Just because a chicken dinner is kid-friendly doesn't mean grown-ups won't love it, too. The dependable weeknight protein can go in so many directions, and these recipes prove its appeal to all ages.
And if you're stuck making the same old suppers every week, take heart: these ideas will help refresh your repertoire. Most are quick, and can be prepared in under an hour. You'll find some handy shortcuts, too, such as meals made with rotisserie chicken and store-bought pastry dough.
One more thing: if you've got a picky eater at your table, we've got you. Many of these recipes have elements you can add or leave out, depending on your diners' preferences, such as optional dipping sauces and customizable toppings. You're sure to find a winner!
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Chicken, Tomato and Bread Cubes With Lemon-Oregano Marinade
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Chicken kebabs are a fun way to freshen up your routine. And for this inventive take, you thread cubes of bread onto some of the skewers. The bread soaks up the marinade nicely, so they're like croutons on a stick.
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Chicken and Black Bean Nachos
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Nachos for dinner? We're in! This lighter recipe calls for poached, shredded chicken, which adds healthy heft to this laid-back meal.
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Pulled Chicken With Apple-Cucumber Slaw
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Rotisserie chicken is the not-so-secret star of these speedy sandwiches. Shred it and warm it with mustard, vinegar, and honey, and you've got a tangy and savory filler that's great with (or even without) a crunchy apple-cucumber slaw.
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Crispy Chicken Nuggets
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Skip the store-bought frozen kind and make these MVP chicken nuggets at home in a flash. Chicken breasts are diced, marinated in yogurt, coated in panko breadcrumbs, and fried until golden brown and crisp.
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Test Kitchen's Favorite Chicken and Dumplings
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Kids will love this serve-yourself-style chicken dinner. To keep the chicken thighs super moist and prevent them from overcooking, start by poaching them lightly, then shred (but feel free to use store-bought rotisserie chicken to save prep time!).
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Lemon-Ginger Chicken and Green Beans
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Bright with color and flavor, kids won't mind that this chicken dinner is secretly healthy. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are first pan-seared to get a golden brown exterior, then they finish poaching in water with garlic, ginger, and green beans.
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Oat-Crusted Chicken Cutlets
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These kid-friendly chicken cutlets are super versatile. Serve them with mashed potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables—either way, the extra crunchy, extra crispy oat coating is sure to delight.
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Crispy Baked Chicken Flautas
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Bake these low-key chicken tortillas for Taco Tuesday. Ground chicken seamlessly takes on the flavors of other ingredients, including tomato paste, chopped chile in adobo, cilantro, and lime juice.
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Test Kitchen's Favorite Chicken Soup
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This homemade chicken noodle soup recipe is sure to become a new family favorite. Kids will love slurping on the warm, savory broth, and even the veggies are delicious, tender and sweet.
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Ground Chicken Tacos
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Dark ground chicken comes to life with cumin, coriander, minced chipotle in adobo, and tomato paste. The mixture is sautéed in a cast-iron skillet, piled into warm tortillas, and topped with cheese and salsa.
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Quick Fried Chicken and Waffles
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Kids will adore the idea of breakfast for dinner. When you want to serve them a treat, make this sweet and savory combo with crisp chicken cutlets and warm, fluffy waffles. Don't forget the maple syrup!
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Crispy Chicken Cutlets
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The whole family will love digging into these chicken cutlets. Serve them on their own, with a big crunchy salad, or as the base for chicken parmesan. No matter which way you choose, they'll disappear in a flash.
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Chicken Bolognese with Tagliatelle
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If you're looking for a way to give your children the satisfaction of a rich meat sauce that's just a little bit leaner, try this recipe that uses ground chicken in place of beef and pork. And it's quicker than a traditional Bolognese sauce—this whole dinner comes together in just 45 minutes.
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Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas
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So easy and sure to please, serve these chicken fajitas any night of the week. Place all of the toppings in individual bowls on the dinner table so that kids can customize their meal exactly as they please.
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Chicken Parmesan
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Here's an absolute classic that family members both young and old will love. Crispy chicken, marinara sauce, and ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese are the ultimate trio.
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Individual Chicken Potpies
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This is a quick route to the family-favorite—chicken potpie. Rather than making pie crust for a big pie, use store-bought puff pastry to make individual pies in gratin dishes. Everyone gets their own—and it's easy on the cook.
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Chicken-and-Broccolini Mac and Cheese
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Can't convince kids to eat their greens? Mix them into their favorite comfort food: rich and creamy macaroni and cheese! This dinner is even more indulgent thanks to the inclusion of cream cheese, so we have a feeling they'll forgive the vegetables once they taste it.
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Chicken Tenders Parmesan with Penne and Broccoli
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In this lighter, simpler version of classic chicken Parmesan, chicken breast tenders are coated in a Parmesan cheese and breadcrumb mixture, and then broiled, not fried. An easy side dish of penne pasta and broccoli makes this a complete meal that the whole family will love.
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Oven-Fried Chicken
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Though it's baked, not fried, this breadcrumb-coated chicken has plenty of flavor and crunch. Cook it on a wire rack so the bottoms of the chicken doesn't get soggy.
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Chicken Burgers
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Ground dark-meat chicken makes a burger that's just as juicy and tasty as one made with beef. Sautéed onion, orange bell pepper, and celery add texture and savory-sweet flavor to the burgers.
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Chicken With Couscous and Orange
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Using a supermarket rotisserie chicken and quick-cooking couscous gets this one-dish dinner on the table in a flash. Fresh mint leaves, chopped navel orange, and toasted pistachios give fresh flavor to this easy meal.
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Chicken Soup With Rice
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Use a good-quality chicken broth—whether it be homemade or store-bought—to add big flavor to this classic comfort food soup.
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Brown-Sugar Barbecue Chicken Drumettes
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Combine ketchup, brown sugar, cider vinegar, and Worcestershire to make a quick barbecue sauce for roasted chicken wings. If you like more heat, add cayenne pepper to taste.
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Peanut-Crusted Chicken Fingers
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A zesty buttermilk marinade makes chicken breast meat moist and tender, while panko breadcrumbs and chopped peanuts create a crunchy coating.
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