50 Quick & Easy Weeknight Chicken Dinners for Families (on a budget!)
In the hustle and bustle of weekday evenings, finding the time and energy to cook a wholesome meal for the family can often feel like a daunting task. But fear not, because we've got you covered with 50 quick and easy weeknight chicken dinners that are not only budget-friendly but also guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
1. **Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas* Throw together sliced chicken, bell peppers, onions, and seasonings on a sheet pan for a fuss-free Tex-Mex dinner.
2. **Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs* Marinate chicken thighs in a simple honey mustard sauce and bake until golden brown and delicious.
3. **Chicken Stir-Fry* Cook chicken strips with your favorite vegetables and a savory sauce for a quick and nutritious one-pan meal.
4. **Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta* Toss cooked pasta with sautéed chicken, garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese for a light and flavorful dinner.
5. **Baked Chicken Parmesan* Bread chicken breasts, bake until crispy, top with marinara sauce and cheese, and bake until bubbly.
6. **Chicken and Rice Casserole* Mix cooked chicken with rice, vegetables, and cheese, then bake until warm and bubbly.
7. **Buffalo Chicken Wraps* Shred cooked chicken and toss with buffalo sauce, then wrap in tortillas with lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing.
8. **Teriyaki Chicken Bowls* Serve grilled or sautéed chicken over rice with steamed vegetables and a drizzle of teriyaki sauce.
9. **Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta* Cook chicken and mushrooms in a creamy sauce, then toss with pasta for a comforting meal.
10. **Chicken Quesadillas* Fill tortillas with cooked chicken, cheese, and your favorite toppings, then grill until crispy and melty.
11. **Chicken Taco Salad* Top a bed of lettuce with cooked chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, salsa, and crushed tortilla chips.
12. **BBQ Chicken Pizza* Spread BBQ sauce on a pizza crust, top with cooked chicken, red onion, cilantro, and cheese, then bake until bubbly.
13. **Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo* Toss cooked chicken and steamed broccoli with Alfredo sauce and cooked pasta for a creamy and comforting meal.
14. **Chicken Fried Rice* Sauté diced chicken with cooked rice, vegetables, and soy sauce for a quick and flavorful stir-fry.
15. **Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps* Fill tortillas with sliced chicken, romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing for a portable and delicious dinner.
16. **Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers* Marinate chicken pieces in a sweet and savory sauce, then grill until charred and juicy.
17. **Chicken Enchiladas* Roll shredded chicken in tortillas, cover with enchilada sauce and cheese, then bake until bubbly and golden.
18. **Mango Salsa Chicken* Top grilled chicken breasts with homemade mango salsa for a burst of tropical flavor.
19. **Chicken and Black Bean Burrito Bowls* Serve seasoned chicken over rice with black beans, corn, avocado, salsa, and cheese for a hearty and nutritious meal.
20. **Sesame Chicken Noodles* Toss cooked chicken with Asian noodles, vegetables, and a flavorful sesame sauce for a quick and satisfying dinner.
21. **Chicken Piccata Pasta* Sauté chicken cutlets in a lemon butter sauce, then toss with cooked pasta for a light and tangy meal.
22. **Chicken Tortilla Soup* Simmer shredded chicken with broth, tomatoes, beans, corn, and spices for a hearty and comforting soup.
23. **Mediterranean Chicken Salad* Top mixed greens with grilled chicken, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette for a light and refreshing salad.
24. **Chicken Pesto Panini* Layer cooked chicken, pesto, mozzarella cheese, and roasted red peppers between slices of bread, then grill until golden and crispy.
25. **Chicken and Vegetable Skillet* Sauté chicken with your favorite vegetables and seasonings for a quick and nutritious one-pan meal.
26. **Stuffed Chicken Breast* Fill chicken breasts with spinach, ricotta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes, then bake until cooked through and tender.
27. **Chicken and Rice Soup* Simmer shredded chicken with broth, rice, vegetables, and herbs for a comforting and hearty soup.
28. **Chicken Alfredo Pizza* Spread Alfredo sauce on a pizza crust, top with cooked chicken, spinach, mushrooms, and cheese, then bake until bubbly and golden.
29. **Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad* Toss cooked pasta with grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and pesto for a flavorful and satisfying salad.
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. **BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes* Bake sweet potatoes until tender, then fill with shredded BBQ chicken and top with cheese, green onions, and cilantro.
31. **Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry* Sauté chicken with vegetables in a homemade teriyaki sauce, then serve over rice for a quick and flavorful meal.
32. **Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad* Combine cooked pasta with sliced chicken, romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing for a twist on the classic salad.
33. **Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs* Thread marinated chicken pieces and vegetables onto skewers, then grill until charred and tender.
34. **Chicken and Black Bean Tacos* Fill tortillas with seasoned chicken, black beans, avocado, salsa, and cheese for a quick and delicious dinner.
35. **Chicken and Veggie Quesadillas* Fill tortillas with cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, and cheese, then grill until crispy and melty.
36. **Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps* Fill lettuce leaves with shredded buffalo chicken, shredded carrots, celery, and blue cheese dressing for a light and flavorful meal.
37. **Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Shells* Fill cooked pasta shells with a mixture of cooked chicken, spinach, ricotta cheese, and marinara sauce, then bake until bubbly and golden.
38. **Coconut Curry Chicken* Simmer chicken pieces in a fragrant coconut curry sauce, then serve over rice for a flavorful and comforting meal.
39. **Chicken Pesto Flatbread* Spread pesto sauce on a flatbread crust, top with cooked chicken, roasted red peppers, and mozzarella cheese, then bake until bubbly and golden.
40. **Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry* Sauté chicken strips with broccoli florets and a savory sauce, then serve over rice for a quick and nutritious dinner.
41. **Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowls* Serve seasoned chicken over rice with black beans, corn, avocado, salsa, and cheese for a filling and delicious meal.
42. **Lemon Garlic Chicken Kabobs* Marinate chicken pieces in a tangy lemon garlic sauce, then skewer and grill until charred and juicy.
43. **Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole* Layer shredded chicken, black beans, corn, cheese, and enchilada sauce in a casserole dish, then bake until bubbly and golden.
44. **Chicken Caesar Wraps* Fill tortillas with sliced chicken, romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing for a quick and portable dinner.
45. **Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Vegetables* Marinate chicken breasts in balsamic vinegar, then roast with your favorite vegetables for an easy and flavorful meal.
46. **Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese* Spread pesto on slices of bread, then layer with cooked chicken, mozzarella cheese, and roasted red peppers, then grill until golden and crispy.
47. **Honey Sriracha Chicken Stir-Fry* Sauté chicken strips with vegetables in a spicy honey sriracha sauce, then serve over rice for a quick and flavorful meal.
48. **Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas* Fill tortillas with cooked chicken, sautéed spinach, and cheese, then grill until crispy and melty.
49. **Sesame Ginger Chicken Salad* Toss grilled chicken with mixed greens, sliced almonds, mandarin oranges, and a tangy sesame ginger dressing for a light and refreshing salad.
50. **Chicken and Vegetable Curry* Simmer chicken pieces with vegetables in a fragrant curry sauce, then serve over rice for a comforting and flavorful meal.
With these 50 quick and easy weeknight chicken dinners, you'll never be short on delicious and budget-friendly meal ideas for your family. Whether you're craving comfort food classics, international flavors, or simple yet satisfying dishes, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So grab your apron and get ready to whip up some tasty chicken dinners that will have your family coming back for seconds!