Quick & Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas for Families

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Published: Oct 5, 2019 · Updated: Jan 2, 2024 by · This post may contain affiliate links

Quick and Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas for Families - The ultimate guide to chicken recipes kids and adults LOVE.

5 from 21 votes

When life gets busy, these quick and easy dinner ideas made with chicken are the perfect go-to meals to have in your back pocket. They’re high in protein, easy to prepare, and best of all… kid-approved!

Watch this video to get you started with some of the best dinner recipes with chicken!

Today, I’m sharing all my favorite methods cook delicious chicken in incredible family recipes.

Best Chicken Recipes in Under an Hour

If there’s one ingredient I’m confident in, it’s chicken! You can’t go wrong, it’s versatile to cook with, packed with protein, and kids love it; so today I want to share with you some of the most popular quick and easy chicken recipes of all time.

You’ll find chicken skillet recipes, the juiciest baked chicken dinners, tangy buffalo chicken recipes, cozy chicken soups, hearty salads with chicken, epic chicken taco recipes and family-favorite chicken pasta recipes.

Are you ready to see all the stress-free weeknight meals you can make with chicken in less than 60 minutes? Here we go!

corner of large sheet pan with baked chicken topped with avocado salsa Avocado Chicken with Cilantro Lime

4.95 from 35 votes

This juicy sheet pan Cilantro Lime Chicken is marinated to perfection and topped with the most wonderful homemade Avocado Salsa. Mind blowing.Total Time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe Garlic Chicken with Green Beans

5 from 27 votes

While this method of skillet cooking chicken is simple the flavor is anything but! In this recipe I’ll show you all my secrets to perfectly juicy chicken on the stove.Total time: 35 minutes Make This Recipe Pepperoni Pizza Chicken

5 from 20 votes

I know you have #healthgoals and this chicken recipe has your back. Load it up like your favorite pizza and enjoy.Total time: 45 minutes Make This Recipe Blackened Chicken Pasta

5 from 21 votes

An epic chicken pasta the whole family will love, with just the right amount of kick! Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe Melt in Your Mouth Chicken

5 from 19 votes

This recipe yields the juiciest baked chicken imaginable and it’s a one-pan-wonder. The perfect combination.Total time: 45 minutes Make This Recipe large bowl of chicken broccoli teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli Teriyaki

5 from 20 votes

I’ve never seen anyone turn away a dish of this crispy, tender chicken with a savory sweet sauce.Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe

More 30-minute recipes here!

chicken cobb salad in a bowl Chicken Cobb Salad

5 from 16 votes

This chicken salad is what dinnertime dreams are made of! Total time: 20 minutes Make This Recipe Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

5 from 28 votes

A healthier version of cheesy, prosciutto wrapped chicken, baked not fried for a delicious grain-free dinner.Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe closeup of spicy chicken taco with avocado slice on top Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Chicken Tacos

5 from 24 votes

These cook up super fast in the skillet, and the Sweet & Spicy sriracha sauce is everything!Total time: 25 minutes Make This Recipe Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

5 from 24 votes

Creamy, zesty pasta sauce tossed with chicken and asparagus spears, a delightful combination! Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe Caprese Salad with Chicken and Avocado

5 from 49 votes

Grilled Chicken, cherry tomatoes, basil, avocado and mozzarella cheese, all drizzled with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Oh yes, this is a salad you’ll want to make on repeat.Total time: 25 minutes Make This Recipe Hummus Chicken

5 from 17 votes

Hummus is great as a dip and spread, but it also creates an incredible sauce for this baked chicken.Total time: 42 minutes Make This Recipe Chicken Fajita Bowls with Rotisserie Chicken

5 from 18 votes

Grab a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store and make these INCREDIBLE fajita chicken bowls for dinner. Total time: 25 minutes Make This Recipe Sheet Pan Dijon Chicken and Potatoes

5 from 13 votes

This is one of those rare beasts of a meal that can be prepped ENTIRELY ahead of time, assembled on the sheet pan, wrapped with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight.Total time: 50 minutes Make This Recipe closeup of a Thai chicken and rice bowl with peanut sauce Thai Chicken Bowls

5 from 18 votes

You can make these Thai chicken bowls faster than it would take to order takeout. Between you and me, the homemade peanut butter sauce is 10x better than the restaurant version!Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe Healthy Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya

5 from 38 votes

A classic New Orleans recipe gets a low carb makeover with cauliflower rice. It doesn’t matter if you’re watching carbs or not, you will want this keto jambalaya at least once a week!Total time: 20 minutes Make This Recipe Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Chicken & Asparagus

5 from 28 votes

Creamy lemon garlic sauce pairs perfectly with the sauteed asparagus and pan-seared chicken breasts! Just wait until you try it. Total time: 35 minutes Make This Recipe chicken broccoli carrot stir fry Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

5 from 25 votes

One skillet, fresh ingredients and you’ve got yourself one fantastic meal, fast. Tip: use a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies, cuts the cooking time in half.Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe chili topped with avocado Dutch Oven Paleo Chicken Chili

4.91 from 459 votes

Bean-free and veggie loaded chili that’s surprisingly hearty and of course, comforting.Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe Sriracha Chicken with Honey and Garlic

5 from 28 votes

Just the right amount of sweet with that tasty sriracha kick! You can adjust the heat on this recipe from mild to fire – however your family likes it.Total Time: 55 minutes Make This Recipe Honey Chicken Lettuce Cups

4.95 from 20 votes

Kind of like those lettuce wraps at that famous Chinese restaurant but healthier. And you don’t have to leave your house.Total time: 25 minutes Make This Recipe bed of spaghetti squash on a white plate with chicken in garlic butter on top Garlic Butter Chicken and Spaghetti Squash

4.94 from 47 votes

This chicken dish is a few steps above the kid favorite, chicken and buttered noodles.Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe buffalo chicken lettuce wraps on a white plate Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

5 from 10 votes

When you’re doing low carb and need a buffalo chicken fix, this is the one! Bonus points if you make the Homemade Ranch.Total time: 25 minutes Make This Recipe Easy Shredded Chicken Enchilada Tacos

5 from 12 votes

These are mega delicious and use a rotisserie chicken, so you get that enchilada chicken fix in a pinch!Total time: 20 minutes Make This Recipe Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

4.98 from 72 votes

Tender pieces of chicken, and veggies in a creamy white gravy, it’s the best part of chicken pot pie over pasta.Total time: 25 minutes Make This Recipe Salsa Verde Chicken Pasta

5 from 35 votes

You remember those Salsa Verde Tacos we discussed? Well, we took the leftover salsa verde chicken and turned it into this creamy, cheesy, pasta. You can thank me later.Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe hand pulling a spoonful of chicken cordon bleu casserole from pan Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

5 from 43 votes

The ultimate comfort food that also can feed an army. Pasta, alfredo sauce, chicken, ham, bacon, and cheese, the gangs all there!Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe large plate of chicken broccoli alfredo Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

5 from 185 votes

This gives you that creamy chicken pasta fix, quick! If your family isn’t a fan of broccoli swap it with sliced mushrooms, peas, carrots… you get the picture.Total time: 27 minutes Make This Recipe Chicken Burrito Bowls

5 from 26 votes

Who can resist chicken burrito bowls inspired by Chipotle! The salsa chicken is incredible and everyone can pile their own bowl high with their favorite toppings. Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

5 from 37 votes

Made in a skillet this creamy pasta is colorful and bursting with flavor. Calling for the simplest of ingredients, this filling chicken pasta dish is sure to become an instant family favorite.Total time: 30 minutes Make This Recipe Baked Bruschetta Chicken with Balsamic Glaze

5 from 20 votes

This flavorful chicken bruschetta is the ultimate mid-week meal! Total time: 43 minutes Make This Recipe large bowl of jambalaya Zatarain’s Jambalaya – Box Upgrade!

5 from 23 votes

Grab a box of Jambalaya and then follow my simple instructions to make some epic additions and turn it into an incredible meal. Total time: 45 minutes Make This Recipe full skillet of rice, peas, peppers and six cooked chicken breasts with crispy skins Spanish Chicken and Rice

5 from 24 votes

I grew up enjoying this skillet meal in Spain, and I love to share it with my family a few times a month. Yum!

Make This Recipe

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life doesn’t slow down just because kids get bigger. Meal planning is a total life saver and it’s how I get these yummy chicken dinners on my family’s table all through the week.

Easy Sides for Chicken Dinners

You’ve got all your delicious chicken recipe inspiration, now what about the rest of the meal? Here are a few of my favorite things to serve with a good chicken dinner.

Serve these recipes with oven-baked corn on the cob, stovetop cauliflower mac & cheese, a simple but tasty side salad, soft & fluffy popovers, or even roasted fingerling potatoes.

So that’s the ultimate list of healthy, UN-BORING chicken dinner ideas. I don’t know what’s on your menu tonight, but after this, it better be chicken! If you have a favorite dish and didn’t see it on here, let me know, what are some of your top chicken dinner recipes?

an image collage of chicken dinner ideas

Chicken Dinner Ideas the Whole Family Will LOVE – Pizza Chicken

Laura Fuentes

Quick and Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas for Families – The ultimate guide to chicken recipes kids and adults LOVE.

5 from 21 votes

Servings 4

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients 

Pizza Chicken

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breasts, boneless skinless
  • 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella or Provolone cheese
  • ½ cup pepperoni
  • 4 ounce can black olives, optional
  • Chopped parsley/oregano, for topping, optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350F

  • In a large, oven-safe skillet heat the oil over medium-high heat.

  • Add the chicken breast and sear for 2 minutes per side, until golden. Transfer to a plate.

  • Remove the pan from heat and add 1 cup marinara sauce. Spread it evenly over the bottom of the pan. Nestle the chicken breasts into the sauce.

  • Place the skillet into the oven and bake for 25 minutes.

  • Remove the chicken from the oven, top with reaming sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and black olives, if using.

  • Place back into the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and pepperoni slightly browned.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 chicken breastCalories: 338kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 35gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 988mgPotassium: 764mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 603IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 217mgIron: 2mg

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