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  5. Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes for Dinner Ready in 20 Minutes (or Less!)

Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes for Dinner Ready in 20 Minutes (or Less!)

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By Katlyn Moncada Updated October 19, 2021
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Chicken Lemon-Broccoli Alfredo
Credit: Blaine Moats
You don't have to settle for takeout when you're short on time—and these quick and easy chicken recipes are proof. Find quick chicken meals such as spicy jerk chicken, classic chicken Alfredo, or sweet teriyaki stir-fry that only take 20 minutes (or less) total to prep, plate, and serve. Choose one of these quick chicken dinners to make tonight.
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Tarragon Chicken Salad with Cranberries

Tarragon Chicken Salad Cranberries
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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This quick chicken meal saves the day when you're sick of doing dishes. Mix all nine ingredients in one bowl, then serve the salad over toast or greens. Use a rotisserie chicken to make the process even smoother.

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Snappy Chicken Stir-Fry

Snappy Chicken Stir Fry
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Mix up a from-scratch stir-fry in less time than it takes to order takeout. The quick chicken breast recipe features an irresistible sauce made from zesty orange juice and soy sauce. Serve over rice with a sprinkle of peanuts for crunch.

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Chicken and Lemon-Broccoli Alfredo

Chicken Lemon-Broccoli Alfredo
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Chicken Alfredo without all the calories? Sign us up. Pair sautéed chicken with fresh veggies and store-bought Alfredo for a super-simple (and healthy!) quick chicken dinner.

Related: 30-Minute Healthy Chicken Recipes to Break Your Dinner Rut

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Sesame Chicken and Noodles

Sesame Chicken Noodles
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Refrigerated grilled chicken breast strips get a makeover when coated in a sweet-and-spicy dressing. Pair with udon noodles and fresh sweet pepper strips for a quick and easy chicken recipe that's reminiscent of your favorite takeout.

Buy It: Our Table Carbon Steel Wok ($30, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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Buffalo Chicken Pizzas

Buffalo Chicken Pizzas
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
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Homemade pizza in 20 minutes is totally possible. Top pita bread with blue cheese, shredded chicken breast, and celery to fill a buffalo chicken pizza craving ASAP.

Related: 10 Ways to Make Buffalo Chicken Healthier So You Can Keep Noshing on Game Day

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Jerk Chicken and Slaw

Jerk Chicken Slaw
Credit: Andy Lyons
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If you ever find yourself with surprise company, this is a fast meal to make with chicken. Eight ingredients and 20 minutes is all it takes to go from prep to plate. Plus, jerk seasoning and a mix of fresh produce give the dish a boost of sophisticated flavor.

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Pineapple-Chicken Meatball Stir-Fry

Pineapple-Chicken Meatball Stir-Fry
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Use precooked teriyaki-flavor chicken meatballs to make this dinner in a snap. A sweet pineapple sauce unites the tender meatballs, crisp vegetables, and textured rice medley.

  • More Healthy Chicken Stir-Fry Recipes

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Pesto Penne with Deli-Roasted Chicken

Pesto Penne Deli-Roasted Chicken
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Your weeknight dinner just got a little easier with the help of a deli-roasted chicken. Mix together penne pasta, broccoli, pesto, roasted red peppers, and Parmesan cheese, then top with shredded chicken. This dish is perfect if you’ve got vegetarians at the table—just leave out the meat!

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Chicken Pineapple Fajitas

Chicken-Pineapple Fajitas
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Fajitas at a restaurant always look impressive. Re-create the sizzling superstar at home with only 20 minutes and a handful of ingredients. In this version, sweet pineapple, peppers, and chicken get coated in a spicy jerk seasoning before settling down in warm flour tortillas.

Related: Our Best Chicken Breast Recipes Will Give You New Appreciation for the Dinner Staple

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Chicken with Parmesan Noodles

Chicken Parmesan Noodles
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Say hello to your new favorite weeknight meal. The quick chicken meal tastes like classic comfort food but gets an upgrade from flavor-boosting pesto and bright carrots.

  • Best-Ever Classic Comfort Food Recipes

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Chicken, Tomato & Cucumber Dinner Salad

Chicken Tomato Cucumber Dinner Salad
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Here’s proof that salad for dinner doesn’t have to be boring. Pair sauteed chicken tenders with cucumber ribbons, sliced tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese. Bonus: This quick and easy chicken recipe is as healthy as it is pretty.

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Chimichurri Chicken

Chimichurri Chicken
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
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Grilled chicken gets a boost of flavor with homemade chimichurri sauce. Just blend parsley, oil, cider vinegar, garlic, salt, and red pepper in a food processor, then drizzle over chicken.

Buy It: Hamilton Beach Food Processor ($60, Target)

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Chicken and Asparagus Skillet Supper

Chicken Asparagus Skillet Supper
Credit: Blaine Moats
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This simple six-ingredient dish is ready for spring. Pair sautéed chicken with bacon, asparagus, and yellow summer squash for a one-skillet quick chicken meal you'll make on repaeat.

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Chicken and Pasta in Peanut Sauce

Chicken Pasta Peanut Sauce
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Bottled peanut sauce turns plain chicken breast, veggies, and pasta into a flavorful Asian-inspired dish. Crushed red pepper adds a powerful kick. We like using delicate baby broccolini here, but you can easily swap in regular broccoli.

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Chicken Tortellini Toss

Chicken Tortellini Toss
Credit: Andy Lyons
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All you need is five ingredients to get this quick chicken recipe on the table for dinner. Refrigerated tortellini and purchased grilled chicken breast strips keep the total time down to 20 minutes. Bonus: Everything is made in a single pot for less mess to deal with after eating.

Buy It: Crock-Pot Cast Iron Dutch Oven ($65, Target)

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Chicken with Capers

Chicken Capers
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Yes, you can have a restaurant-quality chicken meal in just 20 minutes. Lightly pound out chicken breasts, brush on mustard, coat with salt, pepper, and bread crumbs, and sauté. It’s simple, yet full of flavor.

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Herbed Chicken, Orzo, and Zucchini

Herbed Chicken Orzo Zucchini
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Lemon and dill give this easy chicken recipe its fresh flavor. Use the duo in a dressing for the orzo and as a bright garnish. Feel free to substitute your favorite veggies if zucchini isn't in season.

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Nectarine, Beet, and Goat Cheese Salad

Nectarine Beet Goat Cheese Salad
Credit: Andy Lyons
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You could pay $14 for this salad in a restaurant, or you could make it at home. Mix baby spinach with cooked beets, shredded chicken, nectarines, and goat cheese. Top with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Related: Make Our Meal-Prep Shredded Chicken Base to Use in Your Favorite Recipes 

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    1 of 18 Tarragon Chicken Salad with Cranberries
    2 of 18 Snappy Chicken Stir-Fry
    3 of 18 Chicken and Lemon-Broccoli Alfredo
    4 of 18 Sesame Chicken and Noodles
    5 of 18 Buffalo Chicken Pizzas
    6 of 18 Jerk Chicken and Slaw
    7 of 18 Pineapple-Chicken Meatball Stir-Fry
    8 of 18 Pesto Penne with Deli-Roasted Chicken
    9 of 18 Chicken Pineapple Fajitas
    10 of 18 Chicken with Parmesan Noodles
    11 of 18 Chicken, Tomato & Cucumber Dinner Salad
    12 of 18 Chimichurri Chicken
    13 of 18 Chicken and Asparagus Skillet Supper
    14 of 18 Chicken and Pasta in Peanut Sauce
    15 of 18 Chicken Tortellini Toss
    16 of 18 Chicken with Capers
    17 of 18 Herbed Chicken, Orzo, and Zucchini
    18 of 18 Nectarine, Beet, and Goat Cheese Salad

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    Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes for Dinner Ready in 20 Minutes (or Less!)
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