5 Easy Chicken Recipes to Try

5 Easy Chicken Recipes to Try!

Alex Kavege

June 27th 2021

If you like chicken as much as I do, you are going to love the following recipes. Continue reading for delicious, healthy chicken recipes tailored for small budgets.

1. BBQ Cheddar Baked Chicken

Are you a chicken breast lover? Even if you are not, I bet you won’t be able to resist this chicken breast topped with BBQ sauce and creamy cheddar cheese and seasoned with red onion and fresh cilantro.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 23 mins

Total Time: 33 mins

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce

• 1 cup shredded cheddar

• 1/4 cup diced red onion

• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. If your chicken breasts are very thick or uneven in thickness, use a mallet or rolling pin to first pound them out to a more even thickness. Slice the chicken breasts in half, so you have four pieces.

2. Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, then sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides of each piece of chicken.

3. Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a baking dish, then add 1 Tbsp of BBQ sauce on each piece, spreading it from edge to edge to cover the chicken.

4. Bake the chicken in the preheated 400ºF oven for about 18 minutes.

5. Remove the chicken from the oven and top each piece with shredded cheddar. Put the chicken back into the oven and continue baking for five minutes.

6. After baking the chicken, let it rest for five minutes, then top with the diced red onion and chopped cilantro just before serving.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

This dish can be served with a potato salad, fried potatoes, or even creamy mac and cheese.

2. Yogurt Marinated Chicken

Yogurt?! I know how this might sound but hear me out on this one… Yogurt actually is a very versatile ingredient and unlike what people think it does not have to be served cold and sweet; it also serves as a great marinade.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Marinate Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt

• 2 cloves of minced garlic

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 Tbsp cooking oil

Instructions

1. Combine the yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, cinnamon, oregano, salt, nutmeg, and cloves in a bowl.

2. Slice the chicken breasts into two thinner pieces so they cook quickly and evenly in the skillet. If slicing is too difficult, you can cover the chicken breasts with plastic and use a rolling pin or mallet to pound the chicken into an even thickness, then slice the breast across into two smaller portions.

3. Place the chicken in a shallow dish or zip-top bag and pour the yogurt marinade over top. Make sure all sides of the chicken are coated in yogurt, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

4. When you're ready to cook, heat ½ Tbsp cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add two pieces of chicken and cook on each side until deeply browned. Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean cutting board and repeat with the rest of the cooking oil and the second two pieces of chicken.

5. Let the chicken rest for five minutes, then slice and serve!

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

You can serve this flavorful Yogurt Marinated Chicken with rice or vegetables.

3. Sticky Ginger Chicken Wings

Just three words: sweet, salty, spicy. All in one.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. chicken wings or drumettes

• 1 Tbsp cooking oil

• 1/4 cup honey

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce

• 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce

• 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

• 1 Tbsp rice vinegar

• 2 cloves of minced garlic

• 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger

• 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Place the chicken wings in a glass or ceramic baking dish so that they're in a single layer. Drizzle the cooking oil over top, then toss the wings to coat in the oil. Transfer the wings to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

2. While the wings are baking, prepare the sticky ginger sauce. Combine the honey, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a bowl.

3. After the wings have baked for 15 minutes, pour the sauce over the wings, then toss to coat. Return the wings to the oven and bake for an additional 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced into a sticky glaze and deepened in color. Baking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on the sauce toward the end of the baking time.

4. Top with sliced green onions and serve!

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

You can complement the stickiness of the wings with veggies or starch of your choice.

4. Crunchy Kale and Chicken Salad

Who said salads couldn’t be tasteful? This salad is the perfect combo of fiber and protein with a hint of sweetness.

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

• Pinch salt and pepper

• 8 oz or one bunch curly leaf kale

• 2 stalks of celery

• 1/3 cup sliced almonds

• 1/3 cup golden raisins

For the Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (I used light mayo)

• 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 1/2 Tbsp honey

• 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1/4 tsp salt

• Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

1. Season the chicken breast liberally with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken in a countertop grill, or in a skillet until cooked through. Let the chicken cool completely, then chop it into small pieces.

2. While the chicken is cooling, dice the celery into small pieces. The easiest way to do this is to cut each stalk into strips lengthwise, then cut across the strips into small cubes.

3. Prepare the dressing by mixing the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, and some freshly cracked pepper.

4. Tear the kale into small, bite-sized pieces, rinse, and then dry the leaves well. (Rinsed kale can be rolled up in a clean, dry dish towel to help absorb excess water). Place the kale in a bowl, then layer the chopped chicken, diced celery, sliced almonds, and golden raisins over top. Add the dressing and stir very well, or until everything is well coated in the dressing. Serve immediately.

5. Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs

Can you ever put too much garlic in a recipe? Garlic is one of the most flavorful ingredients used for cooking. This recipe is perfect for a quick, easy and delicious dinner night.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 tsp paprika

• 1/4 tsp salt

• freshly cracked pepper

• 1 fresh lemon

• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

• 5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Place the butter in a bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds, or until the butter is melted. Stir in the minced garlic, paprika, salt, some freshly cracked pepper (about 1/8 tsp), and about a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley. Stir to combine.

2. Place the chicken thighs in an 8x8" baking dish. Spoon the garlic butter mixture over the chicken thighs, using the back of the spoon to spread it over the surface of the chicken.

3. Slice the lemon into half-rounds. Scatter the lemon pieces around the chicken in the dish.

4. Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake the chicken for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs reaches 165ºF.

5. Use a spoon to drizzle the baking juices over top of the chicken, then sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley over top just before serving.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

Potatoes. Baked? Fries? Roasted? Mashed? You get me.

https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/meat/chicken/chicken-thighs/