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    Home » Chicken

    20 Simple Chicken Dinners You Can Add to the Menu Tonight

    Published: May 28, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Chicken is a staple in many households, but it can often feel repetitive. With these 20 creative chicken dinner ideas, you can bring new flavors and excitement to your weekly meals. From easy stir-fries to crispy favorites, there's something here to inspire everyone.

    Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Tenders

    Air fried chicken tenders.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kermperyd.

    Air fried chicken tenders are quick to prepare and ready in under 20 minutes. With just a few ingredients and plenty of flavor, they're bound to be a hit with your family, whether as a main dish or a tasty snack.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken

    Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken is crispy on the outside and packed with flavor from a spicy sauce. This version is a healthier alternative to the traditional Bang Bang Chicken.

    Get the Recipe

    Pesto Chicken Pasta

    A plate of pesto chicken pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Pesto chicken is an easy way to transform chicken breast into a flavorful meal using just a few ingredients like basil pesto, heavy cream, and balsamic vinegar. It's a dish that your family will love and is perfect for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a quick and tasty meal that you can prepare in under 45 minutes. With fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, and oregano, it has a flavorful twist that your family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Tenders

    Baked Chicken Tenders.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Oven-baked chicken tenders are quick and easy to make in just 25 minutes using ingredients you probably have at home. These healthier tenders are perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce or enjoying straight from the oven.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken paella is easy to prepare and a favorite among many. Packed with saffron, white wine, shrimp, chicken, peas, and bell peppers, it's perfect for any meal and tastes great as leftovers.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Asian Chicken

    Grilled Asian Chicken.
    Photo Credit; Out Grilling.

    Grilled Asian Chicken is a simple and tasty meal that you can whip up on the grill. The chicken is smoky and coated in a quick sesame glaze that adds great flavor.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Parmesan crusted chicken,
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Parmesan crusted chicken is a simple and delicious dinner option that everyone will enjoy. It's cheesy, crispy, and perfect for dipping, all ready in under 30 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken

    Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken
    Photo credit: Always use butter

    Enjoy a quick and tasty Sundried Tomato Pasta with Chicken that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. This creamy dish is full of flavor, featuring crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and dried herbs for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Lemon Basil Chicken

    Grilled lemon chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A Lemon Chicken Marinade is an easy way to prepare flavorful chicken with common ingredients like olive oil, lemon, and basil. It's great for grilling, pan frying, or baking, and your family will enjoy it.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Burgers

    A stack of chicken patties.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These chicken patties are juicy and packed with flavor, making them a great choice for a quick meal. You can cook them in the air fryer in just 10 minutes for an easy dinner that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Parmesan Pasta

    Chicken Parmesan Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Drugstore Divas.

    Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a simple dinner option that you can whip up on a busy weeknight. With just four main ingredients and some seasoning, it comes together quickly and easily.

    Get the Recipe

    Orange Ginger Chicken

    Whole orange ginger chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Orange Ginger Chicken is simple to prepare and is sure to be a hit with your family. With a blend of oranges, ginger, and soy sauce, this dish offers a delicious roast dinner with a rich sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Sweet and Sour Chicken

    ©Provided by Pups with Chopsticks

    Sweet and sour chicken offers a delicious take on the traditional sweet and sour pork. The chicken is lightly battered and served with a standout sweet and sour sauce that adds a burst of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters are marinated in a zesty lime mix, creating a flavorful dish that's easy to prepare. This is a quick and satisfying meal perfect for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Orange Chicken

    Air fryer orange chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy orange chicken recipe is a healthier and budget-friendly way to enjoy a classic dish. In under thirty minutes, you can have juicy chicken cooked in an air fryer and coated in a tangy orange sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Teriyaki Stir-fry

    Chicken teriyaki.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry is a quick and tasty meal that your family will enjoy. It comes together in just 25 minutes with chicken, fresh veggies, and flavorful Teriyaki sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Thighs

    Baked chicken thighs on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Oven-baked chicken thighs are seasoned with everyday ingredients and cook in just 40 minutes. This is a great option for a quick weeknight dinner or for prepping meals over the weekend.

    Get the recipe

    Honey Lemon Garlic Chicken

    Honey Lemon Garlic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chef Sassy.

    Honey Lemon Garlic Chicken is simple to prepare with just 5 ingredients and takes under an hour to cook. With a sweet and sticky glaze, this dish is perfect for a weeknight meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

    Air fried chicken cutlets.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer chicken cutlets are an easy and delicious dinner that everyone will enjoy. They're crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making them a meal you'll want to prepare regularly.

    Get the recipe

    More Chicken

    • Tuscan chicken pasta.
      16 One-Pan Chicken Dinners That Save You Serious Time
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      12 Easy One-Pan Chicken Dinners for Crazy-Busy Nights
    • Potato chicken sausage casserole.
      30 Fast Chicken Recipes Made for Busy Weeknights
    • Chicken barley pualo.
      19 One-Pan Chicken Dinners That Slide Right Into Your Schedule
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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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