All the Best-Ever Chicken Dinners for Hot Summer Days
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If you're looking for an easy dinner during the week, chicken is often the first thing that comes to mind—and it's easy to see why. There are so many chicken dinners that double as 30-minute meals or even sheet pan suppers. But how about when the temperatures soar and the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven? Enter: summer chicken recipes to the rescue! Whether you want to take things outdoors with grilled chicken ideas or lighten things up with a chicken Caprese salad, this list has you covered with all the best summer chicken recipes.
And if you weren't already excited about cookout season, just wait until you try Ree Drummond's scrumptious recipe for Greek chicken kebabs. Or the homemade chicken burgers that'll give beef burgers a run for their money. Along with these easy family dinners, we've also included plenty of quick lunch options. For instance, try the Cobb chicken salad or the chicken pesto pasta—both of which would make a delicious addition to your next picnic in the park. Many of these meals are considered healthy chicken recipes like the grilled chicken with zucchini noodles but there are also some indulgent ideas like the chicken sandwich with coleslaw and bacon. If you need a fallback dinner, Ree's barbecue chicken is a favorite for any summer party.
Honey Mustard Chicken
Zingy and sweet—this chicken recipe is sure to become a family favorite. You can take things outdoors and grill the chicken or make it on the stovetop when the air conditioning is calling your name.
Get the Honey Mustard Chicken recipe.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This fun twist on chicken Caesar salad is perfect for cookouts! It has that same creamy dressing and those crunchy croutons, plus plenty of parmesan cheese and black pepper.
Get the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Tacos
This recipe combines two summertime favorites: barbecue and tacos! Top it off with a cool and creamy slaw for the ultimate flavor-packed dish.
Get Ree's Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Tacos recipe.
Enchiladas Verdes
These green enchiladas keep things easy by using a rotisserie chicken for the filling. The sauce, on the other hand, is a zesty, spicy, homemade hit that you'll want to make again and again.
Get the Enchiladas Verdes recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These crispy chicken tenders will remind you of those beachside boardwalk snacks you had as a kid. The best part? You don't need to stand over a pot of hot oil to make them!
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe.
Coconut Chicken Curry
The warm, fragrant curry flavors of this chicken dish are oh-so comforting, but thanks to the addition of coconut milk, it's still light and summery. Plus, there's juicy fresh mango and bright lime wedges on top!
Get the Coconut Chicken Curry recipe.
Chicken Parm Salad
Lighten up your typical chicken parmesan with this summer salad that still has all the same ingredients you know and love: roasted cherry tomatoes, crispy chicken, fresh mozzarella, and herby pesto dressing.
Get Ree's Chicken Parm Salad recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
If there's one soup recipe to enjoy in the summer, it would have to be this chicken tortilla soup! The whole thing is made right in the slow cooker with no pre-cooking or sautéing required. Top it off with cool sour cream and diced avocado for a Tex-Mex meal that anyone would love.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe.
Chicken Tostadas
Each of these crispy tortillas is topped with refried beans, spiced chicken, sour cream, and crunchy cabbage. You'll have plenty of extra chicken that you can stash in the freezer for another week.
Get Ree's Chicken Tostadas recipe.
Chicken Caprese Salad
Put summer tomatoes and garden-fresh basil to good use with this quinoa salad that's packed with chicken, mozzarella, leafy greens, and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette.
Get the Chicken Caprese Salad recipe.
Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks
Ree's homemade barbecue sauce made with brown sugar and chipotle chiles is the key to this finger-licking chicken. You'll want to serve it up with all your favorite BBQ sides.
Get Ree's Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
Chicken and Corn Chowder
Sweet summer corn and crispy bacon gives this homemade chowder a ton of flavor. It's thick and creamy, which means it's perfect for those breezy summer nights.
Get the Chicken and Corn Chowder recipe.
Pesto Chicken Salad
These tiny croissant sandwiches are perfect for a picnic or summer brunch. They're filled with an easy chicken salad made with prepared pesto and yogurt for a lightened-up creaminess, along with fresh arugula for a pop of peppery flavor.
Get Ree's Pesto Chicken Salad recipe.
Roast Jerk Chicken
Bring the island flavors to your own kitchen table with this recipe for roast chicken seasoned with a spicy jerk marinade. It's a fun way to put your pantry ingredients to good use.
Get Ree's Roast Jerk Chicken recipe.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls
This healthy grain bowl puts a whole new spin on barbecue chicken! We love the sweet and spicy toppings, like mango, jalapeño, avocado, and sliced radishes.
Get the Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls recipe.
Chicken Pasta Salad
Can't decide between pasta salad and chicken salad? Well, now you don't have to! This mash-up is the best of both worlds and it's perfect for a summer potluck!
Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.
Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers
These chicken burgers have a special ingredient that makes them extra-moist and tasty: Greek yogurt! Plus, they're topped with a spread of tzatziki for even more creamy goodness.
Get Ree's Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers recipe.
Chicken Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is the ultimate picnic food. It might be a comfort food favorite, but it's also perfect for a sunny afternoon.
Get the Chicken Fried Chicken recipe.
Chicken Primavera
Fresh vegetables, pasta, and hearty chicken—what more can you ask for in a summer dinner? Oh yes, it's also made in one pot!
Get the Chicken Primavera recipe.
Homemade Chicken Burger
No summer bbq would be complete without some kind of burger on the menu. These chicken burgers are a great way to switch things up—and they're healthy, too!
Get the Homemade Chicken Burger recipe.
Grilled Chicken Sliders
Just because you're serving chicken doesn't mean it has be bland! These sliders are loaded with flavor thanks to Cajun seasoning and adobo sauce.
Get Ree's Grilled Chicken Sliders recipe.
Green Goddess Chicken Salad Dip
It's trendy, it's flavorful, and it's loaded with green vegetables. This chicken salad is a full meal that's served on a chip!
Get the Green Goddess Chicken Salad Dip recipe.
Barbecue Chicken Salad
This is one of Ree's go-to summer recipes. The combination of sticky-sweet barbecue chicken, fresh corn, and avocado is simply divine.
Get Ree's Barbecue Chicken Salad recipe.
Caprese Chicken Pasta
This quick dinner has all the components of a caprese salad (tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil), plus the addition of hearty chicken and noodles—yum!
Get Ree's Caprese Chicken Pasta recipe.
Greek Chicken Kebabs
To give these skewers their Greek-inspired flavor, the chicken is marinated in a mixture of oregano, fennel seeds, and lemon-pepper seasoning. It's all served up with pita and tzatziki for dipping.
Get Ree's Greek Chicken Kebabs recipe.
Lemon-Pepper Chicken
Zippy, spicy, and bursting with bright citrusy flavor— these crispy chicken cutlets are sure to become a year-round favorite.
Get the Lemon-Pepper Chicken recipe.
Chicken Salad
Make this chicken salad for your next picnic or afternoon in the park. It can be served on a sandwich, over greens, or simply on its own. It's that good!
Get Ree's Chicken Salad recipe.
Pollo Asado Tacos
Transform chicken night into taco night with these flavorful pollo asado tacos. The tangy, citrus marinade makes all the difference!
Get Ree's Pollo Asado Tacos recipe.
Grilled Chicken Marinade
There are four key factors to making the perfect grilled chicken marinade: fat, salt, sweetness, and something bright. This recipe has them all!
Get the Grilled Chicken Marinade recipe.
Grilled Chicken with Zucchini Noodles
If you've never made zucchini noodles before, there's no better time than during the summer! The light, carb-free "zoodles" cook up in just a matter of minutes.
Get Ree's Grilled Chicken with Zucchini Noodles recipe.
One-Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta
Homemade pesto is easier than you might think, and it's especially delicious when using fresh garden basil. But if you're in a rush, store-bought pesto works just fine!
Get the One-Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
This chicken sandwich is piled high with bbq favorites like coleslaw, pickles, and crispy bacon. Don't forget an extra drizzle of bbq sauce for good measure!
Get Ree's Grilled Chicken Sandwich recipe.
Oven Barbecue Chicken
Combine your favorite bbq sauce and peach preserves to make this sweet and sticky chicken dinner. It's delicious alongside potato salad and cornbread.
Get Ree's Oven Barbecue Chicken recipe.
Chicken Caesar Milanese
What's the best way to make crispy fried chicken taste fresh for summer? Add a pile of salad right over the top!
Get Ree's Chicken Caesar Milanese recipe.
Sheet-Pan Cajun Chicken and Corn
Cook your chicken on the same sheet pan as your seasonal summer produce, like corn and baby bell peppers. It'll make clean-up a breeze!
Get Ree's Sheet-Pan Cajun Chicken and Corn recipe.
Grilled Chicken and Lemon Orzo Salad
Whether it's a potluck cookout or a picnic lunch, this orzo pasta salad is a great addition to your summer menu. The grilled lemon really adds a delicious flavor.
Get the Grilled Chicken and Lemon Orzo Salad recipe.
Greek Salad with Chicken
To make this classic Greek salad a meal in itself, Ree added grilled chicken and plenty of pita chips. The more, the merrier!
Get Ree's Greek Salad with Chicken recipe.
Spiced-Rubbed Grilled Chicken
This boneless, skinless chicken thigh recipe uses a generous amount of spices, including paprika, chili powder, cumin, thyme, and garlic (to name a few).
Get the Spiced-Rubbed Grilled Chicken recipe.
Cobb Chicken Salad
This twist on chicken salad uses ingredients you might find in a classic Cobb salad—avocado, bacon, blue cheese, and hard boiled eggs!
Get Ree's Cobb Chicken Salad recipe.
Instant Pot Chicken Breast
You don't even need to heat up the oven for this quick chicken dinner. Put your Instant Pot to work, then serve it up with a fresh green salad.
Get the Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe.
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