19 Chicken Dinner Recipes That Make Mealtime Effortless

Chicken dinners don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. With this list of 19 recipes, you’ll find everything from one-pan meals to oven-baked sensations that are simple to make but big on taste. These dishes are perfect for busy nights, cozy weekends, or any time you want a hearty, satisfying dinner without hours in the kitchen.

Smoked Chicken Drumsticks

Smoked Chicken Drumstick with parsley on a white plate. — Smoked Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Deliciously smoky and juicy, our smoked chicken drumsticks blend flavor and tenderness perfectly. Indulge in BBQ perfection with every bite. Plus, it is great for a weekend barbecue.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Drumsticks

Instant Pot Frozen Shredded Chicken Breasts

Shredded Chicken Breast in an Instant Pot. — Instant Pot Frozen Shredded Chicken Breasts. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Making these frozen shredded chicken breasts in the Instant Pot is one of my favorite last minute dinner meals to make on a weeknight. It is versatile and can be great for meal prep, too!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Frozen Shredded Chicken Breasts

Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Honey Lemon Pepper Thighs with parsley on a white plate. — Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs is a flavorful and aromatic dish, perfect for an easy dinner recipe. It combines the sweet tanginess of honey, the bright zestiness of lemon, and the mild heat of black pepper.
Get the Recipe: Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice in Instant Pot. — Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Make tender chicken thighs and fluffy rice at the same time with your Instant Pot. These come out perfect every time! Have dinner ready in about 40 minutes with very little hands on time!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Cast Iron Chicken Thigh in Creamy Tomato Sauce with a spoon in a cast iron skillet. — Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

This Cast Iron Keto Chicken Thigh Recipe in Creamy Tomato Sauce will be your new favorite dinner. It's a delicious meal and is made with simple ingredients that the entire family will love! ! It's dairy and gluten free!
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole (no breading)

Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole in a black casserole dish with parsley and a spoon. — Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole (no breading). Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

his Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu is a tasty twist on your traditional breaded chicken cordon bleu. It's a deliciously creamy comfort food casserole that is perfect for an easy keto dinner!
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole (no breading)

Chicken Biryani

Chicken biryani is a succulent mix of chicken pieces steeped in a vibrant blend of spices, tucked amidst fragrant basmati rice.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Biryani

Gochujang Chicken

Gochujang chicken is a delicious Korean recipe featuring the fermented red chile paste that is spicy and full of umami. This spicy Korean chicken recipe is easy to make either on the barbecue grill or in a grill pan on the stovetop.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Overhead shot of a plate of chicken adobo with rice and scallions on the side. — Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo is a quick way to make this classic Filipino comfort food— tender chicken in a sweet and savory glaze.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Homestyle Chicken Curry

Creamy chicken curry over rice with lime. — Homestyle Chicken Curry. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

When it comes to comfort food, nothing quite beats a warm, delicious bowl of chicken curry. This homestyle chicken curry recipe has a way of making any day feel special. It’s packed with rich flavors and creamy goodness that warms you from the inside out. A fantastic way to spice up your dinner routine without a lot of fuss.
Get the Recipe: Homestyle Chicken Curry

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

These tender and flavorful slow cooker BBQ chicken legs take minimal effort. These juicy drumsticks are coated in a tangy and smoky barbecue sauce.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

Two chicken leg quarters on a grey plate sprinkled with parsley with a broccoli salad in the background. — Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy air fryer chicken leg quarters for a perfect weeknight dinner. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with delicious flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze

Infused with flavor from the smoke and the added sweet and spicy tang of the glaze, these chicken wings are good eating! Easier to make than you might think, too!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze

Chicken Piccata

Super easy, Chicken Piccata is a restaurant-quality dish you can make at home for a fraction of the price. It's lemony, garlicky, and loaded with flavor. Pair it with noodles or rice for a complete and delicious meal!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata

Smoked Chicken Al Pastor

A stack of chicken and pineapple on a vertical skewer on a cutting board. — Smoked Chicken Al Pastor. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

https://cookwhatyoulove.com/smoked-turkey-thighs/
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Al Pastor

Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

Air fryer fried chicken legs and thighs in a pile on a wooden cutting board. — Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer fried chicken is tender & juicy on the inside with a crispy coating. Enjoy air fryer fried chicken at home with less grease & mess!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken

Marinated Chicken Wings

These salty, sticky, sweet and savory wings have it all. One bite and buffalo sauce will be a thing of the past.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Chicken Wings

Chicken Chop Suey

Experience the perfect blend of Chinese and American cuisine with a delicious chicken chop suey. This classic stir-fry dish combines meat and vegetables in a savory sauce.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Chop Suey

Chicken Pot Pie

This hearty and comforting chicken pot pie casserole is the perfect meal for a cozy night at home. It's a delicious chicken recipe packed with flavor that makes two or more generous servings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie