64 Budget-Friendly Recipes with Chicken

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

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

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

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

We love these easy taco-flavored sandwiches made with crescent dough. Paired with a bowl of soup or a crisp salad, they make a quick and easy lunch or supper. I also like to cut them into smaller servings for parties. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky

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

Brushing these with oil and baking them mimics the authentic crunch of a chimichanga. Our children love to have them when they get home late after school activities. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

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

The convenience and simplicity of this chicken dinner make it extra awesome. Change up the veggies throughout the year—the sticky-spicy-sweet sauce is good on all of them! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

I simmer chicken thighs in a spicy-sweet sauce, shred and pile high on pretzel buns to create an incredibly addictive party food. —James Schend, Food Editor Taste of Home

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 it with ground beef, too! —Andrea Bolden, Unionville, Tennessee

If you’d like a little extra crunch with this colorful chop suey, serve with chow mein noddles. —George Utley, South Hill, Virginia

Fresh flavor with a flair describes this quick and easy recipe. Fajitas are great 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

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

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

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

When I make this dish, I invite my next-door neighbor over for supper. It’s just enough for the two of us. This tasty chicken is tender and moist, with a bit of crunch from the cashews. -Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

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

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

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

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

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

Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan

There’s nothing like juicy meat over steaming 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

These very tender and moist chicken thighs come with a tangy peanut butter sauce that is irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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

This is a rich and surprisingly tasty rendition of all the Tex-Mex dishes molded into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in no time! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio

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

For my busy family, a semi-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

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

I came up with this African chicken 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

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

My husband loves the spicy Thai flavors in this speedy, simple dish and often breaks out the chopsticks for a more immersive experience. — Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas

All you need are some simple ingredients from the pantry to put this slow cooker meal together. I love that I can go fishing while it cooks. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Indian-style chicken 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

Trust me when I say this hearty dish can be assembled in minutes, then devoured even quicker with no leftovers. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas

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

The key to this savory chicken is the combination of garlic and fresh rosemary and thyme. I like to serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty Italian bread. —Jan Valdez, Lombard, Illinois

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

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

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

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

I love reinventing classic recipes to fit our taste and healthy living 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

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

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

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

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

When my wife is craving comfort food, I whip up my chicken potpie. It’s easy to make, sticks to your ribs and delivers soul-satisfying flavor. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

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

My husband was completely bowled over by this on-a-whim skillet meal. I can’t wait to make it again very soon! —Ericka Barber, Eureka, California

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

This simple recipe tastes like it took hours to make. Everybody says it has the perfect levels of heat and spice. —Sharon Collison, Newark, Delaware

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

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

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 like broccoli or cauliflower, too. —Sandy Harz, Spring Lake, Michigan

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

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

Biscuity crumbs take this family-friendly combo of rotisserie chicken and cheesy, creamy green enchilada sauce over the top. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona