You’re About To Become the Chicken Dinner Whisperer With These 17 Recipes

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You’re About To Become the Chicken Dinner Whisperer With These 17 Recipes

Alright, let’s talk chicken dinner. You know, that go-to meal that everyone expects to be just okay? Well, not anymore, my friend. With these 17 recipes, you’re about to become the chicken dinner whisperer, the one who knows just how to shake things up in the kitchen. We’re talking about great meals that’ll have everyone asking, “How did you do that?”

Creamy chicken dish garnished with bacon and herbs in a skillet with a spatula.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is all about simple ingredients coming together quickly to create a hearty meal perfect for family nights. It features boneless, skinless chicken thighs seasoned with Italian herbs and cooked to perfection in a rich sauce made from sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish pairs well with pasta or a crisp salad and is great for those busy evenings. This recipe cuts down on kitchen time, so you can spend more evenings relaxing with your family.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a breeze to make and bring a burst of flavor to your dinner table. Ready in 20 minutes, they’re perfect for when you need a quick meal that keeps everyone happy. It features bite-sized chicken pieces cooked and then tossed in a rich, buttery garlic sauce, perfect for a quick and savory meal. Pair them with rice or your favorite veggies, and maybe throw in a little chili for an extra kick. They’re also kid-friendly and can help you turn a chaotic dinner hour into a fun meal everyone looks forward to.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup in a white bowl with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bring the classic comfort of chicken pot pie to your dinner table with this easy soup. Filled with protein, vegetables and carbs, it’s ready in about an hour and is perfect for a relaxing family meal. Cook chicken, sauté vegetables like potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions, and simmer everything with broth and cream. Serve it with a side of bread for a simple, comforting dinner. It’s like a hug in a bowl, perfect for winding down after a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Get a wholesome meal on the table fast with this Spinach Chicken Bake. Ready in 30 minutes, it combines nutritious fresh spinach with juicy chicken thighs, cream cheese, and mozzarella, all combined into a flavorful casserole. It’s straightforward, delicious, and a great way to add some greens to your dinner routine. This dish helps you serve a balanced meal so you feel good about what you’re feeding your family.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Spice up dinner time with Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad, ready in a flash and packed with flavor. Bake chicken and bacon, broil jalapeños until charred, and then mix them with mayonnaise (or sour cream), hot sauce, and spices. It’s versatile enough to serve on greens or in a wrap, and you can adjust the heat to match your family’s taste. Quick, flavorful, and perfect for a casual meal. This salad is a great way to keep meals exciting and ensures no one gets bored with the same old recipes.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Pollo Asado

Pollo asado on a white plate with lime wedges.
Pollo Asado. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Pollo Asado is here to shake up your chicken game with its lively flavors. With chicken marinated in cilantro, onion, orange juice, and lime juice, it cooks up perfectly, either grilled or baked. Serve with lime wedges and some veggies for a full, festive meal that’s easy to whip up any night of the week. Not only is it delicious, but preparing this dish is a great way to introduce your family to new flavors and cultures.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish is great for a relaxed family dinner. It combines tender chicken breasts with mushrooms in a rich sauce. The flavor is enriched by the mild spices and the umami from the mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s easy to make and even better the next day. Plus, it’s a smart choice for a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With minimal cleanup required, this recipe lets you spend more time relaxing with your family instead of washing dishes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken is a great choice for a no-stress family dinner that gets everyone to the table. It’s a one-pan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes, featuring chicken thighs seasoned with salt and pepper, which are then cooked until perfectly done and combined with a rich and creamy sauce made from Dijon mustard and heavy cream. Great over pasta or mashed potatoes to soak up all that rich sauce. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you want a comforting meal without the stress of extensive cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are a hit for quick family meals. They mix chicken, crispy bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese, form into balls and then bake until golden brown. The poppers are served with a homemade ranch dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and heavy whipping cream, among other ingredients. They’re perfect for busy nights when you want to make dinner special, but keep it simple. This meal is also kid-friendly, making it easier to get the little ones excited about family mealtime.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a great pick for a straightforward family dinner made in style. It combines the savory taste of chicken thighs with a creamy sauce infused with sun dried tomatoes, spinach, and a hint of garlic, ready in 40 minutes. This one-pan dish draws inspiration from the Tuscan region of Italy, known for its simple yet rich cooking traditions. This meal also reheats well, so you can enjoy a great meal the next day without any extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Garlic Chicken is great when you need a comforting meal fast. This dish is all about simplicity, featuring chicken breasts cooked on the stovetop and then added to a rich, creamy sauce made from grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream. The creamy sauce combines the sharp, slightly nutty taste of Parmesan with garlic for an extra comforting and filling meal. It’s ready in 30 minutes and cleans up easily. The quick cooking time frees up your evening, so you can focus on time with your family.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fajita Baked Chicken makes dinner easy and fun. All baked in 30 minutes, it’s got chicken and cream cheese topped with mozzarella and colorful mini sweet peppers. Then seasoned with spices such as chili powder, paprika, cumin, and a hint of cayenne for a bit of heat. This dish is a great option when you’re short on time but want to bring everyone together. Serve it with a side salad or steamed veggies for a fuller meal. Requiring only one dish for cooking, cleanup is also a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Shawarma Kebabs

A plate of shawarma kebabs with greens and lemon slices.
Shawarma Kebabs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Shawarma Kebabs bring exciting flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, and spices such as cumin and paprika, skewer and then bake. These kebabs cook up fast and pair beautifully with Tzatziki sauce. Serve with a salad or stuff into pita pockets. They’re a great way to enjoy a meal that feels a bit different without a lot of extra work.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Bacon ranch chicken salad cucumber boats lined up on a plate.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are perfect for a light and flavorful family dinner. Made with chicken salad from canned chicken mixed with sour cream and shredded cheese, then scooped into crisp cucumbers, they’re easy to prep and fun to eat. They work great for those warmer nights when you want something cool. Serve with flakey sea salt and pepper on top. These boats are also a fun and clever way to introduce more vegetables into your family’s diet.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This easy one-pan meal features chicken thighs cooked with artichokes in a creamy sauce, all ready in 30 minutes. It’s perfect for nights when you want a great meal without spending hours cooking. Using one pan, cook seasoned chicken, set aside, and then make the creamy artichoke sauce with butter, heavy cream, chicken stock, and Parmesan. This dish makes family dinners both simple and special. Plus, it’s a great way to get the kids to try something new without any stress, turning mealtime into a fun exploration.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Bowl of instant pot butter chicken atop cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Instant Pot Butter Chicken cooks up fast, mixing tender chicken with a rich, spicy tomato sauce. It’s perfect for drizzling over rice or scooping up with naan. It’s a great way to spice up dinner with minimal effort, letting you spend more time with your loved ones. The Instant Pot does nearly all the work, making cleanup a breeze, too.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Instant pot chicken adobo in a bowl atop cauliflower rice.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

With this Instant Pot Chicken Adobo, you can have a flavorful meal on the table in no time. It’s a simple mix of chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic that cooks up quickly. Perfect for a busy weeknight, serve it with cauliflower rice and maybe some veggies for a full meal. This dish is all about making dinner easy and delicious, so you can enjoy more family time. It’s also perfect for when you’re tired after a long day; just set the pot and relax until dinner is ready to be served.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

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