21 Chicken Dishes So Good, Your Kids Won’t Believe You Made Them

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21 Chicken Dishes So Good, Your Kids Won’t Believe You Made Them

We’ve all faced those skeptical looks from the little ones when dinner hits the table, but not this time. These dishes are set to impress even the pickiest eaters and make you look like a kitchen wizard. Don’t be surprised if your kids start questioning if you’ve been secretly training with a top chef.

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Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are practically a lifesaver for those nights when you need a quick meal that won’t make your kids question your cooking skills. Chicken pieces are fried until crispy, then tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, all in just 20 minutes. Serve them over rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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 way to introduce your kids to new flavors while keeping dinner preparation stress-free. This recipe features chicken thighs simmered in a creamy sauce with Dijon mustard, bacon, and fresh spinach. It comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a great weeknight dinner. The combination of creamy sauce and sharp mustard paired with the heartiness of bacon will absolutely make this dish a favorite.
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.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers are perfect for making mealtime exciting and easy. These poppers are filled with chicken, bacon, and spices and then baked to golden perfection. Served with creamy homemade ranch seasoning, they’re simple to make and even easier to enjoy. Kids love anything bite-sized, and with this flavorful combination, they’ll be begging for these poppers every day. Plus, it’s a great way to trick — uh, encourage the kids into helping out in the kitchen, turning cooking into a fun family activity.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

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 bring a creative spin to your kid’s meals. This recipe is filled with a delicious mixture of chicken, bacon, and cheese, all dressed in homemade ranch seasoning and scooped into fresh cucumber boats. It’s a light yet filling meal that combines fun eating with healthy ingredients. Your kids will enjoy the novelty of eating their salad out of a cucumber, making it a great way to encourage them to try more veggies. Plus, it’s an easy dish to put together, which is perfect for — well, all parents.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is the perfect dish for those nights when you want to impress without the stress. It features crispy-skinned chicken thighs cooked with onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy sauce. Ready in less than an hour and cooked in just a single skillet, this dish is straightforward but packed with flavors everyone in your family will love.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A bowl of chicken tortellini soup with vegetables and herbs.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Tortellini Soup is the perfect example of a family meal done right. It combines chicken, cheese tortellini, carrots, and celery in a flavorful broth, making it a nutritious and delicious choice. It’s a great way to introduce your kids to a variety of vegetables in a way they’ll love. Ready in about 40 minutes, this soup is perfect for using up leftovers and is even better the next day — that is, if you have any leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

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

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is your answer to spicing up dinner without turning it into a production. It mixes chicken, bacon, jalapeños, and a creamy dressing for a bold and exciting flavor. This salad is simple to prepare and a great way for kids to explore diverse tastes. Your kids will love the creamy and spicy combo, and you’ll love that they think you’ve suddenly become a culinary daredevil.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

A casserole dish filled with tater tots, shredded chicken, and corn, topped with melted cheese and green onions.
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is your go-to for those nights when time is short, but the kids still expect a feast. The dish features a layer of crispy tater tots on top of a creamy chicken base, seasoned just right to appeal to everyone at the table. It’s easy to assemble and bake in less than an hour, so you can prep it in advance to make dinner even smoother. Chicken, tots, and cheese are a match made in heaven for kids, and you’ll appreciate how leftovers can be frozen for another quick meal. It’s practically a miracle worker on hectic evenings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce answers your dinner dilemma when you need something quick that still feels fancy. Golden brown chicken is smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce, creating a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with rice, pasta, or greens. This dish is a hit because it’s simple, quick, and helps you get dinner on the table without stress. Your kids will love the creamy sauce, and you’ll love that they think you’ve pulled off a culinary masterpiece in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Pollo Asado

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

Pollo Asado is your ticket to a flavorful meal without the kitchen chaos. The chicken is marinated in a mix of cilantro, citrus juices, and spices, then grilled (or baked) to perfection. This dish is ready in about an hour and is versatile enough to pair with anything from veggies to tacos. It’s a great way to introduce kids to new flavors in a fun, familiar format. They’ll be asking for seconds, and you’ll be wondering why you didn’t make this sooner.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

Spinach Chicken Bake combines tender chicken thighs, creamy spinach, and loads of cheese in a dish that’s as easy to make as it is to clean up. Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-dish wonder is a perfect solution for a busy evening. The creamy, cheesy layers are a hit with kids, and the nutritious spinach is cleverly hidden among flavors they love. This recipe is a favorite because it’s straightforward, quick, and results in a meal that keeps everyone happy without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken patties with broccoli on a plate.
Canned Chicken Patties. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Canned Chicken Patties are a brilliant solution for those nights when you need dinner on the table fast. Made with simple ingredients like canned chicken, these patties are ready in minutes and can be served with a side of veggies or as delicious sandwiches. They’re like the classic fast food patties, but with way less preservatives and oil, and your kids will be amazed you made them yourself.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

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

Chicken Pot Pie Soup serves up all the comforting flavors of a traditional pot pie but simplifies it into a warming soup. This dish is easy to make, takes about an hour, and is perfect with a side of fresh biscuits or rolls. They’ll love the familiar taste in a new form, and you’ll love how it turns dinner into a comforting end to any day. Who knew reinventing a classic could be this easy?
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

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 your go-to for a delicious meal in just 30 minutes. This one-pan dish combines tender chicken thighs with a creamy sauce made of sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan. It’s particularly great for days when you want to shake up the dinner routine without spending hours in the kitchen. Your kids will be so impressed, they might even forget to ask what’s for dessert.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Fajita Baked Chicken

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

Fajita Baked Chicken is a fun and easy dish that brings the excitement of fajitas to your dinner table without the hassle. This recipe involves simple steps: season the chicken, top it with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella, and bake. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy parents and busy nights, or really, any night at all. Your kids will love the vibrant flavors, and you’ll love how effortlessly it all comes together —making you look like a dinner-time hero without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Thai Chicken Salad

Thai chicken salad with arugula, sliced onions, and red chili peppers.
Thai Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Thai Chicken Salad is a mix of marinated chicken, cucumber noodles, and arugula tossed in a lime dressing. The chicken is marinated in coconut milk and Thai spices, cooks quickly and adds a punch of flavor to the light, crisp vegetables. This dish is not only refreshing but also introduces kids to the savory and spicy flavors of Thai cuisine in a way that’s straightforward and irresistible. Plus, it’s customizable — so you can dial down the spice if needed, ensuring everyone at the table is happy and impressed.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken Corn Soup is your go-to for a comforting and nourishing meal that doesn’t require a culinary degree. Combining chicken, creamed corn, and a mix of veggies in a rich, flavorful broth, it’s easy to prepare and can be served in less than an hour. This soup is a favorite among kids for its creamy texture and sweet corn flavor. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get more veggies into their meals without them even realizing it — definitely a parenting win!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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

Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts is your secret to a gourmet meal in just 30 minutes. The chicken thighs are seasoned, seared, and then simmered in a creamy sauce made from heavy cream, chicken stock, and Parmesan cheese, with artichokes and a splash of lemon for added zest. This creates a meal that’s rich in flavor and easy to love. It’s a great choice for a quick dinner that feels special without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

Creamy Garlic Chicken combines tender chicken breasts cooked in a sauce of chicken stock, heavy whipping cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. This dish is a breeze to prepare and a real crowd-pleaser with its rich garlic and creamy flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for those evenings when you need a quick yet hearty meal. Serve it with bread, pasta, or rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. Your family will think you’ve spent hours perfecting the recipe, and you can just smile and enjoy the accolades.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Spoon scooping up jalapeño popper casserole from a baking dish.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is an exciting dish for families who enjoy a bit of spice. Chicken is mixed with jalapeños, cream cheese, mayo, and hot sauce, topped with cheese, and baked until bubbly. It takes about 30 minutes to make and is customizable to suit your family’s spice preferences. Expect the kids to rave about the bold flavors, while you enjoy the ease of a quick and filling dinner — and maybe even a moment of peace before they start asking what’s for dessert.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

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

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo brings traditional Filipino flavor into your kitchen with zero hassle. Chicken pieces are cooked with a marinade of coconut aminos, chicken stock, and a mix of spices, resulting in a tender and flavorful meal. This dish takes about 30 minutes from start to finish and is a great way to introduce your family to international cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

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