64 Budget-Friendly Recipes with Chicken
Updated: Jan. 5, 2022Keep your family (and your wallet!) full with these cheap chicken recipes.
1 / 64
Lemony Roasted Chicken and Potatoes
This one-dish meal tastes like it needs hours of hands-on time to put together, but it's just minutes to prep the simple ingredients. The meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. So easy. —Sherri Melotik Oak Creek, Wisconsin 2 / 64
Asian Chicken Rice Bowl
This super flavorful, nutrient-packed dish makes use of supermarket conveniences like coleslaw mix and rotisserie chicken. This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for large families. —Christianna Gozzi, Asteria, New York
3 / 64
Black Bean Chicken Burritos
I try to hide as many veggies as possible in these burritos. Another way I bump up the nutrition level is by using thinly sliced cabbage instead of regular iceberg lettuce. The filling freezes well, so double the recipe! —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia 4 / 64
Classic Chicken & Waffles
A down-home diner special gets weeknight-easy with the help of rotisserie chicken. Want 'em even faster? Make the waffles ahead and freeze till dinnertime. —Lauren Reiff, East Earl, PA 5 / 64
Chicken Taco Pockets
We love these taco-flavored sandwiches made with crescent dough. They make a quick, easy lunch or supper with a bowl of soup or a crisp salad. I also like to cut them into smaller servings for parties. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky 6 / 64
Pressure-Cooker Risotto with Chicken and Mushrooms
Portobello mushrooms add an earthy flavor to this creamy classic, while shredded rotisserie chicken makes it a snap to prepare. You'll savor every bite. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida 7 / 64
Shortcut Oven-Baked Chicken Chimichangas
Mimic the crunch of a chimichanga by brushing these with oil and baking them. Our children love to have them when they get home late after school activities. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona 8 / 64
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tinga
I first fell in love with this traditional Mexican dish at a taco stand inside a gas station. This is how I now make it at home. My version has a nice zing without being overly spicy.—Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia 9 / 64
Hoisin Sriracha Sheet-Pan Chicken
The convenience and simplicity of this chicken dinner make it extra awesome. Feel free to change the veggies throughout the year—the sticky-spicy-sweet sauce is tasty on everything!! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland 10 / 64
Jimmy's Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
I simmer chicken thighs in a spicy-sweet sauce, shred them and then pile 'em high on pretzel buns to create an incredibly addictive party food. — James Schend, Food Editor Taste of Home 11 / 64
Creamy Skinny Pasta Casserole
Baked pasta is a favorite potluck dish, so I altered some of the ingredients in my traditional recipe to make it lower in calories. Try this healthy pasta recipe with ground beef, too! —Andrea Bolden, Unionville, Tennessee 12 / 64
Weeknight Chicken Chop Suey
If you'd like a little extra crunch with this colorful chop suey, serve with chow mein noddles. —George Utley, South Hill, Virginia 13 / 64
Skillet Chicken Fajitas
Fresh flavor with a flair describes this quick and easy recipe. Fajitas are just right for hot summer evenings when you want to serve something fun and tasty, yet keep cooking to a minimum. Try topping them with sour cream, guacamole or both. —Lindsay St. John, Plainfield, Indiana 14 / 64
Chicken Garden Medley
After my family sampled this dish at a friend's house, it quickly became a favorite—especially with our teenage daughters, who request it at least once a week! —Dohreen Winkler, Howell, Michigan 15 / 64
Chicken Nuggets
I like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. You can also use the seasoning to cook chicken breast halves. Stack them on rustic bread with mayo, lettuce and tomato for delicious sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia 16 / 64
Apple Cider Chicken 'n' Dumplings
I came up with this recipe one fall when I had an abundance of apple cider. Adding some to a down-home classic was a delectable decision. —Margaret Sumner-Wichmann, Questa, New Mexico 17 / 64
Deviled Chicken Thighs
I make this dish when I invite my next-door neighbor over for supper. It's just enough for the two of us. The tasty chicken is tender and moist with a bit of crunch from the cashews. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri 18 / 64
Chili Chicken Strips
Instead of ordinary bread crumbs, seasoned crushed corn chips coat these slightly crunchy chicken fingers. If your family likes food with some heat, use the full 1-1/2 teaspoons of chili powder. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 19 / 64
Honey Chicken Stir-Fry
I'm a new mom, and my schedule is very dependent upon our young son, so I like meals that can be ready in as little time as possible. This all-in-one chicken stir fry recipe with a hint of sweetness from honey is a big time-saver. —Caroline Sperry, Allentown, Michigan 20 / 64
Corsican Chicken
Moist and tender chicken thighs make a delicious hot entree for winter months. Just add a salad and a lemon dessert. —Mary Bergfeld, Eugene, Oregon 21 / 64
Chicken Penne Casserole
This is my family’s favorite casserole recipe. I make it every week or two and we never tire of it. I like that I can clean my kitchen and then relax while it bakes. It won’t disappoint! —Carmen Vanosch, Vernon, British Columbia 22 / 64
Chicken Enchilada Bake
Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern and easy chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and again. It’s real comfort food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado 23 / 64
Chicken Florentine Meatballs
Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan 24 / 64
Shredded Barbecue Chicken over Grits
There’s nothing like juicy meat served over creamy grits. And the pumpkin in these grits makes them taste like a spicy, comforting bowl of fall flavors. Your family will come running to the table for this one. —Erin Renouf Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah 25 / 64
Thai Chicken Thighs
These very tender and moist chicken thighs come with a tangy peanut butter sauce that is irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 26 / 64
Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with Potatoes
This is a meal I have my students make in our nutrition unit. It has a delicious lemon-herb flavor and is simple to make. —Mindy Rottmund, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 27 / 64
Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole
This is a rich and tasty combination of all the Tex-Mex dishes blended into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in only half an hour! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio 28 / 64
Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
My buffalo chicken quesadillas are filling enough to serve as a meal and versatile enough to win big points as a snack while the big game is on. Feel free to sub in your favorite flavored tortillas. Or kick up the spice factor with pepper jack cheese instead of the Mexican blend. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota 29 / 64
Chicken & Vegetable Curry Couscous
For my busy family, a partly homemade one-pot meal is the best way to get dinner done in a hurry. Use your favorite blend of frozen veggies and serve with toasted pita bread for smiles all around. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba 30 / 64
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
When I make this tasty chicken lasagna at home, I use a whole bottle of Buffalo wing sauce because my family likes it nice and spicy. Increase the pasta sauce and use less wing sauce if you prefer. —Heidi Pepin, Sykesville, Maryland 31 / 64
African Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
I came up with this African chicken thigh recipe when I combined some of my favorite ingredients: sweet potatoes, chicken and peanut butter. Add mango chutney and tomatoes and you've got a fantastic busy-week recipe. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut 32 / 64
Caribbean Chicken Stir-Fry
Fruit cocktail in stir-fry? You might be surprised by how good this dish is. It's a promising go-to option when time's tight. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 33 / 64
Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles
My husband loves the spicy flavors in these Thai chicken noodles and often breaks out the chopsticks for a more immersive experience. — Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas 34 / 64
Easy Chicken Tamale Pie
All you need are some simple ingredients from the pantry to put this slow-cooker meal together. I love the fact that I can go fishing while it cooks. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas 35 / 64
Chicken Curry Lasagna
My family loves Indian food, and I thought the creamy tomato-based sauce in our favorite curry would be tasty as part of a lasagna. This is a yummy and exciting comfort food for our family! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah 36 / 64
Lime Chicken with Salsa Verde Sour Cream
Whenever I'm in a crunch, this recipe comes to the rescue. The verde sauce gives classic baked chicken a big pick-me-up. My friends keep asking to share it with them. —Ellen Fowler, Seattle, Washington 37 / 64
Black Bean & Chicken Enchilada Lasagna
Twice a month I make chicken enchiladas, lasagna-style. It’s a regular with us because assembly is easy and my whole family gives it a thumbs-up. —Cheryl Snavely, Hagerstown, Maryland 38 / 64
Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
This one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin 39 / 64
Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Orzo
Broccoli and rice casserole tops my family's comfort food list, but when we need something fast, this is the stuff. Chicken and veggie orzo cooked on the stovetop speeds everything up. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma 40 / 64
Saucy Thai Chicken Pizzas
Contributor Gigi Miller, from Stoughton, Wisconsin, provided a fabulous recipe for sweet and saucy chicken thighs that she serves with rice. We took it a step further, and used the chicken and sauce to make this restaurant-inspired Thai pizza. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 41 / 64
Chicken Tikka Masala
This Indian-style chicken tikka masala recipe has flavors that keep me coming back for more—a simple dish spiced with garam masala, cumin and gingerroot that’s simply amazing. —Jaclyn Bell, Logan, Utah 42 / 64
Chicken & Cheese Tortilla Pie
Trust me when I say this hearty dish can be assembled in minutes, then devoured even quicker with no leftovers. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas 43 / 64
Curry Chicken and Rice
I updated this chicken and rice dish by adding veggies and cashews to give it fresh and crunchy appeal. The green chilies in the tomatoes give it just the right little kick, but if you really like spice, add fresh, diced jalapeño. —Denise Klibert, Shreveport, Louisiana 44 / 64
Chicken & Garlic with Fresh Herbs
The key to this savory chicken is the combination of garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme. I like to serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty Italian bread. —Jan Valdez, Lombard, Illinois 45 / 64
Thai Chicken Tacos
Inspired by a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich, this recipe is an awesome way to use leftover chicken. If you have a little extra time, let the carrot and cucumber marinate in some rice vinegar before taco time. —Melissa Halonen, Spokane, Washington 46 / 64
Autumn Apple Chicken
I'd just been apple picking and wanted to bake something new with the bounty. I decided on apple chicken by throwing them in the slow cooker with some barbecue sauce. The dish fills my whole house with the most delicious smell. —Caitlyn Hauser, Brookline, New Hampshire 47 / 64
Chicken Chiles Rellenos Casserole
My husband likes Mexican food and casseroles, so I combined the two. This chicken with poblanos and chiles satisfies our craving for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. —Erica Ingram, Lakewood, Ohio 48 / 64
Chicken Mac & Cheese
In my family, a stick-to-your-ribs supper has protein, pasta and a good cheese like cheddar. This loaded mac works like a charm at potlucks. —Cynthia Huff, Flora, Illinois 49 / 64
Hearty Chicken Gyros
I love reinventing classic recipes to fit our taste and healthy lifestyle. This recipe is quick to prepare and can be served with oven fries or on its own. You can add Greek olives, omit the onion, or even use cubed pork tenderloin for a new taste. —Kayla Douthitt, Elizabethtown, Kentucky 50 / 64
Grecian Pasta & Chicken Skillet
We love a homemade meal at the end of the day. But the prep involved? Not so much. My Greek-inspired pasta is lemony, herby and, thankfully, easy. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California 51 / 64
Sticky Asian Chicken
As a working mom with three children, I need dishes that hit the spot and come together fast. I double this Asian-style chicken because leftovers are awesome. —Jennifer Carnegie, Lake Oswego, Oregon 52 / 64
Chicken & Sweet Potato Potpie
Chicken potpie is a top 10 comfort food for me. To save time, we use ready-made phyllo dough and rotisserie chicken, then add sweet potatoes and red peppers. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California 53 / 64
Chicken Burrito Skillet
We love Mexican night at our house, and I love to re-create dishes from our favorite restaurants. This burrito-inspired dish is ready for the table in almost no time! —Krista Marshall, Fort Wayne, Indiana 54 / 64
Puff Pastry Chicken Potpie
When my wife is craving comfort food, I whip up this chicken pot pie with puff pastry. It's easy to make, sticks to your ribs and delivers soul-satisfying flavor. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado 55 / 64
Slow-Cooker Cheesy White Lasagna
Here’s my best version of my favorite food—lasagna! The recipe is a winner, so it’s worth the extra prep. You’ll have plenty of time to plan side dishes while the main dish is cooking. —Suzanne Smith, Bluffton, Indiana 56 / 64
Chicken & Goat Cheese Skillet
My husband was completely bowled over by this on-a-whim goat cheese and chicken skillet meal. I can't wait to make it again very soon! —Ericka Barber, Eureka, California 57 / 64
Feta-Dill Chicken Burgers
I found fresh ground chicken at the butcher and gave it a whirl on our new grill. The result is these saucy burgers. Everybody went nuts—including my sister-in-law, an amazing cook! —Wendy Boughton, Victoria, British Columbia 58 / 64
Spicy Peanut Chicken & Noodles
This simple spicy peanut noodles recipe tastes like it took hours to make. Everybody says it has the perfect levels of heat and spice. —Sharon Collison, Newark, Delaware 59 / 64
Jerk Chicken with Tropical Couscous
Caribbean cuisine brightens up our weeknights thanks to its bold colors and flavors. Done in less than 30 minutes, this chicken is one of my go-to easy meals. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 60 / 64
Parmesan Chicken with Lemon Rice
I like the challenge of inventing recipes with ingredients I have on hand. This easy-peasy meal fits the bill. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia 61 / 64
Chicken Cordon Bleu Skillet
Here’s a good and hearty supper. If I have fresh mushrooms on hand, I slice them and toss them in the skillet. You could add cooked veggies such as broccoli or cauliflower, too. —Sandy Harz, Spring Lake, Michigan 62 / 64
Buffalo Chicken Biscuits
These spicy, savory muffins are always a hit at parties. We love them as a simple snack on game day, too. —Jasmin Baron, Livonia, New York 63 / 64
Chicken Tostada Cups
Several years ago I tried a version of these cups at a restaurant in Santa Fe, and I wanted to make my own spin. These are great for gatherings where you can let everyone add their own favorite toppings. —Marla Clark, Moriarty, New Mexico 64 / 64
Creamy Green Chile Chicken Cobbler
Biscuity crumbs take this family-friendly combo of rotisserie chicken and cheesy, creamy green enchilada sauce over the top. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona Originally Published: October 08, 2018
CMU Unit
