Chicken breast is the go-to for weeknight dinners. It’s healthy and can be cooked in lots of different ways with a variety of ingredients.
The key is changing up the ingredients and the method of cooking so chicken dinner doesn’t feel too boring. Below are ideas that include skillet dinners, baked casseroles, and fresh herb recipes. Choose a few for this week and save the rest for future dinners when you have chicken in the fridge.
1) Chicken Piccata
When you want to make something delicious with some fun flavors but don’t want to spend a lot of time prepping or cooking, chicken piccata is a great option.
It has a lively flavor profile that springs from the simple pan sauce with capers, broth, butter, and lemon juice. Just remember to pair the dish with something to soak up the sauce like pasta (the real traditional option), mashed potatoes, or sautéed greens. For some extra kick at the end, throw on some chopped parsley and a sprinkle of black pepper.
2) Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Roasting fajitas on one pan keeps things simple and gets you lightly charred edges without standing at the stove. To begin, slice the chicken breast, and the peppers, and toss them both together with oil and spices, specifically the fajita style spices.
Next, roast the mixture until the chicken is fully cooked. Serve the chicken and pepper mixture with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings. Warm tortillas and toppings can include salsa, cilantro, as well as sour cream. If you happen to have any of this dish leftover, it can easily be repurposed as a lunch bowl with rice and beans.
3) Chicken Parmesan
When you bake chicken parmesan, you keep the dish crispy and also avoid the mess that comes with deep frying. Simply bread the chicken cutlets, bake them until they are golden brown, and then add some marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese to finish it off. It’s that easy! It’s a classic with spaghetti, but it’s also great over sautéed zucchini noodles or tucked into a sandwich. Waiting a few minutes before slicing will give the best texture.
4) Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Make a one-pan dinner that will please the crowd! You can saute the chicken breasts and then only take a few extra minutes to cook them in a creamy sauce with garlic, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. The sauce sticks really well with rice, gnocchi and crusty bread, so use what you prefer! For a lighter version, just use half and half in place of the heavy cream.
5) Honey Mustard Chicken
Honey mustard is great for fussy eaters because of the perfect sweetness and tang, and it’s great for more adventurous eaters as well!
To make the glaze, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, some vinegar, and just a tiny bit of garlic, and let it simmer. It will become a delicious glaze. You can deepen the flavor of the sauce by browning the chicken first. Accompany it with roasted potatoes or a fresh salad.
6) Chicken Marsala
Chicken Marsala is the perfect restaurant-style meal for a regular Tuesday dinner. The sauce is wine-based so the mushrooms have an amazing flavor! The chicken stays tender if you don’t over cook it. It also goes great with creamy polenta or the egg noodles. To brighten the pan, squeeze some lemon at the end.
7) Chicken Souvlaki Bowls
These bowls are an awesome way to transform a basic chicken breast into a meal that tastes like a vacation! Just marinate the chicken in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and oregano, and then cook it until it is nice and brown and juicy. Then layer in some rice and chopped salad veggies, and add a scoop of tzatziki for a nice cool contrast. If you have pita, warm it up and serve it alongside.
8) Teriyaki Chicken
If you want a fast and easy weeknight dinner, teriyaki is the way to go. You can get teriyaki sauce from the store or you can make a super simple sauce with soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. If you want to make this a little healthier and add some broccoli, you can throw some into the pan with a little bit of water and cover it for a few minutes. Optional: you can add sesame seeds at the end.
9) Chicken Stir Fry
Stir-frys are great for emptying out the crisper drawer! For this, cut the chicken into strips so they cook fast and stay nice and tender. A quick ginger-soy sauce brings everything together and feel free to use any veggies you have on hand. Serve over rice or noodles, or add shredded cabbage for a lighter option!
10) Pesto Chicken Bake
Pesto is a pretty flavorful sauce that is easy to use. Just spread a layer of pesto on top of your chicken breasts, add some mozzarella and bake them until the chicken is fully cooked. Fresh or roasted tomatoes go great with this dish. For added crunch you can use the broil option for a few minutes to give the cheese a nice golden color.
11) Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potatoes
This dish is warm and spicy as well as surprisingly well balanced. First, bake the sweet potatoes until soft, then top them with shredded chicken and buffalo style hot sauce mixed with a little bit of butter. For a cooling drizzle, you can add either ranch dressing or a yogurt based dressing.
If you want to add some crunch to the dish, feel free to throw in some chopped celery. It’s a great way to stretch a couple chicken breasts into multiple dinners.
12) Chicken Caesar Salad
A big Caesar salad can absolutely count as dinner, especially with warm chicken on top. You can season the chicken with just salt, pepper, and garlic before slicing. Then grill or pan-sear and slice the chicken. Toss the romaine with Caesar dressing, Parmesan, and croutons, and finish it off with the chicken. If you want to make it extra filling, add a soft-boiled egg.
13) Chicken Alfredo
Alfredo can be made better with a few ingredients swaps. Replace cream with milk + a bit of parmesan + a bit of butter, or if you want a thick cream in it, add a spoon of Greek yogurt. If you want to get an additional burst of flavor, cook the chicken first and then make the sauce in the same pan. For added nutrition, you can add in peas or spinach.
14) Salsa Verde Chicken
With just a small amount of chopping, you can bring some brightness and flavor to chicken breasts with salsa verde. Cook the chicken, then add salsa verde and simmer until cooked and saucy. It can be served with whatever is available from rice, tortillas, or black beans. Finished with a squeeze of lime and some diced onion on top really adds a touch!
15) Coconut Curry Chicken
Making a coconut milk curry is fast and easy. Just cook curry paste or powder with some garlic, add coconut milk, and then simmer chicken (cut into pieces). You can add bell peppers, spinach, or green beans. Serve with rice and keep the hot sauce on the table for anyone who wants more heat.
16) Chicken Shawarma Wraps
With the right spice combination, you can recreate that shawarma vibe at home. To prepare the chicken, add spices that include: cumin, paprika, garlic, and some cinnamon.
Cook until evenly browned and then slice thin. To serve, wrap the chicken in flatbread along with cucumbers, and tomatoes. Don’t forget to add a yogurt sauce that contains garlic! The wrap is also excellent served as a bowl over rice, with some pickles on the side.
17) Balsamic Chicken
Balsamic glaze adds a nice sweet, tangy touch to chicken breast. To make it, sear the chicken and then make a quick sauce by simmering balsamic vinegar and a little honey until it thickens. Roasted tomatoes add a juicy, jammy contrast to chicken and sauce. It is great to serve it with pasta, farro, or a good piece of bread.
18) Chicken Vegetable Soup
Chicken breast is a great choice to make a heart-y soup that still feels light. You’ll want to poach it (or simmer it) first to make sure it stays nice and tender.
After that, shred it or cut it into pieces and drop it into the pot. Then, toss in some carrots, celery, and onions, as well as noodles or rice, depending on your preferences. This is one of those dinners that tastes even better the next day.
19) Chicken Tinga
Chicken Tinga is perfect for tacos due to its saucy and smoky flavor. The meat is made by shredding chicken after it simmers in a sauce made of tomatoes, chipotle peppers, and onions. Put some of the chicken in a tortilla with some avocado, onion, or crema, and enjoy! You can also eat it over rice bowls or with tostadas.
20) Chicken Fried Rice
The best type of fried rice is made with leftover rice, which makes this recipe a great “beggin’ for leftovers” dinner. Make sure to cube the chicken breast small so it cooks quickly and combines nicely. Throw in some more veggies, an egg, and soy sauce to taste. To finish it all off, a little toasted sesame oil goes a long way.
21) BBQ Chicken Flatbreads
You can have a fun night with delicious flatbread BBQ chicken pizzas! There is no need to hassle with making pizza dough as chicken smothered in barbecue sauce on a flatbread will get all of your pizza night cravings taken care of.
Just layer the chicken and sauce on the flatbread and throw some cheese and onions on top before baking. Once they are cheesy and bubbly, you can take it out and cut it into snackable slices. For an even better experience, throw a handful of arugula on top after it finishes baking.
22) Chicken Katsu
Nothing beats the crisp coating that chicken katsu has. It’s easy to make too. Simply pound a chicken breast till it’s thin, coat it with breadcrumbs (use panko for best texture), and fry it until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Serve with thinly shredded cabbage, a dip for the katsu, and some rice for a more heavy meal. Cut the chicken katsu into strips before you serve it so everyone can get a little bit of that crispy coating with every piece.
23) Chicken Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a reliable “use what you have” dinner, and chicken breast fits right in. Combine cooked chicken, cheese, and spinach, then pan-fry the mixture in a skillet until the tortilla turns golden brown. Accompany the dish with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. They can be reheated in a dry pan, which maintains their crispiness.
24) Chicken Noodle Casserole
This kind of dinner is perfect for cold nights and groups of hungry people. Blend cooked noodles and chicken with a creamy sauce and vegetables such as peas or broccoli. Top with breadcrumbs and bake until browned and bubbly. This is also a great option to prepare ahead of time for a busy week.
25) Garlic Butter Chicken
Garlic butter doesn’t require a long ingredient list to make chicken breast feel rich. Sear the chicken then make a quick pan sauce by adding butter, garlic, and a splash of broth or lemon. Toss in some green beans to warm through and soak up some of the flavor. This dish is good with rice, mashed potatoes, or even just a crusty roll.
26) Chicken Enchiladas
What do you do with plain chicken breast? Make enchiladas! Shred some chicken and mix it with black beans, cheese, and your favorite spices. Then, roll the mixture in some tortillas and cover them with enchilada sauce. Bake until the sauce is bubbling and melted. Top with shredded lettuce and a squeeze of lime for some added freshness!
27) Chicken Caprese
This recipe takes the traditional caprese combo and makes it into a warm hearty dinner. You will sear the chicken breast on the stove and then add mozzarella cheese and let her melt while the tomatoes soften in the same pan. Add your basil at the last moment to keep it fragrant. The dish is good enough without the balsamic glaze drizzle but it is a nice added touch.
28) Chicken Satay Bowls
Peanut sauce makes a simple chicken dinner taste bold and satisfying. Grill or bake the chicken. Then, mix the remaining ingredients to make a sauce. The sauce is combination of peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Add sliced cucumbers or a slaw to the dish for a refreshing crunch. If you want to spice things up, add some chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
29) Chicken Ranch Pasta
Once the chicken is cooked, this bowl can be assembled quickly for a little comfort food. Ranch-style seasoning or ranch-style dressing can be incorporated into a creamy sauce, and mixed with chicken and pasta. For some added salt and crunch, use crispy bacon, and if you want to incorporate a vegetable, peas or broccoli work well. To keep the sauce thin and add some creaminess, use a splash of pasta water.
30) Chicken Gyro Pitas
Pita gyros are a simple yet enjoyable dinner idea. Season chicken with some oregano, garlic, lemon, and a dash of paprika. Then cook and slice the chicken thin. Put your chicken in the pitas with some chopped vegetables and tzatziki. If you want to serve more, have roasted potatoes or a simple Greek salad.
31) Chicken Lettuce Wraps
For those wanting a light and quick dinner, lettuce wraps are a great option. The chicken breast should be most quickly cooked by being minced and/or chopped, and then should be seasoned using a soy-garlic sauce and a small amount of ginger. Then, place the chicken in crisp lettuce cups and finish with scallions and/or crushed peanuts. Offer extra sauce to allow for customization of wraps.
32) Chicken Pot Pie
This chicken pot pie recipe is simple to make! Start by mixing chicken and vegetables with gravy into a baking dish. Top it with puff pastry (or biscuits) and bake it in the oven until golden brown. Once it is done baking, let it cool a few minutes so the filling thickens. It’s a great way to use leftover chicken breast, too.
