17 Amazing Chicken Dinners Even Kids Will Rave About
If kids or grandkids are involved, it can be tough to feed them food that is both good for them and that they actually like. The two often don’t go together. But that doesn’t mean they can’t go together. In fact, these seventeen amazing chicken dinners will have both kids and adults alike leaving rave reviews and asking for seconds. Chicken is versatile stuff and easy to make in ways that everyone can enjoy. Some of these recipes are just for chicken, so you’ll want to make side dishes you like to go with them, while others are stand-alone dishes that don’t need sides at all. No matter which ones you pick, they are sure to become delicious family favorites.
1. Chicken Nuggets
You don’t have to feel bad about eating chicken nuggets when you make them at home. These healthy, delicious little nuggets of joy will make both kids and adults very happy at dinner. Serve them with some baked fries and ketchup, along with a green salad, for a simple but tasty meal.
2. Tuscan Chicken Thighs
If you have an air fryer (and even if you don’t), these Tuscan chicken thighs are sure winners. They are a great option when you want to make a few of your favorite side dishes but need a main course. These delicious chicken thighs will pair well with any vegetable or grain and go particularly well with potatoes. Leftovers can be chopped up and added to salads or a number of other dishes to take for lunch the next day.
3. Dutch Oven Chicken
Dutch ovens are a wonderful kitchen essential. They are a worthwhile investment that delivers amazing food every time you cook in one. A good Dutch oven chicken is a great way to feed a crowd or cook for one or two people in a way that creates planned leftovers for future meals. While the chicken cooks, you can make some steamed veggies and a pot of rice or some roasted potatoes for a meal the whole family will smile about.
4. Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Another air fryer recipe you won’t want to miss is this air fryer chicken breast recipe. This succulent chicken is cooked to perfection with melted cheese stuffed in the middle. It’s a wonderful dinner option, but leftovers are great for lunches the next day too. This pairs well with vegetables and either a grain or potato dish. It’s even delicious to make a thick chicken sandwich with.
5. Chicken Sushi
A fun way to serve chicken is to make chicken sushi. Everyone can make their own with their own fillings, so everyone will love their own sushi. It’s a fun way to get kids involved in making dinner, and you can always serve some miso soup or even a green salad on the side to complete the meal. Make extra to take for lunch the next day.
6. Italian Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Stuffed chicken can take a basic chicken dinner and turn it into something really special. This Italian stuffed chicken breast recipe is a wonderful way to take dinner up a notch. It’s full of delicious, Italian flavors, it has plenty of flavorful sauce, and is topped with lots of savory Parmesan for an ultimate meal that’s tough to top. Serve this with a side of veggies and rice, or chop up your leftovers and toss them with a little pasta and some extra sauce to stretch the food budget a bit.
7. Easy Barbecue Chicken Casserole
If you are looking for delicious comfort food that is quick to put together after a long day, this easy barbecue chicken casserole can save your entire evening. It has all those down-home savory barbecue flavors along with rice, a classic mix of veggies the kids won’t mind eating, and succulent chicken all wrapped up in one casserole dish that everyone will rave about.
8. Chicken Enchilada Spaghetti Squash
If you have a spaghetti squash and some chicken at home, you have dinner in the making. This chicken enchilada spaghetti squash has amazing Mexican flavors, thanks to the authentic enchilada sauce. It offers delicious “noodles” (spaghetti squash) and vegetables in the same bite. It’s a great way to work veggies into your meal plan without focusing on eating veggies, and the kids are far less likely to complain about “noodles” than they are about eating squash. Serve this with a side of rice and refried beans for a complete meal.
9. Mexican Chicken Skewers
You can’t go wrong with food on a stick. There is almost something primal about it. These Mexican chicken skewers can be grilled inside or outside and can be enjoyed right off the skewer or used to stuff tacos, burritos, and wraps. The grilled smokey flavors paired with Mexican spices make this a dish worth trying. It’s versatile and filling, and older kids will love the idea of eating off a stick. You may want to help younger kids remove the stick before they eat for obvious reasons, but this dish is a winner no matter how you serve it.
10. Air Fried Chicken Wings (Or Drumsticks)
Air fried chicken wings (or drumsticks) are an easy meal to make. They are cooked to perfection in an air fryer, but you can also bake them in an oven. While these are often served as appetizers, you can make a meal out of them too. Serve with a side of veggies and maybe some roasted potatoes. Kids tend to love these smaller pieces of chicken, and adults can feel good about what they are serving.
11. Wok-Style Garlic Chicken & Carrots
This wok-style garlic chicken and carrots recipe is a one-pan meal packed with garlicky goodness. It can be served with a side of rice or tossed together with it. It will even pair well with noodles or tofu and a splash of soy sauce or tamari sauce. For those who avoid soy, coconut aminos are a great replacement for soy sauce. This dish makes wonderful leftovers that taste just as good as the day they were made.
12. Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
This dish is a no-brainer for dinner tonight. Slow cooker honey sesame chicken is a flavorful dish served over a bed of rice and topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. It’s an Asian dish with epic flavors that is great for lunch or dinner and makes really great-tasting leftovers as well.
13. Ranch Chicken Wraps
If a quick dinner is needed, these ranch chicken wraps are super fast to put together, especially if you pick up a rotisserie chicken on the way home from work. While wraps are a wonderful lunch option, they make fantastic dinners as well and can be paired with soup, salad, or any number of side dishes. If the kids are finicky, letting them make their own wraps will cut down on pickiness pretty quickly, and they can build their wrap any way they like, so everyone wins.
14. Chicken Sliders
Chicken sliders are a popular game-da food, but they make a fantastic dinner, too. Served with a side of coleslaw or salad, these little sandwiches are perfect for kids of all ages. They are simple to put together, taste great, and conveniently come in smaller portions so kids won’t get overwhelmed with the amount of food on their plates. Other side dishes that will go well with these are baked fries, onion rings, or even some baked beans.
15. Chicken Enchiladas
While enchiladas take a little time to prepare, they are wonderful meal prep food that can be made ahead of time so that all you have to do is pop them in the oven when you are ready to have dinner. Chicken enchiladas are a great family meal stuffed with chicken and cheese goodness that no kid can resist. Serve with any classic Mexican side dishes, such as refried beans or Mexican rice.
16. Chicken Taquitos
Chicken taquitos are a dish that no kid can turn down. But then, most adults can’t turn them down either. Topped with your favorite taco toppings, these delicious corn tortilla rolls are cooked to perfection. This is a wonderful make-ahead dish that can be prepped on the weekend for weeknight meals.
17. Homemade Chicken Soup
Who can resist a truly good, made-from-scratch bowl of homemade chicken soup? This soothing soup nourishes your soul as well as your tummy. Add rice or noodles to add bulk, or enjoy this on its own. It freezes well for future meals, so you can make a big batch without it going to waste, and it’s wonderful served with garlic bread and a side salad.
More From The Gracious Pantry
Need more dinner ideas? These can help. Chicken and turkey are very versatile foods that can be used to create an unlimited number of dinners. Here are 118 ideas to get you started.
