100 Easy Must-Make Chicken Dinners

Updated March 13, 2017

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Chicken & Summer Vegetable Tostadas

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Chicken & Summer Vegetable Tostadas Recipe

A south-of-the-border supper is ready in a snap thanks to quick-cooking chicken tenders. The tostadas can easily become soft tacos if you skip broiling the tortillas. Serve with black beans.

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Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad Recipe

Serve a zesty chicken taco salad drizzled with a chipotle chile, cumin, and cilantro dressing. The smokiness of the chipotle brings out the rich flavors of the roasted chicken breasts.

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Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa Recipe

A three-minute dip into a pungent cilantro-lime marinade is all that's needed to deliver big flavor to chicken breasts. Serve with saffron rice.

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Lemony Chicken Saltimbocca

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Lemony Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe

Saltimbocca means "jump in the mouth"–apt for a fast dish that marries woodsy sage, bright lemon, and salty prosciutto.

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Maple-Mustard Glazed Chicken

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Maple-Mustard Glazed Chicken Recipe

The tangy-sweet flavor combination of this sauce will work equally well with chicken thighs or pork. Serve with hot cooked rice and steamed haricots verts or a tossed green salad.

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Bacon and Butternut Pasta

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Bacon and Butternut Pasta Recipe

Broth, thickened with flour and enriched with crème fraîche, forms the savory sauce in this dish. We like the earthy heartiness of kale, which helps balance the sweetness from the squash. You could also use Swiss chard, or for a more peppery bite, try substituting mustard greens.

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Chicken Scallopini

Chicken Scallopini Recipe

Prepare chicken breasts scallopini-style by pounding them into thin, quick-cooking servings, then dredge in lemon juice and breadcrumbs and sauté for about 3 minutes on each side. The white wine sauce with capers complements the flavor of the lemon juice, and makes a great topping for wild rice.

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Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup Recipe

Coconut milk tames the heat and combines deliciously with shredded chicken breast in Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup.

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Sweet-Spicy Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Sweet-Spicy Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry Recipe

This colorful chicken and veggie stir-fry features a sweet-spicy sauce and a topping of dry-roasted peanuts, which add delicious crunch.

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Baked Chicken and Rice With Black Beans

Credit: William Dickey; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Baked Chicken and Rice With Black Beans Recipe

Online reviewers give this recipe five stars for being an easy weeknight dish. Because it's brimming with veggies in addition to the rice, chicken, beans and cheese, it really is a one-dish meal.

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Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe

The rich flavors of chicken and goat cheese recipes join forces in this impressive 5-star main dish. Serve with orzo or rice to soak up the shallot-thyme sauce.

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King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

All the flavors of a favorite casserole come together in the comfort of mac and cheese. Serve King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese to your family, and it will become a quick favorite.

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Honey Cashew Chicken with Rice

Credit: Johnny Autry

Honey Cashew Chicken with Rice Recipe

Forget takeout and cook in with super-fast Honey Cashew Chicken with Rice. A flavorful and sweet sauce is tossed with the chicken mixture with a splash of Sriracha added for depth.

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Grilled Chicken with Rustic Mustard Cream

Credit: Oxmoor House

Grilled Chicken with Rustic Mustard Cream Recipe

The pronounced lemon-pine character of rosemary goes well with olive oil and Dijon mustard, giving this grilled chicken a rustic Mediterranean flair.

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Chipotle Chicken and Tomato Soup

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Chipotle Chicken and Tomato Soup Recipe

Just one chipotle chile (canned smoked jalapeño pepper) adds smoky heat to this top-rated soup. If you want to tame the spice, substitute 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika for the chile.

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Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce

Credit: Karry Hosford

Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

Chicken Souvlaki features the fresh-tasting combination of lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil that is so prevalent in Greek cuisine. Serve it alongside a Greek salad of chunked tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese. Tzatziki is a traditional Greek yogurt-based sauce flavored with lemon, garlic, and crisp cucumbers. (Try more Greek Recipes). This meal is easily one of our favorite chicken recipes. 

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Jamaican-Spiced Chicken Thighs

Jamaican-Spiced Chicken Thighs Recipe

Complete the menu with mashed sweet potatoes and a mixed green salad. For more heat, leave the seeds in the jalapeño.

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Chicken Cutlets with Mushrooms and Pearl Onions

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Ginny Branch

Chicken Cutlets with Mushrooms and Pearl Onions Recipe

The brandy-spiked sauce adds an elegant touch to this simple supper; you can sub wine.

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Chicken and Guacamole Tostadas

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty

Chicken and Guacamole Tostadas Recipe

Smoked paprika gives these chicken tostadas rich, grill-like flavor with no cooking. Look for tostada shells (fried, flat corn tortillas) near the flour and corn tortillas or in the Mexican food section of your grocery store. Serve with lime wedges.

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Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

Credit: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes Recipe

Nicknamed "Anytime Chicken" by Test Kitchen Specialist Vanessa McNeil Rocchio, this winner of a chicken dinner is our new favorite roasting-pan supper for weeknights or easy entertaining with friends.

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Kung Pao Chicken Tacos

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Kung Pao Chicken Tacos Recipe

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Asian-Glazed Chicken Thighs

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Asian-Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe

The tasty Asian-inspired glaze gives these chicken thighs a mahogany sheen. Rich thigh meat is higher in fat than lean white meat, so the thighs stay moist even when they're roasted without skin. Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions, if desired.

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Chicken and Couscous Salad

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Fonda Shaia

Chicken and Couscous Salad Recipe

A great way to use leftover chicken, this 20-minute dinner salad uses quick-to-cook couscous and lots of brightly flavored herbs.

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Creamy Chicken Pasta

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe

This easy chicken recipe tosses together the winning combinations of pasta, creamy mascarpone cheese, and chicken--yum!

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Chicken Kebabs and Nectarine Salsa

Credit: John Autry and Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Chicken Kebabs and Nectarine Salsa Recipe

This company-worthy meal that doubles as a super-fast weeknight supper blends spice from the chicken with sweet and tangy nectarine salsa.

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Chicken BLT Salad

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Chicken BLT Salad Recipe

Crisp chicken in Chicken BLT Salad boosts a favorite side salad to a healthy main-course attraction.

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Dak Bokkeum with Spinach (Korean Stewed Chicken with Spinach)

Credit: Con Poulos; Styling: Helen Crowther

Dak Bokkeum with Spinach (Korean Stewed Chicken with Spinach) Recipe

Gochujang is an indispensable Korean sauce based on fermented soybeans and chiles. You'll find it in Asian markets, or seek out Annie Chun's brand, which is more widely available.

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Lemony Orzo-Veggie Salad with Chicken

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Lemony Orzo-Veggie Salad with Chicken Recipe

This colorful orzo and chicken main dish salad is packed with an assortment of chopped fresh vegetables and tossed with a tangy lemon dressing.  It's a great use for leftover or rotisserie chicken.

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Grilled Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salad

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr and Lindsey Lower

Grilled Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salad Recipe

All the fresh flavors of summer come together in Grilled Chicken with Tomato-Avocado Salad. The homemade buttermilk dressing balances the heat of the chicken and completes the meal.

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Curried Chicken Salad with Apples and Raisins

Credit: Howard L. Puckett

Curried Chicken Salad with Apples and Raisins Recipe

Enjoy this fruit-studded chicken salad with whole-grain crackers, or spread it on whole wheat bread for a sandwich.

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Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

No rolling pin is needed for Skillet Chicken Pot Pie. Refrigerated pie crusts give you a leg up in the preparation of this classic comfort dish.

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Grilled Cumin Chicken with Fresh Tomatillo Sauce

Credit: Randy Mayor; Stylist: Rose Nguyen

Grilled Cumin Chicken with Fresh Tomatillo Sauce Recipe

Bring the heat of the Southwest to the dinner table with a delicious take on the weeknight meal of grilled chicken. Serve with chipotle rice.

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Maple-Mustard Chicken Thighs

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Maple-Mustard Chicken Thighs Recipe

Speed up prep on this chicken main dish by marinating only 30 minutes. Serve with cabbage-carrot slaw.

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Asian Barbecue Chicken

Credit: Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Asian Barbecue Chicken Recipe

Fire up your grill for this quick and healthy Asian barbecue chicken recipe.

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Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich

Credit: Randy Mayor

Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich Recipe

This mozzarella chicken sandwich provides two grain servings from the ciabatta, a little more than two servings of meat from the chicken, and half a dairy serving from the cheese. Serve with orange wedges and baked chips.

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