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
![Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/lemon-garlic-butter-thighs-and-green-beans-skillet](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/chicken-and-green-beans-recipe4.jpg)
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
2. Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake
![Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/salsa-fresca-chicken-bake-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Salsa-Fresca-Chicken-Bake-recipe-1.jpg)
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
3. Honey Garlic Chicken Bites
![Honey Garlic Chicken Bites - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/honey-garlic-chicken-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Honey-Garlic-Chicken-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 12 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
4. Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Bacon
![Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Bacon - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/garlic-butter-chicken-spinach-bacon-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ok-chicken-skillet-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
5. Pepper Chicken Stir Fry (15 Minutes)
![Pepper Chicken Stir Fry (15 Minutes) - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/pepper-chicken-stir-fry-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/chicken-stir-fry-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
6. Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet
![Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/garlic-butter-chicken-and-potatoes-skillet](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Garlic-Butter-Chicken-and-Potatoes-Skillet-2.jpg)
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
7. Creamy Chicken Breast in Spinach Parmesan Sauce
![Creamy Chicken Breast in Spinach Parmesan Sauce - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/chicken-with-spinach-creamy-parmesan-sauce](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/spinach-and-chicken-recipe-1.jpg)
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
8. 15-Minute Chicken Stir Fry Noodles
![15-Minute Chicken Stir Fry Noodles - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/chicken-pasta-skillet-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/chicken-lo-mein-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
9. Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked with Asparagus
![Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked with Asparagus - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/baked-chicken-bites-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/easy-chicken-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
10. Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus
![Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Lemon Asparagus - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/garlic-butter-chicken-bites-asparagus-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/chicken-and-asparagus-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
11. Pineapple BBQ Baked Chicken Foil Packets in Oven
![Pineapple BBQ Baked Chicken Foil Packets in Oven - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/chicken-foil-packets-in-oven-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/chicken-foil-packet-recipe-4.jpg)
Cooking time: 35 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
12. Easy Oven Baked Chicken Bites
![Easy Oven Baked Chicken Bites - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/oven-baked-chicken-bites-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/baked-chicken-recipe-3.jpg)
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
13. Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil
![Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/healthy-chicken-pasta-salad-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/pasta-salad-recipe-for-lunch.jpg)
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
14. Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables (in 15 minutes!)
![Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables (in 15 minutes!) - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/air-fryer-chicken-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/How-to-make-air-fryer-chicken-and-vegetables.jpg)
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
15. Cheesy Fajita Chicken Bake
![Cheesy Fajita Chicken Bake - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/fajita-chicken-bake-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Cheesy-Fajita-Chicken-Bake-2.jpg)
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
16. Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad
![Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/healthy-avocado-chicken-salad](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Healthy-Avocado-Chicken-Salad-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 6 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
17. Air-Fryer Fried Chicken Thighs and Asparagus
![Air-Fryer Fried Chicken Thighs and Asparagus - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/air-fryer-chicken-thighs-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Air-Fryer-Chicken-Thighs-and-Asparagus-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
18. Spinach Chicken Casserole with Cream Cheese and Mozzarella
![Spinach Chicken Casserole with Cream Cheese and Mozzarella - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/spinach-chicken-casserole-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/keto-chicken-casserole-recipe-1-1.jpg)
Cooking time: 30 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
19. Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts
![Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/instant-pot-chicken-breasts-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/easy-instant-pot-chicken-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
20. Creamy Spinach Chicken Gnocchi
![Creamy Spinach Chicken Gnocchi - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/spinach-chicken-gnocchi-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Creamy-Garlic-Spinach-Chicken-Gnocchi-2.jpg)
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
21. Chicken Tortellini Soup with Vegetables
![Chicken Tortellini Soup with Vegetables - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/tortellini-chicken-soup-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/quick-chicken-pasta-soup-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
22. Salsa Chicken Lettuce Wraps
![Salsa Chicken Lettuce Wraps - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/salsa-chicken-lettuce-wraps-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/healthy-lettuce-wrap-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
23. Honey Dijon Chicken and Veggies Foil Packs
![Honey Dijon Chicken and Veggies Foil Packs - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/honey-dijon-chicken-veggies-foil-packs](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/honey-dijon-chicken-breasts.jpg)
24. Garlic Butter Chicken with Pineapple
![Garlic Butter Chicken with Pineapple - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/garlic-butter-chicken-skillet-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/pineapple-chicken-recipe.jpg)
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
25. Blackened Chicken Salad with Avocado
![Blackened Chicken Salad with Avocado - #recipe by #eatwell101 - https://www.eatwell101.com/blackened-chicken-avocado-salad-recipe](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Chicken-Avocado-Salad.jpg)
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box
![](https://www.eatwell101.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/chicken-skillet-recipe-2-800x800.jpg)
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 top side down in the hot skillet and cook, until golden, 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!