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Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight – Cooking a delicious, nutritious meal doesn’t have to take hours of preparation and cooking time. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner or something a bit more complex, these easy chicken recipes are sure to fit the bill! From delicious one-pan chicken dishes to flavorful slow cooker chicken dinner, these chicken recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. Whether you’re feeding a family or just cooking for one, these chicken recipes will make it simple to put a flavorful meal on the table in no time. Including recipes for sheet-pan chicken, Instant Pot chicken, chicken bake, air-fryer chicken, chicken salads, and more! So go ahead and get cooking – it’s time to make some delicious and easy chicken recipes! ❤️
Chicken Recipes: 24 Best chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights
1. Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
2. Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
3. Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
Cooking time: 12 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
4. Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Bacon
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
5. Pepper Chicken Stir Fry (15 Minutes)
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
6. Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
7. Creamy Chicken Breast in Spinach Parmesan Sauce
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
8. 15-Minute Chicken Stir Fry Noodles
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
9. Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked with Asparagus
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
10. Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
11. Pineapple BBQ Baked Chicken Foil Packets in Oven
Cooking time: 35 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
12. Easy Oven Baked Chicken Bites
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
13. Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
14. Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables (in 15 minutes!)
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
15. Cheesy Fajita Chicken Bake
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
16. Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad
Cooking time: 6 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
17. Air-Fryer Fried Chicken Thighs and Asparagus
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
18. Spinach Chicken Casserole with Cream Cheese and Mozzarella
Cooking time: 30 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
19. Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
20. Creamy Spinach Chicken Gnocchi
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
21. Chicken Tortellini Soup with Vegetables
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
22. Salsa Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
23. Honey Dijon Chicken and Veggies Foil Packs
24. Garlic Butter Chicken with Pineapple
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
25. Blackened Chicken Salad with Avocado
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
24 Best Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights: Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet
by eatwell101
Yield: 3 servings Prep Time: 10 min Cook time: 20 min
This one-skillet Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken recipe is a snap to fix. The chicken thighs and green beans are cooked with lemon garlic butter sauce in the same pan. So addicting!
Ingredients you need for the Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet
Directions
How to Make this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe:
1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. You want to remove excess moisture so the chicken will brown properly.
2. Combine the onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Rub the chicken thighs generously with the seasoning mixture. Set aside while you prepare green beans.
4. Arrange the green beans in a microwave-safe dish with 1/2 cup (125ml) water and cook in the microwave for 8-10 minutes until almost done but still crisp.
5. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-low heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
6. Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin side down in the hot skillet and cook, until the skin is crispy about 5-6 minutes, then flip the chicken thighs and cook another 5-6 minutes, until cooked through and a cooking thermometer displays 165°F (75°C). If the chicken browns too quickly, lower the heat. Adjust timing depending on the thickness. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
7. In the same skillet, lower the heat and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add chopped parsley, garlic, hot sauce, red crushed chili pepper flakes, and pre-cooked green beans and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until cooked to your liking. Add lemon juice and chicken stock and reduce the sauce for a couple of minutes, until slightly thickened.
8. Push green beans to the side, place the chicken back in the pan with the sauce, and reheat quickly. Adjust seasoning chicken with pepper.
9. Serve the lemon garlic butter chicken thighs warm, garnished with more crushed chili pepper, fresh parsley, and a slice of lemon if you like. Enjoy!
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What chicken cuts are best for a quick dinner?
When it comes to cooking with chicken for a quick dinner, there are a variety of cuts to choose from. From the breast to the thighs to the wings, each cut of chicken has its own culinary characteristics and uses:
- The chicken breast is the most popular cut of chicken and is usually served boneless and skinless. It is a lean cut of meat and is great for grilling, baking, roasting, and stir-frying. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!
- The chicken thighs are the most flavorful cut of chicken and are usually cooked with the bone in, which helps to keep the meat moist. They are perfect for braising, roasting, and stewing. However, boneless chicken thighs are pretty quick to cook and can be used as a substitute to chicken breast in your chicken stir-fries or grilled chicken salads.
- The chicken wings are another great cut of chicken for roasting, grilling, and baking. They also make for a great snack when cooked with a variety of sauces and seasonings. Chicken wings cook very quickly so they are ideal for a quick weeknight dinner at home.
What are the fastest ways to cook chicken for busy weeknights?
When it comes to cooking chicken for a quick dinner, there are a variety of methods to choose from. For a fast and easy meal, grilling, baking, and roasting are the best methods. With these fast and easy cooking methods for chicken, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time:
- Grilling is a great option for chicken breasts, as it cooks quickly and evenly.
- For even faster cooking, you can opt for stir-frying or sautéing chicken strips. This method cooks the chicken quickly and is perfect for when you are in a rush. It’s our favorite!
- Baking is a great way to cook chicken thighs, as they need a slightly longer cooking time to ensure they are cooked through. Sheet-pan chicken dinners are usually quick on prep and relatively short in cooking time.
- Roasting is perfect for whole chickens, as it allows the bird to cook evenly and be crispy on the outside. It’s certainly not the fastest way to cook chicken but factoring the number of guests, it’s still an option to consider because while chicken is in the oven, you can do something else.
Did you make any of these chicken recipes? Please share on your social media using our hashtag #eatwell101!
