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    Home » Chicken

    Weeknight Chicken Dinners: 20 Easy Recipes You Can Just Dump and Cook

    Published: Aug 9, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Weeknight dinners can be a challenge, especially when you're short on time and energy. These 20 easy chicken recipes are perfect for busy evenings, allowing you to simply dump the ingredients into a pot or pan and let them cook. With minimal prep and cleanup, you can enjoy a satisfying meal without the hassle.

    Crockpot Greek Chicken

    Crockpot Greek Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This dish is quick to prepare, taking just 15 minutes of your time. It's flexible and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for busy days when you want a satisfying meal without a lot of work. Enjoy a delicious dinner that the whole family will love.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta combined with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just mix everything together, let it cook, and enjoy a satisfying dinner with the family.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs are an easy and flavorful meal that combines crispy chicken thighs with a savory garlic and white wine sauce, along with tender mushrooms. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner and is sure to please the whole family.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole (Slow Cooker).
    Photo Credit: My Life Cookbook.

    This chicken bacon ranch casserole is a simple and tasty dinner option that's high in protein and low in carbs. With just six ingredients, you can whip up a creamy dish packed with the flavors of ranch, bacon, and cheddar cheese. Each serving has only 4.3g of net carbs, making it a great choice for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken is a tasty twist on the popular Mississippi Pot Roast. It combines ranch seasoning, gravy mix, pepperoncini peppers, and butter to create a flavorful dish. The chicken has a nice tang without being spicy, making it perfect to serve over plain white rice.

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    Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken

    Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken.
    Photo Credit: I heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken is a simple and tasty dish that you can prepare in your crock pot. The chicken simmers in a delicious sweet and savory sauce, making it a great option to serve with rice and vegetables. This meal is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs

    Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This dish features crispy, juicy chicken thighs that are cooked to perfection. With just four simple ingredients, you can whip this up easily. It's a straightforward meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken
    Photo Credit: Simply Stacie.

    Maple Dijon Chicken is a great choice for dinner tonight. It features tender chicken baked alongside butternut squash, purple potatoes, and broccoli, all on one pan. This dish is not only healthy but also simple to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy. It's simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.
    Photo Credit: 4 Sons R Us.

    Enjoying the flavors of a Sunday roast chicken any night is simple and stress-free. Just toss everything together and let it cook while you relax. This dish is perfect for cozy dinners with minimal effort.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let everything cook together in one pan. It features chicken, fresh veggies, and a flavorful sauce that all blend together beautifully.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

    Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie {with Biscuits}.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This crock pot chicken pot pie is a simple and satisfying meal that brings a sense of comfort to the table. Tender chicken and fresh vegetables are combined with creamy soups, all topped with fluffy biscuits. It's an easy dish that requires minimal effort, perfect for busy nights when you want something warm and filling.

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    Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a simple way to elevate your regular chicken and pasta dish. With just pesto sauce and a few other ingredients, you can whip up a tasty meal that everyone will love. This dish comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    This easy curry is a simple meal that you can prepare and let cook on its own, filled with bright flavors. It's made with wholesome ingredients like tender chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, creamy coconut milk, and a mix of Indian spices. Plus, it's naturally free from gluten and dairy, making it a great option for everyone at the table.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Mexican Chicken and Rice

    Cheesy Mexican Chicken and Rice.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Cheesy Mexican Chicken and Rice is a tasty meal that combines spices, tender chicken, and gooey cheese. This casserole is full of flavor and is sure to be a hit with your family. It's an easy dish that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Hot Honey Garlic Chicken

    Hot honey garlic chicken.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    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.

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    Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy chicken and rice casserole dish.
    Photo Credit: Rose Bakes.

    This recipe combines canned soups and ready-made rice mixes for a simple meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. It offers the comfort of home-cooked food without requiring much effort. Enjoy a satisfying dinner that the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This one pot meal is sure to please everyone in the family. It features tender baby carrots and red potatoes, all smothered in a creamy sauce made with ranch dressing mix and cream of chicken soup. It's an easy dish that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy nights.

    Get the Recipe

    Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta

    Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta is a simple and satisfying meal that brings together juicy chicken, tasty spices, and a rich, creamy sauce. It's a great way to elevate your pasta dish while keeping things easy for a busy evening. Everyone in the family will enjoy this comforting dinner that comes together with minimal effort.

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    Crockpot Chicken Bacon & Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

    Crockpot Chicken Bacon & Ranch Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This slow cooker chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole is a simple and satisfying meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. It puts a fun spin on the classic tater tot casserole, combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch flavors. Perfect for busy nights, this dish requires minimal effort and delivers a hearty dinner that everyone will want to dig into.

    Get the Recipe

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      24 Easy Chicken Recipes That Shake Up Your Routine
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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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