29 Best Chicken Dinner Ideas

After a long busy day at work the thought of spending hours in the kitchen preparing dinner is not ideal for most people.

You want to prepare a tasty and wholesome meal for your family but would like to get it done in a reasonable time. 

Then there’s the issue of what to cook. With so many choices available today it can be hard to narrow down the field. You also need to be able to cater to your family’s likes and dislikes.

Let’s face it, it can be hard. But that’s where we come in with 29 best chicken dinner ideas (see also ‘27 Summer Dinner Ideas For Warm Nights‘).

Chicken is one of, if not the most, versatile meat to cook with. It will take on the flavors of whatever ingredients you add to the dish, but also taste amazing on its own or with just a minimum of seasoning. 

So let’s take a look at what great chicken dinner recipes you can try out for your family (see also ‘33 Easy Family Dinner Ideas‘). 

1.Chicken Piccata

A simple but delicious chicken dinner this dish is full of flavors that the whole family will love. Its buttery, lemony goodness is prepared in 10 minutes and cooked in 30 making it perfect for a busy weekday meal. 

Apart from the chicken breasts you will need flour to coat the chicken, shallots, garlic, chicken stock and capers (see also ‘5 Substitutes For Capers‘). 

Perfect served with a salad or pasta. 

2.One Pan Honey Mustard Chicken And Vegetables

Preparation time for this dish is only 15 minutes and as it’s all cooked in one pot prep and clean up are fairly easy. For those with little time this is a great way to make your family a nutritious evening meal with minimal effort. 

Potatoes and green beans are added to the chicken with a scrumptious mixture of Dijon mustard and honey, shallots and tantalizing seasonings. 

3.Creamy Tomato Chicken Skillet Dinner

Who can resist tender chicken breasts cooked in a tomato and garlic sauce? With the addition of kale rounds this is not just a tasty dish but a nutritious one too. 

This dinner recipe can be prepared in less than 15 minutes and cooked in only 25 minutes. Plus as it’s cooked in a skillet there’s less cleaning up to do afterwards. We’d call that a win-win!

4.Stovetop Butter Chicken

A super easy recipe for a deliciously fragrant chicken dinner that originated in India in the 1950s. This weeknight treat is prepared in 15 minutes and cooked in just 25 minutes. 

Made entirely on the stove the chicken is infused with incredible spices like turmeric, garam masala, and cumin.

Add butter, garlic, ginger, onion and heavy cream, and you have a recipe for an incredible dinner dish. 

5.Pesto Chicken Bruschetta

Perfectly cooked pesto chicken topped with fresh chopped tomatoes and mozzarella, absolutely delicious! The homemade pesto packs a flavor punch which is complemented by the garlicky tomato bruschetta. 

This chicken dinner will be a huge hit with your whole family and only takes 20 minutes to prepare. Cooking time is a little longer at 40 minutes, but the end result is well worth the wait. 

6.Lemon Chicken

This is one of the fastest chicken recipes to prepare in only 5 minutes. But don’t let that simplicity fool you, this is a wonderfully flavorful dish which is also very healthy. 

The lemon and herb flavor is infused into the chicken breasts through a thick paste and a pour over sauce. The combination of these ingredients ensures that moisture is retained in the chicken. 

7.Buffalo Chicken Bites With Blue Cheese Dressing

A buffalo chicken recipe with all the right flavor but without the mess. This dish is also healthier and has no bones to worry about, making it kid friendly (see also ‘33 Delicious Kids Dinner Meals‘). 

Cubed chicken is sauteed in olive oil rather than deep fried. 

The finger licking Buffalo sauce is made with butter, spices and red hot sauce. A creamy, tangy blue cheese dressing is the perfect accompaniment. 

8.Chicken Empanadas

For something a little different these buttery crust empanadas filled with shredded chicken (see also ‘23 Of The Easiest Shredded Chicken Recipes For You To Try’), peppers and onions are ideal.

These will be a firm favorite with the whole family and their hearty flavors will be particularly welcomed in colder weather. 

Chicken empanadas take around 30 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook. They make a delicious midweek dinner or are perfect as a party food. 

9.Roasted Salsa Verde Chicken Nachos

This is a dinner that nobody will need to be coaxed to eat, because what’s not to love about chicken nachos!

Chicken breasts (see also ‘27 Incredible Chicken Breast Recipes To Try‘) are poached in a broth bubbling over with flavor including onion, garlic, chili powder and cumin. 

Poaching the chicken means it shreds beautifully easily and combines well with your chosen toppings. The salsa verde is the perfect accompaniment for these delicious nachos. 

10.Chicken Shawarma Sheet Pan Dinner

Simple and quick to make this chicken shawarma dinner is prepared in 20 minutes. If that wasn’t enticing enough, the exotic flavors of this recipe definitely are. 

Thinly sliced chicken breast is marinated in Greek yogurt, and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric and cumin then cooked in the oven for 20 minutes with onions and peppers.

These are then wrapped in a soft pita for you to enjoy. 

11.Creamy Chicken Orzo

Chicken and pasta were destined to be together and complement each other wonderfully. Cooked in 35 minutes this recipe is great for a filling and hearty weekday dinner especially in chilly weather. 

All you need to add to poached chicken are some basic veg, orzo and chicken stock (see also ‘7 Of The Very Best Substitutes For Chicken Stock Concentrate‘). Include some garlic and parsley and dinner is done! All you need now is some crusty bread. 

12.Low-Carb Chicken Divan

If you love creamy chicken dishes but watching your carb intake this recipe is perfect. A favorite from the 80s, this version is bang up to date with the substitution of combined ingredients for traditional cream of chicken soup. 

Poached chicken, broccoli and your new secret sauce combine in just 10 minutes. Cooking takes just 45 minutes. And savoring the flavors? Well just take your time with that. 

13.Stuffed Chicken Breast

This stuffed chicken breast looks like it takes an age to prepare and cook, but it is put together in just 20 minutes and cooked in 30. The result is a dish that is perfect for weeknight suppers or a special treat for entertaining guests. 

A pocket in the chicken breast is stuffed with pesto, mozzarella, cream cheese, spinach and sun dried tomatoes. Delicious!

14.Green Chicken Enchiladas

Shredded chicken, melting mozzarella and Jack cheese with sour cream and a tangy enchilada sauce all wrapped in a corn tortilla, sounds like the perfect way to end a busy day. 

This recipe will satisfy hungry partners and picky kids so is a great go-to dish for busy evenings. Preparation only takes 20 minutes, and they only need to spend 25 minutes in the oven. 

15.Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

This is a super quick and easy supper recipe. Preparation time is 15 minutes and the dish only takes 15 minutes to cook. 

Slices of chicken breast, peppers and onions are marinated in a mixture of taco mix, olive oil and lime juice. These are then spread on a baking sheet and popped in the oven to cook to perfection. 

Serve with warm tortillas, guacamole and sour cream. 

16.Green Chicken Chili Soup

A wonderfully warming chicken soup for chilly evenings can be made in 15 minutes or while you’re at work in the slow cooker. It can also be kept in the freezer. 

Made from chicken, stock, white beans and salsa verde this dish is very filling and has a great kick from the chili powder and jalapenos. Serve with crusty bread for a satisfying meal. 

17.Chicken Chow Mein

This may not be the most authentic Chinese food, but it will undoubtedly be one of the best in your repertoire.

Stir fried noodles with chicken and vegetables in a mixture of flavored oils and covered in a rich sauce mixture are bound to be a hit with your family.

Who needs takeout when you can produce tasty chicken chow mein in the comfort of your own kitchen. 

18.Pesto Zoodle Salad

A beautiful, colorful plate of zoodles (see also ‘34 Delicious Zoodle Recipes‘) and chicken doesn’t just look good, it tastes good too. This wonderful dinner dish can be put together in 20 minutes, with only 5 minutes of cooking time. 

Zucchini noodles are a great low carb substitute but are fantastic for everyone. Tossed with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, homemade pesto and shredded chicken the dish is bursting with flavor and taste. 

19.African Peanut Soup

For something a little exotic to spice up weekday meal times this African peanut soup is just the dish. Not only is it tastily spicy, but it is also packed full of proteins. 

The peanut butter used in this dish is natural and contains no emulsifiers. Other ingredients include crushed tomatoes, sweet potato, chickpeas and of course, poached or roasted shredded chicken. A tasty, healthy dinner dish. 

20.Chicken Waldorf Salad

This delicious salad will only take you 30 minutes to prepare, and it is packed with incredible summery flavors. It has crunch from apple and celery and softness with chicken and grapes.

And don’t forget those candied walnuts for a sweet nutty flavor. 

Not forgetting that incredible Waldorf salad dressing, mayonnaise, olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey and fresh lemon juice and zest. Absolutely delicious!

21.Thai Chicken Pizza

There’s nothing like a homemade pizza and this Thai chicken pizza is even more special as it’s a combination of two takeout favorites.

Cooked chicken is tossed in coconut milk, red Thai curry paste and creamy natural peanut butter. 

You then add cheese, red onion, bean sprouts, and hoisin sauce among other ingredients and pile onto the pizza dough. A delicious pizza in just 10 minutes. 

22.Chicken Teriyaki Sushi Bowl

For a dinner dish to impress your friends this bowl of chicken teriyaki sushi (see also ‘23 Easy Sushi Recipes For Vegetarians‘) is actually quite easy to make. But the finished result looks stunning, and you don’t even need to marinate the chicken. 

Once cooked the teriyaki chicken is served on a bed of steamed rice with sides of cucumber spears, avocado and some delicious sriracha mayonnaise. An easy to prepare and cook meal. 

23.Coconut Chicken Soup

Chicken soup may not seem like a substantial dish for dinner, but you’ve not met this particular chicken soup recipe yet. Far from being unsubstantial it’s packed full of chicken, mushrooms, and incredible Thai flavors. 

Authentic ingredients make this soup a special treat. Look for Kaffir lime leaves (see also ‘6 Substitutes For When You Run Out Of Kaffir Lime Leaves‘), galangal root, lemongrass and fish sauce to create a taste of Thailand for your family. A comforting supper meal. 

24.Kung Pao Chicken

An authentic Chinese dish, this recipe is full of flavor. Pieces of chicken coated in soy sauce and cornstarch are stir fried until crispy and then added to stir fried peppers, cashews, green onions and seasoning. 

Then the Kung Pao sauce is added to the dish. This is a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar and sugar. Serve with brown or white rice and enjoy!

25.Southwest Style Cobb Salad

A summer favorite for many Americans the Cobb salad takes a new twist with a smoky chipotle dressing. The secret is to cover the chicken breasts with a thick layer of chipotle mayo and then char it on the grill. 

Then there’s the dressing that includes chipotle mayo, olive oil, lime juice, cumin and honey. Perfect for pulling the whole salad together. 

26.Slow Cooker Chicken Pumpkin Curry

Nothing says convenience like a slow cooker meal and this chicken pumpkin curry is perfect for this method of cooking.

Cubed pumpkin, chicken breast and chunky fresh veg bathed in a mouthwatering sauce of red curry paste and coconut milk are cooked to perfection. 

Preparation is a speedy 15 minutes and slow cooking takes 4 hours, while you put your feet up. 

27.Easy Orange Chicken

This is one of the easiest and quickest chicken dishes to cook for dinner. Preparation only takes 10 minutes and cooking takes just 20 minutes. 

The right blend of sweet, sticky, and spicy flavors coat the bite sized tender pieces of chicken breast. Roasting the chicken pieces makes them that much more healthy, so you can enjoy this dish guilt free. Serve with rice. 

28.Quinoa Bowl

A super healthy dinner dish that the whole family will love and is full of protein. Chicken, brussel sprouts, carrots, avocado and black beans are just some of the nutritious ingredients in this recipe. 

And the dressing is packed with vitamin rich ingredients too. This is mixed with the quinoa when cooked and the chicken and veg top off the bowl. Easy, delicious and nutritious. 

29.Santa Fe Grilled Chicken Sandwich

A warm chicken sandwich with chili herb mayonnaise and pepper Jack cheese, this is no ordinary sandwich. The chicken and bell peppers are grilled until charred while in another pan onions are caramelized. 

Sourdough bread is the only way to go with these delicious flavors, holding layers of chicken, pepper, onion and spicy mayo. Preparation takes 15 minutes and cooking is done in just 30 minutes. 

Frequently Asked Questios

Is Eating Chicken For Dinner Healthy?

Skinless chicken breast is a great source of protein and is low in saturated fats, making it an excellent choice for healthy eating. 

What Is The Healthiest Way To Cook Chicken?

Poaching is the most healthy way to cook chicken, followed closely by grilling, baking and stir frying. 

Is Chicken Good For Weight Loss?

As chicken is low in saturated fat, high in protein and nutrients it can help as part of a weight loss program (see also ‘28 Best Weight Watchers Recipes To Make At Home‘). 

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide to the best chicken dinner has given you some inspiration. Bon appétit!