Tired of boring poultry? Us too. It’s easy to reach for the same old chicken breast recipe week after week when you don’t know what to cook—which is why we’ve rounded up these family-pleasing ideas.
You’ll find options for chicken tenders, budget-friendly (and oh-so-delicious) chicken thighs and even some fresh takes on the classics like Chicken Parmesan or chicken and rice.
With these recipes you’ll easily use all parts of the bird and have everyone running to the table for dinner.
Sounds too good to be true? These 5-star chicken strips will convince you; They’re coated in potato chips for an incredible crunch.
Served with homemade honey mustard they’re the kid-friendly dinner that everyone will gobble up.
Chicken Riggies
“Riggies” is short for rigatoni, the base for this creamy, tomatoey and spicy pasta dish studded with chunks of chicken breast and sliced cherry peppers. There are many variations on this dish, which hails from the Utica-Rome region of Central New York. Our version focuses on the spicy peppers and rich sauce, while other recipes might include sliced black olives and mushrooms.
Chicken Bake
Inspired by Costco’s famous chicken bake, we came up with a hand-held version that’s easy to make at home. The cheesy bacon-filled pockets taste great hot from the oven, but can also be made in advance and reheated wrapped in foil in a 400 degrees F-oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
Fall-Off-the-Bone Chicken
Some extra planning and prep is necessary for this chicken dinner, but the results are well worth it. A dry brine combined with low and slow roasting, produces some seriously succulent and juicy meat. A quick flash under the broiler at the end turns the skin crisp and golden.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This casserole is perfect when you’re craving the flavors of chicken Parmesan but want a shortcut version. Simply toss cooked fettucine with shredded rotisserie chicken, mozzarella and your favorite jarred marinara sauce, then top it with buttery Parmesan and garlic breadcrumbs. Pop it in the oven until it’s hot and beautifully browned and crisped on top. Every bite contains the comfort of classic chicken parm with about half the prep.
The Best Chicken and Rice
Could classic chicken and rice be one of the most beloved comfort dinners to ever hit the plate? We think so. And to blow your mind even more, this version is made in just one skillet. Here we use bone-in, skin on chicken thighs which cook up in exactly the same time as the rice to guarantee juicy chicken. A quick broil at the end creates the perfect crispy skin and gives a little crunch to the rice and vegetables.
Orecchiette With Mini Chicken Meatballs
Using ground chicken, make Giada’s zesty meatballs to serve in a hearty pasta dish with orecchiette and fresh mozzarella.
Chicken Florentine Mac and Cheese
A Florentine sauce is typically made with cream, white wine, butter and spinach. Not only does Ree incorporate these flavors into her pasta, she adds three different types of cheese for over-the-top decadence.
Chicken Parmesan French Breads
Bev cooks chicken cutlets in marinara, tops them with mozzarella, and puts the delicious result on toasted French bread for an open-faced chicken parm sandwich with a crazy cheese pull.
Maple-Mustard Chicken Thighs
Ellie proves that white meat isn’t the only “good-for-you” part of the chicken. She uses bone-in chicken thighs and removes the skin, brushing the meat with a tangy glaze.
