Bored of basic? 23 easy chicken recipes that are anything but ordinary

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Are you tired of the same old chicken recipes? It’s time to spice up your chicken game! Here’s 25 chicken recipes that are a breeze to whip up and so flavorful, everyone will be begging for seconds. Forget time-consuming techniques and ho hum flavors. These recipes rely on straightforward twists to transform bland chicken into a mealtime hero!

Fried chicken pieces in orange sauce garnished with sesame seeds in a black bowl with chopsticks and a green and white napkin.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Kung Pao Chicken

low angle shot of a bowl of kung pao chicken.
Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Kung Pao Chicken will remind you of your favorite Chinese takeout with tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and a salty-sweet sauce for a spicy and flavorful meal. This easy weeknight dish has a kick of spice that keeps it from being boring.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma

Chicken shawarma with harissa paste and veggies.
Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Experience a taste of the Mediterranean with this Chicken Shawarma recipe, easily made in your oven or a combination of your Instant Pot and oven. Lemon, garlic, cumin, and other spices create a flavorful, aromatic dish. It’s a new spin on familiar ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Salt and pepper fried chicken in a bowl lined with parchment paper.
Salt and Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings, made with Szechuan peppercorns, hot chile peppers, and garlic, are irresistibly crunchy and spicy. This quick dish is ideal for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Gochujang Chicken

Gochujang chicken on a white plate with fresh mint, lettuce, pickled onions, and ssamjang sauce.
Gochujang Chicken . Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Gochujang Chicken is an accessible Korean dish featuring the spicy, umami-rich fermented red chile paste gochujang. Whether grilled outdoors or in a stovetop pan, this recipe offers a simple yet delicious weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Chicken adobo in a white bowl with rice and scallions on the side.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

For a comforting weeknight meal, try Instant Pot Chicken Adobo, a Filipino classic featuring tender chicken in a sweet and savory glaze. This recipe combines common pantry ingredients to create flavor that might be brand new for you.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Chicken Pakora

Low angle shot of chicken pakora on a plate with a green napkin.
Chicken Pakora. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These tender chicken pieces are seasoned with ginger, garlic, ground chile, and chaat masala and then dredged in a chickpea flour batter and deep fried to crunchy perfection. Serve with a few different store-bought chutneys for an exciting meal that isn’t hard to make.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pakora

Thai Chicken Curry

Thai chicken curry in a striped bowl with basil and lime wedges.
Thai Chicken Curry. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Chicken Curry offers a versatile and easy dish, customizable to whatever veggies you have on hand. A store-bought Thai curry paste gives it layers of intense flavor.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Curry

Pancit Bihon

Pancit bihon with chopsticks.
Pancit Bihon. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Pancit Bihon serves up traditional Filipino flavors in an easy-to-make dish. Perfectly chewy rice noodles stir-fried with chicken and veggies make for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pancit Bihon

Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Low angle shot of korean fried chicken with a hand holding a piece of the chicken.

Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken brings a balance of crunchy, spicy, and sweet to your weeknight meal rotation. If you have an air fryer, this is a great way to put it to use in a unique way.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Chicken Curry Laksa

Laksa in a white bowl.
Chicken Curry Laksa. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Spicy Chicken Curry Laksa, a rich, spicy soup filled with chicken and tender rice noodles, offers a dreamy and hearty weeknight dish. Its layers of flavor come from a store-bought seasoning paste and a few easy-to-find ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry Laksa

Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Kung pao chicken on a striped serving plate.
Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken uses dried chiles and Szechuan peppercorns for flavor and heat. Toasted peanuts give it crunch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Orange chicken in a black bowl with chopsticks.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

The Air Fryer Orange Chicken reinvents the beloved Chinese takeout dish in an easy-to-make-at-home form. Its crispy coating and sweet-savory orange sauce will please any crowd.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry

Ramen noodles stir fry in a white bowl.
Instant Pot Ramen Noodle Stir Fry. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry is a fun twist on the classic standby noodle soup. A savory and mildly spicy dish perfect for busy evenings, it’s sure to hit the spot when you need an easy and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry

Thai Chicken Satay

overhead shot of thai chicken satay on a black plate with peanut sauce on the side.
Thai Chicken Satay. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Satay Chicken is a simple recipe that doesn’t skimp on authentic flavors like turmeric, lemongrass, chiles, and a rich Thai Peanut Sauce. This dish easily brings a taste of Thai cuisine to your weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Satay

Instant Pot Chicken Biryani

Overhead shot of 3 plates of chicken biryani.
Instant Pot Chicken Biryani. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Chicken Biryani simplifies the process of making this classic Indian dish. With its savory flavor and quick prep and cooking time, it is an excellent choice for an easy and flavorful weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Biryani

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

two bowls of hot and sour soup with Chinese soup spoons and a black and white napkin.
Chicken Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup, filled with a tangy, spicy broth, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tender chicken, tofu, and ribbons of egg, is both nutritious and delicious. This simple soup makes for a filling and comforting weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Chicken Karaage

Overhead shot of karaage chicken with noodles on the side.
Chicken Karaage. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Karaage offers juicy chicken pieces that are golden brown and extra crispy on the outside. Thissimple yet flavorful dish brings a delightful taste of Japan to your weeknight dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Karaage

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

low angle shot of a plate of fried chicken with sesame sauce and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

For those who enjoy the sweet-savory Sesame Chicken from Chinese restaurants, this Air Fryer version offers a similar enjoyment. Crispy and delicious, it’s a simple and satisfying option for any weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Mongolian Chicken

Overhead shot of a bowl of mongolian chicken.
Mongolian Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Mongolian Chicken provides a sweet-savory, hoisin-based sauce studded with fresh green onions, reminiscent of the restaurant favorite. The dish is a quick and appealing option for a busy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Korma

low angle shot of bowls of chicken korma.
Instant Pot Chicken Korma. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Chicken Korma allows for a fast and uncomplicated preparation of this rich, spicy curry. With its simplified process and minimal ingredients, this recipe delivers robust Indian flavors in a quick weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Korma

Mochiko Chicken

A hand holding a crispy piece of mochiko chicken.
Mochiko Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Mochiko features bite-sized pieces of tender chicken coated in sweet rice flour and deep-fried to perfection. This quick and crunchy dish is an easy yet enjoyable option for any weekday night.
Get the Recipe: Mochiko Chicken

Pollo Pibil

Pollo pibil on a grey plate with limes and shredded lettuce.
Pollo Pibil. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Pollo Pibil brings the vibrant and complex flavors of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to your weeknight dinner. With its achiote paste, sour orange juice, and spices, this dish is a flavorful addition to your weeknight chicken routine.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Pibil

Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Low angle shot of a bowl of chicken pot pie soup with ingredients scattered around and an instant pot in the background.
Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup transforms the classic comfort food into a creamy, home-style soup. This one-pot dish, served with puff pastry or biscuits, is an easy and satisfying weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup

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