extras hold up for lunchboxes or quick wraps all week. Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken makes hands reach for seconds with little effort. Goes great in salads or sandwiches. Empty bowl every time.
Get the Recipe: Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Baked rice casserole with melted cheese on top, garnished with chopped herbs. — Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Scoops come out easy on busy nights and leftovers pack up well for next-day meals at work. Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole keeps things simple between busy schedules. Good with beans or salad. Always a hit at potluck too.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Addictive Crack Chicken Dip

Cracker with creamy dip featuring bacon bits and green onions being lifted from a dish. — Addictive Crack Chicken Dip. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Dips go missing before the main dish arrives, leaving any extras perfect for sandwiches later on. Addictive Crack Chicken Dip means the snack table gets all the attention. Works with chips or veggies. Bowl always runs empty fast.
Get the Recipe: Addictive Crack Chicken Dip

Comforting Chicken Noodle Casserole

Close-up of a chicken noodle casserole with a golden breadcrumb topping, garnished with chopped herbs. — Comforting Chicken Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Trays fill bellies on rushed weeknights so leftovers cover lunches for the next couple days. Forkfuls of Comforting Chicken Noodle Casserole bring simple comfort without much cleanup afterward. Heats up fast and easy. Plate always gets cleared.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chicken Tikka Masala

Bowls empty quick when everyone wants something spicy on a simple night, leaving extras as great next-day eats. Passing out Chicken Tikka Masala shakes up regular dinner routines in no time. Works with rice or bread. Pot cleans out with no fuss.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala

Spicy Chicken Tamale Pie

Slices stack high during mealtime with extras ready for midnight snacks when hunger strikes. Spicy Chicken Tamale Pie brings a sharp kick to laid-back dinners. Good with salsa or sour cream. The tray always runs empty.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Chicken Tamale Pie

About the Author

A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.