17 easy chicken dinner recipes that beat takeout any day

Photo of author

| Published:

These 17 chicken dinner recipes are so insanely delicious, they’ll have you canceling your delivery app subscriptions! So skip the greasy menus and questionable delivery times and make dinner at home.

A crock pot filled with chicken and lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ease into a meal of slow cooker BBQ chicken legs, where minimal prep yields drumsticks bathed in a tangy, smoky sauce. These are the easy chicken dinners that make you rethink ordering takeout.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Plate of chicken fajitas with chicken, red bell peppers and onion.
Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer chicken fajitas bring a swift and flavorful meal to your table, combining tender chicken with crisp veggies in just 15 minutes. It’s a hassle-free dinner that outshines your local takeout.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Chicken and Waffle Casserole

Piece of chicken and waffle casserole on a plate.
Chicken and Waffle Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chicken and Waffle Casserole offers a comforting mix of sweet and savory, using 5 simple ingredients for an easy-to-assemble meal. This dish is a playful alternative to boring takeout fare.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffle Casserole

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Chicken drumsticks and thighs coated with BBQ sauce on a wooden cutting board with herbs.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Transform your kitchen with air fryer BBQ chicken, a dish that turns a summer favorite into a year-round, 30-minute delight. This easy dinner triumphs over takeout with its simple yet robust flavors.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Slow cooker chicken with BBQ sauce in a crock pot with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow cooker pulled chicken is the ultimate in set-it-and-forget-it cooking, requiring just 3 ingredients for a deliciously tender meal. Serve it up for an effortless dinner that’s more rewarding than takeout.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Mexican chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This homemade chicken tortilla soup captures the cherished flavors of a fast-food favorite, offering a comforting and easy alternative to takeout. Each spoonful is a testament to simple, home-cooked goodness.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A crock pot filled with chicken and lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow cooker chicken thighs turn basic ingredients into a flavorsome meal with minimal effort. This dish is a practical choice for those seeking a homemade dinner that outperforms takeout options.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

A fresh caesar salad with grilled chicken, croutons, parmesan cheese, and drizzled dressing in a green bowl.
Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad brings a lively kick to your salad game, combining robust flavors with a satisfying crunch. It’s a fresh and easy way to enjoy a meal that’s more exciting than your typical takeout salad.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

No Peek Chicken Casserole

A casserole dish with chicken and rice in it.
No Peek Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

No Peek Chicken Casserole is the definition of effortless cooking, guaranteeing a mouthwatering combination of tender chicken and flavorful rice. It’s an uncomplicated dinner option that easily rivals takeout.
Get the Recipe: No Peek Chicken Casserole

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Fried chicken with lemon wedges on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Quick and flavorful air fryer chicken thighs offer a crispy exterior with a juicy interior, ready in just 30 minutes. This straightforward meal provides a delightful alternative to takeout on any busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken

A buffalo chicken sandwich with crumbled blue cheese on a bun, served with a side of celery sticks, on a plate near an instant pot.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches are easy to make, delivering the zing of buffalo sauce in a tender chicken sandwich. This easy 2-ingredient recipe makes a more compelling choice than the usual takeout.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Three slow cooker tacos with chicken, lime, avocado and tomatoes.
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock pot chicken tacos, with their honey-lime flavor, make for an effortless and enticing weeknight meal. They’re a simple yet delicious option that will have you forgetting about the takeout menu.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks

Chicken legs in the air fryer.
Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks offer a quick and easy dinner that’s crispy, golden, and tasty. This meal stands out as a simpler and more rewarding choice compared to takeout, especially on busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks

Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken

Hot honey chicken on a bed of rice.
Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer hot honey chicken is a spicy dinner option, coated in a spicy-sweet glaze. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a simple and fablous meal that will have you choosing home cooking over takeout.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken

Chicken Parm Casserole

Baked pasta dish topped with melted cheese in a glass dish.
Chicken Parm Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This chicken parmesan casserole recipe is the solution for those hectic nights. Quick to prepare and loaded with cheesy goodness, it’s a family-friendly dish that provides a tempting alternative to ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parm Casserole

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken with green onions on a blue and white plate.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air fryer honey garlic chicken is a straightforward dish that’s ready in 20 minutes, offering a sticky, crispy, and tender meal. It’s the perfect choice for a quick dinner that surpasses the convenience of takeout.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow cooker Olive Garden chicken pasta is an easy rendition of a restaurant favorite, with chicken that simmers to perfection in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s a comforting and simple dish that makes takeout seem unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.