107 Easy Chicken Recipes For A Quick Dinner Tonight

We've rounded up more than 100 of our favorite quick chicken recipes—like enchiladas, casseroles, and pot pies—for easy meals on any night of the week.

Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberries, Goat Cheese, and Pickled Onion
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

We've rounded up our favorite, easy ways to prepare chicken. We love chicken for its nutritional value, accessibility, low cost, and—most importantly—extreme versatility. This much-loved poultry serves as a blank slate and flavor-absorbing foundation for every cuisine imaginable. It can be roasted, pan-seared, grilled, and even cooked in a Southerner's favorite fashion—hand-breaded and deep-fried

We've rounded up more than 100 of our favorite chicken recipes so that you'll never have to look too far to find an easy recipe that will please your crowd any night of the week. These chicken recipes include everything from Southwest Chicken Tortillas to BBQ Chicken Pizza to Chicken Pot Pie. For your easy weeknight chicken dinners, look no further. Here's how to put this much-loved poultry on the dinner table.

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Lemon Chicken Pasta

Southern Living Lemon Chicken Pasta in a bowl ready to serve

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This delicious chicken pasta dish is ready in just 35 minutes. Creamy and cheesy, yet light and bright, this satisfying mix is made perfect with the crunchy panko-coated chicken on top.

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Crispy Fried Chicken

Southern Living Crispy Fried Chicken on a platter to serve

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

While this chicken dinner does take some time to marinade, once you've got it ready to deep fry, you'll be at the end goal in no more than 45 minutes. Consider putting the chicken in the marinade mix and creating the flour blend in the morning, so that when dinner time comes around, you'll be ready to dredge and fry. Serve with potato salad or mac and cheese and a roasted veggie for a comforting and balanced meal.

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Chicken-Bacon Ranch Casserole

Chicken-Bacon Ranch Casserole
Alison Miksch

This family-friendly casserole comes together in under an hour. Chicken, bacon, and ranch create a creamy, cheesy, flavorful pasta dish. This casserole is ideal for a make-and-take dish or to reheat as leftovers.

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Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Start by sprinkling the thyme mixture evenly on both sides of the chicken. After, wrap slices of bacon around each chicken breast to cover as much chicken as possible. Use a nonstick skillet for cooking the chicken, browning all sides, for about 25 minutes.

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Orange-Rosemary Roast Chicken

Orange-Rosemary Roast Chicken
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This simple sheet pan roasted chicken is salty, nutty, sweet, and bright. The orange juice, vinegar, and honey sauce add a zesty flavoring, pairing perfectly with rosemary and shaved Parmesan cheese. A sheet pan helps the chicken and vegetables soak up all the marinade's flavoring.

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Baked Caprese Chicken With Green Beans And Corn

Baked Caprese Chicken with Green Beans and Corn
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Make dinner with minimal effort and even less cleanup by making a simple sheet pan supper. Combine skinless chicken breasts with mozzarella and tomatoes to become a cheesy, zesty, and bruschetta-like dish. Marinated tomatoes, corn, and green beans add brightness to this chicken dish.

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One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Satisfy your Tex-Mex craving with this one-pot pasta that comes together in 35 minutes. Pepper Jack cheese and pasta water combine to create a creamy sauce that is still light. Flavored with chili powder and cumin, add the ideal amount of heat. Add more or less chopped jalapeños depending on your heat preferences.

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Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

This casserole, held together by a creamy sauce, combines chicken, vegetables, and pasta. The melty cheese and creamy soup are ideal for feeding a hungry crowd. Overall, this easy-to-assemble dish is well-rounded with sauteed vegetables and cream of mushroom soup.

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Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

These wings take only five ingredients to make. The tangy, zesty seasoning pairs perfectly with the butter base on these air fryer chicken wings. This cooking method helps create a crispy crust without drying out the inside of the chicken. Pair with your favorite dipping sauce.

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Chicken-And-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole
Hector Sanchez

This rustic meal, a company's-coming riff on the old-school chicken-and-rice number, is held together by a tangy gravy flavored with country ham and mushrooms. A cast iron skillet is ideal for cooking the ham, which is flavored by adding onions, carrots, and mushrooms. Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.

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Chicken-And-Biscuit Cobbler

Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler
Alison Miksch

This family-friendly dish is sure to become a new holiday staple. Use fresh herbs in the cobbler for even more flavoring. To help assemble this comfort food faster, use store-bought rotisserie chicken.

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BBQ Chicken Burger

BBQ Chicken Burger
Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

The key to these burgers is the toppings. Smoky chipotle, paprika spices, creamy slaw, and tangy pickles perfectly pair flavors on this chicken sandwich. Change the amount of adobo sauce in this recipe depending on your heat preferences.

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White Lightning Chicken Chili

White Lightning Chicken Chili
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

White Lightning Chicken Chili gets its name because it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish to get this one-dish meal to the table. Don't drain the chopped green chiles or navy beans. Serve chili with cornbread.

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Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake
Iain Bagwell

Cheese-filled tortellini and a chopped pecan topping add extra flavor to this kid-friendly Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake. At the same time, broccoli and red bell pepper contribute pops of color throughout this one-dish meal. Add even more fun colors by using colored tortellini. Ingredients like white wine and pecans will impress guests, while the delicious buttery crackers and grated Parmesan cheese will please even the pickiest eaters.

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Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas

Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

This hearty dish is a more substantial version of classic Buffalo chicken dip. Fill corn tortillas with a creamy combination of cheeses and peppers. Place the tortillas with the seam side down so it holds together when baking.

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Pimiento Cheese Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

Pimiento Cheese Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Pimiento peppers, cheese, chicken, and broccoli are a dreamy combination. The extra-sharp Cheddar cheese melts perfectly in this pasta bake, mixed with pimiento peppers, reminding you of your favorite dip. Top with buttery crackers for the ideal topping.

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Stovetop Chicken Pie

Stovetop Chicken Pie
Jennifer Davick

After eating this pot pie version of the classic Southern chicken and biscuit meal, you'll wonder why you didn't think of this casserole sooner. Use frozen buttermilk biscuits for quicker cook time. A family-size rotisserie chicken yields the perfect amount of chopped cooked chicken for this quick twist on a traditional chicken pot pie. Lighten up this meal with low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup, or serve it over brown rice rather than biscuits.

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Chicken And Fontina Panini

Chicken and Fontina Panini
Greg DuPree

Crusty on the outside and gooey on the inside, this sandwich requires little effort and makes a satisfying lunch or light dinner. You can make hot sandwiches with two heavy cast-iron skillets—no panini press required. While cooking a sandwich in one skillet, heat the second one on a separate burner. Once hot, place the second skillet on top of the sandwich for one to two minutes. Repeat on the flip side.

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Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

Skillet Enchiladas Suizas
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Enjoy tasty enchiladas without rolling or filling tortillas. This skillet supper is a crowd-pleasing way to serve enchiladas and let everyone enjoy and customize their dinner with toppings. Create a toppings bar with lime wedges, thinly sliced radishes, crumbled cotija cheese, sliced scallions, pickled red onions, and pickled jalapeño slices.

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Chicken Stir-Fry

Chicken Stir-Fry
Greg DuPree

Fresh veggies add prep time but allow you to customize this stir-fry with summer favorites. Add any veggie you like for a meal to please the whole family. The best part? This one-dish wonder will be ready in just 10 minutes.

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Grilled Chicken Salad With Blueberries, Goat Cheese, And Pickled Onion

Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberries, Goat Cheese, and Pickled Onion
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Grilled chicken is always a great salad topping, adding a healthy and hearty protein with smoky flavoring. Enhance your salad by adding blueberries, goat cheese, and pickled onions for a refreshing twist. For even more texture and sweetness, add candied pecans on top.

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Chicken Noodle Bowl With Peanut-Ginger Sauce

Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce
Greg DuPree

Make the dressing and prep the veggies the day before, and dinner will be on the table in minutes. This chicken is a great recipe to customize to your preferences, adding and subtracting fresh veggies to suit your taste. Save even more time by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken.

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Chicken-And-Biscuit Pot Pie

Chicken-and-Biscuit Pot Pie
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

There's no need to reach for your rolling pin to make this version of chicken pot pie. Frozen, not refrigerated biscuits help this dish come together quickly while also not burning in the oven. Let this dish stand for 10 minutes before serving to let the filling thicken slightly.

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Chipotle-Maple Chicken Thighs With Candied Acorn Squash

Chipotle-Maple Chicken Thighs with Candied Acorn Squash
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Ditch your plain grilled chicken for a zesty, perfectly spiced dinner instead. Chipotle-Maple chicken delivers a smoky heat flavor with a touch of sweetness. For perfectly crispy chicken, place it under the broil for a few minutes after baking.

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Southwest Chicken Tortillas

Southwest Chicken Tortillas
Greg DuPree

Serve these Southwest Chicken Tortillas with sliced avocados and extra salsa on the side. We used corn tortillas, but feel free to use flour. Customize any toppings you like—you can't go wrong with this family favorite.

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Chicken And White Bean Salad With Citrus Vinaigrette

Chicken and White Bean Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Greg DuPree

This vibrant salad is quick to toss together and travels well, which makes it ideal for summer picnics and potlucks. The salad won't wilt when dressed, so make it ahead of time and store it for several hours in the refrigerator. Sliced almonds are the ideal topping for this refreshing dish.

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Spicy Grilled Chicken Breasts

Spicy Grilled Chicken Breasts
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This fresh and light dish will be your go-to supper this season. The chicken breasts get a flavor boost from the perfectly seasoned brine. Be sure to allow enough time for the chicken to chill uncovered for 30 minutes before grilling.

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Chicken Salad With Grapes And Pecans

Chicken Salad With Grapes and Pecans on a plate with leaf lettuce and club crackers
Will Dickey

Leftover chicken gets a fresh makeover with fresh lemon juice, chopped and toasted pecans, and sweet grapes. We love the convenience of whipping up a batch of this easy-to-make chicken salad to have on hand throughout the week. Serve in lettuce cups or with crackers.

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Chicken-Bell Pepper Tacos

Shrimp-Tomatillo Tacos, Black Bean-Corn Tacos, and Chicken-Bell Pepper Tacos
Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Upgrade taco night with this fresh and fast recipe. Bell peppers add a bold flavoring paired with onions, garlic, cilantro, and chiles. Use a rotisserie chicken to help these tacos assemble more quickly.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs With Carrots And Potatoes

Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots
Photo: Alison Miksch

The trick to extra-savory veggies is cooking the chicken on top of the potatoes and carrots. Start with a layer of vegetables, then add the broth mixture over the top. Slow-cook the seasoned chicken and wait until the vegetables are tender.

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Spiced Chicken And Veggie Kebabs With Grilled Pita Bread

Spiced Chicken and Veggie Kebabs with Grilled Pita Bread
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Choose thighs, which are great for marinating because the nooks and crannies trap in the flavor. This four-ingredient marinade delivers a robust flavor that pairs well with grilled pita bread. Marinate the chicken overnight to help save time preparing this dish.

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Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe With Dressing

Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe with Dressing

PHOTO: VICTOR PROTASIO; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS; FOOD STYLING: TINA BELL STAMOS

A sheet pan chicken dinner makes preparations and cooking a breeze. Store-bought cornbread helps cut down on preparation time when used for dressing. To ensure everything cooks evenly, cut the apples and vegetables as directed.

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Honey-Butter Chicken Skewers

Honey-Butter Chicken Skewers
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Enjoy this Korean barbecue-inspired dish that's rich, salty, and sweet all at once. Red onions help flavor these chicken skewers but serve this dish with any vegetables you prefer. Brush with the sticky-sweet glaze for a proper barbecue treat.

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BBQ Chicken Pizza

Quick BBQ Chicken Pizzas
Photo: Jason Wallis

Baking the pizzas directly on the oven rack gives you a crisp crust in less time. While this recipe uses sliced banana peppers, red onions, and scallions as toppings, feel free to customize it to your preferences. Use pre-shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese for convenience.

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Heirloom Tomato And Chicken Toss

Heirloom Tomato and Chicken Toss
Greg DuPree

Serve this fresh summer salad with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful tomato juices. If you can't find heirloom tomatoes near you, don't worry—This salad is just as delicious when made with any ripe tomatoes. In 20 minutes, this refreshing summer dish is ready to enjoy.

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Chicken-And-Shrimp Kebabs With Summer Vegetables And Basil Oil

Chicken-and-Shrimp Kebabs with Summer Vegetables and Basil Oil
Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

This easy kabob dish is both beautiful and delicious. Pay attention to the kebobs when grilling, as the shrimp will cook faster than the chicken. You can substitute whatever veggies you have on hand for an easy supper.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Lettuce Cups

Slow-Cooker Chicken Lettuce Cups
Alison Miksch

These cups pair a salad's freshness with a taco's heartiness. Choose your favorite toppings to customize this dish, including green onion slices, sweet mini peppers, or spicy pickles. Dried crushed red pepper adds even more heat and flavor. Serve as an appetizer or light dinner.

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Balsamic-Garlic Chicken Breasts

Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes: Balsamic-Garlic Chicken Breasts
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Pantry staples help this easy-to-make chicken dinner assemble in under half an hour. Use the fresh garlic, balsamic vinegar, and honey glaze for flavorful chicken breasts. This recipe easily doubles if you want to prepare enough for leftovers.

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Garlic-Oregano Chicken With Grilled Leeks And Lemon

Garlic-Oregano Chicken with Grilled Leeks and Lemon
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This garlicky and citrusy dish is a crowd-pleaser. Grilled leeks pair perfectly with succulent roast chicken as the tender and savory combination amplifies the charred flavoring from the grill. Immerse the chicken in the marinade, a mixture of lemon juice, oil, garlic, oregano, and crushed red pepper, for at least 30 minutes.

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Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken And Potatoes

Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

This winner of a chicken dinner is our new favorite roasting-pan supper. This dish, prepared in a little over an hour, comes together with 20 minutes of hands-on cooking time. To season this dish, use a dynamic trio of citrusy lemon, fragrant rosemary, and flavorful garlic.

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Buttermilk-And-Honey Chicken Kabobs

Buttermilk-and-Honey Chicken Kabobs
Jim Franco

A buttermilk marinade ensures tender meat and juicy flavor. Start by mixing the hot sauce, tomato pasta, and honey in a bowl before adding the buttermilk. After whisking the first ingredients, add more seasoning with grated sweet onions, minced garlic cloves, and cracked black pepper. Let the skewers soak in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.

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Chicken Cutlets With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

chicken cutlets with sun-dried tomato cream sauce in skillet
Photographer: Alison Miksch / Food Stylist: Melissa Gray / Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Cleanup is easy with this one-pan dinner (you'll make the sauce in the same pan you used to cook the cutlets). If your grocery store does not have cutlets readily available, use regular chicken breasts and slice them in half, then use a mallet to flatten them lightly. Make it in batches if your skillet is too small to accommodate all the cutlets at once.

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Crispy Chicken-And-Broccoli Salad

Crispy Chicken-and-Broccoli Salad
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

To save time, purchase premade chicken tenders from the grocery store or a local restaurant. This recipe is ideal for making ahead of time as it requires at least two hours of chill time before serving. The creamy, tangy, and crunchy textures guarantee there is something for everyone in this main dish salad.

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Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas
Alison Miksch

Make the enchilada sauce up to three days ahead—the flavors will meld and only get better. We used corn tortillas in this recipe, but feel free to swap them for flour tortillas if you prefer. If you're fixing and freezing this recipe, complete up to baking in Step 4. For best results, wait to bake until you're ready to eat.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore With Spaghetti

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Spend 20 minutes in the kitchen prepping this gorgeous, hearty sauce. Fire-roasted tomatoes, peppers, and onions give the sauce plenty of flavoring. After simmering the sauce in the cooker, cook a pound of pasta to serve.

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Grilled Chicken Thighs With Alabama White Sauce

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Alabama White Sauce
Southern Living

Grilled chicken is classic summertime food, and these perfectly seasoned chicken thighs use pantry spices, including paprika, oregano, cumin, and onion powder. Top the tender and juicy chicken with Alabama white sauce, a creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, hot sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and additional spices.

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Top-Shelf Chicken Under A Brick

Top-Shelf Chicken Under a Brick Recipe
Photo: Hector Sanchez

The "top-shelf" in this recipe speaks to the bird's crispy skin, superior flavor, and juiciness. The "under a brick" technique uses the weight of a cast-iron skillet filled with potatoes to flatten the chicken against the hot grill grates. This cooking method reduces time standing over the grill and helps seal the flavor while creating a perfectly brown, crispy skin.

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Buttermilk Chicken And Waffles

Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles
Jennifer Davick

Keep waffles warm in a 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes before assembling. Placing the waffles in the oven while you prepare the chicken helps keep everything warm until ready to serve. After, top the waffles with buttermilk chicken for a classic combination.

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Fried Chicken Tacos With Buttermilk-Jalapeño Sauce

Fried Chicken Tacos with Buttermilk-Jalapeño Sauce
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Use this creamy sauce to dress up store-bought fried chicken or as a salad dressing or dip for wings. Adjust the heat by adding more or less jalapeño. We like to double up on the tortillas, taco-truck style, for any of these tacos.

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Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken

Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Soak chicken in this salty-sweet brine to keep it moist. After creating the tea and brown sugar mixture, place it and the chicken inside a Ziploc bag to chill for 24 hours. Fry the chicken in batches, so it cooks evenly.

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King Ranch Chicken Mac And Cheese

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

All the flavors of a favorite casserole come together in the comfort of mac and cheese. To simplify preparation for this dish, use store-bought conveniences like cream of chicken soup, pre-shredded cheese, and rotisserie chicken. Freeze this hearty, cheesy favorite in lidded bakeware for easy transport between the oven, freezer, and fridge.

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Crispy Chicken Thighs With Pasta And Pesto

Crispy Chicken Thighs with Pasta and Pesto Recipe
Photo: Greg Dupree

This stovetop-to-oven method yields crisp, dark-golden skin and juicy, tender meat. Save the arugula pesto sauce for up to one week in the refrigerator, or make it before this dinner. After preparing the pasta, toss it with chicken broth and arugula pesto before returning the mixture to the skillet.

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Sesame-Crusted Chicken Breasts With Sugar Snap Pea Salad

Sesame-Crusted Chicken Breasts with Sugar Snap Pea Salad
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Classic chicken breasts get a flavor twist when coated with black and white sesame seeds. This coating adds a unique crunchy texture to the chicken's exterior while maintaining a juicy and tender interior. Leave enough time for the chicken to marinate—two to six hours—so the orange-spiked soy sauce soaks all the way through.

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Curried Chicken Pot Pie

Curried Chicken Pot Pie
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This curry-flavored chicken pot pie freezes well, so make an extra on hand when you don't know what to cook for dinner. It takes 24 hours for a frozen pie to properly defrost, so plan in advance. Red curry paste gives this comfort-food dish a unique flavoring.

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Roasted Chicken Caesar Salad

Roasted Chicken Caesar Salad
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Reinvent the Caesar by roasting the lettuce to caramelize it, and jazz up store-bought dressing to make it taste homemade. Customize this classic salad by offering different toppings. Some topping options include Parmesan cheese, black pepper, flat-leaf parsley leaves, and croutons.

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Chicken And Veggie Stir-Fry

Chicken and Veggie Stir-Fry
Photo: Jennifer Davick

This colorful chicken and vegetable stir fry is a delight for the eyes and the taste buds. This dish includes a colorful array of fresh yellow squash, red bell pepper, broccolini, and green onions. Even better, use frozen vegetables to save time.

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Chicken-And-Quinoa Salad With Pepper Jelly Dressing

Chicken-and-Quinoa Salad with Pepper Jelly Dressing
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

The prep time for this salad is 15 minutes, so you can have it ready for dinner in no time. The key to this dish is the homemade pepper jelly dressing. Pepper jelly and orange juice combine to create a subtly sweet and slightly spicy sauce, ideal for this salad.

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Pan-Grilled Chicken With Fresh Plum Salsa

Pan-Grilled Chicken with Fresh Plum Salsa
Photo: Jennifer Davick

A mix of sweetness and heat on these chicken cutlets will prepare your family's taste buds for dinner. Add a side of steamed vegetables for a complete meal. The best part is it's ready in under half an hour.

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Citrus Soy Chicken Skewers With Peanut Sauce

Citrus Soy Chicken Skewers
Harper Horizon

Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs to get a charred texture for these Thai-inspired skewers. Make extra peanut sauce because it is a favorite, plus you don't need to roast or crush the peanuts to create it. Garnish with chopped peanuts, green onions, cilantro, basil, mint, or red onion.

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Cajun Chicken Pasta

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Ralph Anderson

Enjoy a filling Cajun chicken pasta that goes from stovetop to table in 20 minutes. The creamy white sauce adds a statement-making flavor to this simple skillet dish. The sauce, enhanced with bell peppers, mushrooms, and green onions, is a crowd-pleaser paired with pasta and chicken.

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Crispy Oven-Fried Drumsticks

Crispy Oven-fried Drumsticks
Ralph Anderson

Everyone has their version of classic fried chicken, but this recipe might be your new favorite. Eliminate the deep-fryer and replace it with an oven-fried chicken that's just as crunchy and flavorful. The crushed cornflakes, Parmesan cheese, and buttermilk mixture create a perfect coating.

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Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Add significant flavor to these chicken tacos using a jar of salsa. Purchase chunky salsa to help tenderize the meat, which complements the adobo sauce. Try topping the tacos with avocado, sour cream, lime, and cilantro.

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Chicken Thighs With Tomato-Caper Sauce

Chicken Thighs with Tomato-Caper Sauce
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

The secret to the easy-to-make weeknight dinner is in the sauce. Adding capers to tomato sauce complements the sauce's simple seasoning with a salty, tangy flavor. Try this chicken and sauce over pasta, rice, or hot grits.

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Cranberry Chicken Salad

Chicken salad with dried cranberries

VeseloveElena / Getty Images

This classic chicken salad recipe enhances store-bought rotisserie chicken with chopped celery, sweet pickle relish, and other seasonings. Toss everything in Dijon mustard and mayonnaise for a smooth and creamy result. Substitute cubed apples for cranberries if you prefer.

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Fried Chicken Wings

Broccoli Slaw
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Soak chicken twice in the egg-milk mixture and double-dredge in the highly seasoned flour for a superior crust. When serving, brighten up fried wings with lemon slices and parsley leaves. Voilá!

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Chicken-And-Collards Pilau

Chicken-and-Collards Pilau
Photo: Greg Dupree

Chicken, rice, and greens fill one soulful pot in our family-friendly take on a Lowcountry staple. Quick-cooking basmati rice helps turn this recipe into dinner in no time and stays fluffy throughout the entire cooking process. Stir halfway through the baking process and serve immediately.

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Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Hector Sanchez

Layers of corn tortillas give this ultra-creamy casserole some texture. Structured like lasagna but flavored like the classic Tex-Mex enchilada dish, this chicken casserole is bursting with a smoky, spicy flavor and is sure to impress. We seasoned it with poblano peppers, green chiles, taco mix, and two creamy kinds of cheese to satisfy your Mexican-food cravings without leaving the house.

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Green Chile-Chicken Soup

Green Chile-Chicken Soup
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Mashed white Great Northern beans thicken and enrich this broth in the chicken soup. Add more chicken broth to even out the dairy ingredients for a lighter, thinner soup. This soup is smoky, spicy, and creamy, but garnishes like cilantro, sour cream, and radishes add great flavor and texture.

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Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Pickled Peppers & Onions
Becky Luigart Stayner

Barbecued, shredded chicken served on sweet potato cornbread is better when topped with pickled peppers, onions, and simple slaw. The delicious and satisfying sandwich uses paprika, garlic powder, ketchup, and light brown sugar season in the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and bourbon sauce. The cornbread only takes about 15 minutes of hands-on time.

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Chicken Risotto With Spring Vegetables

Chicken Risotto with Spring Vegetables
Jennifer Davick

Skinless, boneless chicken breasts, topped with savory Parmesan cheese slivers, rule the roost in this fast weeknight meal. Add asparagus, zucchini, herbs, and cheese to create a creamy risotto to serve alongside this chicken. Save some parsley and pepper to add at the end, and serve immediately.

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Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Char one side of the tortillas directly over gas flames for a few seconds using tongs for a fast flourish. If you aren't a fan of tomatillos or can't find them in your grocery store, swap in your favorite tomato variety or whip up one of our other salsa recipes to use as a topper.

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Chicken Divan

close up view of Chicken Divan in a glass baking dish
Daniel Mistele

This version of Chicken Divan is a perfect blend of easy and company-worthy. While this recipe calls for Parmesan cheese, substitute cheddar if you prefer. Folding whipped cream into the sauce helps make it ultra-rich.

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Chicken-And-Artichoke Penne

Chicken-and-Artichoke Penne
Alison Miksch

After cooking the chicken in a hot skillet, add the tomatoes and artichokes, and continue to stir until the tomatoes burst. Later, stir the pasta, spinach, and cheese before returning the chicken to the mixture. A handheld microplane grater makes it easy to add fresh Parmesan flavor.

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Baked Chicken Roulade

Baked Chicken Roulade
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Baked Chicken Roulade is fancy enough for a special occasion but quick enough to make on a busy weeknight. After placing the chicken between sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to help flatten the chicken to a uniform thickness. To keep the spinach mixture tucked into the chicken, secure it with wooden picks.

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Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches

Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Shredded chicken and creamy white barbecue sauce are a perfect sandwich combination. Top the chicken with tangy red cabbage and pickles. This recipe makes about eight sandwiches, so you'll have plenty of leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.

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Smoky Chicken Panini With Basil Mayo

Smoky Chicken Panini with Basil Mayo
Jennifer Davick

Smoky Gouda cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and baby spinach join grilled chicken breasts in this panini, slathered with fresh Basil Mayo. Before placing the sandwiches in the panini press, brush each side with melted butter. Cook in batches until the sides of each sandwich are golden brown.

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Easy Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Photo: Iain Bagwell

A great catch-all dish, you can make fried rice with any vegetables and proteins left in the fridge at the end of the week. Quickly chop up your ingredients and sauté them in a mixture of Asian chili-garlic sauce and soy sauce for bold flavor.

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Fried Chicken Salad With Basil-Buttermilk Dressing

Fried Chicken Salad with Basil-Buttermilk Dressing
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Fried chicken is a go-to lunch after church on Sundays. Adding basil to the buttermilk dressing adds freshness and a lovely light green color. Use a blender or food processor to help the sauce come together more efficiently—which also works well on other meats and sandwiches.

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Grilled Chicken Sandwich With Tangy Honey Barbecue Sauce

Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Tangy Honey Barbecue Sauce
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Enjoy a classic BBQ chicken sandwich that does not use refined sugar in its sauce. This lightened-up version of this classic food will be your new go-to recipe, as the thick and tangy sauce gives the chicken depth without too much spice. Try this sandwich topped with tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles.

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Chicken-And-Wild Rice Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Save time (and dirty dishes) with lidded bakeware that goes from oven to freezer to fridge easily. Sliced almonds, water chestnuts, cream of mushroom soup, and Cheddar cheese add a depth of flavor and texture to this satisfying casserole.

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Lemon-Barbecue Chicken

Lemon-Barbecue Chicken
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Make this lemony and bright marinade up to two days in advance. Start by grilling chicken with the skin side up to prevent it from drying. The lemon's acid helps tenderize the meat, but adding it too soon will break down the chicken's protein and change its texture.

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Red Rice-Smoked Chicken Perloo

Ashleigh Shanti's Red Rice-Smoked Chicken Perloo
Peter Frank Edwards; Prop Styling: Kendra Surface; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Perloo is a comforting one-pot rice dish. This recipe combines bacon, smoked chicken, white wine, smoked paprika, and plenty of bell peppers for an aromatic dish. While this recipe uses red rice, any medium-grain rice will work.

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Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pie

Double-Crust Chicken Pot Pie
Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Lose the centerpiece to your table. This impressive pot pie is enough to dazzle guests. Blind baking the bottom crust helps it stay golden and crisp.

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Quick Chicken Noodle Bowls

Quick Chicken Noodle Bowls Recipe
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Fresh lime juice adds extra bright flavor. Bringing the broth back to a boil before serving ensures the snap peas cook to a crisp-tender texture. For toppings, choose a variety of thinly sliced sugar snap peas, fresh cilantro, mint leaves, green onions, or red chile peppers.

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Beer Can Chicken

Beer-Can Chicken
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Grilling is a delicious way to "roast" a whole bird, especially when beer is involved. Use a milder brew if you wish, but skip hoppy IPAs for the best flavoring. The chicken gets its addition seasoning from kosher salt, light brown sugar, ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and black pepper.

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Crispy Onions And Parmesan Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

Crispy Onions and Parmesan Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This lightened-up casserole pairs crispy onions and Parmesan cheese for a dynamic duo of flavors. The Test Kitchen refers to this dish as a distant cousin to green bean casserole, an all-time favorite dish. Instead of brown rice, substitute it for whole-wheat penne pasta in this recipe.

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Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

There's no need to use a rolling pin for this version of chicken pot pie. Use store-bought, refrigerated pie crust to help make this classic comfort food come together more quickly. For even more time-saving tricks, chop the chicken, carrots, and leeks up to two days in advance.

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Chicken Pot Pie With Bacon-And-Cheddar Biscuits

Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Replace the traditional pastry crust in chicken pot pie with homemade biscuits. These biscuits are made with sharp Cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, and chives, making them just as tasty solo as atop this chicken pot pie.

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Poppy Seed Chicken

Classic Poppy Seed Chicken

SOUTHERN LIVING

Create a uniquely flavored chicken dish with only six ingredients. This poppy seed chicken is a perfect meal to throw together on busy weeknights because it requires 10 minutes of hands-on time. Serve this chicken with rice or a fresh salad for a complete dinner.

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French Onion Chicken Casserole

French Onion Chicken Casserole
Stacy Allen; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower

This French Onion Chicken Casserole is perfect for chilly nights. It's rich, cheesy, and loaded with onion flavor. This casserole is great for preparing in advancing, freezing, and taking out when you need dinner quickly.

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Chicken Cobbler Casserole

Chicken Cobbler Casserole
Alison Miksch

This dinner combines two of our favorite things—chicken and cobbler. Make things easier by using a rotisserie chicken. For extra flavor, sprinkle roasted red peppers on the cubed sourdough toppings.

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Buttermilk Alfredo Chicken Spinach Pasta

VICTOR PROTASIO; PROP STYLING: CLAIRE SPOLLEN; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

Help this dish assemble quickly by using rotisserie chicken. Replacing the heavy cream with buttermilk creates a velvety and satisfying cheese sauce. Use whatever pasta you have available.

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Chicken-And-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup

Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortelloni Soup
Alison Miksch

In 20 minutes, this easy soup comes together for a delicious weeknight meal. Substitute any tortelloni pasta for refrigerated chicken-and-prosciutto tortelloni if you prefer. Add the spinach after removing the soup from the heat.

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Chicken-Parmesan Meatballs

chicken-parmesan-meatballs-1019din
Antonis Achilleos

If you can't get enough chicken Parmesan, you'll love this twist on the Italian classic. Transform chicken Parmesan ingredients into bite-sized treats. For best results, purchase a mix of white and dark meat ground chicken.

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Baked Ziti With Chicken

Baked Ziti with Chicken
Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

Cheesy, hearty, and customizable—these are only a few of the reasons we love ziti. Instead of ground beef or Italian sausage, this recipe uses rotisserie chicken to shred and toss into this pasta dish. In addition to pre-shredded cheese and homemade sauce, this dinner will be a real crowd-pleaser.

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Creamy Chicken Sausage-And-Kale Soup

Creamy Chicken Sausage-and-Kale Soup
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This chicken sausage and kale soup is an upgraded version of classic chicken noodle soup. Kale provides plenty of nutritional value—It's high in potassium, antioxidants, and vitamin B6. Enjoy the smell of this soup cooking from the beginning, as the onions and garlic create a savory aroma.

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Homemade Fried Chicken Sandwich

A fried chicken breast on a bun, with two slices of pickles, on a plate above a dish cloth.

Serious Eats / Mariel De La Cruz

Learn how to prepare a homemade crispy, juicy fried chicken sandwich. Add a creamy, tangy, and special flavoring by marinating the chicken in buttermilk. The secret to getting perfect crisp chicken is letting the oil reach the desired temperature before adding your chicken.

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Roast Chicken With Sweet Potatoes And Apples

Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Apples
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Feed the gang with one large bird or two smaller ones. To achieve golden brown skin, roast at high heat, then turn the oven temperature down to cook the chicken through. Serve with sweet potatoes and apples for a perfect finish.

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Cajun Chicken Cassoulet

Cajun Chicken Cassoulet
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Prepare this delicious cassoulet with a Toasted Herbed Breadcrumb Topping for added crunch and flavor in every bite. Smoked Cajun sausage and bell peppers add extra heat, but you can decrease the overall spiciness by adding less Cajun seasoning. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the top is bubbly.

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Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

This Tex-Mex one-dish meal is a family-friendly favorite. It's an easy make-ahead meal you can freeze for up to one month. Think about making these enchiladas when you have a busy night.

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Pecan-Crusted Chicken And Tortellini With Herbed Butter Sauce

Pecan-Crusted Chicken and Tortellini with Herbed Butter Sauce
Photo: Jennifer Davick

This nutty and buttery dish is your winning solution to getting dinner on the table in 30 minutes. Tortellini tossed in an herbed butter sauce makes sure it's both hearty and delicious. Garnish with cheese and serve immediately.

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Chicken-And-Brisket Brunswick Stew

Chicken Soups Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew
Iain Bagwell

You won't be able to get enough of this hearty stew. And with a price that won't hurt your wallet, you may want to make extra for the freezer. Chicken breasts, beef brisket, chili sauce, and garlic combine to create a peppery and savory stew. Serve with hot sauce if you prefer more heat.

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Chicken Parmesan Pizza

Chicken Parmesan Pizza
Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Enjoy a savory slice of homemade pizza topped with all your favorite chicken Parmesan ingredients. Romaine lettuce, cracked pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese combine to form the toppings of this pizza. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and sprinkle with croutons.

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Mama's Fried Chicken

Mama's Fried Chicken
Southern Living

This traditional Southern recipe features buttermilk, flour, salt, and pepper. The result is juicy chicken on the inside and crispy on the outside. Soak your chicken in the buttermilk at least two hours before frying.

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Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Classic Chicken Tetrazzini
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Make a classic comfort food recipe with this chicken casserole. This family-friendly dish takes less than an hour and provides a filling one-dish meal. Portion individual servings and freeze them in freezer-and-microwave-safe containers. Separating this dish in this way allows you to reheat dinner for one, two, or the entire family.

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Tarragon Chicken Salad

Tarragon Chicken Salad

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This creamy chicken salad pairs perfectly with the crunch of pecans, Granny Smith apples, red onions, and celery. Enjoying this chicken salad recipe is worth the extra ingredients and preparations. Lemon juice and chopped fresh tarragon add additional flavoring to this refreshing dish.

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Chicken And Cornbread Dumplings

Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings
Iain Bagwell

Start by rubbing chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning before placing them in a slow cooker. Add carrots, parsnips, celery, and sweet onion to whisk into a soup. Pour the soup mixture over the vegetables and continue to cook until the chicken easily shreds with a fork.

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