Chicken dinners can get a bit yawn-worthy. But it doesn’t have to be that way! We’ve rounded up 23 innovative chicken recipes that are anything but boring. These dishes will definitely spark your enthusiasm for chicken again but the best part is they’re easy to make and won’t require hours in the kitchen.

A bowl of rice and green curry with a spoon.
Chicken Saag. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.
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Coconut Lime Baked Chicken

Baked chicken thighs with coconut lime sauce over white rice with mango.
Coconut Lime Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Coconut lime baked chicken, served with mango sticky rice, brings a tropical flair to your table. This recipe is for those looking to transform their chicken dinner into a crispy, tender, and flavor-packed meal. It’s a creative culinary adventure that’s both enjoyable to make and eat.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Lime Baked Chicken

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Break free from boring chicken dinners with slow cooker honey garlic chicken. This dish offers a unique combination of sweet and sticky sauce with pineapple, slowly cooked to perfection. It’s a hands-off recipe that guarantees a flavorful twist to your usual chicken meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Gochujang Chicken

Chinese gochujang chicken in a skillet on a table with black kitchen towel wrapped around the handle.
Gochujang Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

For those seeking a vibrant kick, gochujang chicken is a game-changer. This 30-minute recipe features a spicy and sweet sauce that will rejuvenate your chicken dinner routine. It’s an inventive choice for anyone looking to elevate their meal with bold flavors.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant

Cheesy chicken stuffed eggplant on a baking sheet.
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cheesy chicken stuffed eggplant is a novel way to enjoy chicken, blending tender poultry with rich cheddar inside a hearty eggplant. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s an inventive dinner option that veers away from the mundane, promising a meal that’s as satisfying as it is creative.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Poblano peppers stuffed with chicken and cheese.
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dive into the rich flavors of chicken stuffed poblano peppers, where melted cheese, black beans, and Mexican spices come together for a comfort food experience with a twist. This dish is a testament to how versatile chicken can be, offering a creative escape from routine chicken meals.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

Turmeric chicken with chickpeas over rice.
Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This creamy turmeric chicken offers a one-skillet meal that combines hearty chickpeas with rich flavors, ready in under 30 minutes. It’s an ideal choice for anyone wanting to add a creative and nutritious spin to their chicken dinners, proving healthy can also be inventive.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

Goat Cheese Fried Chicken with Cherry Sauce

Fried chicken with goat cheese cherry sauce over white rice in a bowl.
Goat Cheese Fried Chicken with Cherry Sauce. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Add some sophistication to your chicken with goat cheese fried chicken topped with cherry tarragon sauce. The crispy exterior, creamy sauce, and tart cherries provide a unique taste experience. It’s a creative recipe that transforms chicken into an elegant meal.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Fried Chicken with Cherry Sauce

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Grilled chicken breasts stuffed with ham, pineapple and Jarlsberg cheese garnished with green onion.
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grilled Hawaiian chicken stuffed with ham and pineapple under a teriyaki glaze offers a sweet and savory escape from the ordinary. This recipe is perfect for those who enjoy grilling and are looking for a creative twist on chicken that’s both fun to prepare and delightful to eat.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Indian Chicken Burgers

Indian chicken burgers cut in half with cucumber yogurt slaw.
Indian Chicken Burgers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Indian chicken burgers with a refreshing yogurt cucumber slaw bring a flavorful alternative to traditional beef burgers. They are a creative way to enjoy chicken, perfect for a casual dinner or a summer BBQ, proving that chicken burgers can be anything but boring.
Get the Recipe: Indian Chicken Burgers

Sweet & Spicy Indian Chicken

Indian spiced chicken thighs on a metal plate with lemon wedges.
Sweet & Spicy Indian Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Sweet and spicy Indian chicken marinated in yogurt and spices then glazed with maple syrup offers a rich blend of flavors. This recipe is a creative solution for anyone tired of plain chicken dinners, providing a sweet and spicy makeover that’s irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Indian Chicken

Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet

Thai basil cashew chicken in a cast iron skillet.
Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

The Thai basil cashew chicken skillet is an easy, one-pan meal bursting with fresh basil and a savory sweet sauce. It’s a straightforward yet inventive recipe that brings a Thai-inspired twist to your chicken, ideal for a quick but exciting dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet

Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup

Buffalo chicken soup with orzo served in a bowl with blue cheese crumbles and green onion.
Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

If you love buffalo wings, this buffalo chicken orzo soup is for you. It combines the cheesy, spicy flavors of buffalo wings into a comforting soup form. This recipe is a creative take on enjoying chicken, perfect for those chilly evenings when you crave something warm and inviting.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup

Cheddar Chicken Bake

Chicken cheddar quinoa casserole in a pyrex dish.
Cheddar Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

The cheddar chicken quinoa bake is a hearty, healthy casserole that’s easy to love. Utilizing leftover chicken, it’s a budget-friendly dinner for busy nights that doesn’t skimp on creativity or flavor, making healthy eating both simple and enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake

Chinese Chicken Zoodles

Zucchini noodles with shredded chicken in a stir fry sauce in cast iron skillet.
Chinese Chicken Zoodles. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chinese chicken zoodles offer a healthy and quick 15-minute meal packed with the flavors of your favorite takeout. This recipe is a creative way to enjoy chicken while keeping things light and nutritious, proving fast and healthy meals can also be incredibly flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Zoodles

Cream Cheese Chicken

Cream cheese chicken in a white skillet.
Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cream cheese chicken, seasoned with a blend of spices, offers a creamy and indulgent meal without the fuss. It’s a creative twist on weeknight chicken dinners, providing a simple yet flavorful option that’s sure to break the monotony.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Garlic chicken bites with peppers and mushrooms in a skillet.
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This 20-minute garlic chicken bite skillet combines chicken with mushrooms, onions, and red peppers for a quick and flavorful meal. It’s an ideal recipe for those looking to add a creative and tasty twist to their chicken dinners without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Chicken Saag

A bowl of rice and green curry with a spoon.
Chicken Saag. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Shake up your chicken dinners with this chicken saag recipe. It’s pretty much like the spinach and chicken curry you get at your favorite restaurant but made simple for a weeknight meal at home. When you’re bored with the usual chicken dishes, this one brings in the flavors and ease you’re looking for. Quick to make and straightforward, it’s perfect for a hearty dinner.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Saag

Honey Orange Sesame Chicken

Honey orange chicken with sesame seeds and green beans in a white bowl.
Honey Orange Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Honey orange sesame chicken is a healthy take on takeout, ready in minutes. This recipe brings a sticky, sweet flavor to your chicken, making it a creative and enjoyable alternative to traditional chicken dishes. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something quick and rewarding.
Get the Recipe: Honey Orange Sesame Chicken

Maple Miso Chicken

Maple miso chicken in cast iron skillet.
Maple Miso Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Maple miso chicken offers a sweet and savory twist with its buttery glaze. This simple yet outrageously flavorful recipe is a creative way to jazz up your chicken dinners, ensuring a golden and sticky meal that’s bound to become a new favorite.
Get the Recipe: Maple Miso Chicken

Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken

Maple mustard chicken breasts with brussels sprouts, squash and cranberries.
Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

For a fuss-free dinner, try sheet pan maple mustard chicken. This one-pan wonder includes chicken, Brussels sprouts, squash, and cranberries, offering a balanced meal. It’s a creative way to enjoy chicken with minimal cleanup, perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken

Sticky Thai Chicken

Thai chicken with sticky glaze and peanut garnish over white rice.
Sticky Thai Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Sticky Thai chicken thighs provide a flavorful and quick dinner option. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is a creative alternative to takeout, offering Thai flavors that are sure to please. It’s an ideal choice for those looking to spice up their chicken routine.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Thai Chicken

Stuffed Chicken Marsala

Stuffed chicken marsala in a cast iron skillet.
Stuffed Chicken Marsala. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Stuffed chicken marsala brings a twist to the classic dish with mozzarella, tomato butter, and basil. It’s a creative and more delicious take on chicken marsala, perfect for a dinner that impresses with both flavor and presentation.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Marsala

Pecan Crusted Chicken

Pecan crusted chicken cut into slices on a plate with honey dijon sauce and green beans.
Pecan Crusted Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pecan crusted chicken served with honey dijon yogurt sauce offers a crunchy, flavorful dinner option. This easy weeknight meal takes chicken to the next level with its unique coating and killer sauce, proving that creative chicken recipes can be simple yet spectacular.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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