10+ Easy Weeknight Chicken Recipes for Busy Families

10+ Easy Weeknight Chicken Recipes for Busy Families

ByCook Fanatic Team Reading Time: 9 minutes

Cooking dinner on a busy weeknight can be a challenge. You want something delicious and satisfying, but it should also be quick and easy to prepare. Easy weeknight chicken recipes are a perfect solution, allowing you to whip up flavorful meals in no time.

A kitchen counter with various ingredients and utensils laid out for cooking easy weeknight chicken recipes

Chicken is a versatile protein that works well in many dishes, from stir-fries to baked meals. With the right recipes, you can create a variety of tasty dinners that your whole family will enjoy without spending hours in the kitchen.

1) 30-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

A sizzling skillet of honey garlic chicken cooking on a stovetop, surrounded by vibrant vegetables and aromatic herbs

This 30-minute honey garlic chicken is easy to make and full of flavor. It combines crispy chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce. You can serve it with vegetables like asparagus or broccoli for a well-rounded meal.

To prepare, start by searing chicken breast filets in a pan until they are golden brown. Then, toss them in a simple honey garlic sauce to coat every piece. Finish by broiling the chicken for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce.

This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Your family will love the delicious taste and you’ll appreciate how easy it is to make.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450 g) chicken breast filets
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) honey
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown.
  3. Mix honey, garlic, and soy sauce in a bowl.
  4. Pour the sauce over the chicken. Stir to coat.
  5. Broil for 3-5 minutes until caramelized.

2) 15-Minute Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts

A sizzling chicken breast cooks in a skillet, sprinkled with lemon pepper seasoning, steam rising as it turns golden brown

This 15-minute lemon pepper chicken is perfect for busy weeknights. It’s quick and easy to make. Just season the chicken breasts with lemon pepper and cook them in a skillet until they are golden brown.

You can serve this dish with a drizzle of lemony garlic butter for extra flavor. It goes well with rice or a fresh salad.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Fresh lemon juice (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
  2. Season chicken breasts with lemon pepper.
  3. Cook chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
  4. In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic.
  5. Pour lemon juice over the chicken, then serve.

3) Spicy Thai Basil Chicken

A sizzling skillet with Thai basil chicken, surrounded by colorful ingredients like bell peppers, onions, and spicy chili peppers

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken is a quick and tasty dish perfect for busy weeknights. You’ll love the mix of flavors from fresh basil, garlic, and chili peppers.

To make this dish, start with finely chopped chicken. Sauté it with shallots and Thai chilies for a spicy kick. Adding soy sauce and a hint of sugar balances the heat and creates a delicious sauce.

Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal. It’s healthy, fast, and surely a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450g) ground or finely chopped chicken
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2-3 Thai chilies, chopped
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
  2. Add garlic and Thai chilies; cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Add chicken and cook until browned.
  4. Stir in onion, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add Thai basil and cook until wilted.
  6. Serve hot over rice or noodles. Enjoy!

4) Creamy Mushroom Chicken

A skillet sizzling with creamy mushroom sauce covering tender chicken breasts, surrounded by fresh herbs and vegetables

Creamy Mushroom Chicken is a delicious and simple dish that you can whip up on a busy weeknight. Tender chicken is cooked in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce that’s both comforting and satisfying.

To make this dish, you’ll need chicken breasts, fresh mushrooms, garlic, butter, and cream. This combination creates a flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with the chicken.

The cooking process is straightforward. Sauté the chicken until golden brown, then remove it from the pan. Cook the mushrooms and garlic, add cream, and return the chicken to the pan to finish cooking.

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts
  • Fresh mushrooms
  • Garlic cloves
  • Butter
  • Heavy cream
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
  2. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  3. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic and sliced mushrooms until soft.
  5. Stir in heavy cream and let it simmer for a few minutes.
  6. Return the chicken to the skillet and cook until chicken is cooked through.

5) Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry

A sizzling skillet of teriyaki chicken stir-fry with colorful vegetables and tender chunks of chicken, steam rising from the pan

Teriyaki chicken stir-fry is a quick and tasty dish perfect for busy weeknights. You can have it ready in just 30 minutes!

For this recipe, use fresh vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and onions. They add color and crunch to your meal. The chicken is coated in a sweet teriyaki sauce that brings everything together.

This dish is not only easy to make but also healthier than take-out options. You can customize it by adding your favorite veggies or adjusting the sauce to your liking.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450 g) chicken breast, sliced
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the vegetables and stir-fry for another 5 minutes.
  4. Pour in the teriyaki sauce and cook for 2 more minutes.
  5. Serve over cooked rice. Enjoy!

6) One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies

A sizzling skillet holds juicy chicken and colorful vegetables bathed in a rich balsamic glaze, filling the kitchen with mouthwatering aromas

One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies is a perfect dish for busy weeknights. This recipe combines tender chicken with colorful vegetables for a tasty meal.

To make it, you’ll marinate chicken in a tangy balsamic glaze. Then, you cook it all together on a single pan, making cleanup easy. The meal is ready in under 30 minutes, so it’s quick and convenient.

You get fresh flavors from veggies like bell peppers and zucchini. It’s not only satisfying but also healthy.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450 g) chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  3. Marinate the chicken in the mixture for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Spread the chicken and vegetables on a baking sheet.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

7) Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

A skillet sizzling with garlic butter chicken thighs, surrounded by fresh herbs and lemon wedges on a wooden cutting board

Garlic butter chicken thighs are a delightful dish that you can prepare quickly on a busy weeknight. The juicy thighs, combined with rich garlic butter, create a tasty main course that everyone will enjoy.

This recipe is simple. You can bake the chicken thighs for crispy skin and tender meat. They cook nicely in just about 30 minutes, making them perfect for dinner after a long day.

You’ll love the dish’s flavor from the garlic and butter, bringing a cozy feel to your table.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
  • 4 tablespoons garlic butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
  3. Melt garlic butter and brush it over the chicken.
  4. Place the thighs in a baking dish.
  5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden and cooked through.

8) Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Golden chicken wings coated in sticky honey garlic sauce, sizzling on a hot skillet

Crispy honey garlic chicken wings are perfect for a quick weeknight meal. They are easy to make and packed with flavor that everyone loves.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need chicken wings, flour, garlic, honey, soy sauce, and some seasoning. These wings bake up wonderfully crispy and get coated in a sweet and sticky sauce.

First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the chicken wings in a flour mixture and bake them until they are golden brown and crispy.

Meanwhile, prepare the honey garlic sauce by combining honey, garlic, and soy sauce in a bowl. Once the wings are done, toss them in the sauce to coat evenly.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken wings
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. In a bowl, mix flour with salt and pepper.
  4. Coat chicken wings in the flour mixture.
  5. Place wings on the baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  7. In a saucepan, combine honey, garlic, and soy sauce.
  8. Heat until mixed well.
  9. Toss baked wings in the sauce.
  10. Serve and enjoy!

9) Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

A colorful array of fresh ingredients being added to an Instant Pot, including diced chicken, spices, and vegetables, as steam rises from the pot

Making Instant Pot chicken tacos is quick and simple. You only need a few ingredients to create a tasty meal that everyone will love.

Start by gathering your ingredients. You will need chicken breasts, taco seasoning, salsa, and tortillas.

To cook, first, place the chicken in the Instant Pot. Then, sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken and pour the salsa on top.

Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for about 10 minutes. Once it’s done, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before quick-releasing any remaining pressure.

Shred the chicken with two forks and mix it with the sauce. Serve it in warm tortillas for a delicious dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 g) chicken breasts
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 cup salsa
  • Tortillas

Cooking Instructions

  1. Place the Instant Pot chicken in the pot.
  2. Add taco seasoning and salsa to the chicken.
  3. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 10 minutes.
  4. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes.
  5. Quick release any remaining pressure.
  6. Shred the chicken and mix it with the sauce.
  7. Serve the chicken in warm tortillas.

10) Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

A sizzling buffalo chicken sandwich on a grill, surrounded by fresh lettuce and tomatoes, with a side of crispy golden fries

Grilled Buffalo chicken sandwiches are a tasty and easy meal for busy weeknights. They are smoky, tangy, and full of flavor. You can make them quickly on the grill or even indoors.

To start, you’ll need seasoned chicken breasts cooked in zesty buffalo sauce. Topping your sandwich with fresh ingredients like gorgonzola slaw adds a crunchy texture. A squeeze of lime enhances the flavors beautifully.

Serve these sandwiches on your favorite rolls or buns for a satisfying dinner. They pair well with simple sides like fries or a green salad.

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts
  • Buffalo sauce
  • Gorgonzola cheese
  • Cabbage for slaw
  • Lime
  • Sandwich rolls

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high (about 400°F or 200°C).
  2. Season chicken breasts and grill them for about 6-7 minutes per side.
  3. Toss cooked chicken in buffalo sauce.
  4. Prepare slaw with cabbage, gorgonzola, and lime juice.
  5. Assemble the sandwich with chicken and slaw on the roll.
  6. Enjoy!

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