19 Go-To Chicken Recipe Ideas for When You Don’t Know What to Make

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19 Go-To Chicken Recipe Ideas for When You Don’t Know What to Make

Stuck on what to cook? These 19 go-to chicken recipe ideas are here for you. Each of these recipes is easy to whip together and quick to hit the table, perfect for those busy or “what do I make?” kind of days.

Chicken pot pie soup in a bowl with peas and carrots.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

A skillet of chicken with creamy mushroom sauce with a wooden spoon.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-skillet Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is great for those moments when you’re unsure what to cook. It’s easy, especially for beginners, and combines chicken with a smooth mushroom sauce. You can serve it with rice or vegetables, and it’s quick to prepare and clean up. This recipe is perfect for a busy night when you need something straightforward and good.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A person is holding a wooden spoon full of chicken bites in a garlic butter sauce.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a quick and delicious meal, try Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Cooked on the stovetop, these chicken bites are coated in a garlic butter sauce. They’re ready in just 20 minutes, making them a perfect choice when you need a fast and easy chicken dish. It’s a straightforward recipe that delivers great flavor on a tight schedule.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

When you’re not sure what to make, the Spinach Chicken Bake is a great choice. It’s a one-dish recipe that saves time on preparation and cleaning up after. With chicken thighs, cream cheese, and mozzarella, it’s a hearty meal that’s simple to put together. This bake is particularly great for those new to cooking who are looking for a minimal-stress dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup with peas and carrots in a bowl.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a comforting choice when you’re unsure what to cook. This one-pot recipe creates a hearty, creamy soup that’s perfect for family dinners. It combines familiar flavors in an easy-to-make meal, ready in 1 hour.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken Corn Soup

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

Chicken Corn Soup is a quick solution for a hearty meal. It’s simple to prepare, combining chicken and vegetables in a flavorful broth. In under an hour, you can have a complete, home-cooked meal, making it a perfect pick for those busy days when you need a straightforward, good dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

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.

For a light lunch or party snack, try the Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. This recipe is quick to assemble with canned chicken, bacon, and cheese. It’s an easy, no-fuss option, great for when you’re short on time but still want something good and filling.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Creamy Dijon Chicken

Pan of creamy dijon chicken with a spatula.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken is a great choice for a fast, flavorful meal. This one-pan recipe features a blend of Dijon sauce, spinach, and bacon. It’s quick to make and serves up a home-cooked dish in less time than ordering takeout. This recipe is a reliable go-to, especially when you’re new to cooking chicken.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

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

For a simple yet flavorful meal, the Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is perfect. Baked chicken, bacon, and jalapeños come together in a spicy dressing. With minimal cleanup and a brief chill time for flavors to develop, it’s an easy choice for a unique and enjoyable meal.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Fajita Baked Chicken

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

Fajita Baked Chicken combines ease with taste. Using one baking dish, it blends chicken breasts with cream cheese and sweet peppers. The oven does most of the work, freeing you up. It’s a simple, fulfilling meal, perfect for any night when you’re looking for something good and easy.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a quick and flavorful meal when you’re undecided on dinner. It’s ready in under 40 minutes, combining chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in a single pan. This recipe suits busy evenings and is approachable for novice cooks, making it a great pick for a homemade, fulfilling meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan 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 a fun and flavorful option. They’re oven-baked with homemade ranch dressing, making preparation and cooking straightforward. This dish is ready in under an hour, fitting into your busy schedule. It’s a great choice for a weeknight dinner or a social gathering, especially if you’re starting out in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun dried tomato chicken served on a plate.
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a simple yet appealing meal. Cooked in one pan, boneless chicken thighs are paired with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. This recipe is quick to prepare, making it a good choice for those with tight schedules. It’s an easy way to add variety to your dinner menu, especially if you’re new to cooking.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Canned Chicken Patties

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

Canned Chicken Patties are a practical and quick meal solution. Ready in just 20 minutes, they can be enjoyed alone or as part of a larger meal. This straightforward recipe is great for quick dinners or ready-to-go lunches, offering simplicity and good taste in a hurry.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

Creamy Garlic Chicken is a convenient and appetizing choice. In this one-pan recipe, chicken breasts are covered in a rich garlic and Parmesan sauce. It’s quick to make and offers a fulfilling dinner without much effort. This recipe is easy to manage for new cooks and a strong contender for regular dinner planning.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Pollo Asado

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

Pollo Asado offers a flavorful twist on chicken thighs, marinated in cilantro, onion, and citrus. Its flexible cooking methods — grilling, pan-searing, or baking — adapt to your schedule and your preferences. This recipe is great for weeknights or when you’re hosting guests. Serve with a side dish like grilled veggies or rice for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

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 one-pan dish, Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts, is a hearty, easy-to-prepare meal. It combines chicken thighs with a creamy sauce and yields a filling dinner without excessive time needing to be spent in the kitchen. It’s surprisingly easy to make and is an especially good pick for those new to cooking complete meals.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Spoon scooping up jalapeño popper casserole from a baking dish.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is a great change-up for your chicken dinner routine. Combining seasoned chicken, bacon, and jalapeños, this casserole is flavorful and hearty. It takes just over an hour to cook, making it suitable for busy days. The recipe is straightforward and appealing, perfect for those looking to try something new in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Keto Chicken Nuggets

Keto chicken nuggets on a plate with dipping sauce.
Keto Chicken Nuggets. Photo Credit: Real Balanced.

Keto Chicken Nuggets are a great pick when you want something quick and healthy. This 30-minute recipe produces crispy, tender nuggets using canned chicken and pork rinds. Oven baking simplifies the process, allowing you more free time. It’s an easy and creative alternative to traditional chicken nuggets, especially great for those who prefer to eat a lower-carb diet.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets

Sticky Sauce Chicken

Sticky sauce chicken, broccoli, and sesame seeds in a pot.
Sticky Sauce Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sticky Sauce Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish. Chicken thighs are glazed with a garlic and ginger sauce in this one-pan meal — all made in 30 minutes on the stovetop.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Sauce Chicken

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