Quick Chicken Recipes: Grilled, Baked, and More

When you need dinner to be ready quickly, chicken is the perfect choice for the day. The chicken cooks rapidly, has strong flavors, and can be made with what you already have in your pantry. In this easy guide, you’ll discover several quick chicken recipes that will go from refrigerator to table with little hassle.

In addition, you’ll discover useful tips for cooking, a couple of time-saving tips, and flexible ideas for chicken dinners that are quick and easy. While we’re there, we’ll discuss grilling chicken recipes and baked chicken dishes, and a few quick stovetop options to help you decide what will best suit your needs for the night.

Why Chicken Is Perfect for Weeknights

First, chicken cooks quickly. Small cutlets or pieces can be cooked in less than 10 minutes. Second, it’s versatile. It can be kept fresh with citrus and herbs, or add a lot of garlic, honey, or butter. Finally, it’s budget-friendly. It’s simple to buy large quantities and then freeze portions for busy times. Also, if you are careful with your seasoning and stay clear of overcooking the food, you’ll be able to enjoy juicy results each time.

The key point to remember is an even thickness as well as high heat for speedy searing, and a brief time between slicing and resting. With these basic rules and basic ingredients, even the simplest cooked chicken dishes are delicious.

BBQ Lemon-Garlic Thighs of Chicken (20 minutes)

If you’re looking to get a huge flavor without much effort, then start with this recipe. Skinless and boneless thighs are fresh on the grill, as the marinade of lemon and garlic serves as a quick marinating sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds of boneless and skinless chicken thighs
• Three tablespoons of olive oil
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped and minced
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
• Optional: a pinch of red pepper in flakes

Directions:

1. Whisk together oil, the zest and juice of a lemon, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Reserve 1 tablespoon to serve as the basting.
2. Mix the chicken in the marinade and allow it to rest for 10 minutes until the grill is heated to medium-high.
3. Grill for about 4-5 minutes each side until lightly charred, and the thickest part reaches 165 degrees F.
4. Brush the marinade with the reserved marinade in the final minute, and then let it rest for 3 minutes.

Serve it with grilled vegetables or Couscous. To make meals, slice the thighs into strips and then layer them in bowls containing tomatoes, cucumbers, quinoa, and a dollop of yogurt. This is not only one of the simplest grilling chicken recipes, but it can also be adapted to an entire crowd.

Tips for saving time: If you’re making use of chicken breasts, cut them into small pieces (about 1/8 inch in thickness) so that they cook in the same way as thighs. Also, dry them prior to seasoning them in order to aid in browning.

Butter-Baked Chicken Sheet Pan Honey Mustard (25 minutes)

If you’re looking to have a hands-free meal, cook everything in one pan. While the chicken cooks and you tidy up your kitchen. After that, you can pull a full dish out of the oven.

Ingredients:

• Four small poultry breasts (about 6 to 8 ounces each) and pound them to a uniform thickness
• One pound of baby potatoes, cut in half
• 8 ounces green beans, trimmed
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper divided

Honey-mustard sauce:

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons of whole grain mustard (or more Dijon)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 clove of garlic, chopped

Directions:

1. The oven should be heated to 425 degrees F. Prepare a rimmed sheet pan with parchment.
2. Toss the potatoes using 1 tablespoon of oil. Add half of the seasoning and salt. Spread the potatoes on the pan and bake for 10 minutes.
3. In the meantime, mix the honey-mustard sauce.
4. Season the chicken with the rest of the salt. Put the chicken in a bowl and mix the green beans and the remaining oil.
5. In 10 minutes, move potatoes aside. Add the green beans and chicken. Sprinkle the sauce on the chicken (and a bit on the vegetables, if you prefer).
6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F and the juices run clear.

Since the sauce is strong and tangy, it transforms simple baked chicken recipes into something you’ll want to eat. To add variety, substitute broccoli for green beans or asparagus. In the same way, substitute potatoes with cauliflower to get a lower-carb flavor.

Note on nutrition: The breast of a 6-ounce chicken provides about 35-40g of protein, which makes you feel fuller. Combining it with vegetables that are high in fiber helps you make quick chicken dinners without any effort.

12-Minute Skillet Chicken Tacos

Tacos help with everything. The stovetop version is quick and adaptable. Serve it in tortillas, on rice, or even on salad greens.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of chicken breast, sliced into half-inch chunks
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Optional: 1 cup of salsa to finish

Directions:

1. In a large skillet on medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer.
2. Toss the chicken with chili powder as well as cumin, paprika, and salt. Then, add it to the pan and spread it out in an evenly spaced layer.
3. Cook for 3-4 minutes without stirring. After that, stir it and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through and browned.
4. Pour lime juice over the chicken, then stir it into the salsa, if you wish to.

Serve warm tortillas, chopped cabbage, avocado, and warm tortillas. Because the spices are easy to prepare, this recipe is great for quesadillas and burrito bowls as well. If you want to add more heat, you can add a pinch of cayenne. For children, avoid the smoked paprika and substitute some mild salsa at the end.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken (One-Pan, 20 Minutes)

Are you looking for comfort and ease without a long cooking time? This one-pan star makes the perfect sauce that sticks to mashed potatoes or pasta and still qualifies as one of those simple chicken recipes that you can make at the end of your day.

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts, cut into pieces
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup of half-and-half (or lighter cream)
• 12 cup chopped Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper as desired
• Optional: a handful of fresh spinach

Directions:

1. Salt and pepper. Sear them in butter and oil at moderate-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side. Transfer from the pan to a plate.
2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add garlic, and cook for 30 seconds.
3. In the broth, stir and scrape away the browned bits. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
4. Add half-and-half Parmesan Italian seasoning. Allow to simmer for 2 minutes until thick.
5. Return the chicken (and the spinach if you are using it). Let it simmer for about a minute until the sauce covers the spoon’s back.

Because the sauce is smoky and rich, it is best served with a bright salad like lemony Arugula. Alternatively, add cooked penne to make a complete dinner in a single pan.

Smart Shortcuts for Faster Chicken

• Pound or cut. Even thickness implies even cooking. This means that breasts won’t dry out.
• Pre-season and then freeze. Combine raw chicken with salt, oil, and spices, and put it in flat bags to freeze. Then, let the chicken sit overnight in the refrigerator to get the flavor right away.
• Make use of an oven thermometer. Take the chicken out at 165 degrees F. This will eliminate guesswork and keep the meat moist.
• Broil until you are done. When baking dishes with chicken that require some color, broil for about a minute after the dish is finished.
• Keep pantry sauces. Soy sauce, Dijon Honey, Hot Sauce, canned tomatoes, and hot make basic items into quick dinners for chicken.

Flavor Variations You’ll Use Again

• Mediterranean: Olive oil, lemon, oregano, garlic, and a little Feta. Ideal for grilling chicken recipes.
• BBQ Maple Smoked Paprika salt pepper, and a maple-barbecue glaze that is brushed on in the final minute.
• Chili-Lime: Chili powder, lime zest, cumin, and cilantro. Great for bowls and tacos.
• Herb Butter Parsley Thyme, and a pat of butter. Spread it over hot chicken before serving.

Each one takes only a few minutes to prepare and utilizes ingredients you most likely already have. Thus, you can switch the flavors throughout the week, without repeating the same recipe.

What should you prepare for quick Chicken Dinners

Plates should be balanced with quick sides:

• 10-minute garlic rice, microwave Quinoa
• Broccoli roasted (same sheet pan as for the chicken)
• Salad chopped with lemon and vinaigrette
• Warm pita, hummus, and cucumbers

Also, make use of leftovers for lunch tomorrow: cut grilled thighs into wraps, or mix cooked chicken into pasta salad, or include taco chicken in the grain bowl.

Final Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Chicken

• The surface must be dry. Moisture blocks the process of browning. Make sure to dry the pieces before seasoning.
• Salt is best consumed in the early morning hours. Even in only minutes, the salt is absorbed by your food and increases the flavor.
• Do not burn the food. Then, reduce the heat and allow it to rest for a few hours. Slice across the grain for tenderness.

At the final point, you won’t require a lot of steps to create a meal that shines. With a hot oven, some vibrant seasonings, and an oven or grill that’s reliable enough to cook simple chicken dishes that will make you feel special during a busy weeknight. Consider the thighs with lemon and garlic if you’re in a hurry, or the honey-mustard pan for those who want to have minimal cleaning, or the skillet tacos to make an enjoyable family dinner, and the delicious garlic Parmesan for those who need ease fast. If you rotate these around dishes, you’ll create a great collection of chicken meals that are quick and easy, and that will work each time.