Chicken. It’s versatile, affordable, and delicious. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, chicken offers endless culinary possibilities. From quick weeknight dinners to impressive Sunday feasts, there’s a chicken recipe out there for everyone.
This article will explore a variety of easy chicken recipes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. We’ll cover everything from simple roasted chicken to flavorful stir-fries, with plenty of tips and tricks along the way. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
Roasted Chicken
Roasted chicken is a classic for a reason. It’s simple to prepare, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for a family meal. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lemon, cut in half
4-5 cloves garlic, peeled
1 onion, quartered
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
Marry Me Chicken
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Rub the chicken inside and out with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Stuff the cavity with lemon halves, garlic cloves, onion quarters, and rosemary sprigs.
Place the chicken in a roasting pan.
Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Tips for Roasting Chicken:
Brine your chicken: Soaking the chicken in a salt water solution for a few hours before roasting will make it incredibly juicy.
Roast at high temperature: Roasting at a high temperature helps to crisp up the skin.
Baste the chicken: Basting the chicken with pan juices during roasting will keep it moist.
Easy Chicken Stir-Fry
Stir-fries are a quick and healthy weeknight meal option. This recipe is packed with flavor and can be customized with your favorite vegetables.
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup carrots, sliced
1/2 cup bell pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon ginger
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine chicken with cornstarch, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Add onion and garlic to skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper to skillet and cook until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.
Return chicken to skillet and add soy sauce, honey, and ginger.
Cook for 1-2 minutes more, or until sauce has thickened.
Serve over rice or noodles.
Tips for Stir-Frying:
Use the right wok: A wok is the best tool for stir-frying, but a large skillet will also work.
Cut your vegetables evenly: This will ensure that they cook evenly.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: If the pan is too crowded, the vegetables will steam instead of stir-fry.
Chicken Breasts with Lemon Herb Sauce
This dish is simple to prepare and bursting with flavor. The lemon herb sauce is light and refreshing, making it the perfect accompaniment to the juicy chicken.
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup olive oil
2 lemons, juiced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Place chicken breasts in a resealable bag and pour marinade over them.
Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
Serve chicken with remaining marinade.
Tips for Grilling Chicken:
Don’t overcrowd the grill: This will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly.
Use a meat thermometer: This is the best way to ensure that the chicken is cooked through.
Rest the chicken: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
Chicken Parmesan
Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s a bit more time-consuming than some of the other recipes on this list, but the effort is well worth it.
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
1 jar (28 ounces) marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Dredge chicken breasts in flour, then dip in egg, and finally coat in breadcrumb mixture.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Pour marinara sauce over chicken breasts.
Top with mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve immediately.
Tips for Making Chicken Parmesan:
Don’t overcrowd the pan: This will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly.
Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of the ingredients will make a big difference in the flavor of your dish.
Let the sauce simmer: Simmering the sauce for a few minutes will allow the flavors to meld.
Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are a kid-favorite and a great option for a quick and easy meal. They can be baked, fried, or grilled.
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions:
In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
In another shallow dish, whisk together egg and milk.
Dip chicken tenders in egg mixture, then dredge in flour mixture.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken tenders for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips for Making Chicken Tenders:
Don’t overcrowd the pan: This will prevent the chicken from cooking evenly.
Use a meat thermometer: This is the best way to ensure that the chicken is cooked through.
Get creative with dipping sauces: Try honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.
Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is a light and refreshing summer dish. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick and easy lunch.
Ingredients:
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine chicken, mayonnaise, celery, onion, dill, and lemon juice.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Serve on bread, crackers, or lettuce leaves.
Tips for Making Chicken Salad:
Use high-quality chicken: The flavor of your chicken salad will be directly impacted by the quality of the chicken you use.
