Weeknight dinners don’t have to be routine or boring. With the right recipes, you can turn any evening meal into something special without spending hours in the kitchen. These 22 dinner ideas are designed to bring excitement and satisfaction to your weeknights, offering a mix of flavors and ingredients that everyone will enjoy. Each dish is simple to prepare, making it easy to celebrate the end of the day with a meal that feels like more than just dinner.
Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan
This Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan dinner is ready in about 30 minutes and features juicy chicken sausage paired with a medley of roasted vegetables. The dish is seasoned with simple herbs and spices, making it flavorful and satisfying. It’s a balanced meal that offers a mix of protein and fiber. Perfect for a quick, tasty dinner that’s easy to prepare on busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan
Instant Pot Chicken Ghallaba
Instant Pot Chicken Ghallaba is a flavorful, Mediterranean-inspired dish that combines tender chicken with a variety of vegetables like peppers and tomatoes, ready in just 45 minutes. The chicken absorbs the rich, spiced tomato sauce, making each bite flavorful and hearty. This dish is perfect for those who enjoy bold, comforting flavors. Ideal for a satisfying dinner that feels like a special treat.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Ghallaba
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab is a delicious dish that takes just 30 minutes to prepare, featuring seasoned ground chicken formed into skewers. The blend of spices gives the chicken a rich, savory flavor, and grilling adds a smoky finish. These kebabs are perfect for a flavorful and fun weeknight dinner. They pair well with fresh salads or warm flatbreads for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Creamy Citrus Chicken With Rosemary
Creamy Citrus Chicken With Rosemary is a rich and tangy dish that can be ready in about 40 minutes, featuring chicken simmered in a citrusy, rosemary-infused cream sauce. The sauce adds a bright flavor that pairs perfectly with the tender chicken. It’s a comforting yet refreshing meal that works well for any occasion. Serve it with rice or vegetables for a balanced dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Citrus Chicken With Rosemary
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad is a quick, 20-minute dish that combines shredded rotisserie chicken with pasta, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing. The chicken adds a hearty element, while the veggies provide crunch and color. This salad is light yet filling, making it ideal for a simple weeknight dinner. It’s also great for meal prep and can be served cold or at room temperature.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad
Chicken Shawarma Plate
This Chicken Shawarma Plate brings Middle Eastern flavors to your dinner table in about 45 minutes, featuring marinated chicken cooked to perfection. The chicken is tender and flavorful, served with sides like rice, hummus, and fresh veggies. It’s a satisfying meal that feels like a special treat. Perfect for a weeknight when you want something different and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Shawarma Plate
Chicken Marbella
Chicken Marbella is a savory-sweet dish that combines chicken with prunes, olives, and capers, all baked together in about 1 hour. The result is a tender, juicy chicken with a complex flavor profile that’s both tangy and sweet. This dish is great for when you want to make a dinner that feels a bit more gourmet. Serve it with rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marbella
Chicken And Corn Noodle Soup
Chicken and Corn Noodle Soup is a comforting dish ready in about 45 minutes, featuring tender chicken, sweet corn, and egg noodles in a savory broth. The soup is hearty and satisfying, perfect for cooler nights or when you need a warm, comforting meal. The sweetness of the corn balances the savory broth, making it a family-friendly dinner option. Great for a quick, wholesome meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Corn Noodle Soup
Uzbek Chicken Plov
Uzbek Chicken Plov is a flavorful rice dish that takes about 1 hour to make, combining chicken with carrots, onions, and spices. The chicken is cooked until tender, and the rice absorbs all the rich flavors from the spices and vegetables. This dish is hearty and satisfying, making it a great option for a filling weeknight dinner. Perfect for when you want something both simple and special.
Get the Recipe: Uzbek Chicken Plov
Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
This Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken is a decadent dish ready in about 1 hour, featuring chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy cheese filling. The chicken is baked until golden and juicy, making each bite rich and flavorful. It’s a great option for when you want a restaurant-quality meal at home. Serve with a side of vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy
Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy is a comforting classic that’s ready in about 1 hour, featuring tender chicken and vegetables in a creamy, tarragon-flavored gravy. The filling is encased in a flaky pie crust, making each bite warm and satisfying. It’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner that feels like a special treat. Ideal for those who love hearty, home-cooked meals.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks are a flavorful dish that takes about 1 hour to prepare, featuring chicken drumsticks marinated in a blend of spices and citrus juices. The marinade infuses the chicken with bold, zesty flavors, and the drumsticks are roasted until crispy and juicy. It’s a simple yet delicious dinner option. Perfect for a weeknight when you want something with a little kick.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks
Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice
Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice is a zesty, flavorful dish that’s ready in about 40 minutes, featuring chicken marinated in lime juice and cilantro, served over a bed of rice. The lime adds brightness, while the cilantro gives a fresh, herbal note to the tender chicken. It’s a quick and satisfying dinner that feels light yet filling. Perfect for a weeknight when you want something fresh and easy.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies is a one-pan dinner that takes about 35 minutes to make, featuring chicken and a mix of vegetables seasoned with smoky paprika. The chicken is juicy, and the veggies are perfectly roasted, making each bite flavorful and satisfying. It’s a convenient and healthy option for busy weeknights. Cleanup is easy too, making it an all-around winner.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies
Two Ingredient Chicken Nuggets
These Two Ingredient Chicken Nuggets are a super quick dinner option, ready in about 20 minutes, featuring just chicken and a crispy coating. The chicken is tender on the inside with a crunchy exterior, making them a hit with both kids and adults. They’re perfect for a simple, no-fuss weeknight meal. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.
Get the Recipe: Two Ingredient Chicken Nuggets
Smoked Chicken Al Pastor
Smoked Chicken Al Pastor is a smoky, spicy dish that takes about 1 hour to make, featuring marinated chicken cooked low and slow. The chicken absorbs all the rich, spiced flavors, resulting in a tender and flavorful meal. It’s a great option for when you want something a bit more adventurous for dinner. Perfect for serving with tortillas and your favorite toppings.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Al Pastor
Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken is a sweet and tangy dish that’s ready in about 30 minutes, featuring chicken marinated in a maple syrup and mustard sauce. The grilling adds a smoky flavor, and the chicken is juicy and tender. It’s a quick and flavorful option for a weeknight dinner. Pair it with a side of veggies or a salad for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
Creamy Ranch Chicken
Creamy Ranch Chicken is a comforting dish ready in about 40 minutes, featuring chicken cooked in a creamy ranch-flavored sauce. The sauce is rich and tangy, complementing the tender chicken perfectly. It’s a great option for a cozy weeknight dinner that’s easy to make. Serve it with rice or potatoes to soak up all the delicious sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ranch Chicken
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables is a simple, one-pan meal that takes about 45 minutes to make, featuring chicken seasoned with garlic and herbs, roasted alongside a mix of vegetables. The chicken is juicy, and the vegetables are tender and flavorful, making it a balanced and satisfying dinner. It’s perfect for a quick, healthy weeknight meal. Easy to prepare and even easier to clean up.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad
Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad is a flavorful dish ready in about 30 minutes, featuring shredded chicken tossed in a tangy Carolina-style BBQ sauce, served over a bed of greens. The BBQ sauce adds a sweet and spicy kick, making the salad both light and satisfying. It’s a great option for a quick, refreshing dinner. Perfect for a weeknight when you want something easy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes is a hearty dish that’s ready in about 1 hour, featuring chicken marinated in buttermilk and roasted alongside potatoes. The buttermilk makes the chicken tender and juicy, while the potatoes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s a comforting, all-in-one meal. Ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes
Chicken Colombian Tamales
Chicken Colombian Tamales are a flavorful dish that takes about 2 hours to prepare, featuring chicken, vegetables, and masa dough wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. The tamales are tender and packed with rich, savory flavors, making them a special dinner option. Perfect for when you have a bit more time to spend in the kitchen. They’re a traditional dish that brings a taste of Colombia to your table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Colombian Tamales