Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (2024)

If chicken is starting to sound boring, you just need a recipe refresh.

By Christopher Michel

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (1)

Buy a couple packs of chicken to throw in the fridge for a weeknight dinner, and it's a double-edged sword. On the one hand, chicken is easy to cook. On other, you may worry your family will roll their eyes with boredom.

Not anymore. We've been working overtime to fill out this list with the easiest, simplest, most delicious-est (that's not a word but who cares) chicken dinner ideas, so that you can whip up a weeknight meal after work, often in mere minutes, and hear nothing but "Wow! This is good!" and "Can we have that again?"

Whether you've got ground chicken, chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or even a whole bird in the fridge, there's an idea—or ten—on this list. So start scrolling and rest easy. No one's going hungry tonight.

1

Crispy, Delicious Chicken Parmesan

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (2)

Is there a more comforting chicken recipe for dinner? It's like having a plate of warm hugs.

Get the recipe for Chicken Parmesan.

2

Fast Easy Chicken Marsala

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (3)

This elegant chicken breast recipe is good enough to impress on date night, easy enough to make on a weeknight, and tasty enough the family might lick their plates.

Get the recipe for Chicken Marsala.

3

Easiest-Ever Chicken Alfredo

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (4)

Switch up pasta night with this super-easy homemade sauce.

Get the recipe for Chicken Alfredo.

RELATED: 60 Easy Pasta Recipes for Quick, Comforting Weeknight Meals

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

Best Chicken Quesadillas

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (5)

Looking for an easy chicken recipe that only uses a few ingredients? We took this weeknight classic and found a few ways to make it even smarter.

Get the recipe for Chicken Quesadillas.

5

Classic Chicken Pot Pie

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (6)

It doesn't get much more classic than pot pie. It doesn't get much more delicious, either.

Get the recipe for Classic Chicken Pot Pie.

6

Best Classic White Chicken Chili

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (7)

This lighter take on standard chili is full of flavor—and a great way to use ground chicken!

Get the recipe for White Chicken Chili.

RELATED: 20 Inspiring Chili Recipes to Feed a Hungry Crowd

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

7

Easy Weeknight Chicken and Dumplings

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (8)

This upgrade to your standard chicken soup is a country classic— and for good reason.

Get the recipe for Chicken and Dumplings.

8

Homemade Chinese-Style Orange Chicken

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (9)

Get delivery-style chicken without the delivery fees—or wondering what's in it. (And still in 30 minutes!)

Get the recipe for Homemade Chinese-Style Orange Chicken.

9

Crispy Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Rosemary

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (10)

Thighs are not only healthy, but they're delicious and a lot easier to make than breasts! Give this a try and the family will be asking you to make it again and again.

Get the recipe for Crispy Chicken Thighs.

RELATED: 70+ Super Delicious Dinner Recipes You Can Make In a Cast Iron Skillet

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

Weeknight Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (11)

Break out this casserole bake the next time you want to give your leftover rotisserie chicken a cheesy, spicy upgrade.

Get the recipe for Weeknight Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas.

11

Roast Chicken with Tarragon-Braised Fennel

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (12)

You'll want at least a day to let this Sunday dinner chicken marinate, but the planning pays off with a meal that can't be beat.

Get the recipe for Roast Chicken with Tarragon-Braised Fennel.

12

Swedish Meatballs with Chicken

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (13)

We've remade this classic crowd-pleaser into a healthy dinner that gets to the table in less than half an hour!

Get the recipe for Swedish Meatballs with Chicken.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

Strawberry-Cabernet Barbecue Sauce

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (14)

Okay, so technically this is just a recipe for the sauce. But any sauce that makes chicken taste this good deserves to be on the list.

Get the recipe for Strawberry-Cabernet Barbecue Sauce.

14

Chicken and Black Bean Nachos

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (15)

Fire up the grill to make this foil pack recipe. Not only can you eat it just about anywhere, but there's also no dish-washing needed for this dinner. Now that's a winner!

Get the recipe for Chicken and Black Bean Nachos.

15

Rotisserie Chicken and Potato Chowder

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (16)

This hearty soup will keep you full long after you've savored the final spoonful. The addition of crisp bacon is a delicious addition to the classic meat and potatoes combo.

Get the recipe for Rotisserie Chicken and Potato Chowder.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

Classic Buffalo Chicken Dip

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (17)

This ridiculously tasty dip takes is also simple and takes just 20 minutes to make. Bonus: you can build a whole snack dinner around it!

Get the recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip.

17

Tex-Mex Chicken Meatballs

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (18)

Keep a pack of ground chicken handy and whip up these easy, flavorful meatballs!

Get the recipe for Tex-Mex Chicken Meatballs.

RELATED: 50 Delicious New Ways to Have Meatballs for Dinner

18

Ground Chicken Pad Thai

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (19)

Doesn't Thai food for dinner sound great?

Get the recipe for Ground Chicken Pad Thai.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

19

Cornflake-Crusted Baked Chicken

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (20)

This baked version of the fried comfort food classic offers all the crunch you want thanks to flaky cereal. But it's so tasty that it's sure to become a new family favorite!

Get the recipe for Cornflake-Crusted Baked Chicken .

20

Ground Chicken Tacos

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (21)

Ground chicken turns taco night into a healthier meal, without losing flavor!

Get the recipe for Ground Chicken Tacos.

Got Chicken? These Simples Recipes Will Get Dinner on the Table (2024)

FAQs

How do you get the most meals out of a whole chicken? ›

Turn the chicken breast-side up, then press down firmly on the breastbone to flatten and open out the chicken.
  1. Meal 1: Spatchco*cked roast chicken with orzo and roast vegetables. ...
  2. Meal 2: Chicken, leek and ham pasties. ...
  3. Meal 3 Freekeh, chicken and pomegranate salad. ...
  4. Meal 4: Chicken and mango coconut curry.

What is the best temperature to bake chicken? ›

Let's start out by saying 500 degrees isn't a temperature we'd recommend for chicken. Given the fact that drumsticks and thighs are dark meat and won't dry out as easily as breasts, the range from 350 to 450 degrees is okay for baking them. 350 to 375 is generally best for breasts.

How many ounces of chicken for meal prep? ›

For meat, account for about 25% cooking loss. For example, 4 oz. of cooked chicken x 3 servings = 12 oz. cooked chicken, so plan to purchase about 16 oz.

What meals should everyone know how do you cook? ›

10 Dishes Every Beginner Cook Should Learn
  1. 01 of 10. Cream-Based Soup. Victor Protasio. ...
  2. 02 of 10. Roast Chicken. Julia Hartbeck. ...
  3. 03 of 10. Pizza. Bella Graves. ...
  4. 04 of 10. Pasta Carbonara. ...
  5. 05 of 10. Whole Roasted Fish. ...
  6. 06 of 10. Risotto. ...
  7. 07 of 10. Garden Salad. ...
  8. 08 of 10. BLT Fried Egg-and-Cheese Sandwich.
Feb 1, 2024

How many meals can you make out of one whole chicken? ›

We eat better and I spend way less time stressing and last minute cooking. I wanted to share a meal planning idea with you of how to take a whole chicken, cut it up at the beginning of the week, and have all the pieces you need to make FIVE wonderfully wholesome and delicious meals for the week.

How many meals can 1 whole chicken make? ›

I often buy whole chickens and create an entire menu plan around 1 chicken, using it in a variety of different ways to create 4-5 meals from one chicken. The meals are diverse enough that it doesn't feel like you're eating the same thing every day.

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400? ›

You can roast or bake anywhere between 325 and 450 degrees F. When roasting a whole chicken, a nice rule of them is to start at 400 to 425 degrees F and then turn the oven down to 350 after 15 minutes and cook until the internal temp of the chicken is 165 – 175 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 375? ›

Temperature and Timing

You can also cook boneless breasts at this temp, but they will require less time. Our go-to temp for baking boneless chicken breast is 375 degrees, and the cook time is about 20 minutes. The chicken is cooked when a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.

How long does it take to cook chicken at 350 degrees? ›

chicken breast at 350°F (177˚C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 165˚F (74˚C).

What are 3 keys to successful meal prepping? ›

Follow these three steps and you'll be planning and prepping nutritious and delicious meals that fit your preferences and lifestyle!
  • Step 1: Make a Menu. First, think about your approach to meal planning — do you: ...
  • Step 2: Stock Your Pantry and Freezer with the Five Food Groups. ...
  • Step 3: Keep a Running Grocery List.
Jul 18, 2019

What is the best chicken for meal prep? ›

But for meal prep, the best cut to buy is boneless, skinless chicken breast. We know, we know. It sounds boring. But hear us out: First of all, chicken skin will get soggy if you leave it in the fridge overnight.

How do you meal prep chicken so it's not dry? ›

FMC Tip: If you want to know how to meal prep chicken without it getting dry, the secret is cooking the chicken pieces whole. When you dice the chicken before cooking you lose a lot of the juices in the process. So keep the pieces whole until after the cooking and resting periods, then chop away!

What is the most basic meal to cook? ›

Top 10 basic student recipes
  • Pasta on the hob. ...
  • Curry. ...
  • Traybakes. ...
  • Soup.
  • Jacket potatoes.
  • Stir-fried rice. ...
  • Granola. Don't forget breakfast! ...
  • Omelettes. Eggs are a cheap source of high-quality protein and are rich in vitamins and minerals.

What is the most basic thing to cook? ›

  • Mashed potatoes. Can go as a side to any protein.
  • Rice.
  • a chicken dish of your choice. Fried or baked or sauteed.
  • pasta. Choose a noodle and sauce of choice. Spaghetti, or Alfredo.
  • a vegetable dish you like.
Jan 17, 2023

How many meals from one rotisserie chicken? ›

I turned Costco's $5 rotisserie chicken into five easy meals for two people. I like using the chicken to make quesadillas, burrito bowls, and pasta dishes. The chicken is also good to add to baked potatoes and the bones can be used to make a tasty broth.

How do you portion a whole chicken? ›

Here are 7 steps for cutting a whole chicken into 8 pieces: 2 breast halves, 2 thighs, 2 drumsticks, and 2 wings. Lay the bird on its back. Wiggle a wing to determine where the joint attaches to the breast. To separate the wing from the breast, use a sharp knife to cut through the ball joint where it meets the breast.

What part of a whole chicken takes the longest to cook? ›

Dark meat, such as chicken thighs or legs, will take longer to cook, because they have a higher fat content and density.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 5766

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.