Weeknight default
Skillet sauces, sheet pans, and soups that start with chicken you can actually find.
Chicken is the weeknight ingredient most carts already have. These recipes keep the method short and the seasoning specific, so a pack of thighs or breasts turns into dinner instead of another plain sauté.
You will find skillet sauces, sheet-pan dinners, soups, and a few recipes that brown first and finish in a sauce. Internal temperature is 165°F unless a step says otherwise.
51 recipes
Chicken pieces are coated in cornstarch and fried in a pot of oil, then tossed in a quick soy, vinegar, and chili sauce. The dish tastes sticky, salty-sweet, and mildly hot, with a crisp edge under the glaze.
45 min · Medium
View recipeChicken, dried chiles, and roasted peanuts are stir-fried fast, then glazed with soy, vinegar, and a little sugar. It tastes savory, lightly sweet, and tingly, with the peanuts staying crunchy.
35 min · Easy
View recipeChicken is stir-fried with celery, garlic, and a light soy sauce, then folded with roasted cashews. It tastes savory and a little sweet, with a crisp nut against tender chicken.
35 min · Easy
View recipeChicken is fried until the coating is crisp, then tumbled in a pineapple, vinegar, and ketchup sauce. It tastes tangy and sweet, with a juicy center under the glossy coat.
50 min · Medium
View recipeThin chicken cutlets are breaded in panko and fried in a shallow pot of oil until the crust is deep gold. The chicken tastes toasted and crunchy, and the tonkatsu sauce is savory with a little sweetness.
40 min · Medium
View recipeChicken thighs are dredged and fried in a deep pot of oil, then brushed with a cayenne and brown-sugar paste. The sandwich tastes fiery, salty, and crunchy against cool pickles and soft bread.
50 min · Medium
View recipeChicken breasts are seared, then finished in a garlic cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan. The sauce tastes rich and savory, with a tang from the tomatoes and a salty cheese finish.
40 min · Easy
View recipeChicken is simmered until it shreds, rolled into tortillas with cheese, and baked under enchilada sauce. The pan tastes saucy, mildly smoky, and rich where the cheese melts into the tortillas.
1 hr · Easy
View recipeSeasoned chicken and peppers are cooked in a skillet, then folded into tortillas with melted cheese until the outside is crisp. They taste savory and a little smoky, with a stretchy cheese center.
35 min · Easy
View recipeChicken thighs sit in a hot allspice, thyme, and scotch bonnet marinade, then grill until the edges char. The meat tastes smoky, spicy, and a little sweet from the brown sugar.
50 min · Medium
View recipeChicken simmers in a smoky chipotle and tomato sauce until it shreds, then it is piled into warm corn tortillas. The tacos taste tangy, lightly spicy, and savory, with raw onion and cilantro on top.
45 min · Easy
View recipeMinced chicken is stir-fried with garlic and chiles, then finished with fish sauce and a handful of Thai basil. It tastes salty, spicy, and herbal, with the basil wilted but still bright.
27 min · Easy
View recipeChicken thighs simmer in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay until the meat is tender and the sauce turns dark. It tastes salty, sour, and garlicky, with a peppery broth you can spoon over rice.
55 min · Easy
View recipeChicken is seared, then coated in a honey-soy glaze and finished with toasted sesame seeds. It tastes sweet, salty, and nutty, with a sticky shine on the outside.
33 min · Easy
View recipeA whole chicken is rubbed with lemon, garlic, and butter, then roasted on a rack until the thigh is cooked through and the skin is browned. It tastes savory and bright, with crisp skin and juicy meat.
1 hr 35 min · Medium
View recipeBone-in thighs get a thin seasoned flour crust and roast on a hot sheet pan until the skin is crackly. They taste peppery and rich, with a crisp top and tender meat underneath.
55 min · Easy
View recipeBreaded chicken cutlets bake until crisp, then get tossed in a butter and hot-sauce coating and set on toasted rolls. The sandwich tastes tangy and spicy, cooled by ranch and crisp celery.
45 min · Easy
View recipeChicken is fried in a pot of oil while a simple batter cooks in a hot waffle iron. The plate tastes salty and peppery against sweet waffles, with maple syrup tying the two together.
55 min · Medium
View recipeChicken strips are marinated, threaded onto skewers, and grilled, then served with a warm peanut and coconut sauce. The chicken tastes lightly sweet and charred, and the sauce tastes nutty with lime.
40 min · Medium
View recipeBone-in chicken thighs marinate in achiote, pineapple juice, and garlic, then grill until the skin chars and the meat is cooked through. The chicken tastes smoky, tangy, and savory, with rice and crisp cabbage on the side.
50 min · Easy
View recipeChicken thighs, pepperoncini, ranch seasoning, and butter cook in a slow cooker until the meat shreds. It tastes tangy, salty, and rich, with the peppers cutting through the butter.
4 hr 15 min · Easy
View recipeChicken thighs and broccoli roast together on a hot sheet pan, then a soy-honey glaze is brushed on at the end. It tastes sweet, salty, and a little charred at the edges.
45 min · Easy
View recipeBone-in chicken thighs roast until the skin turns crisp under a smoky paprika rub. A quick pan sauce from the drippings keeps the meat juicy.
55 min · Easy
View recipeThin chicken cutlets cook quickly in a skillet, then finish in a bright lemon-caper sauce. The whole dish stays on the stovetop from start to plate.
35 min · Easy
View recipeChicken pieces simmer in coconut milk with green curry paste and vegetables. The sauce is fragrant, mildly spicy, and ready in under half an hour.
35 min · Easy
View recipeChicken breasts sear then finish with sweet bell peppers in a reduced balsamic glaze. The skillet method keeps the glaze glossy and clingy.
34 min · Easy
View recipeYogurt-spiced chicken strips roast on a sheet pan until browned at the edges. Serve with simple sides for a plate-style meal at home.
45 min · Easy
View recipeBite-size chicken cooks in a skillet, then gets coated in a fresh orange and ginger sauce. The result is sticky, bright, and balanced rather than overly sweet.
33 min · Easy
View recipeChicken tenderloins get a light herb and breadcrumb coat, then bake until crisp outside and moist inside. They work for dinner plates or sliced into salads.
33 min · Easy
View recipeCajun-seasoned chicken sears with onions and celery in one pan. A short simmer with tomatoes makes a saucy, spiced supper without a long ingredient list.
37 min · Easy
View recipeBite-size chicken pieces simmer in a bright orange-soy glaze with toasted sesame. Serve over rice for a simple weeknight plate.
35 min · Easy
View recipeChicken thighs roast under a warm mix of cumin, coriander, paprika, and cinnamon. A squeeze of lemon finishes the pan juices.
45 min · Easy
View recipeThin chicken cutlets cook quickly, then mushrooms and Marsala wine make a glossy pan sauce. It is a classic dinner that still fits a weeknight clock.
40 min · Medium
View recipeChicken breasts get a bold Cajun rub and cook in a single layer until juicy with a lightly crisp exterior. Slice them for bowls, salads, or a simple plate with vegetables.
28 min · Easy
View recipeChicken simmers low and slow in a coconut-tomato curry sauce with warm spices. Serve with rice and a squeeze of lime for a hands-off dinner.
6 hr 15 min · Easy
View recipeChicken is roasted with yogurt and spices, then simmered in a tomato-cream sauce. Milder than a vindaloo, richer than a dry tikka.
50 min · Easy
View recipeThighs, potatoes, and lemon roast on one pan with garlic and dried herbs. Dinner is the pan, plus a handful of something green if you want it.
55 min · Easy
View recipeSear boneless thighs, then simmer them in a garlic, broth, and parmesan cream sauce. It is a one-skillet dinner that still tastes like you cooked.
32 min · Easy
View recipeA clear, savory soup with shredded chicken, carrots, celery, and egg noodles. It is the straightforward version, seasoned properly and not boiled into mush.
50 min · Easy
View recipeBreaded cutlets baked, then topped with marinara and mozzarella until the cheese melts. Less oil than the fried version, and the crust still browns.
45 min · Easy
View recipeSeared chicken in a cream sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. It looks like a restaurant plate and uses one skillet.
34 min · Easy
View recipeBite-size chicken simmered in ginger, soy, honey, and a little vinegar until the sauce turns glossy. Serve it over rice so none of the pan goes to waste.
28 min · Easy
View recipeA butter, cream, and parmesan sauce tossed with fettuccine and sliced sautéed chicken. The sauce is short, so the pasta does not sit in a puddle.
35 min · Medium
View recipeSmall pieces of chicken seared hard, then tossed in butter, garlic, and parsley. They take less than 20 minutes and work over rice or next to a salad.
22 min · Easy
View recipeBone-in thighs roast until the skin is crisp, then get a quick honey-garlic glaze in the same pan. Sticky, salty, and sweet without a long marinade.
45 min · Easy
View recipeChicken simmered in coconut milk with lime, garlic, and a little chili. The sauce is rich but bright, and it belongs over rice.
32 min · Easy
View recipeChicken, broccoli, and snap peas in a soy-ginger sauce that thickens in the pan. Have the rice going before you heat the skillet, because the stir-fry is the fast part.
27 min · Easy
View recipeBreaded chicken strips, shredded lettuce, tomato, and a simple yogurt sauce in a warm tortilla. A handheld dinner that does not need a fryer.
33 min · Easy
View recipeThin cutlets get a parmesan and breadcrumb crust, then a fast pan-fry. Lemon at the end keeps the crust from tasting heavy.
27 min · Medium
View recipeSliced chicken, peppers, and onions cooked hot with chili, cumin, and lime. Pile it into tortillas or eat it straight from the pan.
30 min · Easy
View recipeDrumsticks roast until the skin renders, then get a thin coat of a quick homemade barbecue sauce. The sauce goes on late so the sugar does not burn.
55 min · Easy
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