29 Easy Chicken Recipes You're Never Too Busy For

Some nights, I just need dinner to happen easily with no guesswork. These chicken recipes are what I lean on when I’m out of ideas but still have mouths to feed. They’re simple, practical, and always come through when I don’t have time to mess around.

Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breasts

These chicken breasts cook quickly in the air fryer and come out well-seasoned without needing extra effort. The short cook time makes them a solid weeknight option when you need dinner fast. You can pair them with rice, salad, or vegetables for a no-fuss meal. It’s the kind of recipe that keeps dinner doable when the day’s already full.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breasts

Chicken Roll Ups

These roll ups use simple ingredients and bake up in about 30 minutes, making them great when you don’t have time to fuss. They’re comforting, filling, and easy to portion out for one or two people. Everything rolls into a tidy dish that doesn’t make a mess. They’re especially helpful on nights when dinner just needs to happen fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Roll Ups

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

This recipe skips the stovetop and keeps cleanup minimal, which makes it easier to handle during a busy week. The sweet and savory flavor works well with rice or a side of veggies. It’s easy enough for anyone to make, whether or not they’ve cooked with an air fryer before. You can count on it when dinner needs to happen without a lot of prep.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Greek Chicken Gyros

These gyros come together with everyday ingredients and don’t take much time to pull off. You can use store-bought pitas and add whatever toppings you have on hand. They’re filling without being heavy, and they’re easy to customize for picky eaters. It’s a recipe that works well when you need something quick but still want it to feel like a real meal.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken Gyros

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole Dish

This is a hearty one-dish meal that’s perfect when you don’t want to juggle sides. Everything bakes together, which means fewer dishes and less cleanup. It’s warm, filling, and made with ingredients you probably already have. It works especially well when you need something that feels homemade without taking all night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Stuffing Casserole Dish

Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from Frozen)

This one skips the thawing and gets straight to cooking, which helps when time’s tight. It’s great for a quick dinner or a low-effort lunch. You don’t need to fuss with a bunch of ingredients, and cleanup is easy. This is the kind of meal that makes you glad you stocked the freezer.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from Frozen)

Chicken Divan

This casserole blends chicken and broccoli in a creamy sauce that works well for make-ahead meals. It bakes in one dish, which cuts down on cleanup. You can prep it in advance and reheat when needed, making it a good fit for busy nights. It’s a low-effort dinner that still feels like you tried.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Divan

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

This soup cooks in one pot and brings a bright, fresh flavor without a lot of effort. It uses pantry staples and leftover chicken well. You don’t need much to pull it off, and it stores well for lunches. It’s a solid backup plan when you’re out of energy but still want something warm.
Get the Recipe: Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Chicken Pot Pie

This version skips complicated steps but still gives you a full meal in one dish. It’s hearty, familiar, and comes together faster than it looks. You can make it with store-bought crust or shortcuts and still end up with something good. It’s great when you want comfort food without a long prep.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

These chicken thighs are juicy, cook fast, and don’t take much work to prep. The air fryer keeps them tender without needing a bunch of oil. They’re flexible enough to use in wraps, salads, or rice bowls. When time’s short and dinner still has to happen, this one steps up.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Copycat Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt

This sandwich-style meal uses ingredients you might already have and delivers something filling without needing a drive-thru. It’s perfect for those nights when dinner has to be quick but you still want it to feel like a treat. It toasts up fast and uses cooked chicken, which saves time. It fits right in on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

These chicken legs cook up quickly in the air fryer and don’t need a lot of attention. They’re great for busy evenings when you want dinner that doesn’t take much thinking. You can season them however you like and serve with whatever sides you have. It’s a reliable option for nights when time is short and energy is low.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

This baked pasta is loaded with bold flavor and makes a full meal in one dish. It comes together with pantry staples and can be prepped ahead. The bake time is hands-off, which helps when you’re juggling other things. It’s a great go-to when you want something filling but easy.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Chicken Corn Chowder

This chowder is thick, hearty, and easy to make with ingredients you likely already have. It simmers in one pot, so cleanup is simple. It’s a comforting meal for cool nights that doesn’t need much prep. It’s especially helpful when you’re short on time but still want something warm and filling.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Chowder

Grilled BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs

These chicken thighs are quick to grill and don’t need marinating for hours to turn out well. They’re flexible enough to go with almost any side. You can grill them indoors or out, depending on what works best. They’re a practical pick when dinner has to be fast but still feel like a meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs

Cream Cheese Chicken

This recipe uses a creamy sauce to turn basic chicken into a full dinner without much extra effort. It’s good for days when you don’t feel like cooking but still want something hot and homemade. You can serve it over pasta or rice depending on what you have. It’s simple, filling, and easy to pull off when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Creamy Chicken Curry

This curry uses basic ingredients and cooks in one pan, so cleanup stays manageable. The creamy texture and mild flavor make it family-friendly. It pairs well with rice or bread, depending on what’s around. It works well when you need dinner to be easy and low-stress.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Curry

Panko Chicken Breast

These breaded chicken breasts bake up crispy without needing deep frying. They work well in sandwiches, on salads, or on their own with a side. You don’t need many ingredients or much time to get them on the table. It’s a solid weeknight choice when dinner has to happen fast.
Get the Recipe: Panko Chicken Breast

Chicken Chop Suey

This stir-fry-style recipe makes it easy to turn chicken and vegetables into a full meal. It cooks quickly and uses ingredients you likely already have. You can serve it over rice or noodles for something more filling. It’s a dependable option when you’re juggling a busy evening.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Chop Suey

Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

These kabobs cook fast in the air fryer and don’t make a big mess. You can use fresh or leftover chicken and add any vegetables you have on hand. They’re great for quick dinners that still feel like you tried. It’s an easy way to keep meals interesting without adding work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Skewers Kabobs in Air Fryer

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

This casserole layers comfort food flavors into one dish that’s easy to throw together. It’s hearty enough to stand alone and reheats well for lunch the next day. The ingredients are familiar and flexible, so it fits a variety of tastes. It’s a helpful dinner option when you don’t have time to think about sides.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

This crockpot recipe is perfect when you want dinner ready without standing over the stove. It’s sweet, simple, and pairs well with rice or noodles. You can set it up early in the day and forget about it until dinner. It’s great for days when your schedule doesn’t leave time to cook.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken

Chinese Black Pepper Chicken

This stir-fry cooks up quickly and brings bold flavor with just a few ingredients. It works well with rice and takes less time than takeout. You can make it in one pan, so cleanup is easy. It’s a strong pick for nights when dinner needs to be fast and reliable.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Black Pepper Chicken

Chicken Nuggets

These nuggets are a quick fix that work for adults too—not just kids. They cook fast and go with just about anything. Keep some on hand for backup meals when the day runs longer than expected. It’s a dependable choice for when dinner just needs to be done.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Nuggets

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This dip doubles as dinner when paired with chips, bread, or veggies. It’s fast, uses pantry staples, and brings a ton of flavor without a lot of work. You can make it ahead or throw it together last minute. It’s a handy fallback when cooking a full meal just isn’t in the cards.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

These wings are easy to prep and cook quickly in the oven or air fryer. The lemon pepper seasoning keeps things simple and flavorful without needing a sauce. They make a good dinner when paired with a quick side. They’re perfect for nights when you don’t have energy to spare.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Wet Burrito

This burrito-style dish bakes in one pan and is packed with flavor and filling ingredients. It’s flexible enough to use whatever chicken and extras you have on hand. The oven does most of the work, so you can get other things done. It’s especially helpful when dinner needs to feel complete without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Wet Burrito

Honey Butter Fried Chicken

This recipe brings sweet and savory together in a way that works for weeknights. It cooks up quickly and pairs well with simple sides like biscuits or salad. The ingredients are familiar and easy to find. It’s a good fallback for nights when you need something easy that still feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Honey Butter Fried Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

These slow cooker chicken tacos make dinner effortless by letting the crockpot do all the work. The chicken turns out tender and full of flavor with almost no hands-on time. You can use it in tacos, burritos, or bowls, making it a versatile option for meal planning. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that’s ready whenever you need it.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos