Chicken is my trusty sidekick when it comes to figuring out what’s for dinner. Honestly, it’s hard to get sick of it when there are so many delicious ways to cook it: thighs or breasts, bone-in or boneless, whole chicken, ground chicken, wings, drumsticks—the list goes on. And that’s before we even get into all the ways to prepare it, from tacos and skewers to roasts and cozy bakes. So, consider this collection my tribute to the dinner staple that always has my back.
01 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photography by Morgan Hunt Ward / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser / Food Styling by Tori Cox
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“With one picky eater in the family and the stress of the post-work and school/day-care rush, I need quick and easy meals that I know will satisfy everyone. That’s why these ground chicken and black bean tacos make a regular appearance. The Tex-Mex delight has been on our weekly rotation for over a year, and it still regularly gets enthusiastic thumbs-up from everyone at the table.” —Kris Osborne, Recipe Developer
02 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
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“This was a recipe I was so happy to develop so I could have a more streamlined weeknight version to make when the craving hit. It’s comforting without being too heavy, easy to pull together thanks to quick-cooking boneless thighs and the shortcut option to use frozen french fries, plus it reminds me of my yiayia 🩷.” —Theodora Kaloudis, Recipe Developer
03 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
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“I especially love this recipe because it’s something I can make with my son—I usually coat the drumsticks in spices by shaking them in a bag, a step he totally loves, making it a fun kitchen moment we get to share. The mostly hands-off technique gives me tons of flexibility on busy nights.” —Shayma Saadat, Recipe Developer
04 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
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“They’re adored enough to merit Utica’s annual Riggiefest 5K, notable for its Riggie Challenge, where racers stop halfway through the race to power down a bowl of riggies. That’s quite a feat, considering the heartiness of riggies: pasta, spicy cherry peppers, and chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. Riggies, of course, is short for rigatoni.” —Sara Bir, Simply Recipes Editor
05 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
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“Growing up on Long Island, I definitely developed a love for the Italian-American dishes found at many of the local Italian joints in my neighborhood, and this was my go-to order. It was also the one dish my dad would make for us, which makes it that much more special. Creamy and lemony, served with pasta that soaks up the luxurious sauce—all I can say is yum!” —Theodora Kaloudis, Recipe Developer
06 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman
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“When I married into a Southern family and learned all about chicken and dumplings, I was determined to find a shortcut version that we would still love for cold, rainy days as well as celebrations. Luckily, I found a way to make a very good and super easy version of chicken and dumplings with just a handful of staple ingredients and a few shortcuts.” —Meghan Splawn, Recipe Developer
07 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser
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“My oven-baked chicken and rice is a full meal on its own, but I love pairing it with a simple Middle Eastern salad like a Lebanese cabbage slaw or fattoush salad, or even just a scoop of plain yogurt on the side—all work really well.” —Yumna Jawad, Recipe Developer
08 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
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“I make this dinner on repeat during the summer, and I like to refer to it as ‘souvlaki salad’ because that’s exactly what it tastes like. A mashup of a traditional no-lettuce Greek salad with marinated grilled chicken and grilled pita that soaks up all the dressing and chicken juices, it’s super satisfying, and I can’t get enough, which is why I make it at least once a week.” —Theodora Kaloudis, Recipe Developer
09 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Sabrina Modelle
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“Everyone should have at least one meal that they can make without having to think too hard—a recipe that is easy, reasonably healthy, and totally delicious. These chicken thighs with roasted potatoes and broccoli truly fit the bill. And the best part is that you only have one pan to clean up after dinner!” —Sabrina Modelle, Recipe Developer
10 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss
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“If you’re a fan of skillet meals with creamy, spicy Southwest flavors, then this is the dish for you. Chicken breasts are seared, then baked over a rich mixture of creamed corn, chicken broth, cream cheese, Rotel tomatoes, and taco seasoning for a one-pan meal you’ll make again and again.” —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer
11 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
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“I’m obsessed with Caesar salad, and this recipe takes it one step further by bulking it up with pasta. It’s an easy and filling dinner perfect for those nights when you don’t really have a plan. Grab a rotisserie chicken, boil some pasta, chop up some romaine, and toss it all with a healthy pour of dressing. Easy peasy!” —Theodora Kaloudis, Recipe Developer
12 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
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“Dakgangjeong is a great game day appetizer accompanied with an ice-cold beer. The recipe is not difficult, but because it involves a few different steps, I recommend saving it for when you have a little more time. Once you get the hang of the process, you will find yourself craving and making it for a weeknight dinner, too. It’s just that good!” —Joy Cho, Recipe Developer
13 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Photo by Nico Schinco / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
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“A simple one-pot roast chicken is like the ‘little black dress’ of chicken recipes. It can be dressed up or down and can feel as elegant and comforting no matter how easy it is to make. And the simplicity of this recipe can’t be beat. The chicken is roasted in a Dutch oven elevated on a bed of veggies and doesn’t require any basting or babysitting. The veggies get all schmaltzy as the chicken roasts, turning into a built-in side dish for an all-in-one meal that always hits the spot.” —Theodora Kaloudis, Recipe Developer
14 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Nick Evans
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“This skillet chicken parmesan has all the same flavors as the traditional version, but is ready in much less time. Plus, everything is made in one oven-safe skillet! Can you say easy clean-up?!” —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer
15 of 15
Credit: Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
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“In this recipe, you cook ground chicken (or turkey) in a skillet quickly until it browns, add some chopped shallots, and season it all with lime juice, chili sauce, and fresh herbs. Pile it into a lettuce cup for a supper that has tons of flavor with very little effort.” —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer
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