32 Easy Chicken Breast Recipes for Weeknight Dinner

Trying to figure out what to make with chicken breast for dinner tonight?

Chicken breast is one of those ingredients that almost always ends up in the grocery cart, but somehow we still find ourselves staring at the package at 5 p.m. wondering what in the world to make with it.

The good news is that chicken breast doesn’t have to be boring.

From creamy Marry Me Chicken and cheesy baked chicken to honey garlic chicken, chicken Alfredo, crispy chicken tenders, and simple sheet-pan dinners, there are so many easy ways to turn chicken breasts into a dinner the entire family will actually want to eat.

These 32 easy chicken breast recipes for weeknight dinner are perfect for busy moms, families, picky eaters, and anyone who needs simple dinner inspiration without spending hours in the kitchen.

Most of these meals can be paired with simple sides like rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, salad, or garlic bread.

1. Marry Me Chicken

If you only try one recipe from this list, make it Marry Me Chicken.

Tender chicken breasts are cooked in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and seasonings. The sauce is the kind you’ll want to spoon over everything on your plate.

Serve Marry Me Chicken with pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty garlic bread for soaking up that creamy sauce.

Easy sides: Pasta, broccoli, asparagus, mashed potatoes, or garlic bread.

2. Garlic Butter Chicken Breast

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best.

Pan-seared chicken breasts are cooked in a buttery garlic sauce with herbs until juicy and golden brown.

This is an especially good recipe to keep in your back pocket because it works with practically any side dish you already have in the kitchen.

Serve it with rice and green beans for an easy weeknight meal.

3. Creamy Parmesan Chicken

Creamy Parmesan chicken tastes like something you would order at a restaurant, but it can easily be made at home.

Seasoned chicken breasts are pan-seared and finished in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.

Serve it over fettuccine or mashed potatoes and add steamed broccoli for an easy family dinner.

4. Honey Garlic Chicken

Sweet, savory, sticky, and incredibly easy.

Honey garlic chicken is made with a simple sauce using honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a few pantry staples.

Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces so they cook quickly, then toss everything in the sauce.

Serve over white rice with broccoli.

5. Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Give basic baked chicken breast a crispy upgrade.

Coat the chicken in Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning before baking until golden and crispy.

Pair it with pasta, salad, roasted potatoes, or vegetables.

Kids will especially love this one.

6. Chicken Alfredo

Creamy chicken Alfredo is a classic family dinner for a reason.

Slice seasoned chicken breast and serve it over fettuccine coated in a creamy Parmesan Alfredo sauce.

Add broccoli to the pasta if you want to sneak a vegetable into dinner.

And don’t forget the garlic bread.

7. Lemon Garlic Chicken

Bright lemon and savory garlic make this chicken dinner taste fresh without requiring many ingredients.

Chicken breasts are pan-seared before being finished with butter, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.

Serve with roasted potatoes, rice, asparagus, or green beans.

8. Creamy Tuscan Chicken

If your family loves creamy chicken recipes, add this one to your dinner rotation.

Tuscan chicken combines chicken breast with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy sauce.

It tastes especially good served over pasta.

9. BBQ Baked Chicken Breast

You don’t need a grill to make delicious barbecue chicken.

Season chicken breasts, brush them generously with your favorite BBQ sauce, and bake until juicy.

Add another layer of BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.

Serve with macaroni and cheese, corn, baked beans, or roasted potatoes.

10. Chicken Fajitas

Chicken fajitas are perfect for busy nights because the entire family can build their own dinner.

Cook sliced chicken breast with bell peppers, onions, and fajita seasoning.

Set everything out with warm tortillas and toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado, and lettuce.

11. Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Skip takeout and make an easy chicken stir fry at home.

Chicken breast and broccoli are tossed in a savory homemade stir-fry sauce and served over rice.

You can also add carrots, bell peppers, onions, or snap peas.

12. Crispy Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders aren’t just for kids.

Slice chicken breasts into strips, season them, coat them in crispy breadcrumbs, and bake or air-fry until golden.

Serve with fries, fruit, vegetables, or macaroni and cheese.

Put out several dipping sauces and everyone can choose their favorite.

13. Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is comfort food that always feels a little special.

Breaded chicken breasts are topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Serve with spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad.

14. Ranch Chicken Breast

Ranch seasoning makes this one of the easiest chicken breast dinners on the list.

Coat chicken breasts with ranch seasoning before baking until tender and juicy.

You can also add shredded cheddar and crispy bacon for loaded ranch chicken.

Serve with roasted potatoes and green beans.

15. Mozzarella Tomato Chicken

Top seasoned chicken breasts with sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and Italian herbs.

Bake until the cheese is bubbly and melted.

Finish with fresh basil or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an easy Caprese-inspired chicken dinner.

16. Buffalo Chicken Breast

Buffalo chicken isn’t only for wings.

Bake or pan-sear seasoned chicken breasts before coating them in buffalo sauce.

Top with cheese if you’d like and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Turn leftovers into buffalo chicken wraps the next day.

17. Chicken Bacon Ranch

Chicken, bacon, ranch, and cheese is a combination that’s hard to beat.

Season the chicken, add ranch flavoring, crispy bacon, and shredded cheese, then bake until everything is hot and melted.

Serve with potatoes, rice, or a simple vegetable.

18. Creamy Garlic Chicken

This is one of those dinners that looks impressive but uses surprisingly simple ingredients.

Pan-seared chicken breasts simmer in a creamy garlic sauce until tender.

Spoon plenty of sauce over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice.

19. Teriyaki Chicken

Homemade teriyaki chicken makes an easy weeknight dinner and is great for meal prep.

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and cook them in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.

Serve with rice and steamed broccoli.

Sprinkle sesame seeds or green onions on top if you have them.

20. Chicken Burrito Bowls

Build-your-own burrito bowls are an easy way to make everyone happy.

Start with seasoned chicken breast and rice, then add your favorite toppings.

Try:

• Black beans
• Corn
• Shredded cheese
• Salsa
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Avocado
• Sour cream

Everyone can make their own bowl exactly how they like it.

21. Chicken Quesadillas

Chicken quesadillas are perfect when you need dinner quickly.

Add cooked seasoned chicken and shredded cheese between tortillas and cook until crispy and golden.

Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

They’re also a great way to use leftover chicken.

22. Chicken Pesto Pasta

Toss sliced chicken breast with pasta, pesto, and Parmesan cheese for a dinner that comes together quickly.

Add cherry tomatoes or spinach for extra vegetables.

You can serve it warm for dinner and enjoy leftovers cold for lunch.

23. Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes

Sheet-pan dinners mean fewer dishes, which automatically makes them a weeknight win.

Arrange seasoned chicken breasts, baby potatoes, and vegetables on one sheet pan.

Roast everything together until the chicken is cooked and the potatoes are crispy.

Try broccoli, carrots, zucchini, or green beans.

24. Greek Chicken Breast

Give chicken breast Mediterranean flavor with lemon, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and herbs.

Bake or grill the chicken and serve with rice, roasted potatoes, cucumber tomato salad, or pita bread.

You can also turn it into a Greek chicken bowl with hummus and tzatziki.

25. Chicken Piccata

Chicken piccata has a buttery lemon sauce with capers that makes a simple chicken breast taste restaurant-worthy.

The chicken cooks quickly because the pieces are thin.

Serve it over pasta or mashed potatoes with plenty of lemon sauce spooned over the top.

26. Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala is another classic chicken dinner that feels fancy without being overly complicated.

Thin chicken breasts are cooked with mushrooms in a flavorful Marsala sauce.

Serve with mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted vegetables.

27. Cajun Chicken Pasta

If your family likes a little spice, make creamy Cajun chicken pasta.

Season chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, slice them, and serve them over creamy pasta.

Bell peppers, onions, spinach, or tomatoes can easily be added too.

28. Baked Salsa Chicken

This may be one of the easiest chicken breast recipes you’ll ever make.

Place seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish, cover with salsa, and bake.

Add shredded cheese during the final few minutes.

Serve the chicken with rice, black beans, corn, or tortillas.

29. Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken fried rice is an easy way to turn leftover rice into dinner.

Dice chicken breast into small pieces and cook it with rice, scrambled eggs, peas, carrots, and soy sauce.

This is another great recipe for cleaning out vegetables sitting in the refrigerator.

30. Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Sweet and savory dinners are always a hit.

Season chicken breasts with garlic, brown sugar, and your favorite seasonings before baking until caramelized and juicy.

Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.

31. Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

Turn an ordinary chicken breast into something special by stuffing it.

Create a pocket in each chicken breast and fill it with a mixture of spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella, garlic, and seasonings.

Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese inside is hot and creamy.

Serve with roasted potatoes or pasta.

32. One-Pan Creamy Chicken and Rice

When you don’t want a sink full of dishes, make chicken and rice in one pan.

Seasoned chicken breasts cook alongside creamy, flavorful rice so the rice absorbs all of those delicious chicken juices and seasonings.

Add broccoli, spinach, peas, or carrots to turn it into a complete meal.

What Goes With Chicken Breast for Dinner?

One of the best things about chicken breast is that you can serve it with practically anything.

For an easy weeknight dinner, try pairing your chicken with:

• White or brown rice
• Mashed potatoes
• Roasted potatoes
• Macaroni and cheese
• Buttered noodles
• Alfredo pasta
• Broccoli
• Green beans
• Roasted carrots
• Corn
• Side salad
• Garlic bread
• Dinner rolls

Choosing one starch and one vegetable makes planning dinner much easier.

How Do You Keep Chicken Breast From Drying Out?

The biggest complaint about chicken breast is that it can become dry.

Usually, the chicken itself isn’t the problem. It’s simply been cooked too long.

Use a meat thermometer to check your chicken instead of guessing. Chicken should reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

You can also pound very thick chicken breasts to a more even thickness so the outside doesn’t overcook before the center is done.

Marinades, creamy sauces, butter, olive oil, and cooking chicken with sauce can also help keep it flavorful and juicy.

Easy Chicken Breast Dinner Ideas for Busy Nights

You don’t need a complicated recipe to make a good family dinner.

Keep a few easy combinations in mind for nights when you don’t feel like following a recipe.

Chicken + pasta: Try Alfredo, pesto, Parmesan sauce, or marinara.

Chicken + rice: Try teriyaki chicken, honey garlic chicken, salsa chicken, or stir fry.

Chicken + potatoes: Try garlic butter chicken, ranch chicken, BBQ chicken, or Parmesan chicken.

Chicken + tortillas: Make fajitas, quesadillas, tacos, or burrito bowls.

Having these simple combinations ready makes it much easier to answer the dreaded question: What’s for dinner?

Which Chicken Breast Recipe Should You Make First?

If you’re looking for something creamy and comforting, start with Marry Me Chicken, creamy Tuscan chicken, or chicken Alfredo.

Need something the kids will love? Try crispy chicken tenders, chicken quesadillas, BBQ chicken, or Parmesan-crusted chicken.

And for those really hectic weeknights, you can’t go wrong with sheet-pan chicken and potatoes, baked salsa chicken, teriyaki chicken, or one-pan chicken and rice.

Save this list of 32 easy chicken breast recipes for weeknight dinner so the next time you have a package of chicken breasts in the refrigerator, you’ll already know what to make.

More Easy Dinner Ideas

Looking for even more simple meals for your family? Check out more of our easy weeknight dinners, picky-eater-approved meals, creamy pasta recipes, and quick family dinner ideas for meals that make busy nights a little easier.