Looking for chicken dinner ideas to make midweek more exciting? We have plenty of exciting chicken recipes to try, from hearty chicken casserole and chicken curry to zingy chicken salads and Asian chicken skewers.

Advertisement

Whether you are using chicken breasts or chicken thighs, these quick and easy recipes will give you some great ideas to use up this bird. For more dinner inspiration, check out our collections of healthy chicken recipes, chicken breast recipes, chicken wing recipes and chicken thigh recipes. For a change from chicken, why not try one of our pheasant recipes.


Exciting chicken recipes

Coq au vin

A timeless comfort food that’s rich in flavour, try this classic coq au vin for an impressive dinner for four.

A black oval casserole pot with a serving spoon, filled with coq au vin and topped with parsley

Chicken and chorizo pie

Follow our expert tips and take your pie-making skills to the next level with this winning chicken and chorizo pie with a rich crème fraiche sauce.

A black baking dish filled with a meat pie, topped with golden pastry

Chicken, leek and bacon pie

Looking for an impressive chicken pie recipe? Check out Edd Kimber's chicken, leek, tarragon and bacon pie. This classic British pie is a great warming recipe for those winter months; what's more, it will be a winner with the whole family. Here are our top pie recipes to try...

More like this
Chicken, leek, tarragon and bacon pie

Tarragon chicken

Chicken is marinated with bay and lemon, then roasted and slathered in tarragon butter – expect beautifully juicy meat with a subtle aniseed flavour.

A white oval platter filled with sliced joints of chicken on a white and blue background

Chicken chasseur

Looking for a succulent chicken dish to wow a crowd? This impressive chicken chasseur is brimming with warm flavours and is served with creamy, garlic mash.

A chicken chasseur with cheese and roasted garlic mash

Chicken and bacon pasta bake

Enjoy this classic combo of chicken and bacon in a creamy pasta bake on a weeknight with family or serve to friends for a comforting dinner party main.

Chicken and bacon pasta bake in a dish with garlic bread on the side

Chicken marbella with orzo

A retro classic with no chopping required – marinate the chicken overnight, then tip into a baking dish and it’s good to go.

Chicken marbella on a bed of rice with a glass next to it

Chicken casserole

This recipe for Dijon chicken casserole with buttery herb dumplings is an easy one-pot that will feed the family in just an hour.

Chicken casserole with dumplings in a serving bowl

Healthy chicken casserole

This chicken, leek and Dijon casserole is really simple to make, is ready in under and hour and comes in at under 500 calories. What more could you want from a midweek meal?

Chicken and Leek Casserole Recipe with Dijon Mustard

Whole braised chicken in rich gravy (duruj kura)

Originating from the Chittagong district of Bangladesh, this mellow, lightly spiced and creamy dish is traditionally served to welcome a new groom into the bride’s family.

Whole roast chicken in a turmeric sauce with fried onions on top

Chicken normandy

Make a batch of this comforting, freezer-friendly chicken dish. If you're feeling fruity, fry cored apple wedges in a knob of butter until golden, then stir through before reheating.

Chicken Normandy Recipe

One-pot koji roast chicken with garlic and ginger rice

Koji is a natural umami-packed seasoning made of rice fermented with special mould pores, a key component in Japanese cooking. In this recipe, it is used to marinate the meat and makes a really succulent roast chicken full of delicious flavours.

A whole roast chicken in a pot on a turquoise table

Chicken stroganoff

This creamy chicken stroganoff features soured cream, sweet paprika and a touch of worcestershire sauce for flavour. It's an excellent filling for jacket potatoes.

Chicken stroganoff in a skillet

Chicken and chorizo jambalaya

Serve this warming pot of chicken and chorizo jambalaya with steamed spinach or a crisp green salad. You could also include pork or seafood in addition to the chicken.

Chicken and chorizo jambalaya in a dish

Hainan chicken rice

Make the condiments while the chicken cooks, and this recipe from Malaysian street food restaurant Med Salleh will be quicker than it first appears.

Decorated red plate topped with Hainan Malaysian chicken and rice dish with fresh cucumber slices

Whole braised chicken with lemon and olives

Cooked with the warming flavours of ginger, turmeric and cumin, this braised chicken by Sofian Msetfi is juicy, tender and infused with subtle spice.

Chicken in a pot surrounded by vegetables an topped with herbs

Hunter’s chicken

Chicken breast is wrapped in bacon, smothered in BBQ sauce and topped with molten cheese to make a hearty dinner for two. Serve with mash and wilted greens, if you like.

A plate of mash topped with hunter's chicken on a wooden background, with a small pot of BBQ sauce on the side

Paprika chicken

Try this winning chicken dinner one-pot served with potatoes or rice for mopping up the smoky sauce.

Pot of chicken thighs in a paprika sauce

Bundoo Khan-style chicken boti tikka

Sumayya's Pakistani chicken tikka is the real deal – thread marinated chicken onto bamboo skewers and serve with tamarind chutney.

Skewered marinaded chicken sticks on a white plate

Machboos (Omani chicken one-pot rice)

Recreate the warming, spiced Omani rice and chicken dish that is cooked in one pot to cut down on cooking time and maximise flavour.

Bowl of Omani chicken one-pot rice on a table garnished with fresh herbs

Chicken Milanese

Prepare impeccably crisp chicken for this Italian classic. Serve it with a simple spaghetti pomodoro or in a ciabatta sandwich.

Chicken milanese served with spaghetti pomodoro

Chicken alfredo

Enjoy tender chicken in a luxuriously rich sauce infused with a subtle hint of garlic. This mouth-watering recipe can be prepared and served in just 20 minutes.

Sliced chicken on creamy tagliatelle

Salt and pepper chicken

This punchy, versatile recipe can be adapted to use with king prawns, tofu, strips of beef or pre-cooked chicken wings, and served with rice as a main or as part of a sharing feast with other plates.

A plate of chicken with spring onions on a turquoise tablecloth with a bowl of rice and a spoon on the side

Chicken kofta

Chicken kofta can be served with just about anything: try rice, flatbreads, tzatziki to dip or even on top of your fave veggie stew or soup.

Serving bowl of chicken kofta next to flatbreads, salad and dip

Peri peri chicken traybake

Chicken is marinated in a punchy homemade spice paste to make this winning chicken traybake. Plus, there’s only one pan to wash up.

a silver oven tray filed with chicken topped with chopped herbs and lemon wedges

Chicken burrito bowl

This burrito bowl comes packed with chicken, sweetcorn, black beans and rice – perfect for a filling lunch that’s packed with veg.

A bowl filled with sliced chicken, veg and rice next to a small plate of chopped herbs

Provençal poussins with Épices Rabelais, shallots and dates

Use classic French seasoning to flavour Provençal-style poussins, cooked here in fragrant spiced butter, orange juice and vermouth.

A platter of cooked poussins topped with sage

Sweet and sour caramel chicken

We use pomegranate molasses to make a sticky caramel coating for these marinated chicken thighs, ideal for a pretty dinner party dish.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Chicken fried rice

This chicken fried rice is easy to make but promises lots of flavour thanks to ginger, garlic, soy and chilli sauce. Perfect when you’re short of time, too.

a bowl of fried rice with chunks of chicken and peas topped with hot sauce and a pair of chopsticks

Roast spatchcock chicken mojo rojo

Roast chicken is drizzled in a wild garlic pesto and finished with a squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a grinding of black pepper. This recipe comes from The Sun Inn in Dedham.

Plate of roast chicken with garlic

Chilli chicken

This take on an Indo-Chinese classic sees juicy chicken thighs marinated in soy and tossed in a punchy savoury sauce – perfect for a speedy midweek meal with a difference.

Silver pan of chicken and chillies on a rustic wooden board

Rotisserie chicken

This chicken from Bébé Bob is usually cooked on a rotisserie, but at home, you can turn the birds over several times as you cook.

A Rotisserie chicken on a wooden board

Chicken kiev katsu curry

Check out our epic chicken kiev recipe where Japanese chicken katsu meets chips ’n’ curry sauce. This indulgent recipe is easy to make and seriously comforting.

Chicken Kiev Recipe with Katsu Curry Sauce

Air-fryer chicken wings

Use your air-fryer to effortlessly cook these chicken wings, delivering all the flavours you love without the hassle of deep-frying.

Platter of chicken wings, celery sticks and chips next to bowl of dip

Baked lemon chicken

Try our moreish tray bake packed with crisp chicken thighs, creamy lemon sauce and fragrant rosemary.

Baked Lemon Chicken Recipe

Butter chicken pie with naan crust

Try our twist on the classic chicken pie, filled with succulent, spiced chicken thighs in creamy curry sauce and topped with a crusty naan. This indulgent recipe beats any Saturday night takeaway.

Butter Chicken Pie Recipe with Naan Crust

West African chicken and sweet potato curry

This African chicken curry makes for a delicious family meal. It also freezes well: Cool the curry completely, then transfer to freezer containers or food bags to freeze completely. The night before eating, defrost in the fridge overnight. Try our other chicken curry recipes here...

African Chicken Curry Recipe With Sweet Potato and Peanuts

Quick-roast chicken with tomatoes, chickpeas and tarragon

The perfect midweek supper, just tip the chicken breasts, cherry tomatoes and chickpeas into a tray and roast with tarragon. Dinner just doesn’t get easier than that!

Roast Chicken Tomatoes Recipe with Chickpeas

Oven ‘fried’ chicken and purple slaw

This is our healthy version of a KFC takeaway. Oven 'fried' chicken is coated in crispy breadcrumbs and served with a fresh and crunchy slaw.

Oven Fried Chicken Recipe with Slaw

Chicken tikka burritos

Check out our quick and easy burrito recipe with tikka-marinated chicken. Serve this simple recipe with ready made rice, a simple homemade yogurt dip and warmed rotis.

Chicken Burrito Recipe

Spanish chicken traybake

Flavour chicken thighs with sweet smoked paprika and honey, then roast until sweet and sticky alongside new potatoes, red peppers and green olives. Create this easy, throw-together super in a matter of minutes.

Honey and Paprika Glazed Chicken Traybake with Salad

Spring chicken pie

Creamy, rich and filled with the freshness of spring, turn your hand to making this effortless spring pie with chicken and leek.

A golden-crusted pie with a creamy chicken filling in a pie dish, with a pink napkin and cutlery

Harissa chicken and white bean bake

Mix up dinnertime with this vibrant recipe. Chicken thighs are slathered with harissa and cooked in a rich tomato sauce with beans and olives to make a healthy, high-protein family meal.

Harissa Chicken Recipe

Chicken saag

Looking for a healthy chicken curry recipe? Our really popular chicken saag recipe proves that you can eat healthily without having to miss out on your favourite foods. This comes in at under 500 calories and is ready in under an hour. Try our healthy chicken recipes here...

Healthy Curry Chicken Saag in a Casserole Dish

Butterflied ras el hanout chicken breast with chopped salad

Want an easy chicken dinner recipe? Check out this North African inspired recipe, butterflied chicken ras el hanout. This dish is low cal, gluten free and packed full of flavour... an easy midweek meal.

Ras El Hanout Chicken Recipe with Chopped Salad

Honey-masala spatchcock chicken

This epic spatchcock chicken dish, made sticky with a golden honey-masala glaze, requires a little effort but offers impressive results.

A whole roast chicken on a mango salad

Paprika chicken goulash

This chicken casserole recipe makes an interesting chicken dinner. Serve this simple one-pot chicken goulash with tagliatelle or rice for an easy midweek family meal. Plus it's low in calories, too.

Chicken Goulash Recipe With Paprika

Easy garlic and herb cream cheese roast chicken

Putting a thick layer of homemade herb and garlic flavoured soft cheese under the skin will keep the breasts succulent and juicy. Don't forget to slather some on top to give the skin a beautiful finish. Serve with fresh seasonal veg! Pair with our perfect roast potatoes recipes here...

Homemade Boursin roast chicken

Semur chicken

A chicken dish to serve to family or friends at your next dinner party: semur is a hearty dish in which a whole chicken is cooked in a thick soy broth with vermicelli noodles.

A metal pot filled with roast chicken, glass noodles and leafy green vegetables

Chinese drunken chicken

Check out this recipe for drunken chicken, where steamed chicken thighs are marinated with a bittersweet mixture of shaoxing rice wine and light soy sauce.

A terracotta bowl filled with pieces of steamed chicken in a chicken broth, with red chilli slices on the side

Mediterranean chicken traybake

So good we put it on our cover in August 2020, this simple chicken traybake recipe comes sprinkled with olives, feta, oregano and baby plum tomatoes – flavours that will have you feeling like you're in the Med.

Mediterranean Chicken and Vegetables in a Roasting Tin

Vietnamese ginger chicken

Uyen Luu’s Vietnamese chicken dish features ginger, tangy lemon, hot chillies and sticky honey, served with steamed rice and greens to make a midweek dinner with a difference.

A one-pan chicken dish with lemon

Chettinad chicken fry

's super-simple version of chettinad chicken flavours thigh fillets with ginger, turmeric, fennel seeds, cinnamon and dried red chillies. It's adapted from the classic curry and can be prepared in much less time.

Olive Chettinad Chicken Fry-1

Chicken fajitas

A great chicken recipe for quick and easy entertaining. Check out this flavour packed recipe for these next-level chicken fajitas. Our cookery writer Adam Bush shares his tips and tricks to getting this classic family meal right, every time.

Chicken Fajitas served in a blue enamel dish with onions and peppers. Wraps, cheese, soured cream and guacamole surrounding the main dish

Buttermilk fried chicken wings

This recipe for crisp-coated chicken wings slathered in a sweet and spicy sauce comes straight from the kitchen of The Fox at Oddington.

A white plate of Buttermilk-fried chicken wings with chilli and sesame next to cutery on a wooden table

Syrian chicken with bulgur wheat (burghul bl ja)

If you’re looking for inventive new ways to cook with chicken, this Syrian-style burghul bl jaj from Imad’s Syrian Kitchen packs in fragrant flavours and is easy to follow, too.

A chicken thigh dish topped with pomegranates

Caribbean chicken stew

This Caribbean chicken stew recipe comes from Trinidadian recipe writer, Shivi Ramoutar. It's flavoured with thyme, ginger, lime, Angoustura bitters and scotch bonnet sauce. Serve with coconut rice and peas. Shivi says: “Ma’s stew chicken with rice and peas, and macaroni pie, was our family’s steadfast Sunday comfort lunch from our childhood in Trinidad to now, and it always takes me back to a happy place."

Caribbean Chicken Stew Recipe

Oven-baked pearl barley pilaf with chicken and mushrooms

Often made with basmati rice, this easy, filling chicken dinner is one of the most popular weeknight meals in Romania. It uses a whole chicken – ask the butcher to joint it for you.

Carpathia Pearl Barley Pilaf Chicken Mushrooms

Miso kale, pomegranate and chicken salad

Make our nourishing yet vibrant chicken salad for a flavoursome meal for four.

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe with Miso Kale

Chicken and vegetable couscous

Packed with plenty of nutritious veg, this hearty French chicken dish will warm you up on a chilly day.

Couscous Recipe with Chicken and Vegetables

Healthy chicken pilaf traybake

Add a bit of spice to your chicken traybake with cinnamon, cumin and turmeric for an easy midweek dinner.

Easy Chicken and Rice Pilaf Recipe

Chicken ramen

Check out our simple ramen recipe with chargrilled chicken, crunchy vegetables and noodles. This fresh and vibrant dish is easy to make, ready in 30 minutes and a great source of protein.

Chicken Ramen Noodles Recipe

Spiced-yogurt roast chicken

Check out our super simple roast chicken recipe with a quick spicy yogurt marinade. Serve this easy chicken dish with basmati rice and naans to mop up the juices. Click here for more roast chicken ideas...

Roast Chicken Recipe with Yogurt

Whole chicken shoyu ramen

Want to make a recipe using a whole chicken? Check out our chicken ramen recipe with crispy chicken and soy-marinated eggs. This recipe does call for a bit of butchery but, as you’re using the whole bird, it doesn’t matter if it isn’t done perfectly.

Whole Chicken Ramen

Baked Spanish rice with chicken and chorizo

A spicy Spanish one pot. Made with chicken and chorizo and plenty of hot smoked paprika, this is a gutsy rice dish that is sure to impress friends and family. Chicken and chorizo is a fab combo, and we've got some more ideas about how to pair these ingredients here...

Spanish Rice with Chicken and Chorizo Recipe

Ethiopian Dorho Sebhi

Recreate this chilli-spiked chicken and egg stew, originating from the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

Large pot of chicken and eggs in a brown sauce

Marmite chicken

Check out Luiz Hara's crunchy marmite chicken with a quick cucumber pickle. This simple but moreish dish is packed with flavour and an easy weekend recipe to serve friends.

Marmite Chicken Recipe

Pomegranate chicken and mint salad

This low calorie chicken salad recipe uses juicy pomegranate molasses, fat-free yoghurt and fresh salad leaves. Garnish with some homemade dressing, a handful of mint and enjoy!

pomegranate chicken mint salad

Chicken satay noodle salad

Combine stir-fried noodles with shredded carrots, cabbage and satay sauce, and the result is an utterly irresistible combination of tastes and textures.

Satay Chicken Noodle Salad Recipe

Really easy Thai roast chicken

This recipe for really easy Thai roast chicken is exactly that and we love it for it. Spice up you usual roast with fantastic Thai spices that deliver big flavours with minimal effort.


Sesame miso chicken with sweet and sour salad

This recipe for sesame miso chicken with sweet and sour salad is really easy, ready in 30 minutes and under 500 calories. Miso paste keeps for ages in the fridge and adds a deep savoury flavour.


Thai yellow curry chicken noodles

Thai yellow curry paste adds a mild, fragrant spice to this light coconut curry with chicken and crunchy mangetout.

Thai Yellow Curry Chicken Recipe

Buttermilk chicken rolls with simple slaw

Soaking the chicken in buttermilk tenderises the meat and helps the crispy coating stick. This recipe for buttermilk chicken rolls with simple slaw makes a great DIY takeaway to make at home on the weekend.


Thai chicken salad

You don't have to spend hours in the kitchen to get authentic Asian flavours. This Thai-style shredded chicken salad is ready in just 15 minutes - perfect for a midweek meal.

thai chicken salad

Quick roast chicken and lentils with salsa verde

This quick roast chicken and lentils with salsa verde makes a comforting meal for two in just 1 hour, making it perfect midweek.


Slow-cooker sweet and sour chicken

Make this popular dish your next Friday night fakeaway, with extra instructions to make the recipe using a slow cooker. You can control the fat and sugar in this recipe, and it will taste fresher than any takeaway version.

Sweet and sour chilli chicken

Jerk chicken

Fire up the BBQ to make our easy jerk chicken recipe, best served with rice and peas or a fresh crisp salad.

Jerk chicken with wedges of lime and in a white roasting tin next to a small bowl of rice

Chicken tikka

Marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic and spices, these juicy chicken skewers make a great starter or a lunch. You could also try cooking then on a barbecue for extra flavour.

A tray of golden spiced chicken pieces on metal skewers with a bowl of pink pickled onions

Chicken, red pepper and olive cacciatore

This summery Italian one-pot is easy to make and freezes brilliantly, plus, it's low cal and gluten free. The recipe is easily halved if you only want to serve 3-4 people.

Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

BBQ buffalo chicken thighs with wedged ranch salad

Check out this epic bbq chicken thigh recipe with punchy buffalo sauce, fresh and crunchy iceberg lettuce and creamy ranch dressing. This easy recipe is perfect for a summertime bbq with friends and ready in under an hour.

BBQ Buffalo chicken Recipe with Salad and Ranch Dressing

Bajan chicken

Chicken legs are marinated in a punchy scotch bonnet, marjoram and lime seasoning then barbecued until brown and fragrant in this this Barbados recipe from David Carter, chef and founder of Smokestak in London.

A serving board of chicken legs with a pot of spice rub next to them

Tray-baked chicken thighs with romesco

Check out this chicken thigh tray-bake with romesco. This all-in-one bake is a great summer evening meal. The smoky paprika and sweetness of honey give this dish a real edge. We've got plenty of great traybake ideas to try here...

Advertisement
traybake chicken

BBQ buttermilk chicken with charred courgette sauce

Up your BBQ game with our BBQ buttermilk chicken, best served with our smoky-sweet tomato and courgette sauce plus crunchy crumbs.

a plate of buttermilk chicken on a table outside in the sun

Comments, questions and tips

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement