Chicken often gets a bad rap for being the go-to for uninspired dinners, but these 23 recipes are too good to make just once. We worry you may get addicted to them!
Each recipe offers a unique twist on the classic protein, ensuring that your meals are anything but boring. In fact, these recipes are so the opposite from boring, they may ruin other dinner options for you, forever.
Breaking away from the mundane, these recipes introduce a variety of herbs, spices, and cooking techniques that transform chicken from an everyday standby to the star of the dining table. With these creative takes on chicken, you’ll find some recipes can be too dangerous to try.
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks, ready in about 1 hour, bring a burst of South American flavor to the table. The marinade, full of vibrant spices and herbs, ensures these drumsticks are anything but bland. Roasted to golden perfection, they offer a taste that’s both bold and exciting, perfect for shaking up your chicken routine.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
Transform your soup game with Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup, a dish that’s ready in about an hour. The smoky flavor of the chicken elevates this soup beyond the usual, while fresh vegetables and Mexican spices add layers of complexity. Topped with crispy tortilla strips, it offers a textural contrast that keeps each bite interesting.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken, ready in just 20 minutes, is a standout with its sweet and tangy glaze. This recipe takes grilled chicken to new heights with a maple-mustard marinade that caramelizes beautifully. It’s a quick and delightful way to ensure your chicken is never bland or boring.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes
The Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes recipe is a far cry from your typical chicken dish, ready in about an hour. Marinating the chicken in buttermilk ensures tenderness, and the seasoned potatoes complement it perfectly. It’s a dish that proves simplicity doesn’t have to mean blandness, offering a home-cooked taste that’s robust and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes
Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers redefine the classic stuffed pepper in about an hour. The mix of ground chicken, rice, and spices tucked inside bell peppers creates a meal that’s as vibrant in taste as it is in appearance. These peppers are a testament to the versatility of chicken, offering a nutritious meal that’s far from dull.
Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Air Fryer Panko Chicken
In just 25 minutes, Air Fryer Panko Chicken offers a healthier alternative to the usual fried chicken without losing any of the crunch. The air fryer works magic on the panko coating, creating a texture that’s irresistibly crispy. This dish is proof that chicken can be both light and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Panko Chicken
Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice
Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice, ready in about 30 minutes, infuses the zesty flavors of lime and cilantro into a one-pan wonder. This dish is a refreshing departure from your everyday chicken meal, providing a light and flavorful experience. It’s a quick and aromatic option that’s sure to liven up your mealtime.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice
Loaded Blackened Skillet Chicken
The Loaded Blackened Skillet Chicken, taking about 30 minutes to cook, packs a punch with its Southern-inspired flavors. This dish is anything but bland, with a blackened spice blend and a variety of toppings adding excitement to every bite. It’s a skillet creation that delivers a crispy and juicy chicken that’s loaded with personality.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Blackened Skillet Chicken
Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
With the Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken, you can replicate the fine dining experience at home in just 35 minutes. This dish takes the mundane out of chicken with a luscious garlic-herb cheese filling. It’s a straightforward recipe with a sophisticated twist, ideal for a dinner that’s anything but ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
Chicken Tortellini Soup
In about 45 minutes, Chicken Tortellini Soup brings comfort food to life with cheese-filled tortellini and tender chicken in a creamy broth. The garlic and herbs enhance the flavor, ensuring that this soup is anything but ordinary. It’s the perfect blend of smooth and satisfying for those cooler nights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies, ready in about 45 minutes, is a one-pan meal that’s far from the usual fare. The smoky sweetness of paprika transforms the roasted chicken and veggies into a dish that’s both easy and full of flavor. It’s a straightforward meal that’s anything but plain.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables, taking about an hour to prepare, is a one-pan meal that’s hearty and flavorful. Garlic and herbs lend a rustic charm to the chicken and vegetables, ensuring this dish is never mundane. It’s a cozy and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any night when you’re craving something special.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, ready in just 20 minutes, provide a crunch that’s anything but typical. Seasoned breadcrumbs and air frying create a healthier chicken tender that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture. This recipe is a fuss-free way to keep dinner both exciting and simple.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab, which you can enjoy in about 30 minutes, offers a taste of the Middle East that’s far from your everyday chicken dish. The spices mixed into the ground chicken and the grill’s char make for a juicy and flavorful kebab. It’s a quick and exotic meal that’s sure to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Chicken Fried Steak Patty Melt
The Chicken Fried Steak Patty Melt, ready in about 45 minutes, is a creative twist that’s as satisfying as it is unique. Combining the crunch of chicken fried steak with the meltiness of a patty melt, this sandwich is a standout. It’s a dish that’s sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings in an unexpected way.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak Patty Melt
Chicken Shawarma Plate
The Chicken Shawarma Plate, ready in about an hour, brings the vibrant flavors of the Middle East to your table. Grilled marinated chicken, served with hummus and salad, offers a smoky and aromatic flavor that’s anything but tame. It’s a casual yet exotic dining experience that’s sure to spice up your mealtime.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Shawarma Plate
Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet
Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet, ready in 30 minutes, turns the ordinary chicken skillet into a dish with a tangy twist. The creamy balsamic sauce adds a depth of flavor that’s both sharp and smooth. This dish offers a comforting taste with an elegant edge, perfect for when you’re short on time but want something memorable.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet
Chicken Colombian Tamales
Chicken Colombian Tamales, though taking about 2 hours, are a labor of love that’s worth the wait. Steamed in banana leaves, these tamales are filled with flavorful chicken, vegetables, and spices. They’re a departure from the everyday, providing a taste of Colombia that’s rich and authentic.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Colombian Tamales
Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts
Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes, offers a delightful departure from the norm. The sweet and tangy pomegranate molasses combined with the texture of walnuts gives this dish an edge. It’s a flavorful meal that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious, and it’s sure to keep dinner interesting.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Chicken with Walnuts
Chicken Marbella
Chicken Marbella, ready in about an hour and a half, is a dish that’s both sweet and savory, marinated with prunes, olives, and capers. This combination ensures that the chicken is anything but bland, offering a taste that’s as complex as it is delicious. It’s a Mediterranean-inspired meal that’s perfect for when you’re looking to mix things up.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marbella
Two Pesto Chicken Pizza
Two Pesto Chicken Pizza, ready in about 20 minutes, is a delicious twist on traditional pizza. The combination of two types of pesto, chicken, and a blend of cheeses, ensures every slice is bursting with flavor. This pizza is a quick way to elevate your meal with a gourmet touch that’s anything but boring.
Get the Recipe: Two Pesto Chicken Pizza
Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu
Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu, with a cook time of about 4 hours, transforms a classic into a convenient slow-cooked meal. Layered with chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese, it’s a dish that melds flavors in a way that’s anything but ordinary. This is a hands-off recipe that results in a tender and cheesy delight, perfect for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu
Ajiaco Recipe
The Ajiaco Recipe, a Colombian classic taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes, is a hearty soup that’s full of flavor. With chicken, three types of potatoes, and corn, it’s a meal that’s as satisfying as it is diverse. The traditional garnishes add a richness to the dish, making it a comforting and exciting choice for soup lovers.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Recipe