Food and Recipes Meat Chicken Recipes 35 Chicken Recipes That Take 30 Minutes Or Less These recipes will come in handy on chaotic weeknights or when you're in a time crunch. By Phoebe Evans Phoebe Evans Phoebe Evans is a Southern Living summer intern who covers food and digital production. She is from Birmingham, Alabama, and has a strong passion for writing. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on May 31, 2024 Close Photo: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox We all have those days where we don't feel like putting a lot of effort into dinner or we're just too busy to cook a long meal. These recipes require very little time and energy. Even though they're made in 30 minutes or less, many of these dishes will surprise you with how flavorful an easy dinner can be. Green Chili-Chicken Soup, Chicken Scallopini, and Balsamic-Garlic Chicken Breasts all come together in a flash. 107 Easy Chicken Recipes For A Quick Dinner Tonight 01 of 35 Bourbon Chicken Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster The sweet-tangy sauce in this Cajun-Asian hybrid dinner gets a wonderful smoky flavor with the addition of Bourbon. Serve over rice so every drop of the sauce is enjoyed. Get The Recipe 02 of 35 Chicken Nachos Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Whether for dinner or a tailgate, this sheet pan full of chicken, tortilla chips, and cheese is a welcome sight to all. Rotisserie chicken makes this dish ready in less than 30 minutes. Finish with your favorite toppers, and every last chip will surely disappear. Get the Recipe 03 of 35 Chicken Cutlets with Sun- Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman These perfectly cooked chicken cutlets soaked in creamy tomato sauce only take 25 minutes but will leave you full and satisfied. You won't be leaving a messy kitchen with this one-pan recipe. Get The Recipe 04 of 35 Skillet BBQ Chicken Alison Miksch If the photo alone isn't enough to convince you to cook up this chicken supper, the fact that it comes together in just 30 minutes should do the trick. Get The Recipe 05 of 35 Pickle-Brined Chicken Tenders Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley In just 30 minutes, you can delight the family with a batch of homemade chicken tenders that have a little kick – thanks to the spicy dill pickle juice. Count on getting this recipe requested from the entire crew from here on out. Get The Recipe 06 of 35 Grilled Chicken Sandwich Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox Bored with the typical grilled chicken sandwich? Leave it to a Southern favorite (also known as pimiento cheese) to liven up this anytime recipe. get the recipe 07 of 35 Chicken Fries Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox These crispy chicken fries can be a fun appetizer or main dish. And don't skip the homemade honey mustard dipping sauce. Get The Recipe 08 of 35 Parmesan Crusted Chicken Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen Both adults and kids will love this simple yet flavorful chicken dinner. Plus, you likely have most all of the ingredients on hand in your kitchen already. Get The Recipe 09 of 35 Hot Honey Chicken Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox A quick bit of pan frying will have this chicken crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. Let the hot honey sauce provide just the bit of sweet and spicy that will have your family excited for dinner. get the recipe 10 of 35 Avocado Chicken Salad Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins If you're looking for another way to use ripe avocados when you have them on hand instead of guacamole, whip up this 15-minute chicken salad instead. Get The Recipe 11 of 35 Buttermilk Alfredo Chicken Spinach Pasta Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox The spinach in this dish allows you to get your veggies in while enjoying a tasty meal. Plus, since it uses rotisserie chicken and pantry pasta, it comes together in a flash. Get The Recipe 12 of 35 Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis If you want to serve up a homemade chicken noodle soup but also want to try a new recipe, this creamy take on the classic is a good option. It just might replace the original in your dinner rotation! Get The Recipe 13 of 35 BBQ Chicken Salad Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins Enjoy the flavors of a backyard barbecue on a weeknight with this salad recipe that takes just 20 minutes to pull together. You can also use pork instead of chicken, if desired. Get The Recipe 14 of 35 Greek Chicken Bowls Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley This one-bowl dinner, including the homemade dressing, comes together in just 3o minutes. Get The Recipe 15 of 35 Green Chile Mac And Cheese With Chicken Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn We're here to prove that decadent dinners just like this one can come together without a long ingredient list or spending hours in the kitchen. This one comes together in just 15 (yes, 15!) minutes. Get The Recipe 16 of 35 Chicken Scallopini Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Your family will love this healthy chicken recipe. Sprinkle chicken with lemon zest to add a tangy, citrusy touch. Get The Recipe 17 of 35 Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley If you or someone in your family is feeling under the weather and you need to serve up a homemade soup fast, this soup recipe will save the day. Thanks to the convenience of rotisserie chicken, it comes together in just 30 minutes. Get The Recipe 18 of 35 Chicken Bog Greg DuPree Chicken Bog combines the best qualities of chicken and rice. The rice soaks up the flavor of the juicy chicken and spices. This dish is an old favorite and it's fairly simple to make. Get The Recipe 19 of 35 Skillet Enchiladas Suizas Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox Cook these 25-minute skillet enchiladas for an easy family dinner night. Serve with any toppings like radishes, avocado, crumbled cotija cheese, and cilantro. Get The Recipe 20 of 35 White Lightning Chicken Chili BECKY LUIGART-STAYNER Lighting Chili gets its name because you can cook it in 30 minutes with 8 ingredients. This recipe is perfect for those weeknights when you want a quick and easy dinner. Serve with cornbread for something to dip. Get The Recipe 21 of 35 Chicken and Fontina Panini Greg Dupree This panini is as delicious as it looks. The bread is crusty and toasted but the chicken and pesto melt in your mouth. No worries if you don't have a panini press, a stove can be used as an alternative. Get The Recipe 22 of 35 Chicken Stir- Fry Greg DuPree Who doesn't love an easy, delicious stir fry for dinner? This recipe only takes 10 minutes so whip this together after a long day. Get The Recipe 23 of 35 Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut- Ginger Sauce Greg DuPree Anyone who tries this noodle bowl with flavorful peanut-ginger sauce will fall in love with it. Only takes 20 minutes to make and no stove is required! Get The Recipe 24 of 35 Heirloom Tomato and Chicken Toss Greg Dupree; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham There's nothing better than a fresh summer salad that can lighten up your day. Soak up the extra juices with some toasted bread to join the clean plate club. Get The Recipe 25 of 35 Fried Chicken Tacos with Buttermilk-Jalapeño Sauce Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Who would've thought fried chicken and tacos could taste so perfect together? The creamy Jalapeño sauce compliments the tacos with a nice kick. Get The Recipe 26 of 35 Cranberry Chicken Salad Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner If you're in a time crunch, this sandwich will save the day for a quick and easy—but delicious—lunch or dinner. Get The Recipe 27 of 35 Green Chili- Chicken Soup Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis While this soup is simple and only takes 20 minutes to make, it has enough kick for all spice lovers. With green enchilada sauce and poblano chili, you won't have to worry about adding any extra heat. Get The Recipe 28 of 35 Chicken-and-Artichoke Penne You'll be looking forward to leftovers with this pasta that's packed with veggies and protein. Get The Recipe 29 of 35 Instant Pot Crack Chicken Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners These comforting chicken rolls are warm, filling, and packed with flavor. Spoon the chicken over egg noodles as an alternative for the buns. Get The Recipe 30 of 35 Sheet Pan Fajitas Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin Who knew fajitas could take 20 minutes to make? Pop the chicken and veggies in the oven and serve with your favorite toppings. Get The Recipe 31 of 35 Cast- Iron Chicken Piccata Greg Dupree All it takes is one cast iron skillet to cook this chicken piccata. Say hello to your new favorite 30 minute dinner. Get The Recipe 32 of 35 Chicken Caprese Pasta Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Freshen up your day with this 20-minute chicken pesto dish. There's no better way to spend a hot spring or summer day than enjoying this light meal topped with cherry tomatoes and sprinkled with mozzarella. Get The Recipe 33 of 35 Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox These no-cook lettuce wraps are tasty as a quick, simple dinner but also impressive as a party appetizer. Whether you're cooking for 1 or 20, give this 15-minute recipe a try. Get The Recipe 34 of 35 Breaded Chicken Salad with Grapes, Honey, Almonds, and Broccoli Hector Sanchez We'll never turn down a good salad that features chicken, grapes, and almonds. Serve with vinaigrette and feel free to top with feta cheese. Get The Recipe 35 of 35 Chicken Parmesan Pizza Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett When you have extra french bread laying around and are in the mood for Italian, make these chicken parmesan pizzas. Toss together a small Caesar salad as an easy side. Get The Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit