22 Chicken Dinners That Make Weeknights Exciting

Busy nights call for dinners that are easy, satisfying, and anything but dull. Chicken is a go-to for a reason—it’s versatile, quick to cook, and pairs well with just about anything. These 22 recipes bring bold flavors and fresh ideas to the table, making weeknight meals something to look forward to.

Air Fryer Chicken Katsu

A plate with rice, topped with sliced green onions and sliced breaded chicken, beside a small bowl of green onions. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Ditch the deep fryer and satisfy your Japanese food cravings with this incredibly easy Air Fryer Chicken Katsu!

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Katsu

Air Fryer Cumin Chicken

A plate with cooked spiced chicken. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Skip the complicated recipes – this 4 ingredient air fryer cumin chicken is all about fast and flavorful. Juicy chicken is coated in a simple spice blend with a touch of lime juice, creating next-level flavor in just 20 minutes.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Cumin Chicken Recipe

Sheet Pan Chicken and Asparagus

A sheet pan with two cooked chicken breasts and a bunch of asparagus spears. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Streamline your weeknight dinners with this fuss-free One-Pan Chicken with Asparagus! Tender chicken and fresh asparagus bake together on a single sheet pan, coated in a delicious honey Dijon sauce that's both tangy and sweet.

Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken and Asparagus

Kale Chicken Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, cucumber, herbs, and sliced chicken. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Featuring savory, air-fried cumin chicken, crisp cucumbers, and a vibrant mix of kale and romaine lettuce, this kale chicken salad is a delicious and satisfying option for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

Get the recipe: Kale Chicken Salad

Creamy Dill Chicken

Mashed potatoes topped with chicken in a creamy dill sauce beside carrots on a plate. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

This easy chicken dinner is a one-pan dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes. Perfectly paired with mashed potatoes and carrots, this recipe features chicken cooked in a creamy dill sauce, using simple ingredients.

Get the recipe: Creamy Dill Chicken

Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta

Chicken and pasta in tomato sauce on a plate. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

This creamy tomato pasta sauce is the ideal complement to seasoned, tender chicken breast, fresh spinach, and perfectly cooked linguine. It's comforting, and comes together in 30 minutes.

Get the recipe: Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta

Crispy Chicken Burgers

A burger with a crispy chicken patty, lettuce, and avocado sauce. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Get ready to treat yourself to the best crispy chicken sandwich ever with these fried chicken burgers! With a spicy, crunchy coating and a juicy, tender inside, they hit all the right notes for texture and flavor.

Get the recipe: Crispy Chicken Burgers

Buffalo Chicken Fries

Fries in a bowl topped with chicken in buffalo sauce, cheese, dill yogurt sauce, and green onions. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Buffalo Chicken Fries make a tasty side or main dish featuring crispy French fries, gooey melted cheese, and tender, spicy buffalo chicken strips. Top with sliced green onions and a drizzle of my Best Ever Ranch Dressing to finish.

Get the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Fries

Butter Chicken Fries

Fries in a bowl topped with butter chicken, yogurt, and cilantro. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Butter Chicken Poutine features tender chicken chunks in a flavorful, spiced tomato sauce, generously poured over crispy baked french fries. This Indian-inspired twist on classic poutine is incredibly savory and packed with delicious flavors.

Get the recipe: Butter Chicken Fries

Chicken Shawarma Plate

A bowl with couscous, spiced chicken strips, dip, hummus, pita triangles, and cucumber salad beside a large bowl of couscous. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

This easy sheet pan chicken shawarma is packed with bold flavors and cooks in just 15-20 minutes! Customize your plate with your favorite sides or leftovers, like couscous, cucumber salad, homemade hummus, and Toum, a delicious Lebanese garlic dip.

Get the recipe: Chicken Shawarma Plate

Instant Pot Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Chicken on a plate with potato slices. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Let your Instant Pot handle dinner tonight with this easy chicken and potato dish. Juicy chicken, tender potatoes, and fresh herbs come together with a pop of lemon for a meal that feels fancy but takes almost no effort.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

Rice in a bowl topped with chunks of chicken. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

This bourbon chicken is all about that rich sauce. A little sweet, a little savory, and just the right amount of kick—it clings to tender chicken like a dream.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Bourbon Chicken

Crispy Chicken Wraps

A wrap filled with breaded chicken, pickles, pickled onions, and lettuce. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Crispy on the outside, loaded with melty cheese and seasoned chicken on the inside—these wraps are seriously good. They come together fast, making them perfect for a quick lunch or an easy dinner.

Get the recipe: Crispy Chicken Wraps

Lasagna Stuffed Chicken Parmesan

A chicken breast stuffed with cheese and spinach on tomato sauce with a crusted exterior and tomato and cheese on top with the text lasagna stuffed chicken. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Lasagna meets chicken parm in this no-pasta dish that still delivers all the cheesy, saucy goodness you love. Instead of noodles, tender chicken takes center stage, layered with marinara and a blanket of melted cheese.

Get the recipe: Lasagna Stuffed Chicken Parmesan

Blackstone Crunchwrap Supreme with Chicken

A folded grilled burrito stuffed with chicken and vegetables and cheese. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Why hit the drive-thru when you can make a crunchwrap at home? This one’s packed with seasoned chicken, melty cheese, and that signature crisp - all cooked up on the Blackstone for the ultimate crunch.

Get the recipe: Blackstone Crunchwrap Supreme with Chicken

Blackstone Chicken Fajitas

Strips of cooked chicken and peppers in a skillet beside bowls of taco toppings and a pile of tortillas. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Sizzling hot and packed with flavor, these chicken fajitas are a must for your Blackstone griddle. Juicy chicken, caramelized peppers and onions, and warm tortillas come together in minutes.

Get the recipe: Blackstone Chicken Fajitas

Blackstone Chicken Tacos

Tacos stuffed with chicken, mango, and cilantro. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Taco night just got even better with these quick and easy chicken tacos. The Blackstone gives the chicken a perfect sear while keeping it juicy inside. Pile it into tortillas with your favorite toppings and dig in.

Get the recipe: Blackstone Chicken Tacos

Nashville Hot Chicken

Saucy fried chicken on a cool rack. — Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

This Nashville Hot Chicken is extra crispy, perfectly spicy, and packed with bold flavor. Golden fried chicken gets coated in a rich, fiery sauce that’s completely customizable—turn up the heat or keep it mild to suit your taste!

Get the recipe: Nashville Hot Chicken

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

A bowl of pasta salad with chicken, bacon, tomato, avocado, and herbs. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

This pasta salad is anything but boring. It’s loaded with crispy bacon, tender chicken, and a creamy ranch dressing that ties everything together. Serve it cold for a refreshing meal, or pack it up for a picnic.

Get the recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Crispy Chicken Strips

Crispy breaded chicken strips on a plate beside pasta topped with walnuts and greens. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

These homemade panko chicken strips are crunchy, golden, and packed with flavor. Coated in seasoned panko with a hint of smoked paprika, they cook up crisp on the outside and juicy inside.

Get the recipe: Crispy Chicken Strips

Spicy Chicken Peanut Wraps

Two stacked tortilla rolls filled with chicken and peanut butter sauce. — Image Credit: Haute & Healthy Living

These wraps combine spicy chicken with a creamy peanut sauce and fresh vegetables, creating a deliciously bold flavor profile. They're perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meals and make for a filling lunch or dinner.

Get the recipe: Spicy Chicken Peanut Wraps

Baked Hot Honey Chicken

Crispy sliced chicken topped with a hot honey sauce, and chopped herbs. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

Fried chicken meets sweet heat in this baked crispy hot honey chicken recipe. The Panko coating gives it the perfect crunch, while a homemade hot honey sauce adds bold, balanced flavors to every mouthful.

Get the recipe: Baked Hot Honey Chicken