27 Saucy Chicken Dinners That Go Beyond Marinara

Chicken gets a bad reputation for being boring, but that’s only if you keep drenching it in the same jar of marinara every week. There are way better ways to cook it that bring flavor to the table without more effort. From sauces that are creamy, spicy, tangy, or sweet, each of these recipes gives chicken dinners a new lease on life. If you’re needing to move past the red sauce rut, this list has all the saucy inspiration you need.

Gochujang Chicken

This gochujang chicken brings big flavor in just 30 minutes. The sauce is sticky, spicy, and slightly sweet, making it a standout when you want chicken that’s saucy and bold. Serve it over rice for an easy dinner that feels like takeout without leaving the house.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

This skillet meal brings chicken and chickpeas together in a creamy turmeric sauce. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but still feels layered with flavor. Serve it over rice for a complete meal that reheats well if you’re planning ahead.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turmeric Chicken with Chickpeas

Cream Cheese Chicken

This chicken simmers in a sauce made with cream cheese and spices, turning into a dish that’s both rich and simple to prepare. It’s a go-to option for nights when plain chicken isn’t going to cut it. Serve it with pasta or rice to make the most of that sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Honey Orange Sesame Chicken

This recipe pairs chicken with a sticky honey-orange glaze and sesame seeds for crunch. The sauce clings to every piece, making it perfect with plain rice or noodles. It’s quick to cook and a reliable way to change up weeknight chicken.
Get the Recipe: Honey Orange Sesame Chicken

Salsa Chicken

Salsa chicken bakes in under 30 minutes with corn, salsa, and melted cheddar. It’s low-effort but comes out with big flavor, which makes it a great dinner option when time is short. The saucy base also makes leftovers easy to repurpose into tacos or wraps.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Chicken Saag

Spinach and chicken cook together in a creamy curry sauce that’s ready in less than an hour. It’s rich and flavorful without being complicated to prepare. This is a good way to add something different to your chicken routine while still keeping it approachable.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Saag

Salsa Verde Chicken

Salsa verde brings tang and heat to this baked chicken dish, and it only takes a handful of ingredients. The sauce keeps the chicken juicy and adds enough flavor that you don’t need much else on the side. It’s an easy weeknight recipe that works year-round.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde Chicken

Marry Me Chicken

This version turns the flavors of Marry Me Chicken into a pasta salad. Cheese-filled tortellini, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan dressing give it a saucy, creamy base that’s hearty enough for dinner or to prep ahead for lunches.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken

Balsamic Chicken With Figs

Chicken thighs simmer with balsamic vinegar and fresh figs for a sweet and savory sauce. It cooks in under an hour and works just as well for a weeknight as it does for guests. The one-pan method makes cleanup easy.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Chicken With Figs

Chicken and Green Beans

This stir fry combines chicken and green beans in a quick sauce that cooks in minutes. It’s a lighter option that still packs plenty of flavor and pairs well with rice or noodles. A simple dinner when you want something fast but not boring.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Green Beans

Monterey Chicken

Slow cooker Monterey chicken combines chicken with BBQ sauce, cheese, and bacon. With only five minutes of prep, it’s a hands-off recipe that’s ready by dinner. The saucy mix makes it a reliable option for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Monterey Chicken

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

This chili is loaded with white beans, vegetables, and shredded chicken that cook together in a creamy broth. It’s a slow cooker dinner that’s easy to prep and makes enough to feed a crowd. Leftovers hold up well in the fridge or freezer.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Chicken and stuffing bake together in a creamy sauce for a hearty casserole that feeds a full table. It’s simple to prepare and works year-round, not just around the holidays. The saucy base makes it easy to reheat without drying out.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuit Topping

This dish takes the idea of a cobbler and makes it savory with chicken and a creamy sauce topped with biscuit mix. The cheesy topping bakes golden while the filling stays rich and saucy underneath. It’s hearty, filling, and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cobbler with Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuit Topping

Easy Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Chicken layers with tortillas, cheese, and a saucy filling for a casserole that bakes up bubbly. It’s easy to assemble with pantry staples and makes a complete dinner in one dish. Leftovers reheat well for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Chicken Taco Casserole

Shredded chicken, taco seasoning, and plenty of cheese come together in a creamy casserole. It’s quick to prepare and bakes into a saucy dish that’s great for weeknights. Using rotisserie chicken cuts down prep time even further.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Casserole

Southern Chicken and Dumplings with Anne’s Dumplings

This shortcut version of chicken and dumplings brings the same creamy sauce and tender dumplings without a long cook time. It’s a comforting dinner that feels homemade but doesn’t require spending hours at the stove.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken and Dumplings with Anne’s Dumplings

Tarragon Chicken

Tarragon adds flavor to a creamy chicken sauce that comes together quickly. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but still feels a little special. The dish pairs well with rice, noodles, or crusty bread for soaking up the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Tarragon Chicken

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken simmers all day in a tomato-based sauce with spices and cream. Using the slow cooker makes it easy to prepare, and it tastes just as rich as the stovetop version. Serve it over rice or with naan for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Keema Curry with Green Beans

Ground chicken cooks with garlic, spices, and green beans in a tomato-based sauce. It’s hearty, fragrant, and simple enough to prepare on a weeknight. The saucy base pairs well with rice or flatbread.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Keema Curry with Green Beans

Creamy Chicken Meatballs & Mushrooms

Chicken meatballs cook in a rich sauce with mushrooms for a hearty meal. The creamy base makes it perfect over pasta or rice. It’s a comforting recipe that comes together in under an hour and has enough flavor to stand on its own.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Meatballs & Mushrooms

Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken

This slow cooker recipe combines chicken with honey mustard sauce for a sweet and savory result. It takes little prep and leaves you with juicy chicken in plenty of sauce to spoon over rice or potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken

Lasagna Stuffed Chicken

Chicken breasts are filled with ricotta and cheese, then baked in marinara with more melted cheese on top. It’s a saucy, filling dinner that combines two favorites into one dish.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Stuffed Chicken

Lemon Chicken and Asparagus Sheet Pan Dinner

This sheet pan dinner combines chicken with asparagus in a lemon-herb sauce. It cooks all on one tray, making it simple to prepare and clean up. The light sauce brings plenty of flavor without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken and Asparagus Sheet Pan Dinner

Spice Rubbed Salsa Chicken

Chicken bakes with salsa and spices, creating a saucy base that keeps it juicy. It’s simple to prepare, quick to cook, and versatile enough to serve with rice, tortillas, or vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Spice Rubbed Salsa Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Curry

Chicken curry comes together fast in the pressure cooker, giving you tender meat in a flavorful sauce. It’s an easy recipe when you want something saucy without waiting for it to simmer for hours.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Curry

Harissa Chicken

Chicken thighs roast with a harissa marinade until juicy and tender. The sauce coats both the meat and vegetables, making it a one-pan meal with bold flavor. It’s hearty enough for a weeknight but special enough to serve to guests.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Chicken