17 Chicken Recipes That Make Weeknight Dinners Yum Again

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17 Chicken Recipes That Make Weeknight Dinners Yum Again

Imagine chicken recipes that make you look forward to Monday nights—yes, it’s possible! These 17 gems are so easy and delicious, they practically cook themselves. Well, not really, but they’re so straightforward you might find yourself with extra time to actually sit down and sip that glass of wine.

Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

If you’re bored with the same old chicken dishes, try turning your kitchen into an Italian bistro. Creamy and packed with flavor, Creamy Tuscan Chicken brings a touch of the Mediterranean to your dinner table. Without needing a boatload of ingredients, this recipe keeps dinner both exciting and approachable. It’s like a mini-holiday in the middle of the week, just what your evening meals need.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Chicken Biryani

Chicken biryani on a plate with raita.
Chicken Biryani. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Who doesn’t enjoy the comforting feeling of a home-cooked meal bursting with rich flavors? Chicken Biryani steps up as a one-pot wonder that wraps up aromatic spices and chicken in a warm embrace. It’s a conversation-starter at the table, revealing layers of surprise in each bite. Break the monotony of weekdays with this beloved classic that never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Biryani

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Low angle shot of a plate of fried chicken with sesame sauce and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Crunchy, tangy, and ready faster than you can ask what’s for dinner – that’s what you get with Air Fryer Sesame Chicken. This dish uses the magic of air frying to create a delight without the extra oil from traditional frying. Simple to make on an evening crunch, it adds a spark to your typical chicken routine. Quick and playful, it’s a mid-week treat that brings a smile without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Instant Pot Tortilla Soup

Low angle shot of a white bowl filled with tortilla soup. There is an instant pot in the background.
Instant Pot Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Soup sometimes feels like a warm hug after a long day, and an Instant Pot Tortilla Soup is no exception. This is a no-fuss way to have a heartwarming bowl of zesty goodness ready in no time. Your kitchen will be filled with the comforting aroma of a slow-cooked stew, but without the actual wait. It’s your go-to when the craving for comfort is real, but the time is short.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tortilla Soup

Chicken Pakora

Low angle shot of chicken pakora on a plate with a green napkin.
Chicken Pakora. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

For days when you want a bit of crunch and flair to your chicken, Chicken Pakora steps up. This fried pleasure is all about diving into something different without complicating your evening plans. It has a casual street food vibe that’s perfect for switching up the dinner routine. Enjoy it as a main or a snack, it’s versatile and always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pakora

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps

Closeup of a chicken shawarma wrap.
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Middle Eastern flavors wrap up your dinner literally with Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps. It combines convenience and taste, all inside a warm, toasty wrap straight out of the air fryer. Think of it as your quick passport to somewhere exotic without the travel. It’s a hands-on dinner that’s fun to eat and even more fun to share.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

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

Busy nights call for dishes that comfort and fill you up, like a Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. Oven-made magic happens here, with a meal that’s both hearty and easy to put together. It’s your ticket to a creamy, dreamy dinner that gets greens in without a fuss. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t need more greens in their life?
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Low angle shot of korean fried chicken with a hand holding a piece of the chicken.
Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Get ready to give your Wednesday night a new tradition with Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken. It’s all about the crispy outside and tender inside, with a hint of sweet and spicy. This Korean favorite adapts to the air fryer, so it’s ready in a snap, making it a weeknight win. Next time you’re craving takeout, consider this homemade alternative that’s quicker than delivery.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Korma

Low angle shot of bowls of chicken korma.
Instant Pot Chicken Korma. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Put a little bit of royalty into your weeknight with Instant Pot Chicken Korma. This richly spiced dish has a history of pleasing palates without needing hours over the stove. Your Instant Pot does the heavy lifting, so you can pretend you slaved away when really, it was a breeze. For those times when only something with a bit of grandeur will do, this is it.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Korma

Pancit Bihon

Pancit noodles on a plate with veggies and chicken.
Pancit Bihon. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Ever feel like you’ve fallen into a dinner rut? Pancit Bihon might just be your ladder out. It’s a Filipino noodle dish that’s light and flavorful, and it reminds you that chicken for dinner can be so much more than just meat and potatoes. Gather everyone around the table for a night that’s a little bit special without any extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Pancit Bihon

Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Low angle shot of a bowl of chicken pot pie soup with ingredients scattered around and an instant pot in the background.
Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Picture this: the coziness of a pot pie, but in a bowl. Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup delivers that comfort food vibe you’re after, with less fuss and muss. It’s everything you love about the classic, but slurpable. Cold nights just got their perfect match, and your spoon is waiting.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Fried chicken pieces in orange sauce garnished with sesame seeds in a black bowl with chopsticks and a green and white napkin.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken. Photo credit: all Ways Delicious.

Who knew creating something tangy and sweet could be this easy? With Air Fryer Orange Chicken, the answer is just a button away. This dish is a nod toward your favorite take-out, wrapped up in a healthier package. It’s lively without being overly complicated, painting a weekday dinner with bright notes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Overhead shot of a plate of chicken adobo with rice and scallions on the side.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Uncomplicated doesn’t have to mean uninteresting, and Instant Pot Chicken Adobo proves it with every bite. This Filipino dish offers a blend of tangy that’s simple yet entirely complex in its flavor profile. Your handy Instant Pot turns it into a weeknight possibility, making it a choice that’s both practical and delicious. It’s a no-brainer for when you need to shake up the routine.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Thai Chicken Curry

Low angle shot of a blue and white striped bowl filled with Thai chicken curry.
Thai Chicken Curry. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

There’s something about curry on a weeknight that feels like a mini adventure. Thai Chicken Curry brings the essence of Thailand into your home with its blend of spices and creamy coconut. It’s warm, inviting, and ready faster than you could debate over takeout menus. Break the cycle of boring dinners with a dish that’s as thrilling as it is simple.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Curry

Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas

Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Turning Mexican night on its head, Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas keep things bubbly and crisped to perfection. This ingenious use of the air fryer adds a quick twist to a beloved dish. It’s a social dinner choice, perfect for when you want the family to linger over each cheesy, chicken-filled bite. Nothing says “let’s spend time together” quite like a platter of these.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Enchiladas

Spicy Peanut Butter Chicken

Stir-fried diced chicken with dried chilies and spring onions in a black skillet.
Spicy Peanut Butter Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

It’s time for something whimsically hot and just a touch sweet. Spicy Peanut Butter Chicken marries the unexpected with everyday ingredients in a way that just works. This dish is a playful change-up from the norm, making weekdays feel less like a chore. Still easy, still delicious, yet anything but usual.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Peanut Butter Chicken

Mochiko Chicken

A hand holding a crispy piece of mochiko chicken.
Mochiko Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Meet the vibrant change-up to your weeknight chicken go-to. Mochiko Chicken takes fried chicken to a new level with a specific crisp and flavor that’s unique to this Hawaiian favorite. It’s the sort of meal that introduces variety without the complexity, keeping things interesting. Try it once and watch it become a regular request at your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Mochiko Chicken

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