20 easy and fast chicken recipes we’re making this week

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These 20 easy and fast chicken recipes are perfect for busy evenings or when you’re just not in the mood to spend too much time in the kitchen. They’re our secret to keeping dinners simple yet delicious and memorable. We’ve got the quick fixes that’ll make your weeknights a breeze and still impress at the dinner table.

Bacon ranch chicken salad cucumber boats lined up on a plate.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Spinach Chicken Bake is a go-to for easy and quick meals. With a few ingredients like chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella, you can have this dish ready in about 30 minutes. It’s a solid choice for a quick dinner, making your weeknights a lot easier.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the perfect solution for a quick, flavorful meal that can be ready in just 20 minutes. Start with bite-sized pieces of chicken breast, sauté them until golden, and then toss in a rich sauce made from melted butter and minced garlic for a burst of flavor. This dish is a hit with both kids and adults because of how delicious it is and because it’s so easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is perfect for those who enjoy a spicy kick with their meals. With bacon, jalapeños, and a creamy dressing, this dish is packed with flavor. Prepare it in advance for a quick and spicy addition to your collection of chicken recipes. It’s a great choice for adding some excitement to your meals without a lot of extra work.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a fantastic way to bring some variety to your chicken dishes. Just use a skillet, and in less than an hour, you have a meal that’s great with rice or green beans. It’s easy to make, adding a nice change to your regular chicken dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Corn Soup is a go-to for cozy evenings. It’s a simple made extra special with creamed corn. Ready in under an hour, it only needs one pot. This recipe makes your dinner more comforting with minimal effort, perfect for a relaxing night in.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken adds a burst of flavor to your dinner table, fast. With ingredients like Dijon mustard, spinach, and bacon, it’s a quick way to spice up your chicken dishes. This recipe is for anyone looking for a quick and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup in a white bowl with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup serves the warmth of chicken pot pie without the baking. This creamy, one-pot meal brings together different flavors from chicken, carrots, Yukon gold potatoes, corn, peas, celery and heavy cream. Ready in about an hour, it’s a keeper for a filling family dinner that’s both easy and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

A person is holding a plate of stuffed cucumbers.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are a lifesaver on busy days. They’re fast to make and mix the cool crunch of cucumbers with a hearty chicken salad. It’s a smart, delicious way to keep mealtime simple and is always on our list of quick chicken recipes to come back to.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a treasure for your weeknight dinners. It combines chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy sauce. It’s comforting, easy to make, and shakes up your meal routine with rich flavors.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fajita Baked Chicken is an easy, baked spin on classic fajitas. With chicken breasts, cream cheese, and sweet peppers, it’s a simple dish that frees up your evening. It’s a fresh take on fajita flavors in a chicken meal.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Thai Chicken Salad

In FDL library.
Thai Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Thai Chicken Salad is a quick, flavorful, and nutritious option. It features marinated chicken and a mix of veggies like arugula and spiralized cucumbers. This dairy-free salad is easy to assemble and packed with taste.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are a savory treat that’s ready in no time. Simply wrap bite-sized pieces of chicken and bits of bacon with your favorite seasonings, bake until crispy, and serve with a side of homemade ranch dressing for dipping. These poppers are a great way to enjoy the flavors of chicken and bacon together in a bite-sized snack.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken brings a Mediterranean touch to your dinner table, ready in just 30 minutes using a single pan for minimal cleanup. Begin with searing chicken thighs to lock in the juices, then simmer them in a creamy sauce packed with the intense flavor of sun-dried tomatoes and herbs. This dish pairs well with pasta or a fresh salad.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Garlic Chicken is a fast and flavorful dish that combines the tender juiciness of chicken breasts with the rich aroma of garlic and the sharpness of Parmesan cheese in a creamy sauce. After quickly pan-frying the chicken, you create a creamy garlic sauce in the same pan, infusing the dish with deep flavors. It’s an amazing way to bring a new taste to your chicken dishes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Canned Chicken Patties is a clever and quick meal solution, especially on those days when time and ingredients are limited. Mix canned chicken with breadcrumbs, eggs, and your favorite seasonings, then form into patties and pan-fry until crispy. Ready in just 20 minutes, these patties are versatile enough to be enjoyed in sandwiches, with a side of veggies, or even on their own with a dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Pollo Asado

Pollo asado on a white plate with lime wedges.
Pollo Asado. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Pollo Asado is all about bringing the vibrant flavors of Latin American cuisine to your table with a bit of prep work. Marinate chicken in a mix of citrus juices, garlic, and spices, then grill or bake to perfection, creating a dish that’s bursting with flavor. This recipe allows you to enjoy bold and tangy flavors, making it a flavorful addition to your chicken recipe collection.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish features chicken thighs and artichokes in a simple, one-pan meal. It’s a great way to try new chicken recipes and spice up your dinner rotation. Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts serve up a different flavor without straying too far from what you know and love.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Spoon scooping up jalapeño popper casserole from a baking dish.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole combines the comfort of a casserole with the excitement of jalapeño poppers. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, mixing chicken, crispy bacon, and the spicy kick of jalapeños, all baked together in a creamy sauce. It’s ready in just over an hour, making it a great choice for spicing up your weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Bowl of instant pot butter chicken atop cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish that brings the aromatic spices of Indian cuisine to your kitchen with ease. With chicken thighs cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce and a mix of spices, this recipe is a great way to enjoy a classic dish without the long cooking times. Ready in under 40 minutes in the Instant Pot, it’s a convenient and delicious option for any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Instant pot chicken adobo in a bowl atop cauliflower rice.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo brings to the table a taste of the Philippines with a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. This dish infuses the chicken with adobo sauce, creating a tender and flavorful meal that’s ready in just 40 minutes using a pressure cooker. It’s an excellent choice for a quick, hearty meal that pairs well with a side of vegetables for a complete and filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

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