Quick Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights
Are you looking for quick and delicious chicken recipes to incorporate into your weekly meal plan? Look no further! This article is packed with simple and tasty options that won't take up much of your time in the kitchen. From Chicken Salami Rolls to a creamy pasta dish and a kid-friendly Chicken Parmagiana, we've got you covered.
Ingredients and Tools Needed
Regardless of which recipe you choose, you’ll need some common ingredients and tools:
Cooking oil or butter Chicken Fresh or pre-cooked vegetables (if applicable) Herbs and spices Pans and cooking utensils1. Chicken Salami Rolls
Ingredients: Tortillas, mayonnaise, chicken salami, preferred vegetables
Instructions: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Take your chicken salami and press dry with paper towels. Season the chicken salami with salt and pepper (or your favorite spice mix). Add a bit of butter to the skillet and cook the chicken salami for a few minutes on each side. Add a dash of mayonnaise and your choice of vegetables. Wrap the ingredients inside tortillas to form rolls.
2. Simple Baked Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken fillets, baby potatoes, salt, pepper, or seasoning of your choice, butter
Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pat your chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, or your preferred seasoning mix. Gather your ingredients and prepare your skillet and oven. Place the chicken in the skillet, add a bit of butter, and cook on each side until done. While the chicken is cooking, prepare and cook the baby potatoes in salted water. Drain the potatoes and toss them in the skillet until they are coated with the butter and spices.
3. Creamy Chicken and Orzo Pasta Dish
Ingredients: Orzo, chicken thighs, mushrooms, fresh spinach, white wine, chicken stock, heavy cream, herbs, chicken bullion paste (optional), and soft fresh herbs like thyme, basil, and parsley.
Instructions: Cook the orzo according to package directions, undercooking by 1-2 minutes for a more al dente texture. Brown the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat, reserving to a bowl when done. Cook mushrooms in butter in the same skillet, then return the chicken to the skillet. Deglaze the skillet with white wine (or water), scrape any stuck-on bits, and simmer the sauce with chicken stock and cream. Finish with the herbs, chicken bullion paste (if using), and a bit of salt and pepper to taste.
4. Kid-Friendly French Bread Chicken Parmagiana
Ingredients: Italian or French bread, olive oil, shredded or diced chicken, ready-made tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese
Instructions: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Choose a flat-topped loaf of Italian or French bread and prepare it as listed. Cook the chicken or shred pre-cooked chicken and set aside. Make a quick sauce using crushed whole tomatoes and tomato paste, adding Italian herbs to taste. Spoon a thin layer of sauce into the bread, add the chicken, top with a thicker layer of sauce, and cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted and serve with extra sauce for dipping.
Conclusion
With these quick chicken recipes, you can transform a meal from mundane to unforgettable. Choose your favorite and make it a regular part of your busy weeknights. Whether you opt for a simple tortilla roll, a flavorful pasta dish, or a comforting bread-based meal, these recipes are sure to stand the test of time.