23 Surprisingly Easy Chicken Recipes for Every Occasion

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Easy and gourmet chicken recipes
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Chicken is a ubiquitous choice of meat across many cultures worldwide -- and for good reason. It is inexpensive, lean and nutritious, and can be prepared in myriad ways. Whether you enjoy your chicken oven-fried, skewered or curried, you can find a favorite among these 19 surprisingly easy chicken recipes.

Image Credit: Jackie Dodd (1) | Valerie Brunmeier (2) | Kevin Curry (3)
A plate of chicken-wrapped asparagus with rice, tomatoes and fruit.
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Sweet, Spicy Teriyaki Chicken-Wrapped Asparagus

Sweet and spicy teriyaki chicken-wrapped asparagus is a lean and healthy meal option that only takes about 20 minutes to prepare. After marinating the chicken, roll each piece onto a few spears of asparagus and bake until the meat is cooked all the way through.

A bowl of chicken and spinach pasta with fresh parmesan flakes.
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Chicken and Spinach Skillet Pasta

Only 30 minutes stand between you and this hearty chicken and spinach pasta. This one-pot pasta is quick and easy, and is a terrific meal to prepare on a busy weeknight.

Image Credit: Valerie Brunmeier
Three chicken skewers served with a porter.
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Smokey Porter Molasses Chicken Skewers

These mouthwatering chicken skewers are as easy to prepare as they are delicious. Crack open a cold, refreshing porter to use in the marinade and add flavor to the chicken. The porter gives a malted, smokey taste to the sweet and spicy marinade, and helps to tenderize the meat for baking.

A heaping bowl of chicken and rice soup served with wine.
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Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

This healthy slow cooker chicken and rice soup is a simple and wholesome dish that takes minimal prep time. All you need to do is fill the slow cooker with necessary ingredients and turn it on before you leave for the day. When you get home, you'll have a soothing, warm batch of chicken and rice soup ready to be served.

A plate of tandoori masala spiced chicken with a side of creamy chickpea and spinach salad.
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Tandoori Masala Grilled Chicken with Chickpea and Spinach Salad

Time to get the grill going for this tandoori masala spiced chicken recipe. The chicken is well-seasoned in a blend of spices, giving off an aromatic and smokey scent when grilled. The spiced chicken paired with a creamy and tart salad make for a tasty and filling meal.

A plate of freshly made charred corn with chicken and cheese salad.
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Charred Corn with Chicken and Cheese Salad

This charred corn with chicken and cheese salad is a refreshingly light meal option that can be enjoyed any time of year. The salad adds a Mexican-style kick by incorporating lightly roasted corn, Cotija cheese, cilantro, avocados and other fresh ingredients.

Image Credit: Yvette Marquez
A plate of five honey glazed wings served with a glass of beer.
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Honey Stout Chicken Wings

Americans love good old fashioned chicken wings -- and this recipe is no exception. These succulent, beer-infused honey stout chicken wings are great to serve as finger foods at a party or to have at home for a meal.

Image Credit: Jackie Dodd
A colorful pot of Tex-Mex chicken and rice sprinkled with fresh cheese.
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Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice Skillet

This Tex-Mex chicken and rice skillet recipe mixes together several Mexican-inspired ingredients into a robust meal. The ingredients, including bell peppers, black beans and corn, meld together to make a well-seasoned and colorful dish.

A plate of bright orange curry on a bed of rice.
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Healthy Coconut Chicken Curry

Spice up your poultry with this healthy coconut chicken curry recipe. It is inspired by traditional Indian curry, so it uses a savory blend of sweet coconut milk and aromatic spices to create a harmonious mix of flavors.

Four delicately assembled chipotle beer chicken sliders.
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Slow Cooker Chipotle Beer Chicken Sliders

Use a slow cooker to create these appetizing chipotle beer chicken sliders. The fire from chipotle peppers are subtly muted by the malt beer, creating a mouthful of intense flavors.

Freshly make garlic Sriracha chicken wings.
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Garlic Sriracha Chicken Wings

If you're looking to spice up traditional chicken wings, prepare a batch of these garlic Sriracha chicken wings. These wings bring some serious heat, and are sure to be a delight for the spicy food lovers in your life.

Image Credit: Jennifer Farley
Two beer braised chicken tacos garnished with cilantro and diced onions.
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Beer Braised Chicken Tacos with IPA Avocado Cream and Beer Corn Tortillas

Beer and tacos are a winning combination -- especially when the beer is used for cooking. This Mexican-themed recipe is fairly easy and provides instructions on how to make tortillas, seasoned chicken and avocado cream for a robust meal.

A freshly baked chicken served with a generous serving of roasted veggies.
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One-Pot Meal: Simple Roasted Chicken and Root Vegetables

A simple, golden-roasted chicken is a terrific meal to serve the family because it's insanely delicious and easy to prepare. Just place your freshly herbed and seasoned chicken on a bed of vegetables, baked in the oven, and then in a little over an hour it's ready to serve.

Chicken souvlaki served with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and pita bread.
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Chicken Souvlaki for the Soul

Lemon-marinated chicken is always a refreshing option for those whose palate for poultry is growing stale. This chicken souvlaki recipe uses a blend of aromatic herbs and lemon juice to enhance the taste of the meat.

Image Credit: Shaina Olmanson
A plate of crisped oven-fried beer and buttermilk chicken served with a beer.
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Oven-Fried Beer and Buttermilk Chicken

Fried chicken is among the most delicious ways to prepare this tasty white meat. For a more overall healthy way to prepare chicken that is just as tasty, serve up these oven-fried beer and buttermilk chicken strips.

A rectangular plate of hoisin stout chicken wings.
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Hoisin Stout Chicken Wings

With this recipe, you can easily make these gourmet hoisin stout chicken wings in less than a half hour. Simply create a thickened beer and hoisin sauce to spread over the wings, and bake for 15 minutes. Once done, you'll have piping hot wings that are ready to eat.

Image Credit: Jackie Dodd
A stack of oven-baked BBQ chicken.
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Easy Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken

You don't need a grill to make this moist BBQ chicken. All you need is a skillet to brown the sides and an oven to cook the white meat through. Use your favorite bottled or homemade barbecue sauce to generously slather onto your baked chicken.

Chicken Sausage with Potatoes, Onions and Apples
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Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage with Sweet Potatoes, Onions and Apples

Nothing gets much easier than this dish. Simply roast everything together for a super savory, sweet meal the whole family will love.

Image Credit: Charity Curley Mathews
Sheet Pan Chicken with Pesto and Asparagus
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Sheet Pan Chicken with Pesto, Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes

Using pre-made fresh pesto, plus the one-pan-only clean up, makes this dish a no brainer. Dinner is ready in 35 minutes!

Image Credit: Charity Curley Mathews
Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta
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One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta

Sounds fancy, but this one-pot wonder is so easy to make.

Image Credit: Abbey Rodriguez
Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe
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Nashville Hot Chicken

Do yourself a favor and make this chicken ASAP. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and served with a sweet and spicy sauce -- this dish is going to become a crowd fave.

Image Credit: Leigh Ann Chatagnier

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