Nothing screams EASY DINNER like a few pounds of farm-fresh chicken thawing in the fridge. But what to make? There are endless ways to make chicken shine, so sometimes choosing a new recipe can be challenging (or worse, we start leaning too hard on old standbys that are getting stale). Whether you’re looking for wholesome and light lunches, quick and easy dinners, or cozy, comforting soups, these dishes will surely satisfy the whole family this fall.
Each recipe highlights chicken as the star ingredient, prepared in creative ways that bring out its best. From vibrant salads to one-pan dinners and nourishing broths, this round-up is all about simplicity without sacrificing taste, making it easier than ever to enjoy a nutritious meal that’s both delicious and comes together quickly during this busy time of year — when harvest and back-to-school events take up most of our time and energy.
For more farm family favorites, easy recipes, & food stories, check out the FarmHER Kitchen.
Quick & Easy Chicken Recipes for Lunch
There’s a saying — “Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for the night. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for the rest of his life.” Of course, it’s a beautiful saying, but it doesn’t apply to this recipe round-up. But I can’t stop thinking: “Give a FarmHER a whole chicken, and she’s got lunch meal prepped for the rest of the week!”
Chicken is wonderfully versatile and keeps well. When seasoned simply, cooked well, and stored away in the fridge, there are endless options for transforming it into tasty and wholesome little lunches, meal after meal.
Here are six easy chicken lunch recipes fit for a FarmHER:
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Recipe by JCP Eats
JCP Eats’ Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is creamy, sweet, and nutty. It’s an instant classic and oh-so-delicious! While the recipe comes together quickly on its own, you can make it even faster by substituting store-bought rotisserie chicken (the perfect, time-saving kitchen hack!).
Creamy Chicken Pesto Gnocchi (One-Pot Recipe)
Recipe by Evolving Table
Get ready to fall in love with Evolving Table’s 30-minute Creamy Chicken Pesto Gnocchi — it’s a weekday meal game-changer! The sauce is cozy and creamy, with pillowy bites of gnocchi that make you feel like you could snuggle right up with it. With the simple trick of pan-searing the gnocchi instead of boiling it, this one-pot meal can be made in a mere 30 minutes anytime the comfort food craving strikes!
Thai Sweet Potato Noodle Bowls
Recipe by Allergy-Free Alaska
These Thai Chicken & Sweet Potato Noodle Bowls from Allergy-Free Alaska are a delicious way to satisfy your Thai craving while staying low-carb. Spiralized sweet potato “noodles” replace rice noodles and are covered in a spicy satay-like sauce.
Honey Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowls (Chipotle Copycat Recipe)
Recipe by Chef Savvy
Move over Chipotle! These Honey Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowls from Chef Savvy are the best blend of sweet and smoky flavors! Tender chicken is glazed with a honey chipotle marinade that perfectly complements the fluffy rice with creamy avocado crema and crisp corn salsa!
Greek-Style Chicken Gyros with Homemade Tzatziki
Recipe by Craving Something Healthy
Craving Something Healthy‘s Greek-Style Chicken Gyros with Homemade Tzatziki will undoubtedly become a go-to meal that’s light, easy, and nutritious that everyone in the family loves. Lean chicken breast strips marinated in Greek yogurt and Mediterranean spices become melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful. Wrap the delicious grilled chicken in pillowy soft pita bread, top it with a drizzle of yogurt tzatziki sauce, and serve it with the simple tomato and cucumber salad for a healthy, satisfying meal.
Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Crispy)
Recipe by The Yummy Bowl
These Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps from the Yummy Bowl are made with marinated and then baked crispy chicken pieces, crunchy salad ingredients, creamy dressing, and crumbled blue cheese – all packed onto crisp lettuce leaves for a mouth-watering lunch or dinner option!
Comforting Chicken Soup Recipes with a Twist!
It’s fall. (a.k.a. Soup Season!) There’s no better time to capitalize on the chilly weather and cravings for simple, comforting meals than right now. While you can’t go wrong with classic Chicken Noodle Soup, there’s always room for something new! This collection of easy chicken soup recipes can help you switch things up. From classic recipes to ones with a little twist and some exciting new favorites to try, you’ll never get tired of chicken soup!
When you’re ready to brew a big pot of soup for supper, check out this collection of eight unique chicken soup recipes:
Easy Chicken Soup with Vegetables
Recipe by the FarmHER Kitchen
Whip up some of FarmHER Kitchen’s Easy Chicken Soup with Vegetables in under 90 minutes with minimal prep, making a from-scratch, home-cooked meal that’s no fuss. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are seasoned with our trusty Santa Maria-style seasoning blend and paired with a medley of vegetables, which can be prepped quickly while the chicken cooks and then left to simmer in a rich chicken broth, fortified with light beer or white wine for extra depth of flavor. Packed with veggies like onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes, this simple recipe is perfect for a comforting family dinner this fall.
Crockpot Pozole Verde (Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken)
Recipe by Restless Chipotle
Green Chili Chicken Pozole (posole verde) is the Mexican version of chicken soup. Tender chicken, chewy hominy, and peppers simmer all day in the slow cooker, making your kitchen smell delicious. While this recipe by Restless Chipotle was developed for the crockpot for ultimate ease of preparation, it includes stovetop instructions, too!
Roasted Pumpkin Chicken Noodle Soup
Recipe by Raising Generation Nourished
This Roasted Pumpkin Chicken Noodle Soup from Raising Generation Nourished is a fun twist on the classic fall family dinner. Using roasted pumpkin puree gives chicken noodle soup a flavor upgrade, creating a creamy, sweet broth that kids will love!
Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Recipe by xoxoBella
If you crave some soup that’s easy to make and offers rich, hearty flavors, this Slow Cooker Chicken & Wild Rice Soup from XOXO Bella is a great recipe to try out this week. A delicious combination of tender chicken breasts, wild rice, fresh vegetables, and herbs with a creamy texture, this soup is sure to hit the spot.
Gingery Chicken Soup with Carrots
Recipe by the FarmHER Kitchen
Whether enjoyed as a cozy dinner or a refreshing lunch, FarmHER Kitchen’s Gingery Chicken Soup with Carrots offers a satisfying and wholesome meal that celebrates the vibrant flavors of the season. This hearty yet light soup incorporates fresh, seasonal ingredients like carrots, peppers, and mushrooms, giving the broth a vibrant color and hearty, umami-rich flavor. This soup recipe is a delightful way to welcome the fall chill with open arms.
Asian Chicken Meatball Soup
Recipe by Plates by Nat
Plates by Nat‘s recipe for Asian Chicken Meatball Soup is loaded with vegetables and soft fluffy meatballs simmered in umami-rich broth. It is topped with toasted white sesame and chopped scallions. Enjoy this easy and comforting soup recipe!
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Recipe by Tessie’s Table
This Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe by Tessie’s Table isn’t just a delicious bowl of warmth; it’s a game-changer for busy days when you crave a homemade meal without the fuss. It’s a versatile dish that can be enjoyed year-round. This soup fits right in whether it’s a chilly winter night or a warm summer evening. This recipe becomes incredibly easy with a slow cooker, allowing you to set it and forget it until mealtime.
Unique, Low-Fuss Chicken Dinner Recipes
When it comes to making chicken for dinner, sometimes it can be challenging to switch things up without making yourself crazy. This list of one-pot, one-pan, and simple stove-top recipes is exactly what you need to keep things fresh and your family asking for seconds!
You’ve got to see these five easy and unique dinner recipes that make chicken the star:
Skillet Apple Cider Chicken Thighs (Stove Top Recipe)
Recipe by the Blackberry Babe
This Apple Cider Braised Chicken Thighs by The Blackberry Babe is a simple fall recipe that only uses one skillet! The most important part of the recipe is the sear. This will give you nice, golden skin and help lock moisture into the chicken thighs.
Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken (Copycat Recipe)
Recipe by Season and Thyme
This copycat Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken recipe developed by Season and Thyme features marinated chicken breasts smothered in sauteed mushrooms and onions and topped with gooey, melted cheese. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make this restaurant favorite at home.
Sheet Pan Chicken with Figs, Shallots and Potatoes
Recipe by Natalie Marble Cooks
This Sheet Pan Chicken with Figs, Shallots, and Potatoes by Natalie Marble Cooks is the dreamiest fall dinner ever. The flavor is incredible and so distinctly fall. Crispy caramelized potatoes with sweet figs and shallots – the perfect backdrop for the savory roasted chicken. No sauce necessary – the pan juices are all you need!
Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Recipe by Little Nomads Recipes
These Mini Chicken Pot Pies from Little Nomad Recipes are a great way to use your chicken or turkey leftovers; plus, there is no need for a complex pie. Cover the filled ramequin or small casserole with a pre-made brisé dough, and voila! A simple-yet-irresistible mini pot pie. The filling is made with lovely carrots, leeks, corn, and aromatic thyme and enveloped in a smooth chicken velouté for an unbeatable comfort meal! The kids will love digging into their mini pies, too!
Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken
Recipe by Little Sunny Kitchen
Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken by Little Sunny Kitchen is one of the blog’s most popular recipes for a reason! This family-friendly meal comes together in less than half an hour! And the results? Juicy, succulent chicken in garlic-infused cream sauce with tangy sundried tomatoes and spinach come together to make the ultimate comforting, delicious meal that matches the coziness of fall. Not to mention, the parmesan cream sauce takes it to a whole new level.
Have a special farm family recipe to share? Send the recipe ingredients and high-quality images to us via email at [email protected] for a chance to be featured by the FarmHER Kitchen!
Everybody Eats
At the heart of every meal is a story—a tale of dedication, nurture, and the enduring spirit of those who tend the land. Everybody Eats is the place where the narratives of food and agriculture converge. In partnership with FarmHer, we meet courageous women who embody not just the power of nurturing but also the strength of leading in transforming our food systems. They are the unsung heroes, educators, and compassionate souls who have relentless commitment and extraordinary care embedded in cultivating our food. Feed your curiosity, nourish your understanding, and grow your appreciation for the stewards who make sure that Everybody Eats.
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