32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (2024)

Juicy, tender, and quick to cook, chicken is our go-to protein on busy weeknights—especially these one-pot chicken recipes, which come together in no time but taste like you've labored all afternoon. Requiring just a single pot or sheet pan, they're not only a cinch to prep, but they're also quick to clean up. Some recipes are made with boneless, skinless chicken cutlets or bone-in, skin-on breasts; others call for dark meat thighs, ground chicken, and even leftover roast chicken. They're the ideal solution when you need to get dinner on the table fast.

30 Easy Weeknight Chicken Recipes Your Family Will Love

01of 32

Pan-Roasted Chicken With Za'atar, Potatoes, and Greens

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (1)

This colorful sheet-pan dinner stars chicken thighs, fingerling potatoes, red onion, and lacinato kale. It tastes as good as it looks—za’atar is the magical spice mix that brings it all together.

View Recipe

02of 32

Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms With Egg Noodles

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (2)

Chicken breasts, mushrooms, and shallots set the stage for this one-pot chicken recipe. Egg noodles, cooked in the same pan, and cream cheese—which creates a quick, rich sauce—steal the show.

View Recipe

03of 32

One-Pot Chicken and Brown Rice

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (3)

A healthy, hearty one-pan dinner that’s economical too. Use up the celery and carrots that have been languishing in your crisper drawer, along with an onion, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, and some brown rice.

View Recipe

04of 32

Lemon Chicken With Potatoes and Escarole

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (4)

Here's a sheet-pan chicken dinner you'll crave on the regular. Juicy roasted thighs, crispy potatoes, and wilted escarole combine for a cozy, delicious meal.

View Recipe

15 Lemon Chicken Recipes That Prove It's a Perfect Pairing

05of 32

Chicken, Fennel, and Artichoke Fricassee

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (5)

Artichoke hearts, red onion, and fennel pair with chicken thighs for a skillet meal that's simply out of this world. The vegetables infuse the braising liquid, which cooks down into a flavorful pan sauce for the meat.

View Recipe

06of 32

Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (6)

Colorful and spicy, there's a lot to love about this one-sheet recipe. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are sizzled together with yellow and green bell peppers and then topped with sour cream, salsa, and ripe avocado, delivering zesty flavor in each bite.

View Recipe

07of 32

Skillet Chicken With Leeks and Carrots

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (7)

Consider this one-pot chicken recipe a spring take on roast chicken. Instead of a whole bird, we use chicken breast halves, which cook atop leeks, carrots, and bread cubes that soak up the meat's flavorful juices.

View Recipe

Broiled Yogurt-Marinated Chicken and Chickpeas

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (8)

For lightning-fast meals, look no further than your broiler. Here, yogurt-marinated boneless chicken thighs are nestled on a baking sheet with spiced carrots and chickpeas, then broiled to perfection and served with couscous or crusty bread.

View Recipe

09of 32

Summery Chicken-and-Rice Soup

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (9)

Light, fresh, and full of flavor, this one-pot chicken recipe features zucchini and yellow squash plus leafy greens, making it a delightful option for the summer months. Save prep time by using shredded cooked chicken from leftover roast or rotisserie chicken.

View Recipe

10of 32

Chicken Paillard With Caprese Panzanella

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (10)

Inspired by the Caprese salad, this chicken dinner features tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, celery hearts, and capers, along with strips of breaded chicken cutlets for a no-fuss warm-weather meal.

View Recipe

11of 32

Chicken Scarpariello

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (11)

Hot and spicy, this interpretation of the Italian-American standard unites browned chicken thighs, hot pickled peppers, shallots, and Italian sausage links. Rosemary infuses the dish with an irresistible aroma.

View Recipe

12of 32

Chicken-and-Mushroom Congee

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (12)

Warm and comforting, this savory rice porridge is prepared in one pan with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, ginger, scallions, and shiitake mushrooms. For extra oomph, top it with umami-rich sesame oil and chili sauce, such as sambal oelek, before serving,

View Recipe

13of 32

Ground Chicken Tacos

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (13)

This quick weeknight dinner is on the table in 35 minutes. The ground chicken mixture is flavored with cumin, coriander, and tomato paste, while minced chipotle in adobo brings the heat. It cooks on the stovetop in a skillet and is served in your favorite taco shells with all the fixings.

View Recipe

14of 32

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo and Rice

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (14)

The only piece of cookware you need to make this Philippine-inspired recipe is your beloved Instant Pot. Red Thai chiles, soy sauce, red wine vinegar, and garlic pack flavor, a winning combo with the bone-in, skin-in chicken thighs.

View Recipe

15of 32

Spicy Basil Chicken Stir-Fry

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (15)

A true crowd-pleaser, this Thai-inspired stir-fry recipe combines chicken thighs with shallots, fresh basil leaves, spicy serrano chile peppers, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. It's so flavorful that we guarantee there will be no leftovers.

View Recipe

16of 32

Creamy Lemon Chicken With Spinach and Artichokes

The secret to this rich, comforting one-skillet chicken recipe is the cream cheese, which creates a magical sauce when stirred into the pan juices. The results are rich and satisfying, with less fat than heavy cream.

View Recipe

17of 32

Cuban Chicken With Rice and Beans

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (17)

A little bit of bacon goes a long way in this recipe. Not only does it add richness to the rice and beans, but it also deepens the flavors of the chicken thighs, which are browned in bacon in an ovenproof skillet.

View Recipe

18of 32

Greek-Chicken Pasta

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (18)

Lemon juice and zest, plus plenty of fresh dill, brighten this chicken pasta dish. It's inspired by avgolemono, a classic Greek soup that's thickened with eggs instead of cream.

View Recipe

19of 32

Creamy Asparagus Chicken

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (19)

A splash of cream adds just the right amount of richness to this braised chicken dish with leeks, asparagus, and baby red potatoes. Finish with sprigs of dill.

View Recipe

20of 32

Instant Pot Chicken Marbella

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (20)

A retro one-dish delight with timeless flavors, this winning chicken dinner offsets salty, briny Castelvetrano olives with sweet, dark prunes. It all comes together in under an hour, thanks to that modern marvel, the Instant Pot,

View Recipe

21of 32

Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (21)

Few dishes are as comforting as a warming bowl of chicken noodle soup. All this one-pot chicken recipe requires is that you simmer the ingredients together on the stove.

View Recipe

22of 32

Garlic Chicken With Barley

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (22)

This set-it-and-forget-it one-pot chicken recipe uses a slow cooker, which requires more time but less hands-on cooking. A whole chicken is cut into pieces for a garlicky braise, then served on a bed of barley studded with peas and tarragon.

View Recipe

23of 32

Chicken and Mushrooms With Egg Noodles

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (23)

A one-pot dinner that's elegant enough for company, this dish bathes chicken in a rich cream sauce, offset by egg noodles. The finishing touch: chopped fresh dill and bits of bacon.

View Recipe

24of 32

Warm Quinoa and Chicken Salad

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (24)

For a taste of spring, quick-cooking quinoa is paired with boneless, skinless chicken breast. Light yet satisfying, this main-course salad is further enhanced with peas and asparagus.

View Recipe

25of 32

Chicken-Chile Stew

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (25)

Chicken thighs and cannellini beans are the base of this spicy stew that simmers in a Dutch oven. Poblano peppers and chili powder lend just enough subtle heat.

View Recipe

26of 32

Roast Chicken With Paprika and Roasted Garlic

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (26)

One pot doesn't just mean stews, soups, and skillet dishes. Here, chicken with a paprika-oregano rub is roasted alongside a medley of vegetables on a baking sheet, which cooks the bird faster than a traditional roasting pan.

View Recipe

27of 32

Instant-Pot Chicken Curry

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (27)

For a chicken curry in a hurry, there's no better small appliance than an Instant Pot. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are spiced with coriander, cumin seeds, and ginger for a whole lot of flavor in a short time.

View Recipe

28of 32

Chicken With Sausage and Potatoes

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (28)

Turn to your Dutch oven for this robust one-dish chicken recipe. Chicken breasts are teamed with Italian sausage and waxy potatoes, then perked up with red wine vinegar and fresh oregano for a hearty, rib-sticking stew.

View Recipe

29of 32

Roasted Chicken With Kale and Tomato Panzanella

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (29)

This sheet-pan supper is just a little different and altogether delicious. Chicken thighs and drumsticks are crisped up on the same sheet pan as the crusty bread, lacinato kale, and cherry tomatoes used for the panzanella that's served alongside.

View Recipe

30of 32

Pressure-Cooker Coq au Vin

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (30)

Take your taste buds on a trip to a French bistro without leaving your kitchen. This chicken dish is made in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker in a fraction of the traditional stovetop meal time.

View Recipe

31of 32

Chicken and Rice With Swiss Chard

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (31)

Chicken legs simmer together with a bounty of vegetables and rice in this versatile recipe. Use parsnips if you don't have carrots or swap out the Swiss chard for spinach—and if you're fresh out of basmati rice, sub in Carolina, converted, or jasmine rice.

View Recipe

32of 32

Chicken-and-Broccoli Stir-Fry

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (32)

Yes, you can whip up this takeout favorite at home. The sauce couldn't be easier—simply make a slurry with soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil, then add it to the wok near the end of cooking.

View Recipe

32 One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknight Dinners (2024)

FAQs

How many meals can I make out of one chicken? ›

Here's how I would typically divide a large chicken for multiple meals:
  • 2 lbs of boneless breast and tenders = 2 MEALS.
  • 2 drumsticks, 2 wing flats, 2 drumettes = 1 MEAL.
  • 2 large thighs = 1 MEAL.
  • 1 carcass = 1 MEAL.
Jan 22, 2023

How to cook large amounts of chicken? ›

Simply add your seasoned chicken to the slow cooker with a bit of chicken broth or water, set it to low heat, and let it cook for about 4-6 hours. Grilling is another tasty option, especially during the summer months.

How do you get the most meals out of a whole chicken? ›

Turn the chicken breast-side up, then press down firmly on the breastbone to flatten and open out the chicken.
  1. Meal 1: Spatchco*cked roast chicken with orzo and roast vegetables. ...
  2. Meal 2: Chicken, leek and ham pasties. ...
  3. Meal 3 Freekeh, chicken and pomegranate salad. ...
  4. Meal 4: Chicken and mango coconut curry.

What are some different ways to cook chicken? ›

Seven Different Ways to Cook your Chicken
  1. Roast Chicken. Roasted chicken is one of the tastiest, most satisfying dishes you can make. ...
  2. Baked Chicken. Baked chicken is different from roasted chicken in two ways. ...
  3. Braised Chicken. ...
  4. Poached Chicken. ...
  5. Fried Chicken. ...
  6. Grilled chicken. ...
  7. Pan-Fried Chicken. ...
  8. Hugh Phillips Gower Butcher.
Apr 16, 2018

How do you make multiple meals out of one chicken? ›

Some options for 1-2 cups cooked chicken:
  1. White Chicken Lasagna.
  2. Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps.
  3. Chicken Burritos.
  4. Chicken Bacon Avocado Wraps.
  5. Chicken Fried Rice (skip the cooking chicken part)
  6. Chicken Avocado Salad.
  7. Chicken Alfredo Pizza.

How much chicken do you feed a crowd? ›

I go for um, about 4 ounces of cooked chicken breast per. Per. Per person, per adult serving. And to get that, about one and a/2 pounds of raw chicken. will give you about four pounds of cooked chicken, which would be the family four, if you're trying to be a family four.

How many pounds of chicken do I need for 20 adults? ›

5lbs of meat per person at a party. So for 3lbs maybe 6. It also depends on how it's being served. If it's in a dish where the chicken is the main component maybe you'd need a little more chicken.

How much chicken do I need for 10 adults? ›

Cooked Boneless Chicken

For each adult, count on having about 4 to 5 ounces of cooked chicken, 10 ounces of uncooked boneless chicken breasts will yield approximately 6 1/2 ounces cooked, while 10 ounces of uncooked boneless chicken thighs will yield about 5 ounces cooked.

How much chicken do I need to feed 50 people? ›

How Much Food to Serve at a Party
FOODSERVE 25SERVE 50
Meats
Chicken or turkey breast8–9 pounds16–18 pounds
Fish (fillets or steaks)7-1/2 pounds15 pounds
Hamburgers6-1/2–9-1/2 pounds13–15 pounds
35 more rows
Apr 1, 2024

What part of a whole chicken takes the longest to cook? ›

Dark meat, such as chicken thighs or legs, will take longer to cook, because they have a higher fat content and density.

Can you eat a whole chicken everyday? ›

While chicken can be a versatile and convenient protein to cook, if your diet doesn't have a diverse protein profile, you lose out on some key nutrients—including essential fats, such as omega-3s. "Eating chicken every day as your sole protein source could result in some nutrient gaps," says Burgess.

What eats a whole chicken? ›

If adult birds are missing but no other signs of disturbance exist, the predator probably is a dog, a coyote, a fox, a bobcat, a hawk, or an owl. These predators typically are able to kill, pick up, and carry off an adult chicken. Hawks typically take chickens during the day, whereas owls take them during the night.

What is the most flavorful way to cook chicken? ›

Getting a good sear through medium high heat, then reducing the heat to LOW and COVERING the chicken while it cooks. The butter, oil, and chicken juices create a super flavorful liquid that acts as a way to steam the chicken at a low temperature, ensuring that it is moist & tender on the inside.

What not to do when cooking chicken? ›

Here are four of the most common mistakes people make when cooking chicken and ways to avoid them from sabotaging your protein-packed meals.
  1. Buying Previously Frozen Meat. ...
  2. Not Brining the Chicken. ...
  3. Not Drying the Chicken. ...
  4. Cooking Meat Right Out of the Fridge. ...
  5. See How Chicken is Done at La Rosa Chicken and Grill.

Is chicken better in oven or pan? ›

What Is The Best Way To Cook A Chicken Breast? Cooking a boneless and skinless chicken breast in a hot cast iron pan is by far the easiest and most tasty way to cook the breast. You are far less likely to overcook the chicken breast compared to baking it in the oven or poaching it in water.

How many servings is one chicken? ›

A whole 3 to 4-pound chicken will feed 4 to 6 people, depending on ages and appetite. For Cornish game hens, which are very small chickens, count on one small (1.25 pounds) game hen per person or half of a larger (2-pound) game hen.

How many meals can you get from one rotisserie chicken? ›

I am sharing how I take one Costco Rotisserie Chicken and turn it into 5 meals for my husband and me. That's FIVE MEALS, not five servings! Plus, I use my InstantPot to make a delicious chicken soup from the bones, so technically that's SIX meals! And no, they aren't chintzy, starvation diet-sized meals.

How much chicken meat per meal? ›

Enjoy 3–4 ounces (85–113 grams) of chicken per serving and choose healthy cooking methods like baking, grilling, stir-frying, or steaming whenever possible.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5967

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Birthday: 1996-12-09

Address: Apt. 141 1406 Mitch Summit, New Teganshire, UT 82655-0699

Phone: +2296092334654

Job: Technology Architect

Hobby: Snowboarding, Scouting, Foreign language learning, Dowsing, Baton twirling, Sculpting, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.