Weeknight Chicken (3 ways)

Keep these weeknight chicken recipes in your arsenal for those days when you a need a quick, filling and easy meal. Whether you are looking for a stovetop, oven or air fryer recipe, I've got you covered. All three variations come together in less than 30 minutes, and are great to prep ahead if that's your style. Eat them as-is or use them in salads, wraps, grain bowls and more!

I realize "weeknight chicken" isn't a really helpful recipe name, but as I had to fit 3 recipes into one title...this is kind of what fit the bill.

You know I'm all about finding ways to make cooking dinner (or any meal, really) more fun and doable and less "ugh I have to cook AGAIN?!" (It's okay, we've all been there.)

What is weeknight chicken?

For me, weeknight chicken just means a few easy peasy ways to cook chicken that I can use in a hundred different ways.

All of these can be made right when you need it or prepped ahead if you're someone who prefers to plan out their meals. Each recipe uses 2 chicken thighs, and will be enough for 2-3 meals (depending on how hungry you are!).

All of these recipes are flexible and the techniques can be used with different seasonings, spices and sauces depending on what kind of meal you are looking to make!

Chicken breast vs. chicken thighs

All three of these weeknight chicken recipes use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Why? Let me count the ways:

1. They cook quickly.
2. They are easy to buy in bulk and portion out to keep in the freezer (a cooking for one staple!).
3. They are super forgiving so if you accidentally let them cook for toon long they won't immediately dry out.
4. They are more flavorful than chicken breast.

Clearly I am firmly team thigh, but I totally understand if you prefer to use chicken breast. Here are a few tips if you want to go that route:

Air fryer chicken: Make sure your chicken pieces are evenly thick. I'd suggest pounding them to get as even as possible. Cook at 375 degrees for 10 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes. At this point check for doneness (highly suggest using a meat thermometer!). If the chicken is still not done, cook in 2 minute increments until done to keep from overcooking.

Broiled chicken: Follow the recipe as-is, but add 2 teaspoons of oil and check for doneness at 6 minutes.

Stovetop pulled chicken: Follow recipe as-is, but just keep an eye on the chicken as it is simmering. It will probably take about 18-20 minutes, depending on how thick your chicken breasts are.

Air Fryer Honey Gochujang Chicken

I swear, I become a bigger air fryer fan with each passing day. Not only do I love NOT having to turn my oven on, but honestly a lot of food - especially meat and fish - just comes out better when it's air fried vs. just baked.

Cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer is SO easy. Season however you want and then throw them in there. For ease, I crank mine up to 400 and cook until the chicken is done, flipping once. This generally takes about 20-25 minutes, but can vary depending on how big your chicken thighs are. The good news is it's hard to overcook chicken thighs, so don't sweat it.

These honey gochujang chicken thighs are definitely the easiest of the three recipes here. Mix up gochujang, honey and soy sauce and you're basically good to go. Serve this chicken with rice and a quick cucumber salad, topped with a TON of herbs for a super flavorful meal.

You can also serve this chicken with fried rice for one, brussels cauliflower rice or roasted maple sesame broccoli.

Broiled Indian Spiced Chicken Cubes

These little chicken bites are my go-to when I am craving Indian flavors, but need something extra quick and easy. You can marinate these for 10 minute or 10 hours, and both ways will be great.

I LOVE broiling smaller pieces of chicken like this because it cooks super quickly while also getting a great char on the meat.

This chicken is great in salads or wraps or eaten as-is dipped in yogurt and/or chutney. I often eat it with cabbage baji (Indian sauted cabbage) and plain yogurt for a really quick, filling meal.

Stovetop Pulled Chicken

Need some tacos? Here ya go!

Similarly featured in these chicken tacos, braising chicken thighs makes perfect pulled chicken just begging to be wrapped in a tortilla. So much flavor in so little time! To make things REALLY easy, keep some house seasoning on hand and use 1 tablespoon that instead of the list of spices in the recipe.

I have been obsessed with making crispy tacos (like these!) and this chicken is perfect. Just mix it with a little shredded cheese, spread it in a small corn or flour tortilla and pan fry, air fry or bake until crispy.

You can also use this chicken in a taco salad or rice/grain bowl.

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