Tried of your stand-by chicken dish? Shake things up a bit with these new chicken recipes that will bring a little variety to the dinner table.
40 Chicken Recipes You Haven’t Thought to Make Yet
Updated Jan. 31, 2022
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Za'atar Chicken
It's hard to find a dinner that both my husband and kids will enjoy—and even harder to find one that's fast and easy. This is it! No matter how much I make of this dish, it's gone to the last bite. —Esther Erani, Brooklyn, New York
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Arizona Chicken in Acorn Squash
Give stuffed acorn squash a taste of the Southwest with this comforting recipe. We love the crunch of the toasted almonds, heat of green chiles, and creamy texture of avocado. —Martha Sparlin, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Slow-Cooker Malaysian Chicken
Malaysian food has influences from the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Thai, British and Portuguese. In this dish, Asian ingredients combine for maximum flavor and sweet potatoes thicken the sauce as the meal slowly cooks. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
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Taco Pockets
Indulge in the deliciousness of taco pockets made with crescent dough. Packed with seasoned chicken and ooey-gooey cheese, they're a crispy and flavorful treat.
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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
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Filipino Adobo Aromatic Chicken
This saucy chicken packs a wallop of flavors—salty, sweet, sour, slightly spicy and even a little umami. It can be made on the stove, too. Any way you make it, I think it tastes even better the next day served over warm rice. —Loanne Chiu, Fort Worth, Texas
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Slow-Simmered Chicken with Raisins, Capers and Basil
Capers, golden raisins and fresh basil give this dish a sweetly savory flavor. And what's better than that? The kids LOVE it. —Nadine Mesch, Mount Healthy, Ohio
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Slow-Cooker Chicken Tinga
Let the crockpot do most of the work for you when you make this delicious, savory slow-cooker chicken tinga. It can be enjoyed as is, or adapted with your favorite Mexican-inspired toppings.
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Caribbean Chicken
This Caribbean chicken dish is a very simple recipe that uses easy-to-find ingredients, but its flavor profile is quite complex.
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Chicken Tzatziki
Chicken tzatziki is the perfect weeknight dinner, a great staple that's easy to prepare but full of flavor. The creamy cucumber sauce goes with just about anything!
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Slow-Cooker Pad Thai
I love pad thai, but I hate standing over a hot stir-fry—especially in summer. This slow-cooker version lets me keep my cool and enjoy pad thai too. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
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Pressure-Cooker Chicken Marbella
It's sweet, briny, savory and herbal, and it packs a big punch of garlic. The Mediterranean flavors make me think of dinner on the patio with family or friends. — Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Caribbean Curried Chicken
Having grown up in the Virgin Islands, I've eaten my fair share of authentic curried chicken. This recipe hits the mark with big, bold flavors. It's delicious served over rice. —Sharon Gibson, Hendersonville, North Carolina
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Cherry-Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I came up with this amazing recipe when I had a load of cherries on hand. My family polished them off fast, and asked for more. Luckily I had enough fruit to make them again the next day! —Melissa Barlow, Fruit Heights, Utah
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Coconut Curry Soup
Enjoy a taste of Thai cuisine with this coconut curry soup that needs just 20 minutes of prep time. Packed with chicken, vegetables and bold spices, it's a comforting and delicious dish for busy weeknights.
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Chicken Reuben Roll-Ups
My Nebraska-native husband loves Reuben sandwiches and anything with chicken, so I combined his two favorites in a fun roll-up. —Ashli Kottwitz, Hermitage, Tennessee
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BBQ Chicken and Apple Bread Pudding
To me, bread pudding is the epitome of comfort food and it's simply too good to reserve only for dessert. This sweet-and-savory twist on the classic is a delicious new way to enjoy an old favorite. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
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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
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Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
You can’t go wrong with a sweet and spicy chicken drizzled with a velvety cream sauce for dinner.
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Chicken Amandine
With colorful green beans and pimientos, this attractive casserole is terrific for the holidays. This is true comfort food at its finest. —Kat Woolbright, Wichita Falls, Texas
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Easy Slow-Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja
When discussing various methods of cooking ropas, a friend of mine told me her sister adds apple juice. I thought a Granny Smith apple might give the dish an extra kick—and it does. The ropas may also be served with hominy or tortillas, but I think the plantains add a special touch. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Shredded Chicken Gyros
Our family always has such a wonderful time at the annual Salt Lake City Greek Festival. One of my favorite parts is all the awesome food. This meal is a good way to mix up our menu, and my kids are big fans. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah
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Cassoulet for Today
French cassoulet is traditionally cooked for hours. This version of the rustic dish offers the same homey taste in less time. It’s easy on the wallet too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida
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Can-Can Chicken
Here's a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work's basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska
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Sesame Chicken with Creamy Satay Sauce
These skewers taste as if they came from your favorite takeout place, but they are surprisingly simple to make at home. The sesame dressing keeps the chicken juicy. —Kathi Jones-DelMonte, Rochester, New York
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West African Peanut Stew
Even if you don't have the most adventurous palate, West African peanut stew is a dish almost anyone can appreciate. It's a rich, comforting meal for cooler weather, and the ingredients are both familiar and widely available.
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Hearty Paella
I had paella for the first time in Spain. It was so good that I've been on the quest to re-create the rich flavors ever since. We love the shrimp, chicken, veggies and olives in this easy homemade version. —Libby Walp, Chicago, Illinois
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Chicken Broccoli Shells
This cheesy entree is a make-ahead dream. Just assemble it ahead of time and put it in the oven when company arrives. I round out the meal with a tossed salad and warm bread. —Karen Jagger, Columbia City, Indiana
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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
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Chicken-Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers
Here's a different take on traditional stuffed peppers. I substituted chicken for the beef and used Cubanelle peppers in place of the green peppers that are usually featured in such a dish. —Ron Burlingame, Canton, Ohio
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Baked Chicken Chalupas
I wanted an easy alternative to deep-fried chalupas, so I bake them with filling on top. —Magdalena Flores, Abilene, Texas
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Buffalo Chicken Salad
Delicious, and even better—quick! This buffalo chicken salad is a summer staple at our house. Sometimes we cook the chicken on the grill, then sprinkle the hot sauce over it with the dressing, because you've gotta have that kick! —Cori Cooper, Flagstaff, Arizona
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Easy Chicken Fried Rice
After my first child was born, I needed meals that were satisfying and fast. This easy chicken fried rice is now part of our regular dinner rotation. — Alicia Gower, Auburn, New York
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Pizza Chicken Roll-Ups
I love the chicken roll-ups my mom made for special occasions, filled with spinach and cream cheese. My own kids wouldn't eat those, so I came up with a pizza-flavored variety the whole family enjoys. —Tanja Penquite, Oregon, Ohio
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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
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Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
This is one of my go-to meals when I want a fun dinner. I love the spicy Asian flavors against the cool lettuce and the added crunch of peanuts and water chestnuts. —Brittany Allyn, Nashville, Tennessee
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Chicken Corn Fritters
I've always loved corn fritters, but they weren't satisfying as a main dish. I came up with this recipe and was thrilled when my husband and our three young boys gave it rave reviews. The chicken and zesty sauce make these a wonderful brunch or lunch entree. -Marie Greene, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
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Chicken Stroganoff
This chicken stroganoff is seasoned with paprika and cooked in a succulent mushroom and onion cream sauce that perfectly clings to the egg noodles it's served with.
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Chicken Neapolitan
I often prepare a weeks worth of recipes on the weekend and freeze them so I can quickly have dinner ready for our hungry teenage boys after one of their many sports activities. Served over noodles, this moist chicken with a flavorful sauce is a favorite.—Joan Williams, Baltimore, MarylandOriginally Published: September 27, 2018
