Summer is the perfect time to enjoy delicious and budget-friendly chicken dinners. With so many easy recipes to choose from, you can whip up satisfying meals that won't break the bank. From grilled favorites to hearty casseroles, these 25 chicken dishes will keep your summer cooking simple and enjoyable. We know "cheap" can mean different things to different people, so here you will find recipes fitting a variety of budgets - but all without any unnecessarily expensive ingredients.
Caprese Chicken
This simple 5-ingredient Caprese Chicken is a perfect one-pan meal that hits all the right notes. It's filling and satisfying, making it a great choice for a cozy dinner. With just five ingredients and one pan to clean, preparing this dish is quick and easy.
Baked Southwest Chicken Dorito Casserole
This dish is an easy and cheesy option that mixes shredded rotisserie chicken with cream cheese, sour cream, and tasty tomatoes and chilies. With a crunchy topping of Nacho Cheese Doritos and cheddar cheese, it's a great choice for a quick and filling meal.
The Best Chicken Street Tacos
These chicken street tacos are simple to make with just a handful of ingredients, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The chicken is marinated in a flavorful homemade taco seasoning, then grilled to perfection. It's an easy meal that everyone will enjoy.
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
This dish features tender shredded chicken combined with red bell pepper, green chiles, and onions simmered in a flavorful red enchilada sauce. Layer in some corn tortillas, olives, and extra cheese, and you have a delicious one-pot meal that's easy to prepare. It's perfect for a satisfying dinner that won't break the bank.
Baked Chicken Tenders
Oven baked chicken tenders come together in just 25 minutes using simple ingredients you probably already have at home. These tenders are a healthier option compared to frying, as they don't use any oil or dairy. They're perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce, or you might just want to enjoy them straight from the oven because they're so delicious.
Grilled Lemon Basil Chicken
This Lemon Chicken Marinade is quick and easy to whip up using simple, healthy ingredients. It's perfect for grilling, pan frying, or baking in the oven. With a mix of olive oil, lemon, and basil, the chicken turns out juicy, tender, and full of flavor.
Chicken Drumsticks
These drumsticks are packed with flavor and are sure to please everyone at the table. They're easy to prepare and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can enjoy a delicious meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
Crock pot chicken pot pie is a warm and satisfying meal featuring tender chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce. It's cooked slowly in the crock pot, allowing all the flavors to blend together nicely. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, providing comfort without requiring much effort.
Slow Cooker Thai Curried Chicken Soup
This Thai curried chicken soup is both tasty and easy to prepare, perfect for a cozy meal. It's a comforting dish that warms you up and satisfies your hunger. With its rich flavors and creamy texture, this soup is a great choice for any day.
Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole
This chicken and rice dish is a beloved family staple that's easy to make in the oven. It features juicy chicken thighs paired with canned soups, creating a warm and satisfying meal that everyone will love.
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This dish is a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in under 30 minutes. It features shredded chicken, soft gnocchi, and fresh vegetables all cooked together in a creamy broth packed with herbs. Perfect for busy nights, this one-pot recipe is sure to please everyone at the table.
Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken
Slow cooker pineapple chicken combines tender chicken with bell peppers, onion, and garlic in a tasty pineapple sauce. This dish brings a nice mix of sweet and savory flavors, making it a fun and colorful meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without a lot of work.
Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich
A Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich combined with a Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich creates a delicious meal that's full of flavor. This dish brings together the spicy kick of Nashville hot chicken and the smoky goodness of BBQ, making it a satisfying choice for any day. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work.
Thin Basil Chicken Breasts
Thin chicken breasts can be cooked in an air fryer for a simple and tasty dinner. In just 6 minutes, you can have a flavorful meal seasoned with garlic and basil. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something quick and satisfying.
Shake and Bake Chicken
Shake and Bake Chicken is an easy and delicious meal that features tender baked chicken coated in a crunchy homemade seasoning. This dish is perfect for a quick dinner and is sure to become a favorite. Once you make it yourself, you'll see why it's better than the store-bought options.
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters come together in just 15 minutes, offering a great mix of crispy skin and juicy meat. The marinade, featuring lime juice, adds extra flavor and helps keep the chicken tender. This dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal any night of the week.
Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce
Chicken enchiladas with green sauce are quick to prepare and are a great option for a cozy meal any night. This dish combines tender chicken with garlic, all wrapped in soft tortillas and smothered in melted cheese and zesty green chile sauce. You can make everything from scratch or take a shortcut if you prefer. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.
Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Drumsticks
Oven baked chicken drumsticks are a tasty option for dinner, especially when you prepare them on a sheet pan to make cleanup easier. This recipe features the great flavors of garlic, parmesan, red pepper, and parsley, creating a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.
Chicken Teriyaki Stir-fry
Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry is a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in just 25 minutes, including prep time. It's packed with chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots, making it a hearty and satisfying dish. This low-carb option can stand alone or be served with noodles or rice if you want to feed a crowd. You can use either homemade or store-bought Teriyaki sauce, and frozen vegetables work just fine too.
Chicken and Noodle Casserole
Chicken and Noodle Casserole is a comforting meal that's sure to please everyone. It's rich and cheesy, filled with chicken and veggies, and has a crunchy topping of buttery crackers that adds a nice touch. This dish is perfect for a family dinner or a cozy night in.
Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Tenders
Air fried chicken tenders are quick and simple to prepare, taking less than 20 minutes from start to finish. With just a few basic ingredients and plenty of flavor, they're bound to be a hit with everyone at the table. Enjoy them as a main dish alongside your favorite sides, or serve them as a tasty snack with some dips.
Hot Honey Garlic Chicken
Hot honey adds a sweet and spicy flavor to this Hot Honey Garlic Chicken dish. It can be prepared easily in either an air fryer or an oven.
Peanut Butter Chicken Curry
This coconut-peanut butter chicken curry combines flavors from Indian and Thai cooking. It's a filling dish with a nice blend of spices, and you can have it on the table in less than half an hour. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup is a simple dish that does most of the work for you. It's filled with fresh vegetables, hearty chicken broth, and soft shredded chicken, making it a comforting option for any meal. This soup is perfect for family dinners and is sure to satisfy everyone.
Chicken Burgers
This chicken burger is a simple and satisfying meal. It's perfect for a quick dinner that won't break the bank. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up something delicious that everyone will enjoy. This recipe is great for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.
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