41 Chicken Dinners Even the Pickiest Eaters Will Love

Tired of boring poultry? Us too. It’s easy to reach for the same old chicken breast recipe week after week when you don’t know what to cook—which is why we’ve rounded up these family-pleasing ideas. You’ll find options for chicken tenders, budget-friendly (and oh-so-delicious) chicken thighs and even some fresh takes on the classics like Chicken Parmesan or chicken and rice. With these recipes you’ll easily use all parts of the bird and have everyone running to the table for dinner. Sounds too good to be true? These 5-star chicken strips will convince you; They’re coated in potato chips for an incredible crunch. Served with homemade honey mustard they’re the kid-friendly dinner that everyone will gobble up.

"Riggies” is short for rigatoni, the base for this creamy, tomatoey and spicy pasta dish studded with chunks of chicken breast and sliced cherry peppers. There are many variations on this dish, which hails from the Utica-Rome region of Central New York. Our version focuses on the spicy peppers and rich sauce, while other recipes might include sliced black olives and mushrooms.

This chili keeps things simple with tender chunks of roasted chicken in a mild tomato base, so picky eaters get familiar flavors without the overwhelming heat. Let everyone build their own bowl with cheddar, sour cream and corn chips so pickiness turns into a fun part of dinner.

Shredded chicken in a mild savory broth makes this soup an easy win with cautious eaters, especially when you keep the jalapeños light. Let each bowl top itself with cheese and avocado so kids can customize their portion instead of picking around anything unfamiliar.

Ree Drummond’s chicken and dumplings is a cozy, family-friendly classic with tender chicken, fluffy dumplings and rich, comforting broth—perfect for gathering around the dinner table.

Inspired by Costco’s famous chicken bake, we came up with a hand-held version that’s easy to make at home. The cheesy bacon-filled pockets taste great hot from the oven, but can also be made in advance and reheated wrapped in foil in a 400 degrees F-oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

Ellie Krieger’s oven-fried chicken delivers all the crispy, golden goodness of the classic favorite with a lighter, family-friendly twist that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.

This shortcut version of chicken shawarma skips the long marinating and roasting time and relies instead on quick cooking sliced thighs and a shower of the spices that go into the classic version--think cumin, cardamom and turmeric. Served with a warm pita, greens, tomato and a tangy yogurt sauce, it makes a substantial meal. We left out fries to keep the recipe on one sheet pan, but they are always a welcome addition!

Some extra planning and prep is necessary for this chicken dinner, but the results are well worth it. A dry brine combined with low and slow roasting, produces some seriously succulent and juicy meat. A quick flash under the broiler at the end turns the skin crisp and golden.

Sunny uses quick-cooking chicken tenders and cuts them into bite-size chunks for her easy, satisfying pot pie.

This casserole is perfect when you’re craving the flavors of chicken Parmesan but want a shortcut version. Simply toss cooked fettucine with shredded rotisserie chicken, mozzarella and your favorite jarred marinara sauce, then top it with buttery Parmesan and garlic breadcrumbs. Pop it in the oven until it’s hot and beautifully browned and crisped on top. Every bite contains the comfort of classic chicken parm with about half the prep.

A true Southern comfort food, legend has it that chicken fried chicken was created by German immigrants in Texas during the 19th century when they adapted the wiener schnitzel by using beef instead of veal that was then twice-breaded and fried like fried chicken. In reality, chicken fried chicken and its cousin, chicken fried steak, are more closely related to Southern fried chicken, already popular throughout the American South by the 19th century. Over the years, the chicken fried steak technique was also used on chicken breasts, pounded thin and soaked in buttermilk, resulting in crispy, tender chicken. Like its steak counterpart, chicken fried chicken should be served with a peppery white gravy.

Ree tops panko-crusted chicken breasts with melted slices of mozzarella to give this chicken dinner the perfect balance of crispy and gooey.

Could classic chicken and rice be one of the most beloved comfort dinners to ever hit the plate? We think so. And to blow your mind even more, this version is made in just one skillet. Here we use bone-in, skin on chicken thighs which cook up in exactly the same time as the rice to guarantee juicy chicken. A quick broil at the end creates the perfect crispy skin and gives a little crunch to the rice and vegetables.

Using ground chicken, make Giada's zesty meatballs to serve in a hearty pasta dish with orecchiette and fresh mozzarella.

Inspired by classic Steak Diane, we swap the beef for a crispy chicken thigh for a new take on the retro dish. Steak Diane rose to popularity in the mid-20th century when its signature pan sauce was made with a base of Worcestershire, mustard, shallots and cognac. In Manhattan restaurants, the cognac was often flambéed, making it a dramatic dish to cook tableside. Over the years more ingredients were added, including mushrooms, tomato paste and cream. We’ve included all of the above in our chicken version of the dish and the result is luxurious and decadent enough for special occasions yet perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Chicken fingers meet pizza with a pepperoni-peppered crust and marinara dipping sauce.

Chicken Parmesan just got a Tex-Mex twist. Slice two chicken breasts in half to get four and swap out the classic Italian ingredients for tortilla chips, spicy cheese and salsa. If you truly miss the Parmesan in your Parmesan, add a sprinkle or two to the finished dish.

A Florentine sauce is typically made with cream, white wine, butter and spinach. Not only does Ree incorporate these flavors into her pasta, she adds three different types of cheese for over-the-top decadence.

Bev cooks chicken cutlets in marinara, tops them with mozzarella, and puts the delicious result on toasted French bread for an open-faced chicken parm sandwich with a crazy cheese pull.

Store-bought tortellini are the star of this quick and creamy weeknight meal. Chicken and tortellini both simmer in their own sauce, making this a one-skillet meal with easy cleanup.

Kids and adults alike are sure to enjoy the crust of tater tots in this chicken pot pie-hotdish mash-up. Tip: Line the tater tot rows as straight as you can "for maximum crispiness," Molly says.

Cozy up to a big bowl of comforting chicken and dumplings, which is made thanks to a rotisserie chicken.

Cook a full meal on a sheet pan with bone-in chicken thighs, veggies and ciabatta bread.

Skip the side salad! Instead, pair chicken breasts with fun zucchini noodles. A lemon-basil pan sauce helps bring it all together.

Cilantro, chili-lime tortilla chips and a tangy lime yogurt sauce help transform a typical weeknight chicken and salad into a fun meal for the whole family.

Put your Instant Pot to work in turning chicken breasts into flavor-packed pulled chicken, table-ready in 45 minutes.

Bring the family together for a whole chicken dinner. Tyler's recipe is simple and classic: He stuffs the cavity with lemon, garlic and herbs and roasts it over new potatoes that absorb the bird's flavorful juices.

Jeff’s delicious casserole is filled with feel-good ingredients like lemon, cranberry and hearty mushrooms. It does take a while for the wild rice to braise, but you can use that time to prep the other ingredients and clean up the kitchen.

Add some Asian fusion to chicken fingers with a fun ramen noodle crumb crust and teriyaki-pineapple dipping sauce.

Ree is the queen of family-friendly dinners, and this cozy chicken spaghetti is no exception. She incorporates onions, peppers and peas, which is a great way to sneak veggies into picky eaters’ plates.

Ree builds a simple, yet favorful skillet dinner with just three ingredients: chicken thighs, white rice and jarred mango salsa.

Ellie proves that white meat isn't the only "good-for-you" part of the chicken. She uses bone-in chicken thighs and removes the skin, brushing the meat with a tangy glaze.

Ditch the forks and go hands in at the dinner table with these Asian-inspired sesame chicken lettuce cups.

Pineapple lends a pop of sweetness to Ree’s easy chicken stir fry.

Yes, hasselback potatoes are amazing — but why should veggies get all the fun? Add some Cajun seasoning and flair to hasselbacked chicken breasts with slices of andouille sausage, green bell pepper and onion.

What can’t a sheet pan do? Ree uses her to make enough chicken quesadillas for the whole family at once — no flipping required.

Fry up Asian-inspired frittata fun with cooked ramen noodles, ground chicken, coleslaw mix and eggs (of course).

More than 20 five-star reviews don’t lie: Kardea’s recipe is a keeper. Fry chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet, then use the juices to make a flavorful and creamy mustard sauce.

Leave it to Guy to come up with a recipe for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that's anything but boring. He stuffs them with a Mediterranean couscous studded with feta, olives and tomatoes.