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105 Chicken Dinner Recipes Perfect For Weeknights, Date Nights, & More

Winner, winner, best-ever chicken dinners.

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hawaiian shoyu chicken topped with sliced scallions
PHOTO: LINDA XIAO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

More often than not, when we start to think about what to make for dinner, chicken is the first thing that comes to mind. And that train of thought has never lets us down. Chicken in all its many forms—from breasts to thighs, or grilled to fried—has long been considered the dinner winner winner, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, that can mean falling into a dinner rut much too easily for our liking. If you’re like us and just can’t bear to make your (or your family’s) old standbys for the umpteenth time, we’ve got you. Get inspired with our list of 105 best chicken dinner recipes—you’ll be sure to find a new weeknight favorite.

We’ve got something here for everyone, whether you’re looking for tried-and-true classics, creative recipes the whole family will love, or even fast-food copycats like our copycat Raising Cane's chicken and sauce. If you’re only ordering dishes like chicken Parmesan, Hawaiian shoyu chicken, chicken tikka masala, cashew chicken, chicken cacciatore, or chicken Alfredo when you’re out at a restaurant, consider this your kick in the pants to try your hand at making them at home. We’ve tested our recipes over and over to make sure they’re easy to follow, and will result in chef-worthy dinners (even if you’re only a novice in the kitchen).

Looking for something more outside the box? Take flavor combinations you love, then turn ‘em into a chicken dinner. We’ve included our creamy chicken piccata with gnocchi, our brie, asparagus & prosciutto-stuffed chicken, our tequila lime chicken thighs, our chicken shawarma sheet-pan dinner, our pretzel-crusted chicken breast our and more here to get your creative juices flowing. Got an idea, but not sure how to execute it? Let us know in the comments below, and we’ll see what we can do to help get you there.

Just because it's springtime, doesn't mean there's not still room for comforting casseroles on the menu. Our enchilada casserole, our baked chicken spaghetti, and our tater tot chicken pot pie are great places to start, then check out our best chicken casseroles for even more ideas. Don’t worry, we’ve got tons of sides for chicken too, and all the springy salads you'll need too.

1

Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken

hawaiian shoyu chicken topped with sliced scallions
PHOTO: LINDA XIAO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

A saucy glazed chicken thigh is typically pretty hard to beat, but this Hawaiian shoyu chicken is really something special. Featuring a ridiculously simple soy and brown sugar sauce, this easy one-pot meal will become your new go-to weeknight dinner.

Get the Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken recipe.

2

Copycat Raising Cane's Chicken and Sauce

raising cane's chicken and sauce with crinkle fries
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Cane’s juicy, fried chicken strips dunked in tangy, peppery sauce is the kind of fast food meal I dream about. I tested and tested and retested this recipe so that I could confidently say, this copycat is as good as the real thing.

Get the Copycat Raising Cane's Chicken and Sauce recipe.

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3

Crunchy Coconut Chicken

chicken breasts coated in coconut and fried until crispy
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This crunchy coconut chicken dish is one that I can't stop thinking about. It starts by marinating the chicken in lime juice, fish sauce, and coconut milk and then coating the chicken in a mixture of coconut and panko for an incredible coconut crust.

Get the Crunchy Coconut Chicken recipe.

4

Brie, Asparagus & Prosciutto-Stuffed Chicken

brie asparagus and prosciutto stuffed chicken
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Our brie, asparagus & prosciutto bundles are one of our most-popular appetizers, and this combination works so well, I decided I needed an excuse to enjoy it on more than just special occasions. Instead of puff pastry, I’m swapping in chicken for a rich and creamy weekend, date night, or special occasion meal.

Get the Brie, Asparagus & Prosciutto-Stuffed Chicken recipe.

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5

Sheet-Pan Crispy Ramen

ramen noodles, chicken, and broccoli baked on a sheet pan
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Tender chicken thighs are coated in a fragrant mix of ginger, garlic, and soy-based stir-fry sauce, perfectly charred alongside vibrant broccoli, crisp snow peas, and scallions. Toss in the springy ramen noodles, give it one last broil to crisp everything up, and you’ve got a golden, caramelized masterpiece.

Get the Sheet-Pan Crispy Ramen recipe.

6

Chicken Enchiladas

chicken enchiladas
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

When the craving for satisfying comfort food meets the need for a straightforward dinner, chicken enchiladas are a guaranteed winner. They’re easy, filling, and take less than an hour to prepare from start to finish.

Get the Chicken Enchiladas recipe.

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7

One-Pan Chicken & Gnocchi

gnocchi and chicken breasts in a creamy sauce in a pan
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

This recipe goes down alongside Marry Me chicken in the Delish hall of fame. In this one-pan dinner, chicken breasts pair with pillowy gnocchi in a creamy sauce, complete with mushrooms and spinach. It's the ultimate weeknight comfort food that tastes like it took hours, when in reality, it comes together in under an hour.

Get the One-Pan Chicken & Gnocchi recipe.

8

Chicken Cacciatore

chicken in a tomato sauce over polenta
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Rooted in Italian tradition, chicken cacciatore—meaning “hunter-style”—was originally a rustic dish made with whatever was on hand. Our modern take keeps that comforting vibe but makes it foolproof for any home cook. This version brings perfectly tender chicken and a rich tomato sauce to your table every time.

Get the Chicken Cacciatore recipe.

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9

Orange Chicken

orange chicken
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

If you just can't get enough of the classic Panda Express dish, this copycat recipe will be a game-changer. Ready in under an hour with all of the same sweet and savory flavors you love, staying in for weeknight dinner has never been easier.

Get the Orange Chicken recipe.

10

One-Pan Lemon Chicken & Orzo

one pan lemon chicken and orzo with feta and herbs
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Having easy, one-pan dinners in your back pocket is the key to looking like a hero come mealtime, especially on busy days. This dish is the perfect example: Chicken, orzo, spinach, and feta come together into a complete meal that’s quick enough for a weeknight, but beautiful enough to serve to friends at a dinner party.

Get the One-Pan Lemon Chicken & Orzo recipe.

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11

Chicken & Rice Casserole

chicken and rice casserole
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This chicken and rice recipe is definitely a direct flight to a quick and easy dinner destination. It requires minimal cleaning up, and the active cooking time is only 20 minutes. Heads up: whether you're traditionally a cream of mushroom soup fan or not, it's worth it in this casserole.

Get the Chicken & Rice Casserole recipe.

12

Chicken Stir-Fry

chicken stir fry with broccoli, cashews, and red pepper
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

You can practically throw any combination of protein, veggies, and sauce in a pan and call it good, but sometimes it’s helpful to have a basic formula to go off of. Enter: our chicken stir-fry recipe. Make it as is, or use it as a jumping-off point to create your own.

Get the Chicken Stir-Fry recipe.

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13

Chicken Shawarma Sheet-Pan Dinner

strips of chicken thigh are marinated in greek yogurt, cumin, coriander, and paprika, roasted on a sheet pan with red onion, then topped with a bright cucumber tomato salad and herby tahini yogurt dressing
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

This is the kind of weeknight dinner that checks all of our boxes. It's easy, only requires a few dishes, doesn’t make me regret cooking, and most importantly—packs a wild amount of flavor into one sheet pan. This chicken shawarma sheet-pan dinner is the perfect meal for those nights when you just need something easy yet satisfying, or when you’re on the fence about cooking or ordering takeout.

Get the Chicken Shawarma Sheet-Pan Dinner recipe.

14

Cacio E Pepe Chicken

cacio e pepe chicken thighs with lemon wedges
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLIST: BROOKE CAISON

This recipe starts like just like its inspiration—cacio e pepe—with pecorino Romano and black pepper, but here’s where it deviates: we wanted to create a saucy moment, so we chose to sear and braise succulent bone-in chicken thighs in an aromatic white wine broth until tender.

Get the Cacio E Pepe Chicken recipe.

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15

Arroz Con Pollo

chicken thighs and legs in a tomato based rice
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Arroz con pollo is the perfect weeknight dinner savior. It’s an easy one-pot meal that doesn’t taste like one (seriously, you just might be eating the rice straight out of the pan). The best part? It makes for incredible leftovers, so you can enjoy it all week long.

Get the Arroz Con Pollo recipe.

16

One-Pan Crispy Chicken Primavera

crispy chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet with radishes, asparagus, and peas
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLIST: BROOKE CAISON

Just when you thought pasta primavera was the king of spring comfort food, we’re dropping this one-pan chicken primavera. Crispy-skinned chicken thighs are roasted alongside spring veggies and topped with a confetti of goat cheese and herbs for a dinner that captures the promise of warmer days while bringing the cozy vibes we crave.

Get the One-Pan Crispy Chicken Primavera recipe.

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17

Chicken Alfredo

perfect chicken alfredo
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

With a creamy, cheesy sauce and tender chicken breasts, this is the pasta dish we turn to time and time again when we're craving the ultimate comfort meal. If you've never made pasta sauce from scratch before—this is where you should start. Fair warning: No jarred pasta sauce may compare after you've made this.

Get the Chicken Alfredo recipe.

18

Chicken & Broccoli

stir fried pieces of chicken and broccoli
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This fast and easy one-pot chicken and broccoli recipe is coated in a sweet and savory sauce with plenty of ginger and garlic for a weeknight dinner that beats take-out. This dish comes together in 20 minutes with minimal prep work too. Win win!

Get the Chicken & Broccoli recipe.

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19

Chicken Parm Pasta

red sauce pasta topped with cheese and sliced chicken breast
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

The goal of this recipe is for you to have less stress and 100% more chicken Parm, so we used store-bought breaded chicken breasts and tomato sauce so you don’t have to do any heavy lifting. Honestly, at the end of a long day, that’s all any of us is really looking for, right?

Get the Chicken Parm Pasta recipe.

20

White Chicken Chili

white chicken chili with cilantro, chips, sour cream and avocado
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Adding white beans makes this heartier than your average chicken noodle soup, and the addition of green chiles, jalapeño, and sour cream add the perfect amount of heat and creaminess to switch up classic chili. Plus, everything comes together in less than an hour (!!).

Get the White Chicken Chili recipe.

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