9 Fast and Easy Chicken Dinners

Looking for a few new fast and easy chicken dinners to cook up?

If you love chicken, you’re probably interested in expanding your menu with new dishes. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your friends, or your family, everyone will enjoy the experience of trying a new take on a classic meal. 

Finding simple recipes can transform your evenings (as well as your budget and figure). Let eating in, be the new eating out. Embrace it and nourish yourself and those you love. All you have to do is dive into the right recipe.

To help you get started, we’ve gathered a selection of fast and easy chicken dinner ideas to help you experience a wide range of new dishes … and maybe even find a new favorite.

1.  Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Broccoli

Ok, the idea here is to pair something delicious – honey garlic chicken – with something you may eat because you know it’s good for you, but don’t really jump for joy when it is on your plate, like broccoli and carrots. Though, we should mention that when they are cooked together, the chicken and the veggies end up with the honey garlic flavors. It’s sticky, sweet, and a tad bit tangy. You and your fam are sure to enjoy this recipe – and feel good eating it. 

2. Tuscan Chicken Skillet

Who says you can’t escape to Tuscany after a tough day at the office? With flavors in this meal that tastes like it is straight out of a restaurant, you are going to make this recipe over and over. Tuscan Chicken Skillet includes chicken and bacon along with creamy parmesan and fettuccine. Seems gourmet, but it’s oh-so-easy. 

3. Chicken and Feta Burgers

Sometimes, you just want a burger. Other times, you want to be a little sassy. Combine the two and have a chicken and feta burger.  This is unlike any burger you have ever tasted. The flavor combination in this burger includes everything Greek – including kalamata olive tapenade and feta cheese. Combined with garlic, oregano, and ground chicken, you’ve got quite a tasty treat. Skip the ketchup and mustard and, instead, top with tzatziki sauce. 

The best part is that it is an excuse to fire up the grill! Or, you could use the stovetop, too. 

4. Oven-Fried Chicken

There is something so delicious about crispy fried chicken. Yet, so many of us try to avoid it because we know that, well, it is not the best thing for us. All that deep-fried goodness isn’t so good for the arteries, right? 

This recipe offers you the crispy chicken that is a little better for you – and a little less greasy. Are you ready for this? You did your chicken in a mixture of egg whites, plain yogurt, Dijon mustard, and salt. Then you coat in a mixture of saltine crackers and corn cereal flakes that have been made into a fine powder in the food processor, as well as sesame seeds, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Then, you bake it. 

Of course, you want to read the recipe for the details, but the idea is that it is sure to make your family smile ear to ear. Serve with a side of veggies, salad, or oven-baked sweet potato fries! 

5. Adobo Chicken and Kale Enchiladas

Takeout from your local Mexican restaurant? No, no. This is straight from your kitchen, my friend. You are going to see that Mexican takeout and raise it with a little kale. So simple to make and all in one pan. Even easier when you use leftover chopped or shredded chicken. Mix all the ingredients together and then layer them with corn tortillas, cheese, and enchilada sauce – then pop it in the oven. The flavors melt together beautifully. Top with cilantro, sour cream, avocado slices, or whatever tickles your fancy. 

6. Chicken Florentine

Eating both delicious and healthy means involving lean meat like chicken breasts and greens, such as spinach. But you can’t just stop there. If you are going to cook at home rather than order out, you want something that is going to taste phenomenal, right? This chicken florentine has a delicious creamy garlic sauce that tops off the dish – and all the flavors flow together beautifully. 

7. Chicken Fajitas

When it comes to fast and easy chicken dinners, this is, by far, the most simplistic. Slice up onions, peppers of different colors, mushrooms, and chicken and fry it up in a skillet with a little bit of butter. Throw them in a tortilla with any of your favorite fixings, including cheese, salsa, guacamole, cilantro, sour cream, lime, etc. Easy and delicious. 

8. Chicken Fried Rice

Chinese food is often a go-to for takeout. Why not make it at home? With some oil in a pan, you can toss in all your veggies, along with some dried-out leftover rice, and your chicken. Fry it up together – preferably in a wok or cast-iron skillet – along with eggs, salt, pepper, sesame oil, and a splash or two of soy sauce. 

There isn’t much to make chicken fried rice and you have the chance to use all your favorite veggies. This is great for lunch the next day, too. 

9. Baja-style Chicken Bowl

Who doesn’t love a good chicken bowl? Sticking with the Mexican, Tex-Mex theme,  you can throw together a bowl in a matter of minutes. And you can really add anything you like. But, for the sake of this recipe, use a base of brown rice, then add cooked, cubed chicken, corn, bell pepper, salsa, and Monterey Jack cheese. 

It is an easy, enjoyable meal that everyone in your family will love. The best part? It’s pretty good for ya, too. 

Stomach growling? Better get in that kitchen of yours and start cooking a fast and easy chicken dinner!