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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Go-To Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeks

    Published: Mar 9, 2026 by Maggie Unzueta

    If you need some new ideas for dinner, these easy chicken recipes are a great way to shake things up. They cover everything from fast one-pan meals to hearty favorites that are all simple and tasty. These dishes will make your weeknight dinners way better and more exciting. Get ready to enjoy some really delicious food that everyone at your table will love.

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    Table of Contents

    • 1 Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes
    • 2 Albondigas de Pollo (Chicken Meatball Soup)
    • 3 Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
    • 4 Coca-Cola chicken (Pollo a la Coca Cola)
    • 5 Marry Me Chicken Pasta (Tuscan Chicken Pasta)
    • 6 Mexican Chicken Salad (Ensalada de Pollo)
    • 7 Chicken Tortellini Alfredo (Panera Copycat Recipe)
    • 8 Chicken Empanadas
    • 9 Baked Chicken Tenders
    • 10 Mississippi Chicken Instant Pot Recipe
    • 11 Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
    • 12 Chicken stuffed peppers with feta
    • 13 Chicken Fajitas
    • 14 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken With Feta And Lemon
    • 15 Enmoladas (Chicken Mole Enchiladas)
    • 16 Chicken Tinga Tostadas
    • 17 Grammy’s Instant Pot White Chicken Chili – The Cookin Chicks

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    A white baking dish filled with roasted chicken drumsticks and diced potatoes, garnished with lemon wedges and chopped herbs. The dish sits on a white surface next to a white and black checkered cloth.
    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes. Photo credit: Haute and Healthy Living.

    This Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes is a one-pot wonder. Tender chicken and golden potatoes cook together in a tasty sauce that is simple and hearty.
    Get Recipe: Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Albondigas de Pollo (Chicken Meatball Soup)

    Albondigas de Pollo (or Chicken Meatball Soup) served in a decorative Mexican blue plate and topped with cilantro and sliced jalapeno.
    Albondigas de Pollo. Photo Credit: Mama Maggie’s KItchen

    Albondigas de Pollo is a Chicken Meatball Soup full of tender chicken and rice meatballs in a savory tomato broth. It tastes like authentic Mexican home cooking.
    Get the Recipe: Albondigas de Pollo

    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    Grilled chicken thighs with golden-brown crispy skin, garnished with lime wedges and herbs, on a wooden board. Surrounding are pink pickled onions and red peppercorns, with a small dish in the background.
    Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Noshing With the Nolands.

    This Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe gives you juicy and crispy chicken with hardly any work. Just season them, and dinner is done in no time.
    Get Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

    Coca-Cola chicken (Pollo a la Coca Cola)

    A plate with two pieces of cooked chicken in a brown sauce, garnished with green herbs, is served alongside a portion of white rice. In the background, there are bowls of more white rice and additional green herbs on a wooden surface. A fork rests on the plate.
    Pollo a la Coca Cola. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Pollo a la Coca Cola is sweet and tangy chicken that is super juicy with a Coca-Cola glaze. It makes the chicken extra tasty when served with rice or veggies.
    Get Recipe: Coca Cola Chicken

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta (Tuscan Chicken Pasta)

    A white plate filled with pappardelle pasta topped with grated cheese and garnished with green herbs. The plate is set on a white table with a fork beside it, and empty wine glasses and another dish are in the background. Bright natural light illuminates the scene.
    Tuscan Chicken Breast Skillet Recipe. Photo credit: Homemade Heather.

    This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Skillet has tender chicken and sun-dried tomatoes in a smooth, garlicky sauce. It is restaurant-worthy but easy enough for any night.
    Get Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Pasta (Tuscan Chicken Pasta)

    Mexican Chicken Salad (Ensalada de Pollo)

    A plate of shredded chicken in creamy sauce, inspired by Mexican chicken recipes, surrounded by tortilla chips. Garnished with a pickle and a slice of carrot on the side, all served on a rustic wooden surface.
    Ensalada de Pollo. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

    This Ensalada de Pollo mixes juicy chicken with fresh veggies and a creamy dressing. It is a light but filling meal that is fresh and flavorful for lunch or dinner.
    Get the recipe: Ensalada de Pollo

    Chicken Tortellini Alfredo (Panera Copycat Recipe)

    A bowl of creamy pasta with chunks of chicken, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkling of ground black pepper. The bowl is placed on a wooden surface near a cutting board with some fresh basil leaves and mushrooms. A fork rests in the bowl.
    Chicken Tortellini Alfredo (Panera Copycat Recipe). Photo credit: Sweet Tea + Thyme.

    Chicken Alfredo Tortellini is just as rich and creamy as the restaurant version but way easier to make at home. It is a comforting dish that feels fancy without all the work.
    Get Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Alfredo

    Chicken Empanadas

    Chicken empanadas stacked up together on a wooden cutting board.
    Chicken Empanadas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s KItchen

    These Chicken Empanadas, also called Empanadas de Pollo, are stuffed with seasoned chicken for a crispy outside and juicy inside. They are perfect for snacks or meals anytime.
    Get the recipe: Chicken Empanadas

    Baked Chicken Tenders

    A plate of golden-brown breaded chicken tenders garnished with chopped herbs. The tenders are arranged on parchment paper with a green cloth partially visible to the left. A small dish of red sauce is partially visible in the lower right corner.
    Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    These Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders get super crispy without any frying thanks to a simple breading. They are a healthier option that is just as tasty as takeout.
    Get Recipe: Baked Chicken Tenders

    Mississippi Chicken Instant Pot Recipe

    A white bowl filled with cooked white rice, topped with shredded chicken and slices of yellow peppers. The dish appears to be seasoned with sauce. The bowl is placed on a larger, slightly visible teal plate.
    Mississippi Chicken Instant Pot Recipe. Photo credit: The How-To Home.

    This Mississippi Chicken Recipe uses tender chicken for a fun spin on classic pot roast. It is packed with flavor, and the whole family will ask for it again.
    Get Recipe: Mississippi Chicken Instant Pot Recipe

    Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

    A bowl of creamy chicken chipotle pasta topped with chopped herbs is placed on a wooden cutting board. Nearby, a small bowl filled with more chopped herbs and a white and blue checkered cloth napkin are visible.
    Cheesecake Factory Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta is a creamy and smoky dish with just the right kick. It makes boring pasta nights way more exciting and filling.
    Get the recipe: Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

    Chicken stuffed peppers with feta

    A glass baking dish with colorful stuffed bell peppers filled with chicken, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese on a wooden board. Nearby are a bowl of cherry tomatoes and a bowl of cooked orzo pasta.
    Chicken stuffed peppers with feta. Photo credit: The Tasty Chilli.

    Chicken Stuffed Peppers are filled with Mediterranean flavors like feta and herbs. They are a colorful and healthy choice for a weeknight meal or even a special dinner.
    Get Recipe: Chicken stuffed peppers with feta

    Chicken Fajitas

    Fajitas de pollo tacos served on a large white plate next to limes and tomato salsa.
    Chicken Fajitas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Chicken Fajitas, or Fajitas de Pollo, are a quick and sizzling skillet meal with tender peppers and onions. Wrap them in warm tortillas for an easy dinner that everyone enjoys.
    Get Recipe: Chicken Fajitas

    5-Ingredient Baked Chicken With Feta And Lemon

    Close-up of seasoned baked chicken breasts topped with crumbled cheese and herbs in a pan. A slice of lemon and small green leaves garnish the dish, adding color and freshness.
    5-Ingredient Baked Chicken With Feta And Lemon. Photo credit: Scrummy Lane.

    This Easy Baked Chicken with Feta needs just five ingredients but tastes amazing. Salty feta and zesty lemon make a super flavorful meal with almost no effort.
    Get Recipe: 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken With Feta And Lemon

    Enmoladas (Chicken Mole Enchiladas)

    Enmoladas are Chicken Mole Enchiladas. Fried tortillas stuffed with chicken and covered with mole sauce. Savory and sweet. Delicious and flavorful. This Mexican recipe is a great way to use up leftovers. by Mama Maggie's Kitchen
    Enmoladas. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

    Enmoladas are Chicken Mole Enchiladas smothered in a rich and chocolatey mole sauce with shredded chicken inside. They have a deep, savory bite that is totally addictive.
    Get the recipe: Enmoladas

    Chicken Tinga Tostadas

    A chicken tinga tostada topped with green lettuce and sitting on a cutting board.
    Tinga. Photo Credit: Mama Maggie’s KItchen

    Chicken Tostadas de Tinga are loaded with smoky, spicy shredded chicken in a tasty tomato sauce on crispy tostadas. They make for a crunchy and delicious meal that hits the spot.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga Tostadas

    Grammy’s Instant Pot White Chicken Chili – The Cookin Chicks

    A bowl of creamy chicken taco soup topped with a dollop of sour cream and garnished with tortilla chips. The soup contains corn, black beans, and chunks of chicken, and is served on a rustic wooden surface with part of a green cloth visible.
    Grammy’s Instant Pot White Chicken Chili. Photo credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

    Grammy’s Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is creamy and zesty with tender chicken and white beans. It is the ultimate cozy meal that is ready fast.
    Get Recipe: Grammy’s Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

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