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When you need dinner on the table fast, chicken is usually the first thing you reach for â but staring at a packet of chicken breasts at 5:30pm doesnât magically turn into inspiration. Thatâs where these quick chicken recipes come in.
This roundup pulls together seriously good chicken dinners you can make in around 20 minutes, all inspired by short-form cooking videos that show exactly how fast (and doable) these meals really are. No complicated prep, no endless ingredient lists, and no âsimmer for 45 minutesâ surprises.
If youâre feeding a family, cooking on a budget, or just trying to get something tasty on the table without losing your evening, these quick chicken recipes are the kind youâll want to keep coming back to.
Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken (Ready in 20 Minutes)
This crispy sweet chilli chicken is one of those weeknight wins that feels way more exciting than the effort involved. Juicy chicken pieces are cooked until golden and crispy, then tossed in a sticky sweet chilli sauce that hits that perfect balance of sweet, savoury, and just a little heat.
It comes together fast, uses simple ingredients, and is perfect served over rice or noodles when you need dinner on the table now â but still want something everyone will actually be excited to eat.
- Chicken
- 600 g chicken breast or chicken thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 egg
- ½ cup corn flour
- Oil for frying, see note 1
- Sweet Chilli Sauce
- 1 tsp garlic, freshly minced
- 1 tsp ginger, freshly minced
- ½ cup sweet chilli sauce
- Âź cup tamari or regular soy sauce
- Âź cup rice wine vinegar, plain white vinegar, apple cider vinegar or lime juice
12-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
This honey garlic chicken is one of those blink-and-itâs-done dinners that still feels like a win. Juicy chicken breasts are pan-seared until golden, then coated in a sticky, sweet-savory honey garlic sauce that comes together right in the pan. Itâs simple, fast, and made with ingredients you probably already have â perfect for busy weeknights when you want real food on the table now, not in an hour.
Chicken Stir Fry (Ready in 30 Minutes)
This quick chicken stir fry is a weeknight classic that comes together in about 30 minutes, start to finish. Tender pieces of chicken are cooked hot and fast with colorful vegetables, then tossed in a glossy, savory sauce that coats everything perfectly.
Itâs flexible, forgiving, and ideal for using up whatever veg you have lurking in the fridge. Serve it over rice or noodles for a fast, balanced dinner that feels fresh, flavorful, and far easier than ordering takeaway.
Chicken Fajitas (Ready in About 30 Minutes)
These chicken fajitas are a fast, one-pan dinner with juicy strips of seasoned chicken, sautĂŠed peppers, and onions cooked until lightly charred and full of flavor. Everything comes together quickly in a hot skillet, giving you that classic fajita taste without any fuss.
Serve them straight from the pan with warm tortillas and simple toppings like salsa, sour cream, or avocado for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that works just as well for busy weeknights as it does for casual entertaining.
20-Minute Chinese Chicken Curry
This is one of those recipes that shocks people â because it genuinely tastes like a proper Chinese chicken curry from the takeaway. It comes together fast, uses simple ingredients, and somehow hits that familiar, cozy curry flavour exactly right.
Itâs ridiculously easy to tweak too â swap the chicken for veggies if you like, or add peas and peppers to stretch it further. Serve it with fluffy rice and a handful of prawn crackers and youâve basically sorted âtakeaway nightâ⌠without the wait or the price tag.
- Green pepper cut into medium pieces
- Onion cut into medium pieces
- 3 chicken breasts cut into medium pieces
- 30g plain flour
- 2 tbsp medium curry powder
- 250ml chicken stock
- 200ml milk
- 80g frozen peas
Creamy Mushroom Chicken (One-Skillet, Under 20 Minutes)
This creamy mushroom chicken is pure weeknight comfort without the fuss. Juicy chicken is seared until golden, then simmered in a rich garlic and mushroom sauce that comes together in one pan. Itâs cozy, saucy, and feels a little fancy, even though itâs ridiculously easy to make.
The chicken stays tender, the mushrooms soak up all that garlicky goodness, and the sauce is the kind youâll want to spoon over everything. Serve it with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes and dinnerâs done â minimal prep, minimal washing up, maximum âthis is so goodâ energy.
- 2 chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 Tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream (30â36%)
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley
20-Minute Baked Chicken Bites
These baked chicken bites are one of those recipes that instantly earns a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation. Juicy on the inside, lightly seasoned, and cooked fast in the oven, theyâre proof that simple really can be that good.
What makes these extra brilliant is how versatile they are. Serve them straight up with mash and salad for dinner tonight, then use the leftovers for wraps, pasta, quesadillas, or lunchbox salads tomorrow. Honestly, doubling the batch is the smart move.
This is the kind of low-effort, high-reward chicken recipe you make once⌠then wonder how you ever lived without it. Perfect for busy nights, picky eaters, and anyone who wants dinner sorted without standing over the stove.
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon chicken base
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- Garnish
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken (Ready in 20 Minutes)
This one-pan garlic butter chicken is a total weeknight hero. Golden, pan-seared chicken gets drenched in a simple garlic butter sauce with a squeeze of lemon that keeps everything juicy, rich, and full of flavor â without feeling heavy.
Itâs fast, unfussy, and made with ingredients you probably already have. Everything cooks in one skillet, which means less mess and dinner on the table in about 20 minutes. Serve it with rice, potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up that buttery sauce, and youâve got an easy supper that feels way more special than the effort it takes.
- 4 mini chicken breast fillets
- 1 tbsp plain / all purpose flour
- ½ tsp garlic granules
- Âź tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 45 g (3 tbsp) butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 60 ml (0.25 cups) chicken stock
- 2 tsp lemon juiced
- 3 sprigs fresh parsley
20-Minute Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders
These oven-baked chicken tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle, and ready in just 20 minutes â no frying, no mess. Toss them with simple pantry seasonings, bake, and dinner is basically done. Great for busy weeknights, picky eaters, or meal prep, and just as good dunked in ketchup, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard.
Chicken Alfredo (One Pan, Under 20 Minutes)
This one-pan Chicken Alfredo is rich, creamy, and ready in under 20 minutes â perfect for those nights when you want comfort food without a sink full of dishes. Tender chicken pieces are cooked right in the pan, then tossed with pasta and a silky Parmesan cream sauce that coats every bite.
Itâs the kind of quick dinner that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to pull together. Serve it as-is for a cozy weeknight meal, or add a side salad or garlic bread if you want to stretch it a little further. Minimal prep, minimal cleanup, maximum creamy payoff.
If quick dinners are your survival strategy during busy weeks, this is one of those posts youâll want to keep bookmarked. These quick chicken recipes prove that fast doesnât have to mean boring â and that a 20-minute dinner can still feel like a proper meal.
This roundup works just as well for last-minute weeknights as it does for meal planning inspiration, and the video format makes it easy to see what youâre getting before you cook. Save your favourites, rotate them into your weekly dinners, and donât be surprised if a few become regulars.
And if chicken is already your go-to, youâll also love our easy chicken dinners, budget-friendly chicken recipes, and slow cooker options for days when even 20 minutes feels ambitious.
