75 Easy Baked Chicken Dinners That Are Anything But Boring
Let your oven do the work.
Can we make one tiny suggestion for your weeknight dinners this week? Bake that chicken. Yup, baked chicken is about to add some excitement to your rotation. Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard it too—it’s got the unfortunate reputation for coming out dry, boring, and bland. But we promise, these baked chicken recipes are anything but. Your oven can take chicken from meh to MIND-BLOWING, so you don't have to suffer through dry, flavorless chicken anymore (because who wants that?). Whether you’re looking for comforting casseroles, game day snacks, sheet-pan dinners, or veggie-forward ideas, we’ve got 75 recipes here for you.
One of the great things about oven-baked chicken is its versatility. It can be paired with a cheesy, creamy sauce, like in our marry me chicken, our chicken & coconut rice casserole, or our chicken spaghetti. It can be paired with vegetables or grains so once your oven timer dings, you've got your protein and sides ready to go. Check out our Greek lemon-butter & smashed potatoes, our harissa chickpea & chicken skillet, or our Cajun-stuffed chicken if you're feeling veggies, or our garlic bread-topped chicken pot pie, our Caprese chicken & polenta bake, or our creamy pesto baked gnocchi & chicken skillet if you're all about the carbs. The options are really endless.
Oh, and don't forget the snacks! Whether you’re looking for options for tailgating, movie night, or a potluck dinner, you don't want to be dealing with the traditional fryer oil a lot of recipes call for. Our popcorn chicken, our sheet-pan honey mustard pretzel chicken, or our homemade chicken nuggets will still be major crowd-pleasers, and they're ALL baked.
There’s definitely something particularly satisfying about pulling one pan out of the oven and knowing dinner is all ready. Less effort and most importantly, less dishes! Want even more chicken inspiration, baked or otherwise? Check out our favorite chicken & potato or chicken & rice dishes, then take a look at all the things you can make from a rotisserie chicken too.
Cacio E Pepe Chicken
Cacio e pepe, a popular pasta dish from Rome, literally translates to cheese and pepper. We love both things, so we thought: why not chicken-fy it? Here, we wanted to create a saucy moment, so we chose to sear and braise succulent bone-in chicken thighs in an aromatic white wine broth until tender. The braising liquid then gets a glow-up with the addition of cream and lemon zest, making this saucy dish worthy of date nights and dinner parties.
Get the Cacio E Pepe Chicken recipe.
Roast Chicken
The perfect centerpiece to any holiday dinner, the steps to make this chicken are simple: You season the bird (just salt & pepper!), then roast it at high heat until the skin is bronzed and crisp and the flesh juicy.
Get the Roast Chicken recipe.
Chicken Parm-Stuffed Peppers
Here at Delish, classic stuffed peppers are a staple on our weeknight dinner rotation. They’re cheap and easy to whip up, and perfectly versatile. We added all the flavors of classic chicken Parmesan into these stuffed peppers, creating a two-in-one dinner that truly is the best of both worlds. Ready in a little over an hour, this cheesy recipe is the best way to upgrade your stuffed pepper game.
Get the Chicken Parm-Stuffed Peppers recipe.
Cheesy Chicken & Pepper Bake
On those nights where you want to spice things up but still need to keep prep easy, this cheesy chicken and pepper bake makes for the perfect meal. It takes about an hour to get on the table, but most of that time is hands-off as the chicken bakes in the oven. You get the convenience of cooking both the chicken and peppers in one dish, but with the added flavor and fancy-ish feel from a thyme cream cheese stuffing and colorful sweet peppers beneath.
Get the Cheesy Chicken & Pepper Bake recipe.
Peruvian-Style Chicken With Green Sauce
Our ever-popular Peruvian roast chicken will forever be one of our favorites…unless we need to get dinner on the table ASAP. If that's you this spring, lean on chicken thighs instead for that smoky, garlicky chicken with its crispy skin, in less than half the time.
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Chicken
This simple method works so well because the creamy layer (garlicky sour cream and mayonnaise) locks moisture into the chicken for a truly melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s also so easy to make six chicken breasts all at once, which either means you can feed a hungry family for weeknight dinner, or you’ve got leftovers for another meal.
Get the Melt-In-Your-Mouth Chicken recipe.
Cornflake-Crusted Chicken Tenders
If you’re looking for a kid-approved twist using chicken tenders, enter this cornflake-crusted chicken recipe. Perfectly sliced chicken is coated in a blend of crispy cornflake crumbs, and seasoned just right for the extra pop of flavor. The golden-brown exterior showcases the distinct texture of those crunchy cornflakes. These tenders aren’t just a meal; they’re an adventure on a plate.
Get the Cornflake-Crusted Chicken Tenders recipe.
Chicken Scarpariello
Chicken Scarpariello isn't like other chicken dinners. This one packs a real punch of flavor without much effort. The dish is made of braised chicken thighs and hot (or sweet!) sausage swimming in a vinegary, kind of spicy broth. It's easy enough for a Tuesday night, but special enough to serve at a dinner party. Serve it over rice or alongside some roasted potatoes and sit down to your favorite meal.
Get the Chicken Scarpariello recipe.
One-Pan Greek Chicken Drumsticks
Often overlooked in favor of chicken breasts and thighs, the humble drumstick is fun to eat, always seems to stay tender and juicy, and is a cost-effective choice when it comes to chicken. To lend the dish Greek vibes, we started off by preparing a creamy, lemon-y orzo that finishes off in the oven with the drumsticks. Then a tasty sprinkle of tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and dill give the whole dish a fresh finish—think main and salad all in one!
Get the One-Pan Greek Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
Chicken Spaghetti
If you didn’t grow up with this comfort food, allow us to introduce you to your new favorite easy weeknight dinner. Chicken, spaghetti, and veggies combine with a creamy, cheesy sauce for a baked and bubbling casserole that’s just as perfect for busy weeknights as it is for parties.
Get the Chicken Spaghetti recipe.
Chicken Pot Pie
While this classic comfort food is one that you can easily find pre-made in almost any grocery freezer aisle, we strongly believe that making your own chicken pot pie is more than worth it. Hot tip: Make some elements of the pie in advance to make the whole process go much smoother.
Get the Chicken Pot Pie recipe.
Caprese Stuffed Chicken
A Caprese salad is great, but sometimes we crave those flavors (and something a little more hearty) in the dead of winter. The solution? Stuff sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and spinach into chicken breasts for an Italian-inspired meal you can enjoy year-round.
Get the Caprese Stuffed Chicken recipe.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Want to feel like a kid again? Make homemade chicken nuggets. Coated in crispy seasoned bread crumbs, these tender, juicy bites are hard to beat. The recipe may technically serve 2 to 4, but we’ve definitely demolished an entire tray all by ourselves.
Get the Homemade Chicken Nuggets recipe.
Chicken Enchiladas
When the craving for satisfying comfort food meets the need for a straightforward weeknight dinner, chicken enchiladas are a guaranteed winner. They’re easy, filling, and take less than an hour to prepare from start to finish.
Get the Chicken Enchiladas recipe.
Sheet-Pan Tikka Masala
This sheet-pan recipe is a fun way to enjoy a classic Indian dish, chicken tikka masala, at home in a slightly new (and easier!) way. Paired with some rice or naan, it's a foolproof way to get a whole dinner on the table (or lunch packed for the next few days).
Get the Sheet-Pan Tikka Masala recipe.
Copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza
If you can't get enough of CPK's classic flavor combo of saucy BBQ, tender chicken and creamy ranch, then you'll go crazy for this homemade version. Our twist? We bake the pizza in an oven-safe skillet, resulting in an extra-crispy crust.
Get the Copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe.
Greek Stuffed Peppers
Filled with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and sharp crumbled feta, these tender stuffed peppers have all the flavors you love from a Greek salad, plus a hearty addition from herby chicken breast and couscous.
Get the Greek Stuffed Peppers recipe.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Skillet
Looking for a way to jazz up a rotisserie chicken? Look no further than this chicken skillet recipe. With all the flavors of beloved jalapeño poppers, it can take a boring roasted bird to new levels of deliciousness.
Buffalo Chicken & Rice Casserole
If you can’t get enough of Buffalo chicken wings, then this easy casserole is for you. You can poach your own chicken or use a rotisserie chicken to make your life easier. The Ritz crackers add a buttery crunch that’s iconic too, so don't skip 'em.
Chicken Tamale Pie
Though many tamale pie recipe come with the cornbread layer on top, we strongly feel that it should be the base to your hearty layers. Our simple, flavor-packed cornbread provides the perfect base for our shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, and plenty of melty cheese.
Get the Chicken Tamale Pie recipe.
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