21 chicken dinners for nights when you’re this close to ordering inc

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We’ve all had those days where cooking feels too much, but before reaching for the delivery app, take a breath. When you’re about to order in, these chicken dinners could be just what you need to make a quick, easy meal without the extra cost. These simple recipes don’t take much time, helping you get a home-cooked meal on the table without the stress.

A casserole dish filled with tater tots, shredded chicken, and corn, topped with melted cheese and green onions.
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Think about Creamy Tuscan Chicken as your go-to when you’re about to click that order button. This dish combines the richness of cream with the tanginess of sun-dried tomatoes and the freshness of spinach, all seasoned with a garlic-infused sauce. You only need one pan and about 40 minutes to create this meal. Perfect for those evenings when you need something filling but don’t want to spend the night in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken

Grilled chicken pieces with a glossy glaze, garnished with chopped herbs, served on a beige plate.
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken is your answer when you’re craving something with a bit of kick and sweetness. It blends the hearty flavor of grilled chicken with a glossy, sweet, and slightly spicy hot honey glaze in 45 minutes. This dish can turn any ordinary evening into something more special. It’s a great solution for a stress-free dinner that feels like you’ve put in more effort than you did.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hot Honey Chicken

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are perfect for when you’re hungry and in a hurry. These are small pieces of chicken pan-fried until they’re just right, then tossed in a rich, garlicky butter sauce. The whole thing takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, making it one of the quickest ways to get a meal on the table. This dish is all about convenience and filling your hunger without waiting around — just quick, comforting food ready in a snap.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Creamy Dijon Chicken

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

Creamy Dijon Chicken might do the trick if you’re looking for a comforting meal without a long wait. This dish combines juicy chicken thighs, crispy bacon, and tender spinach, all cooked in a creamy sauce flavored with Dijon mustard and a hint of garlic. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and uses only one pan, making cooking and cleanup easier than expected.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A fresh Caesar salad with chicken, croutons, tomatoes, and dressing, served in a large white bowl with a fork.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a light yet delicious meal, turn to Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. It takes less than 25 minutes to combine, mixing pre-cooked chicken, pasta, crunchy lettuce, and creamy Caesar dressing. It’s the sort of adaptable dish, and you can throw in more vegetables or adjust the ingredients to suit what you’ve got in the fridge. This recipe is perfect for those nights when you’re too tired to cook but still want to eat something that feels homemade.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

Let Spinach Chicken Bake lighten your cooking load. In just 30 minutes, this dish combines creamy spinach with tender chicken and melted cheese topping for a deliciously easy meal. It’s your best friend on busy days, serving a nutritious dinner that everyone will love. This recipe is a quick and clever way to include more greens, making sure a healthier dinner with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

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.

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts is a quick escape to a fancy dinner without the stress. Ready in about 30 minutes, this dish features chicken thighs, and artichoke hearts enveloped in a creamy garlic sauce. It’s a simple and comforting dish that saves time and adds a touch of luxury to your dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

A casserole dish filled with tater tots, shredded chicken, and corn, topped with melted cheese and green onions.
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is here to make your evenings easier. This dish brings together crispy tater tots, shredded chicken, sweet corn, and melted cheese, all baked into a comforting casserole. Read in just 45 minutes, this recipe is perfect for nights when you’re too tired to cook but still want a soothing, filling meal. Set it in the oven, kick back, and relax. This casserole promises a no-stress dinner that’s reliably delicious and always ready before you’d expect a delivery.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

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 is a quick, flavorful dish that brings a touch of the Mediterranean to your table in 30 minutes. It combines boneless, skinless chicken thighs with a creamy sauce made from sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese, all seasoned with a mix of Italian herbs. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you crave something delicious but are short on time.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

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

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is a quick, tangy dish to spice up your dinner routine. It mixes baked chicken, sharp jalapeños, and crunchy bacon in a zippy mayo dressing, ready in no time. It’s perfect for when you want a meal that’s both speedy and exciting. This salad combines simple with fun, serving a fresh take on chicken salad perfect for a busy night.
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.

If you’re almost ready to hit the order button on your delivery app, consider Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce instead. This dish pairs tender chicken thighs with earthy mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes, all swirled in a creamy, garlic-infused sauce. Taking only 30 minutes from start to finish, it’s a complete meal that fills you up and relaxes you after a long day. Plus, you’ll skip the delivery wait and the extra cost, making this a smart choice for your stomach and wallet.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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 is a hearty solution when you’re craving something delicious but want to avoid the hassle of baking. It’s a mix of tender chicken, creamy broth, chunky potatoes, and crisp veggies like carrots, celery, and onions — all cooked in about an hour. It’s like enjoying the classic pot pie but in a spoonable form. Forget about the delivery apps and enjoy this comforting soup that’s both nutritious and filling.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Pollo Asado

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

Pollo Asado is your go-to for a no-stress dinner that’s still packed with flavor. You’ll marinate the chicken in cilantro, onions, orange juice, and lime, then cook it in the oven or on the grill. This dish not only brings a burst of fresh flavors to your table but also keeps things light and healthy. This meal shows you can have a laid-back yet delicious dinner at home, saving money and time.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

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

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are perfect when you need something quick and light. This dish combines cooked chicken with sour cream and ranch dressing, scooped into crisp cucumber boats, and topped with bacon and cheese. These cucumber boats are quick to prepare, fun to eat, and light on calories. It’s ready in 30 minutes and gives a refreshing take to your typical dinner salad.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

Creamy Garlic Chicken is here to rescue those evenings when you’re too tired to even think about what to eat. This dish features pan-seared chicken breasts covered in a creamy sauce made with garlic, Parmesan, and a hint of herbs. It cooks in just 30 minutes, perfect for a cozy night in — a comforting and hearty meal that makes you forget about takeout and saves you from extra spending.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

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

Whenever you’re tempted to order in, think about making Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers instead. This dish combines ground chicken, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, delivering a great flavor with herbs like dill, garlic, and onion. Ready in an hour, these poppers are baked, keeping your kitchen clean and your evening stress-free. They are perfect for a quick meal on a busy weeknight, making sure you get a delicious dinner on the table without waiting around for a delivery that’s always late.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Fajita Baked Chicken

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

Fajita Baked Chicken simplifies your dinner routine while packing a punch of flavor. Just layer chicken breasts, various cheeses, and sliced bell peppers in a baking dish, season with chili and paprika, and bake. Just pop it in the oven and take care of other chores, or relax until it’s ready. Ready in just 30 minutes, this meal is a game changer for busy evenings when you need to multitask.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

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 your go-to for a no-stress, comforting meal. It combines chicken, a creamy tomato sauce, and a mix of spices in your Instant Pot and let it work its magic. This recipe is perfect for those evenings when you’re juggling tasks and need a quick yet flavorful meal. It’s also great for impressing guests with your cooking skills, as it delivers consistent results every time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A bowl of chicken tortellini soup with vegetables and herbs.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Tortellini Soup is your answer to a filling dinner that’s easy to make. It features chicken, fresh vegetables, and cheese-filled tortellini, all simmered in a hearty broth. This soup takes about 40 minutes from start to finish and is perfect for any evening. It’s comforting and filling and gets more flavor from herbs and spices that simmer as the soup cooks.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

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 can whip up a flavorful and exciting meal in about 40 minutes. This dish uses a simple mix of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves, creating a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce perfect with chicken. It’s a straightforward recipe that delivers a big flavor with little effort, making it perfect for a fast weeknight dinner. Plus, the quick cooking time means you can have a delicious meal ready faster than it would take to decide on and wait for takeout.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Shawarma Kebabs

A plate of shawarma kebabs with greens and lemon slices.
Shawarma Kebabs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Shawarma Kebabs quickly bring the fiery flavors of street food to your kitchen. You’ll marinate the chicken in spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika, then skewer, and grill or broil. You can serve a fun and flavorful meal in less time than it takes to decide on a restaurant. These kebabs are a surefire way to spice up your dinner routine without the extra cleanup or wait.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

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