Grilled chicken again? Hard pass. It’s time to break free from the bland and branch out into recipes that actually make chicken worth eating. Whether it’s sticky wings that put buffalo sauce to shame or sheet pan dinners that do the work while you relax, these meals prove healthy doesn’t mean dull.
Marinated Chicken Wings
Forget buffalo sauce—these wings are all about salty, sweet, and sticky goodness. A must-try for anyone who loves finger-licking chicken without the mess of frying.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Chicken Wings
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Chicken, sweet potatoes, and caramelized pecans all bake together for a dinner that’s as easy as it gets. One pan, no stress, and packed with great flavors everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Crispy skin and juicy meat in under 25 minutes? Yes, please. These air fryer chicken leg quarters are fast, flavorful, and proof that easy dinners don’t have to skimp on greatness.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Coconut Lime Baked Chicken
Baked chicken paired with coconut mango sticky rice feels like a mini vacation on your plate. Crispy skin, tender meat, and tropical flavors make this dinner a total win.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Lime Baked Chicken
Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas
A one-skillet meal with chicken, chickpeas, and a creamy turmeric sauce that’s great over rice. Dinner in under 30 minutes? That’s a yes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas
Indian Chicken Burgers
These spiced-up chicken burgers with yogurt cucumber slaw are great for grilling season. Think of them as your new favorite way to skip the beef without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Indian Chicken Burgers
Sweet & Spicy Indian Chicken
Yogurt-marinated chicken finished with a sticky maple glaze. Sweet, spicy, and everything you want from a chicken dinner that actually stands out.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Indian Chicken
Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Cashews, fresh basil, and a savory-sweet sauce make this skillet dinner a perfect one-pan solution. Serve it with rice, and it’s dinner in no time.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Maple Miso Chicken
This maple miso chicken bakes to golden, sticky perfection. The miso adds depth, the maple keeps it sweet, and together they make chicken feel anything but ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Maple Miso Chicken
Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
Chicken breasts, Brussels sprouts, squash, and cranberries all bake together for a complete dinner that’s easy and full of fall vibes.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
Pecan Crusted Chicken
Pecan-crusted chicken gets extra flavor with a honey dijon yogurt sauce that’s hard to beat. Crunchy, flavorful, and guaranteed to make chicken dinner exciting again.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken
Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
This slow cooker recipe gets chicken thighs perfectly tender in a sweet and tangy glaze. It’s the kind of meal you throw together in minutes and let the magic happen. A great option when grilling feels like too much work.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
Skillet Buffalo Ranch Chicken
Everything you love about buffalo wings but made for dinner. This one-pan dish combines bold flavors with easy cleanup. Quick, flavorful, and no one’s complaining about having extra sauce.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Buffalo Ranch Chicken
Arroz con Pollo
A hearty Venezuelan favorite that turns chicken, rice, and spices into a complete one-pot meal. Bacon adds a savory kick, and the whole thing comes together fast enough to save the day on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Arroz con Pollo
Bruschetta Chicken
Juicy grilled chicken topped with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and balsamic glaze. It’s a simple way to make a healthy dinner feel special without adding extra steps. Perfect for busy nights or casual entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Chicken
Roasted Chicken Marylands
Chicken leg quarters roasted with lemon, sage, and thyme until the skin is crispy enough to make you forget grilling exists. Just season, bake, and let the oven work its magic while you do literally anything else.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken Marylands
Poached Chicken Breasts
Poached chicken sounds fancy, but it’s basically a low-maintenance way to make juicy chicken perfect for salads, sandwiches, or just eating as-is. Add a lemon-parsley drizzle and watch it become a regular go-to.
Get the Recipe: Poached Chicken Breasts
Chicken Thighs
This sheet pan dinner pulls together juicy chicken thighs and vegetables into a quick, no-fuss meal. Toss it all on a tray, bake, and you’ve got dinner that’s fresh, great for you, and actually easy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Thighs
Chicken Tenders
Baked chicken tenders without the breading? Yep, and they’re still great. A kid-friendly dinner that’s fast, healthy, and perfect when you need something on the table in half an hour.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Greek Chicken Marinade
Lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs transform chicken into something you’ll want to make again and again. Prep it in minutes, let it marinate, and enjoy bold Greek flavors at dinner without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken Marinade
Tequila Lime Chicken
Marinate chicken in lime juice, tequila, and spices, then toss it on the grill for a meal that feels way fancier than the effort it takes. Great for Taco Tuesday or whatever day you want to feel like a pro.
Get the Recipe: Tequila Lime Chicken
Cilantro Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Bright and fresh, this cilantro lime chicken gets a major boost from creamy avocado salsa. It’s so good you’ll probably want to double the batch for tomorrow’s lunch.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Za’atar Crusted Chicken with Farro
Juicy chicken thighs get a bold makeover with za’atar spices, farro, and a squeeze of lemon. It’s a quick skillet dinner that’s packed with flavor and doesn’t need much effort to feel like a win.
Get the Recipe: Za’atar Crusted Chicken with Farro
Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps
These taco lettuce wraps ditch the tortillas but keep all the flavor. Chicken, spices, and your favorite toppings make this a lighter way to enjoy Taco Tuesday without sacrificing anything great.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps
Lemon Paleo Chicken Burgers
These chicken burgers are anything but boring. Fresh lemon and rosemary make them a great prep-ahead option for lunches or easy weeknight dinners. Cook them once, enjoy them all week.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Paleo Chicken Burgers
Chicken Stir Fry
This stir fry combines chicken, fresh veggies, and a savory sauce for a quick meal that hits all the right notes. Serve it over rice or noodles for a dinner that’s fast, fresh, and great for any night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stir Fry
Chicken Tzatziki
Lean chicken breast marinated with Mediterranean spices and served with tzatziki sauce. It’s light, fresh, and easy to throw together when you’re craving something flavorful and simple.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tzatziki
Pollo con Papas
Chicken and potatoes simmered in a rich red sauce make this Cuban classic a perfect family dinner. Serve it on its own or with rice—it’s as simple as it gets without skimping on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pollo con Papas
Chicken Fajitas
Sheet pan chicken fajitas are the go-to for busy weeknights. Everything cooks together for maximum flavor, and the toppings let everyone build their perfect fajita.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajitas
Asian Sticky Chicken Wings
Sticky, savory, and packed with flavor, these wings are game night gold. Garlic, soy, and honey come together to make a glaze that you’ll want to eat off the spoon.
Get the Recipe: Asian Sticky Chicken Wings
Pesto Chicken Meatballs
Pesto chicken meatballs bring all the flavor without the breading. Tossed in pesto and baked to perfection, they’re great for dinner and even better as leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Chicken Meatballs
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
