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These recipes sacrifice time, not flavor.
Chicken dinners don't need to be a whole ordeal. We found that the best recipes lack a laundry list of ingredients and instead use pantry staples or leftovers. These recipes will satisfy a dinner crowd in a flash, no matter what everyone is craving. From sheet pan nachos, comforting soups, and bright pastas there's for every taste bud on a time crunch.
01 of 20
Green Chile Mac And Cheese With Chicken
Ready in 15 minutes
Whip up this subtly spiced dish in the same amount of time it takes to make mac and cheese from a box. Mild poblano peppers bring the heat while the chicken adds protein to the cheesy shells. It's a little work for a lot of flavor.
02 of 20
Garlic Knot Chicken
Ready in 20 minutes
Think of this recipe like turning a chicken breast into a slice of garlic bread. It's perfectly buttery, has just enough garlic, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. You'll never get tired of how deliciously easy it is.
03 of 20
Creole-Seasoned Chicken Skillet With Zucchini And Bell Peppers
Ready in 20 minutes
Seasoned chicken is simmered in a pan and then mixed with a medley of zucchini and bell peppers for a fresh, one-pot dinner. The butter sauce keeps the dish juicy and meat tender. Serve over rice or with cornbread.
04 of 20
Bourbon Chicken
Ready in 25 minutes
You'll love this sweet-and-savory chicken dish for a number of reasons—including its speedy cook time. Ketchup, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, and bourbon combine for the delicious signature sauce. A bed of rice or sautéed veggies are quick sides that pair well with the mix of sauces.
05 of 20
Sheet Pan Fajitas
Ready in 20 minutes
Sheet pan recipes are guaranteed time savers. Broil chicken, vegetables, and Tex-Mex spices for a nice char and then pair with whatever toppings you desire. Serve on flour or corn tortillas or make it a bowl and serve over rice. No matter how you make it, you're sure to have a tasty dinner in a flash.
06 of 20
Chicken Caprese Pasta
Ready in 20 minutes
Flip traditional Caprese on its head to make this fresh and bright pasta. Store-bought pesto and rotisserie chicken save you time so you can get to devouring this dish a little faster. Cherry tomatoes, shallots, and basil add a refreshing depth to the pasta while the garlic adds the traditional Italian flavor. We recommend linguine noodles for this recipe.
07 of 20
Green Chile-Chicken Soup
Ready in 20 minutes
Spice up chicken soup with this smoky and creamy recipe. Green enchilada sauce and a poblano chiles add the right amount of heat while the mashed Great Northern beans thicken the broth—no dairy needed. Use rotisserie chicken or any leftover chicken on hand for a warm and comforting meal.
08 of 20
Chicken Stir-Fry
Ready in 10 minutes
You read that right! In just 10 minutes you can have a protein- and vegetable-filled dinner. You can use fresh vegetables if you have extra time, but a bag of frozen ones work just as well. As for the rice, there's no shame in microwaving a bag to save time.
09 of 20
Spinach-And-Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Ready in 20 minutes
Brighten your dinner table with a quick dinner featuring sun-dried tomatoes, vibrant green spinach, and chunks of juicy roast chicken. This is a meal that can use up a whole lot of leftovers, so you'll be rewarded for cleaning out your fridge and cupboard with this creamy pasta.
10 of 20
BBQ Chicken Salad
Ready in 20 minutes
This is another dish that'll use up any leftovers you have lying around along with store-bought substitutes. Use leftover shredded chicken (BBQ chicken works, too). As for barbecue sauce, use your favorite store-bought bottle or if you have some time, whip up a homemade version. Bacon adds a smokiness to the mixture of crispy greens and the standout addition is the White BBQ Ranch Dressing. It's a buttermilk base mixed with mayo, chives, and garlic powder (along with a few other spices and sauces) for an addicting sauce.
11 of 20
One-Pot Chicken Pasta
Ready in 20 minutes
All the magic happens in a Dutch oven. Use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken you just picked up from the store. If you don't have all the ingredients, skip them! This is a dish that is uniquely customizable for ease and requires minimal clean up thanks to the one pot.
12 of 20
Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce
Ready in 20 minutes
Put down the takeout menu and get to cooking this ultra -speedy dinner for those nights when cooking seems like a chore. While we provide a recipe for peanut sauce, there's no shame in using a store bought jar. The cucumber, carrots, and red bell peppers add color to this savory dinner.
13 of 20
Hot Honey Chicken
Ready in 25 minutes
We're putting hot honey one everything... including these crunchy chicken breasts. Depending on how much time you have, you can make your own hot honey or use a store-bought bottle. Either way, the sugary spice will make your tongue buzz and taste buds sing. Serve with simple sides that can cook alongside the chicken like microwavable rice, mashed potatoes, and steamed vegetables. Cornbread would be great, too.
Related: Hot Honey Cornbread
14 of 20
Chicken-And-Fontina Panini
Ready in 10 minutes
Grill up a light dinner that's crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. The ingredient list is simple and if you don't have ciabatta bread, substitute with baguette, focaccia, or hearty artisan loaf. The pesto and plum tomatoes add that fresh, slightly acidic taste to the tender rotisserie chicken. And if you don't own a panini press, don't fret! You can use an indoor grill pan, cast iron skillet, or even a waffle iron.
15 of 20
Skillet Enchiladas Suizas
Ready in 25 minutes
This deconstructed version of the classic dish cuts down on time, not ingredients. Tomatillo salsa, Monterey Jack, chicken, and tortillas create a mouthwatering skillet meal. For ease and less waste, let everyone choose their own toppings from avocados to pickled red onions. Make sure to broil before serving so the cheesy topping gets a leopard brown pattern on top.
16 of 20
Honey-Garlic Chicken Nuggets
Ready in 25 minutes
Chicken nuggets aren't a childish dinner, if we're being honest, they're one of the smartest weeknight meals you can make. We dressed up these nuggets with sticky glaze that makes them feel much more adult. Serve with rice or of roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal.
17 of 20
Buttermilk Alfredo Chicken Spinach Pasta
Ready in 20 minutes
Creamy pasta doesn't need to be complicated and this recipe cuts right to the chase. Whisk up a simple cheesy roux, add in the chicken and pasta, and dinner is served. It doesn't get any easier or quicker than that.
18 of 20
Chicken Nachos
Ready in 25 minutes
Nachos are always a good idea, especially when you're short on time. Gather a rotisserie chicken, a sheet pan, and your favorite toppings and bake until the cheese is fully melted. The shredded chicken is mixed with salsa for additional flavor in every scoop. You can dress them up or keep them simple depending on your desired outcome or what you have in your pantry.
19 of 20
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Ready in 25 minutes
No need to watch over a pot of soup for hours with this recipe. We made a better-than-the-original version of this soup that's extra creamy but still filled with all the traditional ingredients. Heavy cream and butter add the density the broth needs and the rest of the vegetables and chicken soak it all up.
20 of 20
Cranberry Chicken Salad
Ready in 10 minutes
Chicken salad isn't reserved for lunch or tea time. This bright take on the deli counter staple has dried cranberries, celery, and sweet pickle relish for a filling and flavorful dish. For the most filling meal, pack the salad into pita or sandwiches and don't be afraid of additions like avocado and roasted vegetables to round it out.
Read the original article on Southern Living
