25 quick chicken dinners in 20 minutes
Chicken is the weeknight hero for good reason: it cooks fast, takes on any flavor and almost everyone eats it. These chicken dinners use thin cutlets, thighs, strips or rotisserie chicken so they are done in 20 minutes or less.
Updated October 2026 · ranked by popularity
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1. Chicken parmesan
Thin chicken cutlets in a crisp panko-Parmesan crust, shallow-fried, topped with marinara and mozzarella and broiled until bubbling. Easy chicken parm in 20.
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2. Copycat Panda Express orange chicken
Crisp chicken thigh bites tossed in a sticky, sweet-sour orange sauce with ginger, garlic and a pinch of chili flakes. Our faster take on Panda Express Orange Chicken.
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3. Teriyaki chicken
Juicy chicken thigh pieces seared, then glazed in a quick homemade teriyaki sauce of soy, mirin, honey, garlic and ginger. Served over rice in 20 minutes.
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4. Chicken fajitas
Smoky spiced chicken thigh and charred bell pepper strips, sizzled in one hot pan and piled into warm tortillas with avocado, sour cream and lime.
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5. Copycat Olive Garden chicken Alfredo
Our take on Olive Garden's chicken Alfredo: golden chicken over fettuccine in a garlicky butter, cream and parmesan sauce. Rich, silky and on the table in 20.
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6. Chicken piccata
Thin, golden chicken cutlets in a bright lemon, caper and butter pan sauce with a splash of white wine. A restaurant classic for two in 20 minutes.
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7. Chicken tikka masala
Yogurt-spiced chicken thigh seared hard for charred edges, then simmered in a smoky tomato and cream masala sauce. A quick skillet take on the takeout classic.
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8. General Tso's chicken
Crispy cornstarch-coated chicken shallow-fried in two quick batches, then tossed in a sweet, spicy and tangy sauce with toasted dried chiles.
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9. Marry me chicken
Thin, golden chicken cutlets simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato and parmesan sauce with garlic and basil. The viral one-pan dinner, done in 20 minutes.
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10. Quick butter chicken
Chicken thigh simmered in a silky tomato, butter and cream sauce built from scratch with garam masala and warm spices. Serve with microwave rice or naan.
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11. Kung pao chicken
Tender chicken thigh stir-fried with toasted dried chiles, garlic, scallions and crunchy peanuts in a glossy sweet, sour and savory sauce.
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12. Chicken lo mein
Chewy lo mein noodles tossed with tender chicken, carrots, snow peas and cabbage in a savory soy and oyster sauce. Spaghetti works too.
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13. Copycat Benihana hibachi chicken
Seared chicken and vegetables in garlic butter, soy and lemon, with a creamy homemade yum yum sauce. Our faster take on Benihana hibachi chicken.
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14. Copycat Raising Cane's chicken fingers
Juicy, crunchy chicken tenders with a tangy, peppery dipping sauce, our take on Raising Cane's chicken fingers. No soaking, on the table in under 20 minutes.
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15. Cajun chicken pasta
Penne in a creamy Parmesan sauce with Cajun-spiced seared chicken, sweet bell peppers and garlic. A restaurant-style pasta that's on the table in 20 minutes.
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16. Chicken tortilla soup
Smoky tomato and chile broth loaded with rotisserie chicken, black beans and corn, topped with crispy fried tortilla strips, avocado and lime.
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17. Classic chicken quesadillas
Crisp, golden flour tortillas stuffed with seasoned rotisserie chicken and melty Monterey Jack and cheddar, with salsa and sour cream for dipping.
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18. Copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets
Our take on Chick-fil-A nuggets: bite-size chicken breast in a lightly sweet coating, pan-fried crisp, with a creamy honey-mustard BBQ dipping sauce.
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19. Nashville hot chicken sandwiches
Crunchy fried chicken cutlets brushed with fiery cayenne oil, piled on brioche buns with cool slaw and dill pickles. Shallow-fried, so it's weeknight fast.
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20. Sesame chicken
Crispy chicken bites shallow-fried in two quick batches and tossed in a sticky, sweet honey-soy sesame sauce. Better than takeout, on rice in 20 minutes.
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21. Sweet and sour chicken
Crispy chicken, bell peppers, onion and pineapple tossed in a bright, glossy sweet and sour sauce made from pineapple juice, ketchup and vinegar.
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22. Copycat KFC Famous Bowl
Creamy mashed potatoes layered with sweet corn, crispy popcorn chicken, rich brown gravy and melted cheese. Our 20-minute take on the KFC Famous Bowl.
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23. Drunken noodles (pad kee mao)
Wide rice noodles stir-fried with chicken, garlic, fresh chiles and a big handful of Thai basil in a savory, peppery sauce. Thai takeout in 20 minutes.
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24. Chicken shawarma wraps
Thin-sliced chicken thighs seared hot with cumin, paprika and warm spices, wrapped in pita with garlic yogurt sauce, pickles, tomato and lettuce.
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25. Chicken souvlaki with tzatziki
Lemon, garlic and oregano chicken skewers charred on a grill pan, served with warm pita, a quick homemade tzatziki, tomato and red onion.
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Thin cuts are the secret to fast chicken. Slice breasts in half horizontally into cutlets, or use boneless thighs, which stay juicy even if you cook them a minute too long. Chicken is done at 165°F in the thickest part.
Common questions
Breast or thigh: which is better for quick dinners?
Both work. Thighs are more forgiving and stay juicy; breasts cook just as fast if you slice them into thin cutlets or strips.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Several of these recipes are built around it, and in most stir-fries, wraps and pastas you can swap in shredded rotisserie chicken and add it at the end to warm through.
How do I know the chicken is cooked?
It should reach 165°F in the thickest part, with clear juices and no pink in the center.