6 Easy Chicken Recipes for a Delicious Weeknight Dinner

Chicken is a weeknight dinner hero—it’s versatile, affordable, and cooks quickly. But if you’re tired of making the same old chicken dish, it’s easy to fall into a recipe rut. Don’t worry! We’ve gathered six incredibly simple chicken recipes that are big on flavor but light on effort. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a total beginner, these recipes will help you get a delicious, stress-free meal on the table in no time.

1. One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken

Description: This recipe is a true one-pan wonder. The chicken cooks alongside fresh vegetables, absorbing all the bright, herby flavor. Minimal cleanup and maximum taste!

• Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, sliced in half

  • 1 zucchini, chopped

  • 1 bell pepper, chopped

  • 1 red onion, chopped

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

  2. On a baking sheet, toss the chicken and chopped vegetables with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.

  3. Arrange in a single layer and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

2. 15-Minute Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Description: A quick and cheesy skillet meal that’s ready in a flash. This recipe is perfect for those nights when you have no time to spare.

• Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

  1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet.

  3. Add garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits.

  4. Stir in Parmesan and parsley until a creamy sauce forms. Return chicken to the skillet to coat.

3. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Description: All the flavor of fajitas with none of the mess. Just toss your ingredients on a sheet pan, bake, and serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.

• Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced

  • 1 bell pepper (any color), thinly sliced

  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin

  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

  2. On a baking sheet, toss chicken, bell pepper, and onion with olive oil and spices until everything is evenly coated.

  3. Spread in an even layer and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked.

4. Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

Description: A rich and flavorful dish that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant, but is surprisingly easy to make in one skillet.

• Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, sliced in half

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

  1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown.

  3. Reduce heat to low. Add heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in Parmesan until the sauce thickens.

5. Simple Grilled Chicken Skewers

Description: Perfect for a quick outdoor meal or even a grill pan indoors. These skewers are marinated with a simple blend of oil and spices for maximum flavor.

• Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • 1 bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Wooden or metal skewers

• Instructions:

  1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.

  2. In a bowl, toss chicken, bell pepper, and onion with olive oil and spices.

  3. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto the skewers.

  4. Grill over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through.

6. Quick & Easy Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry (Bonus Recipe)

Description: A healthy and lightning-fast stir-fry that's ready in under 20 minutes. This dish is great for using up leftover rice and packing in some veggies.

• Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, cubed

  • 1 head of broccoli, chopped into florets

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger (optional)

  • 1/4 cup water

• Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, toss chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch.

  2. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.

  3. Add broccoli and ginger (if using) and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until broccoli is tender-crisp.

  4. Pour in water, cover, and let steam for 2 minutes. Stir to combine. Serve immediately over rice.