19 chicken recipes so good you’ll make them again next week

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If you’re tired of the same old dinner routine, you’re in luck. These chicken recipes are so good you’ll make them again next week. Each dish is crafted to offer not just great flavor but also practicality. Whether you’re a fan of one-pan wonders or quick casseroles, there’s something here to suit everyone. Time is of the essence, and these recipes respect that. We’re talking simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and the kind of versatility that makes meal planning a breeze.

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In 40 minutes, you can prepare a filling meal featuring chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach, all cooked in one pan. This dish is time-efficient and easy to prepare, making it an excellent option for busy evenings. Using just one pan reduces your cleanup time, allowing you to relax sooner. Its simplicity and quick cooking time make this dish perfect for your weeknight meal rotation. The combination of flavors will make you want to make it a regular feature in your meal planning.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Bacon ranch chicken salad cucumber boats lined up on a plate.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Including ingredients like canned chicken, bacon, and cheese, this dish is a time-saver that delivers a unique, quick, and light meal. Serving the chicken salad in hollowed-out cucumbers eliminates the need for additional serving dishes. It’s particularly great for busy weekdays when time is of the essence. The simple preparation and quick assembly make this dish a practical choice for regular meals. The recipe’s convenience and efficiency make it a go-to option for busy households.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Creamy Dijon Chicken

Pan of creamy dijon chicken with a spatula.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan recipe combines chicken, Dijon sauce, spinach, and bacon crumbles for a quick meal. It’s faster than ordering takeout and easier to clean up afterward. The ingredients cook together, which helps the flavors blend well. With its quick cooking time and easy cleanup, you’ll want to make this dish again next week. It’s a practical option for any dinner plan.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-skillet chicken and mushroom sauce combo is a dream for those who love easy cooking and even easier cleanup. It offers a well-rounded meal solution and is perfect to serve alongside rice, pasta, or veggies. The all-in-one pan approach streamlines both the cooking and washing up. Easy-to-follow steps make this dish a cinch to prepare, and it’s so impressive that you’ll want to slot it into next week’s meal plan as well. It’s a go-to choice that deserves a regular spot in your weekly meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe combines marinated chicken thighs with cream cheese, mozzarella, and spinach, providing a filling dinner option. Because it’s cooked in a single dish, both cooking prep and cleanup are straightforward. The minimal hands-on time needed for this recipe adds to its convenience. The simple assembly frees up time, giving you a more relaxed evening. Because it’s easy to prepare and clean up, you’ll be sure to want to make this part of your meal rotation next week.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe combines the flavors of traditional jalapeño poppers with chicken salad. It’s easy to make and excellent for quick meals or as a leftover option. Because it doesn’t require cooking, it’s especially convenient for those busy days when you don’t have time to use the oven or stove. The quick prep time and straightforward ingredients make it a sensible choice for frequent meal planning. The blend of flavors in this chicken salad is something you’ll want to experience again soon.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun dried tomato chicken served on a plate.
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are perfectly cooked in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce in this simple dish. It’s an uncomplicated recipe, making it an excellent choice for a weekday dinner when you’re short on time. Because it’s all cooked in a single pan, it makes for an easy cleanup. The ease of cooking, cleanup, and unique flavor profile will make you want to add this dish to your regular meal rotation. Its manageable steps and minimal utensils required make it a practical and time-saving choice.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan dish features juicy chicken breasts and a white sauce made from Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. The recipe is rich in flavor and convenient, as it requires just one pan for cooking. You’ll save time on preparation and on cleaning up afterward. The straightforward steps make it easy even for cooking novices. Its combination of practicality and rich flavors ensures this dish is one you’ll want to prepare regularly.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Spoon scooping up jalapeño popper casserole from a baking dish.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This casserole combines shredded chicken, crispy bacon, cream cheese, hot sauce, and jalapeños for a hearty meal. It’s baked in a single dish, making preparation and cleanup easy. With a cooking time that allows you to multitask, you’ll find this recipe convenient for busy weeknights. The blend of flavors and textures makes it a dish worth adding to your weekly meal schedule. Its practicality and unique flavor make it an ideal recipe for regular rotation.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Bowl of instant pot butter chicken atop cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced,

Make and enjoy this Indian-inspired Instant Pot Butter Chicken in under 40 minutes. It’s high in protein and ideal for a quick, filling weekday dinner. The Instant Pot takes care of most of the work, streamlining the cooking process and making your life easier. With fewer dishes to clean, you can relax after your meal more quickly. Given its rich flavors and quick cooking time, it’s a dish you’ll want to make on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Pollo Asado

Pollo asado on a white plate with lime wedges.
Pollo Asado. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Marinated in a blend of cilantro, onion, orange juice, and lime juice, the chicken thighs in this Pollo Asado recipe are incredibly flavorful. You can cook the chicken on the grill, on a grill pan, or in the oven. It’s an adaptable dish tailored to whatever cooking method you prefer. The recipe is straightforward, making it a practical choice for weeknight dinners. Its combination of convenience and robust flavors ensures you’ll want to make this dish a regular part of your meal rotation.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tender chicken thighs are skillfully seared and complemented by a creamy sauce featuring artichoke hearts and lemon juice. This dish is cooked in one pan, minimizing your cleanup efforts. It’s well-suited for a filling dinner and can be prepared in a reasonable time frame. The streamlined cooking process and quick preparation make it convenient for weeknights. Due to its ease and flavorful ingredients, you’ll want to keep this recipe handy for regular meal planning.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken breasts are baked with cream cheese, mini sweet peppers, and shredded mozzarella in this dish. The oven does most of the work, minimizing your hands-on time. It’s baked in a single dish, simplifying preparation and cleanup. The straightforward steps and ingredients make this a practical meal for the workweek. Given its ease of preparation and robust flavor, this is a dish you’ll find yourself wanting to make frequently.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Thai Chicken Salad

Thai chicken salad with red peppers and greens.
Thai Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This salad features marinated chicken alongside arugula, spiralized cucumbers, and additional ingredients for a quick dinner. The dish is nutritious and straightforward to assemble, requiring no cooking if you opt for pre-cooked chicken. It’s an excellent option for quick lunches from leftovers. Its minimal preparation time and ease of assembly make it a practical choice for busy households. With its blend of fresh ingredients, you’ll want to remake this again and again.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Instant pot chicken adobo in a bowl atop cauliflower rice.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Filipino-inspired dish takes only 40 minutes to prepare and cook, thanks to the efficiency of the Instant Pot. It features a unique combination of savory and slightly sweet flavors. The Instant Pot streamlines the cooking process, making it easier to prepare this dish on busy weeknights. Cleanup is also simplified with the use of a single appliance. Its quick cooking time and unique taste profile make it a dish you’ll want to include in your weekly meal plans.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Sticky Sauce Chicken

Sticky sauce chicken, broccoli, and sesame seeds in a pot.
Sticky Sauce Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken thighs are glazed with a garlic-ginger sauce, offering a flavorful option for dinner. The recipe is quick to prepare, with a total cooking time that’s easy to fit into a busy schedule. It’s ideal for those evenings when you’re in the mood for something different yet convenient. The straightforward steps and ingredients make it a hassle-free option for any night of the week. With its blend of unique flavors and ease of preparation, it’s a dish you’ll want to make a part of your regular rotation.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Sauce Chicken

Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish offers an efficient way to use leftover or rotisserie chicken prepared in a single skillet. It’s convenient for a quick, flavorful meal, particularly on busy weeknights. The skillet cooking method ensures even heat distribution, resulting in a well-cooked meal. Cleanup is simplified, as only one cooking vessel is needed. It’s an innovative, time-saving option that you’ll want to remake.
Get the Recipe: Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Shawarma Kebabs

A plate of shawarma kebabs with greens and lemon slices.
Shawarma Kebabs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe combines a rich blend of flavors in oven-baked kebabs, ideal for a weeknight dinner. Your hands-on time is minimal since the oven takes care of the cooking. The kebabs are rich in protein, making for a filling meal. The cooking process is straightforward, requiring no specialized equipment beyond skewers and a baking sheet. With its simple preparation and unique flavor, this is a recipe you’ll want to include regularly in your meal planning.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken and bacon combine in this recipe to create oven-baked poppers, complemented by a homemade ranch dressing. The dressing is easy to prepare with standard pantry items, making it convenient for last-minute meals. The poppers and sauce can be prepared in under an hour, making this a quick option for dinner or as a party appetizer. The recipe’s short cooking time and straightforward preparation make it a practical choice for busy households. Given its ease and the fun twist on classic flavors, it’s a dish you’ll want to make often.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

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