30-Minute Chicken Dinners: Tasty Recipes for the Time-Crunched

1. Quick Lemon Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

• • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• • 1/4 cup olive oil

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • Juice of 2 lemons

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the chicken breasts and marinate for 10 minutes.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with steamed vegetables or a salad.

2. One-Pan Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients

• • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced

• • 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• • 1 green bell pepper, sliced

• • 1 onion, sliced

• • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning

• • Olive oil for cooking

• • Tortillas, for serving

• • Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, cheese

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chicken and cook for about 4-5 minutes.
3. Add the sliced peppers and onion, and sprinkle with fajita seasoning. Cook until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings.

3. Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients

• • 1 pound chicken breast, sliced thin

• • 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)

• • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
3. Add the chicken and stir-fry for about 5-6 minutes until fully cooked. Remove from skillet.
4. In the same skillet, add mixed vegetables and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes.
5. Return the chicken to the skillet and pour the sauce over everything. Cook for another minute and serve with rice.

4. Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Ingredients

• • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

• • 4 tablespoons butter

• • 4 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 teaspoon paprika

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute.
3. Add chicken bites and season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 8-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and golden.
4. Garnish with parsley and serve with rice or a side salad.

5. Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Ingredients

• • 4 chicken breasts

• • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• • 2 cups spinach

• • 1/2 cup heavy cream

• • 2 tablespoons olive oil

• • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side.
2. Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, add tomatoes and spinach, cooking until wilted.
3. Stir in heavy cream and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken back into the skillet, simmering for 2-3 minutes.
4. Serve with pasta or rice.

6. Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs

Ingredients

• • 4 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless

• • 1/4 cup honey

• • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Olive oil for cooking

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix honey, mustard, salt, and pepper.
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sear the chicken thighs for about 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Transfer the chicken to a baking dish, pour the honey mustard mixture over it, and bake for 15 minutes.

7. Chicken and Rice Skillet

Ingredients

• • 1 pound chicken breast, cubed

• • 1 cup rice

• • 2 cups chicken broth

• • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots

• • 2 tablespoons olive oil

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned.
2. Add rice and chicken broth, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Stir in peas and carrots and cook for an additional 5 minutes until rice is tender and the broth is absorbed.

8. Spicy Chicken Tacos

Ingredients

• • 1 pound chicken breast, shredded

• • 1 packet taco seasoning

• • 8 small tortillas

• • Optional toppings: lettuce, cheese, salsa, avocado

Instructions

1. In a skillet, cook the shredded chicken over medium heat until warmed through.
2. Add taco seasoning and a splash of water, mixing well. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Serve in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings.

9. Pesto Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• • 1 pound chicken breast, cubed

• • 8 oz pasta (your choice)

• • 1/2 cup pesto sauce

• • Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
2. In a skillet, cook the cubed chicken over medium heat until cooked through.
3. Add the cooked pasta and pesto to the skillet, tossing to combine.
4. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top.

10. Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

Ingredients

• • 1 pound chicken breast, cubed

• • 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

• • 2 cups cooked rice

• • 1 cup steamed broccoli

• • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. In a skillet, cook the cubed chicken over medium heat until browned.
2. Add teriyaki sauce and stir until coated and heated through.
3. Serve over rice with steamed broccoli and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.