26 Easy, Tasty Chicken Recipes to Add to Your Meal Plan (2024)

Maple-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Comfort food just got quick. Pre-made sweet potatoes or instant potatoes are the time-saving trick for this easy chicken recipe. The tenderloins take only five to six minutes to cook through, and then it's simply a matter of removing the chicken and adding maple syrup to the warm pan to make a sweet and savory sauce to pour over the bed of sweet potatoes and seasoned chicken.

Chicken Frittata with Chimichurri

Quick meals of chicken breasts are delicious anytime of the day, even for breakfast. This chicken frittata can be on the table in less than 25 minutes. Use precooked chicken and canned beans (kidney beans or black beans) to save time on the prep work.

Smoky Chicken Pizzas

This quick chicken dinner is smokin'—heat the oven to 450°F, and then top the pizza with sautéed onions, pre-cooked chicken, and smoked mozzarella. The homemade red pepper oil takes no time at all and adds tons of flavor once drizzled on top of fresh arugula.

Chicken and Vegetable Sauté

If you're looking for quick and easy chicken dinner ideas, your search can end here. This chicken and vegetable sauté is full of nutritious vegetables and will definitely become one of your go-to meals.

Quick Green Chili and Chicken Enchiladas

These easy chicken enchiladas are made from scratch and ready in just 28 minutes from start to finish. Use the money you save on takeout to upgrade your salsa game with a fancy or local product, or try making your own. Top these cheesy enchiladas with more salsa, or just a simple squeeze of lime.

Fast Chicken and Rice

Upgrade microwaved rice with this quick chicken and rice recipe. Add frozen peas directly to the rice pouch before microwaving, while you sauté chicken tenders in a skillet. Once everything's cooked, place it all in the skillet with a healthy coating of premade stir-fry sauce. For an added crunch, sprinkle the mixture with slivered almonds.

Buy It: Kikkoman Stir-Fry Sauce ($14, Walmart)

Chicken and Asparagus Skillet Supper

Easy chicken dinner recipes don't have to sacrifice taste. Use your trusty skillet to brown chicken breasts, then add broth for a rich pan sauce. Crisp, crumbled bacon pieces contribute a salty crunch, while asparagus and summer squash keep it fresh.

Buy It: Made In Stainless Sauté Pan ($149, Made In Cookware)

Corn Bread Chicken with Kale

Unlike many quick chicken meals, this one comes with a healthy heap of greens. Corn bread stuffing mix makes a delicious, crispy coating for the chicken.

Chicken Pot Pie

Although this easy chicken pot pie recipe takes 35 minutes—we know, we promised everything under 30 minutes—once you take your first bite, you'll see why it still earns a spot on our list. No other chicken pot pie can taste this good, or be this fast. If time is really an issue, chop up a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking fresh chicken.

Chicken and Peach Pesto Pizza

Dinner on the patio just got a lot sweeter, thanks to this peachy pizza. Fire up the grill, then top the crust with cooked chicken, juicy peaches, and fresh arugula. Cut prep time in half by using purchased pesto instead of making your own.

Quick Chicken Paprikash

This easy chicken thigh recipe requires less than 30 minutes of prep and is inspired by Hungarian comfort food. The star of this dish is the sweet paprika (hence the name "paprikash"), but the sliced banana peppers add a fun touch. It will delight your family and may just become your next go-to chicken noodle recipe.

Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken with Fingerlings

A classic dinner of meat and potatoes doesn't have to be heavy. Easy chicken recipes like this one are loaded with flavor without weighing you down. Bright lemon and fresh snipped thyme lighten fingerling potatoes and chicken breast halves in this 30-minute skillet recipe.

Triple Mango Chicken

Three times the mango, three times the goodness. Mango chutney, mango juice, and a whole mango work together to sweeten this easy chicken recipe. For a spring dinner worth sharing, serve this tropical chicken with ribbons of zucchini.

Picadillo-Style Chicken Taco Salad

Ground chicken seasoned with coriander and cumin joins canned tomatoes, dried plums, and olives to form the bold mixture that tops this easy chicken taco salad. The result is an absolutely not boring salad you'll be excited to have for dinner. Finish with crushed tostada shells and a sprinkle of shredded cheese.

Luau BBQ Chicken Foil Packs

This chicken dinner is fast and leaves no mess. Give your dishwasher a break by cooking this mouthwatering BBQ chicken in foil packets. Simply place the packets directly on the grill, turning once, and then unwrap an easy and delicious meal.

Pecan & Collard Chicken Salad

This isn't your usual chicken salad. Some simple—and easy to master—knife work transforms collard greens into delicate ribbons for a beautiful presentation. With orange slices and toasted pecans, this easy salad recipe will have everyone at your table clamoring for more.

Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

After one bite of this time-saving easy chicken stir-fry, you'll forget all about takeout. A rich combination of hoisin sauce and soy sauce smothers chicken, broccoli, and yellow bell peppers before joining chow mein noodles for a fantastic 400-calorie meal.

Korean Chicken Tacos

Spice up taco night with Asian ingredients, like kimchi and sriracha sauce. The super-easy and fast chicken tacos can be made on either the grill or the stove top. Top them with cilantro and bottled Korean barbecue sauce.

Papaya and Coconut Chicken Salad

You need only 30 minutes to make this yummy fruit-filled salad. Chicken is baked with a delicious coconut coating, while blueberries and papaya give a burst of freshness. Quick-baked chicken recipes like this one can be a welcome addition to your weekly meal rotation.

Asian Lettuce Wraps with Chicken

Skip takeout—you can make your own lettuce wraps in just 30 minutes. This no-cook recipe comes together in just one bowl. The wraps are filled with a yummy mixture of precooked chicken, shredded cabbage, peanuts, and fresh ginger.

Grilled Ham and Chicken Sandwich

Grilled cheese? Please. Look to ham to switch up your chicken sandwich recipe routine, then smear on the good stuff—a secret spread starring red wine vinegar, cream cheese, olive oil, and horseradish.

Chicken Enchilada Wraps

Try our handheld spin on spicy enchiladas with these easy-to-make wraps. Their bold seasoning and fresh ingredients are a delicious option for any busy night. Refrigerate leftovers for a quick chicken lunch the next day.

Chicken with Basil Sauce and Cucumber-Radish Salad

You don't have to spend all day in the kitchen to serve a delicious and impressive chicken dinner. This picture-perfect plate—with sautéed chicken breast, creamy basil sauce, and a bright cucumber salad—can be on your table in just 30 minutes. Doesn't get much better than that.

Feta-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

This easy recipe is far from your average chicken dinner. Guests will love this fast Mediterranean recipe. A stuffing made from feta cheese, tomatoes, and basil gives the meal big flavor.

Soba Noodle Bowl

Think chicken soup—but better. This quick chicken noodle soup is ready in 25 minutes. Jalapeño pepper slices and crushed red pepper crank up the heat, while thick soba noodles give the soup substance.

Spiced Chicken-Lentil Tacos with Quick-Pickled Red Onions

Adding cooked lentils to a quick chicken breast recipe boosts the protein content and contrasting textures, especially when served in a corn tortilla. These easy tacos get a sweet and tangy crunch from quick-pickled red onions and a sour cream sauce. All the little details of this impressive meal can be made within the 30-minute window.