11 Easy Chicken Dinners for Nights When You Are Too Tired to Cook
We have all stood in front of the fridge at 6 p.m. with no energy and no plan. These easy chicken dinners are your answer. They use simple ingredients, quick steps and one or two pans, so you can get a real meal on the table without losing your mind. Finish the night with something from our dessert galleries..
Easy Chicken Dinners Start With a Golden Roast Chicken
Few smells feel more like home than a whole chicken roasting in the oven. It looks impressive, yet it is one of the easiest chicken dinners you can make. A little butter, lemon, garlic and herbs do all the work while you relax. The skin turns golden and crisp, the meat stays juicy, and leftovers make tomorrow’s lunch..
You will need: 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds), 3 tablespoons soft butter, 1 lemon, 1 head garlic, 2 sprigs rosemary, 4 sprigs thyme and salt and pepper.
How to make it: Pat the chicken dry and rub it all over with butter, salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with halved lemon, garlic and herbs. Roast at 425°F for 70 to 80 minutes until the thigh reaches 165°F. Rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Lemon Herb Chicken Breasts
When you need dinner in 20 minutes, lemon herb chicken saves the day. Thin chicken breasts cook quickly in a hot pan, then get a bright, buttery lemon sauce. It tastes fresh and light, and it goes with almost any side. Serve it over salad, rice or roasted potatoes for an easy chicken dinner that feels like a restaurant plate.
You will need: 4 thin chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons butter, juice of 1 lemon, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon dried oregano and salt and pepper.
How to make it: Season the chicken with oregano, salt and pepper. Sear in hot oil for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through, then set aside. Melt the butter in the pan with garlic, add lemon juice and scrape up the browned bits. Return the chicken and spoon the sauce over.
Crispy Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parmesan is the comfort food hug everyone needs after a rough day. Crispy breaded cutlets are topped with marinara and bubbling mozzarella. It tastes like your favorite Italian restaurant but costs a fraction of the price. Serve it with spaghetti or steamed broccoli, and watch tired faces light up at the table.
You will need: 4 chicken cutlets, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce and 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella.
How to make it: Dip each cutlet in beaten egg, then in breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan. Pan fry in a little oil until golden on both sides. Place in a baking dish, spoon marinara on top and cover with mozzarella. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
Creamy Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is one of the most loved curries in the world, and it is easier than you think. Tender chicken simmers in a silky tomato sauce with butter, cream and warm spices. It is rich and mild, so even kids love it. Serve it with rice and warm naan to soak up every drop of sauce.
You will need: 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, 3 tablespoons butter, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon garam masala, 1 can tomato sauce and 1/2 cup heavy cream.
How to make it: Cut the chicken into pieces and brown it in half the butter. Remove and add the remaining butter, onion and garlic. Stir in garam masala, then the tomato sauce, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the cream and chicken and cook 10 more minutes until tender.
Sizzling Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Fajitas usually mean a sizzling skillet at a restaurant, but this sheet pan version makes them almost effortless. Chicken strips, peppers and onions roast together with smoky spices while you set the table. Everyone builds their own tortilla, which makes dinner fun. It is one of those easy chicken dinners that kids actually get excited about.
You will need: 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, 3 bell peppers, 1 onion, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, tortillas and toppings.
How to make it: Slice the chicken, peppers and onion into strips. Toss with oil, chili powder, cumin and salt on a large sheet pan. Roast at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once. Squeeze lime juice over the top and serve with warm tortillas, salsa and sour cream.
Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken
Sweet, sticky and garlicky, this chicken tastes like takeout but is made with pantry basics. Chicken thighs are seared until crisp, then simmered in a glossy honey garlic sauce that clings to every bite. It is ready in about 25 minutes. Serve it over rice with green onions and sesame seeds.
You will need: 6 bone in chicken thighs, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 5 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar and sesame seeds.
How to make it: Season the chicken and sear skin side down in an oven safe skillet until crisp, then flip. Whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic and vinegar and pour over. Bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes, basting once, until cooked through and sticky.
Creamy Chicken Alfredo
Creamy chicken alfredo is pure comfort in a bowl. Tender strips of chicken are tossed with fettuccine in a rich, garlicky Parmesan sauce made from scratch in about 15 minutes. Skip the jarred sauce, because the homemade version is silkier and tastes far better. Add a handful of spinach or peas to sneak in some green.
You will need: 12 ounces fettuccine, 2 chicken breasts, 3 tablespoons butter, 3 cloves garlic, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup grated Parmesan and parsley.
How to make it: Cook the pasta and save a cup of the water. Season and cook the chicken in a skillet, then slice it. Melt the butter with garlic, add the cream and simmer for three minutes. Stir in the Parmesan until smooth, then toss with pasta and chicken, adding pasta water if needed.
Oven Baked Buffalo Wings
You do not need a deep fryer for crispy, game day style wings. A little baking powder helps the skin crisp up in the oven, and a buttery hot sauce coating gives them that classic tangy kick. Serve with celery and blue cheese or ranch. They make a fun Friday night dinner the whole family can dig into.
You will need: 2 pounds chicken wings, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup hot sauce, 4 tablespoons melted butter and celery sticks.
How to make it: Pat the wings dry and toss with baking powder and salt. Arrange on a rack over a sheet pan and bake at 425°F for 45 to 50 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp. Whisk the hot sauce and butter and toss the wings in the sauce right before serving.
Crispy Baked Chicken Legs
Chicken legs are budget friendly, forgiving and full of flavor. A simple spice rub of paprika, garlic and onion powder bakes into a crispy, golden skin while the meat stays juicy. It is a no fuss, hands off dinner that pairs with any side. This is one of those easy chicken dinners you will make again and again.
You will need: 8 chicken drumsticks or legs, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder and 1 teaspoon salt.
How to make it: Pat the chicken dry and toss with oil and spices. Arrange on a lined sheet pan with space between each piece. Bake at 425°F for 40 to 45 minutes, turning once, until the skin is crisp and the inside reaches 175°F.
Better Than Takeout Teriyaki Chicken
Homemade teriyaki sauce takes five minutes and has none of the gloppy texture of bottled versions. Juicy chicken is cooked until golden, then glazed in a sweet and salty sauce. Serve it over steamed rice with vegetables for a balanced meal. Leftovers pack perfectly for lunch the next day.
You will need: 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon ginger and green onions.
How to make it: Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and cook in a hot oiled skillet until golden. Whisk soy sauce, sugar, honey, ginger, cornstarch and 1/4 cup water. Pour into the pan and simmer two minutes until thick and glossy. Top with green onions.
15 Minute Shredded Chicken Tacos
Taco night solves so many dinner problems. Use a store bought rotisserie chicken and this meal is ready in 15 minutes. The chicken gets a quick toss in spices and lime, then piles into warm tortillas with fresh toppings. Kids love building their own, and adults love how fast the kitchen gets cleaned up.
You will need: 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, juice of 1 lime, 8 small tortillas, 1 avocado, cilantro and salsa.
How to make it: Warm the chicken in a skillet with taco seasoning, lime juice and a splash of water. Heat the tortillas in a dry pan. Fill with chicken and top with sliced avocado, salsa and cilantro. Serve with extra lime wedges.
