23 Chicken Dinners That Ensure You'll Never End up a Contestant on Worst Cooks in America

When I first started food blogging, I binge watched cooking shows to help improve my cooking skills. Of course, using my slow cooker or air fryer helps because you really can’t screw up a recipe made either way. Nonetheless, here are 23 chicken dinners that will prove to yourself that you’ll never end up as a contestant on one of my favorite cooking shows, Worst Cooks in America.

Roasted chicken thighs with potatoes and lemon wedges, garnished with rosemary, on a white platter. — Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: My Full Belly.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Chicken covered in a red sauce with cranberries and herbs inside a slow cooker. — Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Who says that you can only enjoy cranberries during the fall and holiday seasons? I find myself going back to this Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken repeatedly throughout the year because it has four ingredients only. That’s not a typo.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This recipe for Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken lets you feel like you’ve ordered in Chinese food without the take out price. The secret ingredients to this flavorful dish? Soy sauce, hoisin sauce, toasted sesame oil and rice vinegar.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Copycat Slow Cooker Panda Express General Tso Chicken

Close-up of a spoonful of sweet and sour chicken with vegetables, featuring pieces of chicken, bell peppers, green beans, and an orange glaze. — Copycat Slow Cooker Panda Express General Tso Chicken. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

If you think you can’t make a stir-fried dish in the slow cooker, this copy recipe for Panda Express General Tso Chicken will change your mind. With the right ingredients and the right mix of sauces, you won’t believe how delicious a Crock Pot version of this mall food court staple will taste.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Slow Cooker Panda Express General Tso Chicken

Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken With Pasta

A slow cooker brimming with cooked rotini pasta, tender shredded Caesar chicken, fresh spinach, and a creamy sauce, all ready to be served with a metal spoon. — Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken With Pasta. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

When you make this recipe for Caesar Chicken with Pasta in the Slow Cooker, you’re making a dish that can give you many meals. From the initial warm bowl of pasta to the leftover creamy chicken, read on for all the different ways you can serve this easy dinner and then reuse your leftovers creatively.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken With Pasta

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

A white platter with chicken thighs and potatoes with lemon wedges. — Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: My Full Belly.

Lemon-Rosemary Bone-In Chicken Thighs cooked in an air fryer is the perfect recipe for a weeknight dinner. The combination of lemon and rosemary gives the chicken a burst of flavor that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds. The air fryer cooks the chicken to crispy perfection, making it an easy and healthy way to enjoy this dish.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Honey Lime Shredded Chicken Enchiladas

A dish of enchiladas filled with slow cooker honey lime shredded chicken, topped with melted cheese, lime slices, sour cream, and chives. — Slow Cooker Honey Lime Shredded Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This recipe for Slow Cooker Honey Lime Shredded Chicken is designed to be made into cheesy, creamy enchiladas. However, you can also use it to make chicken tacos, sandwiches, a white bean chicken chili or whichever way you and your family enjoy eating shredded chicken
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Lime Shredded Chicken Enchiladas

Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot

Fried chicken in crock pot done with top on. — Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

When I talk about making fried chicken in my slow cooker, the word “fried” is a euphemism. I’m not really frying anything. However, the end result tastes like fried chicken.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken in the Crock Pot

Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

Slow cooker chicken with potatoes and carrots garnished with parsley. — Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This recipe for Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken is such a classic. It has only six ingredients and all of them are easily found at the supermarket or, frankly, right in your pantry.
Get the Recipe: Simple Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta

A plate of pasta with bacon, corn, and parsley, served on a white and blue speckled plate with a red and white striped cloth in the background. — 30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta recipe is so easy to make and so delicious to eat. Bowtie pasta complements the seasoned chicken chunks. Also, it’s topped with bacon. Bacon makes everything better.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta

Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie

A golden-brown whole chicken in a black air fryer basket against a white background. — Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This recipe for how to cook a whole chicken in an air fryer will change your mind about supermarket rotisserie chicken forever. It is far cheaper and far more delicious.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Supermarket Chicken Rotisserie

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

A plate of seasoned and cooked chicken drumsticks garnished with fresh herbs and accompanied by lemon slices and pickled onions. — Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

You can get the taste of fried chicken without oil or the mess when you make these chicken drumsticks in the air fryer. Prep and cooking time is 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole

A freshly baked chicken and broccoli casserole topped with melted cheese in a glass baking dish. — Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole is such an easy weeknight dinner. It includes cheesy, yummy broccoli with seasoned chicken on top, served on a bed of a rice and pasta blend. Bake it in the oven and, voila, the tastiest casserole ever!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Chicken Cheese Casserole

Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

Close-up of a cheesy hash brown casserole on a plate, highlighting the melted cheese and shredded potatoes. — Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole Recipe has just five ingredients. And you can make it with rice, chicken and cheese you have leftover from other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer

Five juicy barbecue chicken drumsticks and two smaller pieces sizzle to perfection in an air fryer. — Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

There are a couple of reasons we think you’re going to love learning about how to make BBQ drumsticks in the air fryer. One big one is that it is much neater than cooking them on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer

Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers

Pepperoncini Chicken Process in pan. — Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

With prep and cooking time, we were able to make this Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers in about 20 minutes. That’s not an exaggeration.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Chicken with Pepperoncini Peppers

Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken

A cast iron skillet filled with cooked chicken drumsticks topped with peach slices, all in a seasoned sauce. — Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

I love finding ways to work peaches into a dinner when they’re in season during the summer. That’s why this peach whiskey barbecue chicken recipe works so well. It’s sweet and savory in all the right kinds of ways.
Get the Recipe: Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

A pile of seasoned, grilled chicken wings on a wooden board, garnished with chopped herbs, alongside a bowl of white dipping sauce with lemon wedges. — Air Fryer Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

The process for making these Air Fryer Chicken Wings is so simple. It has very few ingredients, takes very little time to cook and you end up with delicious, crispy chicken wings.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine

A plate of fettuccine Alfredo topped with pieces of grilled chicken and garnished with chopped herbs. A breadstick and a dipping sauce are visible in the background. — Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Everyone loves alfredo and this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is such a delicious, quick and easy dinner. It features seasoned chicken that you serve on top of fettuccine noodles. Everything is tossed with a luscious alfredo sauce.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Fettuccine

Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Close-up of a dish featuring seasoned strips of chicken, red and yellow bell peppers, green peppers, and onions. — Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

If you’ve ever gone out for Mexican food and ordered fajitas, you can smell them on the way to your table before they even arrive. This recipe for air fryer chicken fajitas provides the same olfactory and taste buds experience. Plus, it’s fast and easy for a busy night dinner.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini

Close-up of tortellini pasta cooking in a creamy yellow sauce with pieces of chicken, stirred by a wooden spoon. — Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

When I made this Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini, I cooked the chicken thighs in the alfredo sauce first, using evaporated milk. Then I added heavy cream and, finally, the tortellini, turning this into a delicious, easy one-pot meal that tastes just like the restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo with Tortellini

Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken Breast with Fresh Veggies

Plate with grilled chicken breast, asparagus, and zucchini slices garnished with basil leaves. — Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken Breast with Fresh Veggies. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

With this Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken Breasts with Fresh Veggies, you’ve got a delightful combination of succulent chicken and fresh, seasonal vegetables, all cooked together on one pan for a fuss-free yet delicious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken Breast with Fresh Veggies

Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

Sliced breaded and fried chicken breast on a wooden board, garnished with herbs and accompanied by lemon slices. — Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Air fryer chicken cutlets offer a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried versions while still delivering crispy, golden perfection. You can achieve restaurant-quality results at home with minimal oil and effort using this simple recipe.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Close-up of scrambled eggs topped with chopped bacon and green onions. — Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a quick and delicious crowd pleasing dinner everyone loves. Even the picky eaters will ask for seconds. One of the reasons I love this recipe is it is one of the fastest Crock Pot recipes I’ve ever used. Unlike some other slow cooker recipes that cook overnight or take eight or 10 hours, this casserole is done in four hours.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

23 Chicken Dinners That Ensure You’ll Never End up a Contestant on Worst Cooks in America