15 Easy Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights

# 15 Easy Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights Chicken is the workhorse of weeknight cooking. It is affordable, available everywhere, cooks quickly, and takes on whatever flavors you pair it with. Whether you prefer breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or a whole bird broken down into parts, chicken gives you more dinner options per dollar than almost any other protein. We compiled 15 of our best chicken recipes specifically chosen for busy weeknights. Every recipe on this list takes 30 minutes or less of hands-on time, uses ingredients you can find at any grocery store, and costs well under $3 per serving. No more staring into the fridge wondering what to make. Pick one of these, and dinner is handled. ## A Quick Note on Chicken Cuts Before we dive in, a word about choosing the right cut. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the most popular, but they are also the most expensive per pound and the easiest to overcook. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are our top recommendation for budget cooking. They are more forgiving, more flavorful, and usually a dollar or more cheaper per pound. Drumsticks are the budget king, often available for under $1.50 per pound. Do not overlook them. ## 1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas Colorful bell peppers, sliced onions, and seasoned chicken thighs all roast on a single sheet pan until charred and sizzling. The prep takes about 10 minutes, and the oven does the rest. Serve with warm tortillas, lime wedges, and your favorite toppings for a dinner the whole family will request on repeat. [Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas](/recipes/sheet-pan-chicken-fajitas) ## 2. One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice Everything cooks in one skillet, including the rice. Chicken thighs sear until golden, then simmer on top of garlic butter rice that absorbs all those incredible pan drippings. It is creamy, rich, and deeply satisfying without a single complicated step. The best part is you only have one pan to wash when dinner is done. [One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice](/recipes/one-pan-garlic-butter-chicken-rice) ## 3. Crispy Chicken Thighs Sometimes the simplest recipe is the best one. Season bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper, then cook them skin-side down in a hot skillet until the skin is shatteringly crispy. Flip and finish in the oven. That is it. The crispy skin and juicy meat speak for themselves. Serve alongside roasted vegetables or a simple salad for a complete meal. [Crispy Chicken Thighs](/recipes/crispy-chicken-thighs) ## 4. Baked Chicken Drumsticks Drumsticks are the most budget-friendly cut of chicken, and baking them is the easiest way to cook them. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning, then bake at 425 degrees until the skin is golden and the meat pulls easily from the bone. Make a big batch because they disappear fast, and they reheat beautifully for lunches throughout the week. [Baked Chicken Drumsticks](/recipes/baked-chicken-drumsticks) ## 5. Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta This pasta dish feels like something from an Italian restaurant but comes together in about 25 minutes. Chicken breast slices cook in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and parmesan. Toss with your favorite pasta and dinner is served. It is indulgent, comforting, and way cheaper than eating out. [Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta](/recipes/creamy-garlic-tuscan-chicken-pasta) ## 6. Chicken Fried Rice This is the recipe that makes leftover rice exciting. Diced chicken cooks quickly in a hot skillet, then joins day-old rice, scrambled eggs, frozen peas and carrots, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The whole thing comes together in 15 minutes and tastes better than takeout. Make extra rice whenever you cook it during the week just so you have leftovers ready for this dish. [Chicken Fried Rice](/recipes/chicken-fried-rice) ## 7. White Chicken Chili Creamy, hearty, and a little different from traditional red chili, this white chicken chili uses shredded chicken, white beans, green chiles, and a creamy broth base. It comes together in one pot, makes a huge batch, and freezes perfectly. Top each bowl with shredded cheese, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips for the full experience. [White Chicken Chili](/recipes/white-chicken-chili) ## 8. Meal Prep Chicken Teriyaki Bowls These bowls are a meal prep staple for good reason. Chicken thighs glazed in homemade teriyaki sauce sit on top of steamed rice with roasted broccoli on the side. Make a batch of five on Sunday and you have lunch covered for the entire work week. The teriyaki sauce is just soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a cornstarch slurry — no bottle needed. [Meal Prep Chicken Teriyaki Bowls](/recipes/meal-prep-chicken-teriyaki-bowls) ## 9. Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders Skip the drive-through and make chicken tenders at home. Slice chicken breast into strips, coat with a lemon pepper seasoning and a light dusting of flour, then pan-fry until golden. They are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready in under 20 minutes. Serve with honey mustard or ranch for dipping, alongside steamed veggies or a simple salad. ## 10. Chicken Quesadillas Two tortillas, shredded chicken, cheese, and a hot skillet. That is all you need for golden, crispy quesadillas that satisfy everyone at the table. Use leftover rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken you have on hand. Add black beans, corn, or diced peppers for extra filling. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. ## 11. Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs A quick glaze of honey, Dijon mustard, and garlic transforms chicken thighs into something special. The glaze caramelizes in the oven, creating a sticky-sweet coating that pairs perfectly with the savory meat. Roast alongside green beans or asparagus on the same pan for a complete dinner with minimal effort and minimal cleanup. ## 12. Chicken and Black Bean Tacos Season diced chicken with cumin, chili powder, and lime juice, then cook it in a skillet with black beans until everything is warm and fragrant. Pile the mixture into corn or flour tortillas and top with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, and a drizzle of crema. These tacos cost about $1.50 each and taste like something from a food truck. ## 13. Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Skillet Chicken breast cutlets seared golden brown, then simmered in a creamy mushroom sauce made with chicken broth, cream, and a touch of thyme. It is elegant enough for date night but easy enough for a random Tuesday. Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up every drop of that sauce. ## 14. BBQ Chicken Flatbreads Use store-bought naan or flatbread as the base, spread with BBQ sauce, and top with shredded cooked chicken, red onion, mozzarella, and cilantro. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are crisp. These personal-sized flatbreads feel like a treat but come together in about 15 minutes and cost under $2 per serving. ## 15. Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup Dump chicken thighs, canned beans, canned tomatoes, corn, chicken broth, and taco seasoning into the slow cooker in the morning. Come home to a rich, hearty soup that fills the house with an incredible aroma. Shred the chicken right in the pot, stir, and serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime. This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it weeknight dinner. ## Tips for Cooking Chicken Perfectly Every Time **Use a meat thermometer.** Chicken is done at 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Checking the temperature takes the guesswork out of cooking and prevents dry, overcooked meat. A basic instant-read thermometer costs under $10 and is the best kitchen investment you will ever make. **Let it rest.** After cooking, let chicken rest for five minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat instead of running out onto your cutting board. **Pound breasts to even thickness.** If you are using chicken breasts, place them between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even half-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking so the thin end is not dry while the thick end is still raw. **Pat it dry.** Before seasoning or searing chicken, pat it dry with paper towels. Moisture on the surface prevents browning and creates steam instead of a sear. Dry skin equals crispy skin. **Season generously.** Chicken needs salt. Do not be shy with your seasoning. Salt the chicken at least 15 minutes before cooking if you have the time, or even the night before. This gives the salt time to penetrate the meat and season it throughout. With these 15 recipes in your rotation, you will never run out of ideas for weeknight chicken dinners. Start with the ones that link to full recipes on our site, then come back as we add the rest. Budget-friendly chicken dinners are our specialty, and we have plenty more on the way.