25 Dump-and-Cook Chicken Dinners That Don’t Ask Much of You

Some nights you want a homemade dinner. Other nights, you want dinner to magically appear without lifting more than a finger. That’s where these chicken recipes come in. They don’t ask you to chop, stir, or stand around supervising. You dump everything in one place, press a button or turn on the oven, and move on with your life. This is how you feed people when time, energy, and patience are all running low.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Chicken cooks in a sticky honey garlic sauce that’s better than takeout. It’s simple to throw together, and the slow cooker handles everything else while you focus on not cooking.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Cheddar Chicken Bake

Leftover rotisserie chicken, quinoa, and cheddar come together in a hearty casserole. It’s great for using up what’s in the fridge and getting dinner on the table without thinking twice.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake

Salsa Chicken

This recipe bakes chicken with salsa, cheese, and corn in one pan. It’s fast, low-effort, and checks all the boxes for a solid weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Salsa Verde Chicken

Just a few ingredients and one baking dish give you tender chicken with tons of flavor. It’s a reliable go-to when you need something fast and hands-off.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde Chicken

Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Throw chicken, sweet potatoes, and pecans on one sheet pan and let the oven handle it. Minimal cleanup, no extra prep, and dinner’s done.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Ras El Hanout Chicken

This Moroccan-inspired chicken bakes up crispy and juicy without much effort. The spices do all the work for you, which is exactly what you want in a dump-and-cook dinner. Toss it on a sheet pan, set the timer, and walk away while it makes the kitchen smell incredible.
Get the Recipe: Ras El Hanout Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes

Ranch seasoning, sour cream, and simple spices turn this one-pot dish into an easy win. The Instant Pot gets it all done in under 30 minutes, no babysitting required. Perfect for nights when you want dinner fast without having to think about it.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes

BBQ Chicken Nachos

This recipe leans on doctored-up BBQ sauce to bring the heat and the sweet. Pile everything on a sheet pan and throw it in the oven. It’s fast, full of flavor, and great for those dump-and-cook nights that lean snacky.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Nachos

Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

This is the kind of slow cooker meal that gives you a break. Just 15 minutes of prep and the crock pot handles the rest. The wild rice and chicken soak up the savory flavors while you go about your day.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Palestinian Sumac Chicken

This traditional dish is big on flavor and low on effort. The chicken roasts with sumac and caramelized onions until tender, and it’s served over flatbread for a complete meal that feels layered and complex without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: Palestinian Sumac Chicken

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Bacon, chicken, and creamy ranch sauce come together in a casserole that’s hard to mess up. Everything goes into one dish and bakes while you get other stuff done. It’s one of those meals that works any night you’re not in the mood to cook.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken

This recipe uses the slow cooker to gently cook chicken in a rich tomato basil sauce. It’s a dump-and-go dinner that tastes like you put way more time into it than you actually did.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken

Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken

Chicken simmers in a sweet mustard glaze while you ignore it all day. The flavor is solid, the cleanup is easy, and it’s one less decision to make during a packed week.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken

Crockpot Salsa Chicken with Cream Cheese

This dish turns a jar of salsa and a block of cream cheese into a rich sauce that coats tender shredded chicken. It’s creamy, comforting, and one of those set-it-and-forget-it meals that never lets you down.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Salsa Chicken with Cream Cheese

Marry Me Chicken Orzo Bake

Everything gets dumped in a dish—chicken, orzo, Greek yogurt, spices—and the oven does the rest. It’s creamy, spicy, and kind of ridiculous in how easy it is. Great for nights when you want takeout energy without leaving the house.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Orzo Bake

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

Chicken, bacon, ranch, and cheese slow cook into a creamy mix that can be served as a dip or a dinner. It only needs five ingredients and turns into something rich and crowd-pleasing with almost no work.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

Chicken Cobbler

Chicken and vegetables sit under fluffy biscuits in this one-dish casserole. It’s easy to prep, easy to bake, and hits that comfort-food craving without asking much from you.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cobbler

Crockpot Slow Cooker Soy Honey Garlic Chicken

This chicken cooks low and slow in a soy and honey glaze that turns sticky and flavorful. It’s reliable, low-effort, and works great with rice or noodles.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Slow Cooker Soy Honey Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta

Dump everything in the slow cooker—chicken, pasta, marinara, cream cheese—and walk away. It’s hearty, low effort, and exactly what dump-and-cook dinners are made for.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

Mix everything in one bowl, toss it in the slow cooker, and come back to a creamy dip with serious flavor. Great for snacking or turning into a low-key dinner with chips or bread.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

Chicken slow cooks with salsa verde and spices until it’s tender enough to fall apart. Use it for tacos, bowls, or anything else that needs a bold, no-effort protein.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken

This dump-and-cook dinner uses pantry staples to build a sweet and tangy glaze. It’s the kind of easy win that takes five minutes of effort and delivers tender chicken every time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken

Southwest Chicken Casserole

This dish packs in chicken, beans, and cheese with bold seasoning and zero complicated steps. Throw everything in a baking dish and let the oven take it from there.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Chicken Casserole

Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Layers of chicken, beans, cheese, and enchilada sauce slow cook into a casserole that tastes like it took all day—because it did, but not for you.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Macro Friendly White Chicken Chili

This chili simmers fast or slow with chicken, white beans, and cottage cheese for creaminess. It’s high-protein, comforting, and great when you need something quick that still feels like a meal.
Get the Recipe: Macro Friendly White Chicken Chili