Sick of chicken dinners? Make one of these 23 meals

Photo of author

| Published:

Sick of chicken dinners? You’re not alone. These 23 recipes ditch the chicken but are still flavorful and filling. Perfect for those nights when you’re scrambling to put something on the table or just craving a change, these dishes are quick to whip up and guaranteed to mix things up.

A casserole dish filled with broccoli and cheese.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with pasta and peas.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is a perfect weeknight family meal that takes less than 1 hour to make. It’s straightforward to prepare and reheats well, so any leftovers will make for a convenient meal tomorrow.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli casserole in a white dish with a wooden spoon.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Broccoli Casserole is a delicious family dinner option that comes together in only 50 minutes. It’s easy to make and a great choice for beginner cooks or anyone who doesn’t want to spend endless time actively cooking in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This recipe is a great change of pace from the usual chicken dinner. It’s ready in an hour and mixes sweet potatoes with red peppers for a nice flavor kick. Perfect for nights when you want something simple yet filling. This soup is easy to make and hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This casserole is a solid pick when you’re tired of chicken and looking for something different. It’s loaded with potatoes, crispy bacon, sour cream, and cheese, making it rich and flavorful. You can make it ahead and just heat it up at dinner time. It’s a great way to fill up the family without a lot of work.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Switching up your dinner game with this Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a great move when you’re bored of chicken. It’s a one-pot meal that’s not only packed with flavor but also super easy to make, even for beginners. In just 45 minutes, you’ll have a flavor-packed meal that’s perfect for those busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage Curry is a fantastic change-up from the usual, blending sausages, carrots, and sweet potatoes in a creamy curry sauce. It’s a breeze to make and ready in 30 minutes, making it a great pick for introducing new flavors on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

A spoonful of wild rice mushroom soup.
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For those nights when chicken just won’t do, this wild rice and mushroom soup is a fantastic option. It brings together hearty ingredients for a meal that’s easy to prepare. The rice cooks right with everything else, making your dinner prep quick. This soup is perfect for a low-effort meal.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Give chicken a break with this Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Ready in 30 minutes, it combines broccoli, cauliflower, cheese sauce, and bacon, baked to perfection. It’s an excellent choice for a flavor-packed dinner that’s easy and fast to make.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A spoon is serving Hungarian mushroom soup into a bowl.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a cozy alternative to chicken dinners, try this Hungarian Mushroom Soup. It’s a hearty mix of mushrooms and spices in a creamy broth, ready in under an hour. This soup is a great way to enjoy a dinner that’s easy and quick to prepare but fills you up well.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice garnished with fresh herbs with a fork.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice is ready in 30 minutes and is perfect for those evenings when you’re short on time but still want a hearty meal. It’s a simple, one-skillet meal that mixes beef, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms in a cheesy sauce, serving as a great alternative to chicken dinners.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a dinner that’s both easy and different, try this Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Everything is roasted on one pan for a meal that’s simple but full of flavor. It’s versatile, so you can use whatever veggies you have, making it a perfect choice for a stress-free dinner that’s not chicken.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon

Bowl of asparagus noodles with alfredo sauce and bacon with a fork.
Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This distinct dish is ready in 30 minutes and is a creative way to enjoy asparagus. Topped with homemade Alfredo sauce and crispy bacon, it’s a novel meal perfect for busy nights. This dish is a great option when you’re looking for something hearty but want to skip the chicken.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cheesy Beef Casserole is a fantastic way to mix up your meal routine without chicken. It brings together ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese into a hearty meal. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s fast and easy for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

A spoonful of soup in a white pot.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Forget chicken soup for a while and dive into this Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. It’s loaded with Italian sausage, cream cheese, tomatoes, and whipping cream, creating a cozy and hearty meal. Whip this up in 30 minutes for a comforting meal that’s both quick and filling.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

A pan with shrimp, tomatoes and spinach in it.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Switch up your dinner with this Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. In just 30 minutes, you get a dish full of shrimp, tomatoes, and spinach in a garlic sauce. It’s a great protein-rich meal that’s not chicken, perfect for keeping dinner simple yet rich and savory.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted butternut squash with cauliflower and bacon and dollops of sour cream with a spoon.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Take a break from chicken and go for this roasted veggie dish. Butternut squash, cauliflower, and bacon all roast together on one sheet pan, making it super easy to serve up a flavorful meal in less than an hour. It’s the perfect choice for a veggie-filled, hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

Hands scooping up a serving of bacon cheeseburger salad from a bowl.
Bacon Cheeseburger Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Bacon Cheeseburger Salad puts a lighter spin on a classic, mixing bacon, ground beef, pickles, and greens, all dressed in a homemade sauce and topped with cheddar cheese. Ready in 45 minutes, it’s a protein-rich salad that’s a refreshing alternative to chicken dinners.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

Crock Pot Taco Soup

A bowl of crock pot taco soup topped with sour cream and cilantro.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Ditch the chicken soup and go for this Crock Pot Taco Soup instead. With just 20 minutes of prep and the slow cooker doing the heavy lifting, you’ll come back to a hearty soup full of seasoned beef and veggies. It’s a great way to enjoy a comforting meal without much effort, perfect for any busy day.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Coconut curry Thai turkey meatballs on top of cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ground turkey in a creamy coconut curry sauce delivers a delicious break from chicken dinners. It’s quick to make, too, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish. A simple yet delicious and flavorful choice for those hectic weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs

Lemon Garlic Scallops

Scallops with parsley and garlic in a skillet.
Lemon Garlic Scallops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a switch from the usual, try these Lemon Garlic Scallops. They’re easy to make, ready in 30 minutes, and pair the delicate taste of scallops with lemon and garlic for a refreshing meal. It’s a fantastic seafood alternative to chicken, perfect for a dinner that’s light, protein-rich, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Fried cabbage with bacon garnished with parsley in a pot.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a quick, 25-minute dish that brings a new flavor to your dinner routine. It’s a straightforward yet appetizing meal that combines cabbage with savory bacon, serving up a great alternative to chicken. Cook it for nights when you need something speedy and bursting with flavors.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Keto Zuppa Toscana

A bowl of keto zuppa Toscana with a spoon in it.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Switch things up with this Keto Zuppa Toscana. Ready in about an hour, it swaps potatoes for radishes and mixes in Italian sausage, Parmesan, and kale for a soup that’s both hearty and warming. It’s a fantastic choice for those evenings when you’re in the mood for a filling soup without chicken.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

A serving of Philly cheese steak casserole being pulled up from a pan.
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Try a new spin on the classic with this Philly Cheese Steak Casserole. It combines thinly sliced steak, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and provolone cheese, all baked until golden. It’s ready in less than an hour, making it a great dinner choice for anyone craving variety in their meals.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

Leave a Comment

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