If chicken is starting to sound boring, you just need a recipe refresh.
By Christopher Michel
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
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
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
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
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4
Best Chicken Quesadillas
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
It doesn't get much more classic than pot pie. It doesn't get much more delicious, either.
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
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7
Easy Weeknight Chicken and Dumplings
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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13
Strawberry-Cabernet Barbecue Sauce
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
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
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.
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16
Classic Buffalo Chicken Dip
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
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
Doesn't Thai food for dinner sound great?
Get the recipe for Ground Chicken Pad Thai.
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19
Cornflake-Crusted Baked Chicken
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
Ground chicken turns taco night into a healthier meal, without losing flavor!
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.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) Healthy U.S.-Style Eating Pattern recommends the average person eat 26 ounces of poultry (including chicken) per week. Per day, this would be roughly the same as eating 3.5 ounces of chicken breast.
Try fruit popsicles in various flavors. Fruit sorbet or sherbet is also an idea. Experiment with spices and herbs. Instead of adding more salt to food to perk up the taste, try adding dried basil, oregano, or a lemon-pepper seasoning.
Larger cuts, such as whole chickens or bone-in pieces, often benefit from covered baking to ensure thorough and even cooking. Smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or tenders, can be baked uncovered for quick results. Lastly, think about the desired texture and flavor you're trying to achieve.
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.
A 'pint' deli container holds 16 oz or about 2 cups. 3 oz portion is similar in size to a deck of cards ▪ 1 oz of cooked meat is similar in size to 3 dice. A 1-inch meatball is about one ounce. 4 oz of raw, lean meat is about 3 ounces after cooking.
Eating chicken every day can be a part of your diet, but it's important to maintain a balanced and varied diet. Chicken is a good source of protein, but it's also essential to consume a variety of foods to ensure you get a wide range of nutrients.
It is fine to eat chicken and turkey 3 or more times each week. Be careful about eating fried chicken from restaurants. It may have unhealthy trans fats and a lot of salt. Ask the restaurant what type of oil they use for frying.
For example, if you are craving something sweet, a bowl of fruit with yogurt or a smoothie might hit the spot. A bag of chips or a bowl of popcorn might do the trick if you are craving something salty. And if you are craving something savory, a bowl of pasta or a grilled cheese sandwich might be just what you need.
Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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