15 Budget-Friendly Chicken Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less

Cooking on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or nutrition, especially when chicken is on the menu. With just five ingredients or less, you can whip up delicious, hearty meals that the whole family will love. These easy-to-follow chicken recipes make meal planning a breeze while keeping costs low.

Honey Garlic Chicken

For this simple yet flavorful Honey Garlic Chicken, all you need are chicken breasts, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and olive oil. Start by whisking honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic in a bowl to create the sauce. Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the chicken breasts for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the chicken, letting it simmer for a few minutes until thickened. Serve with steamed vegetables or rice for an easy, budget-friendly meal.

Lemon Pepper Chicken

This zesty Lemon Pepper Chicken requires only chicken thighs, lemon juice, black pepper, olive oil, and garlic. Marinate the chicken thighs in a mixture of fresh lemon juice, crushed garlic, black pepper, and olive oil for at least 30 minutes. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken thighs for 6-8 minutes on each side until golden and fully cooked. The tangy lemon flavor combined with the bold pepper creates a simple but delicious dish that pairs well with a green salad or roasted veggies.

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

To make these savory BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, you need chicken drumsticks, your favorite BBQ sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Season the drumsticks with salt and pepper, then coat them with a little olive oil. Place them on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through. Brush generously with BBQ sauce in the last 10 minutes and return to the oven until caramelized. These juicy drumsticks are perfect for a casual weeknight dinner or a fun weekend meal.

Lemon Herb Chicken

Lemon Herb Chicken is a fresh and light meal made with chicken breasts, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, and herbs for at least 30 minutes. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. The lemon and herbs add a bright, zesty flavor, making this dish perfect for pairing with roasted vegetables or a side of quinoa.

Spicy Sriracha Chicken

This Spicy Sriracha Chicken is a quick and bold dish using chicken breasts, Sriracha sauce, honey, soy sauce, and olive oil. In a bowl, mix Sriracha, honey, and soy sauce to create a sweet and spicy marinade. Coat the chicken breasts in the mixture and let them marinate for 20-30 minutes. Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until fully cooked. The spicy kick from the Sriracha pairs perfectly with rice or steamed veggies for a quick weeknight meal.

Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

These Teriyaki Chicken Thighs are made with chicken thighs, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Start by whisking soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and a pinch of ginger to make the teriyaki marinade. Coat the chicken thighs in the mixture and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes. Heat a pan and cook the chicken thighs for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until caramelized and fully cooked. Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a delicious, budget-friendly meal.

Garlic Butter Chicken

For a rich and comforting meal, Garlic Butter Chicken requires chicken breasts, butter, garlic, parsley, and lemon. Melt butter in a pan and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chicken and sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving. This simple dish pairs well with mashed potatoes or crusty bread, making it a perfect choice for an easy, comforting dinner.

Salsa Chicken

Salsa Chicken is a simple, flavorful dish made with chicken breasts, salsa, shredded cheese, cumin, and olive oil. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Season the chicken breasts with cumin and drizzle with olive oil. Place the chicken in a baking dish, pour salsa over the top, and bake for 25-30 minutes. In the last five minutes, sprinkle shredded cheese on top and let it melt. Serve with rice or tortillas for a quick and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy nights.

Greek Yogurt Chicken

Greek Yogurt Chicken is a healthy and easy meal using chicken breasts, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and dill. Combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, and fresh dill to create a marinade. Coat the chicken breasts in the yogurt mixture and let them sit for at least 30 minutes. Grill or bake the chicken for about 20-25 minutes, until fully cooked. The yogurt keeps the chicken moist while adding a tangy flavor, making it a perfect dish to pair with grilled vegetables or a light salad.

Pesto Chicken

Pesto Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish with chicken breasts, pesto sauce, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spread pesto sauce generously over the chicken breasts and place them in a baking dish. Scatter halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes, then sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top and bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted. This vibrant dish pairs well with pasta or a simple green salad.

Chicken Fajitas

For these simple Chicken Fajitas, you only need chicken breasts, bell peppers, onions, fajita seasoning, and olive oil. Slice the chicken, bell peppers, and onions into thin strips. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle the fajita seasoning over everything and cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are tender. Serve with tortillas or rice for an easy, flavorful meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Balsamic Glazed Chicken

This Balsamic Glazed Chicken only requires chicken thighs, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, and olive oil. In a bowl, mix balsamic vinegar, honey, and minced garlic to create the glaze. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the chicken thighs for about 6-8 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown and fully cooked. Pour the balsamic glaze over the chicken and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. Serve this tangy and sweet dish with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a satisfying dinner.

Buffalo Chicken

Buffalo Chicken is a spicy and satisfying dish made with chicken breasts, buffalo sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, and butter. Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with garlic powder and cooking them in olive oil over medium heat until they’re golden brown and fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes on each side. In a separate pan, melt the butter and mix it with buffalo sauce. Once the chicken is cooked, toss it in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated. Serve with celery sticks and a side of ranch or blue cheese for a quick, flavor-packed meal.

Caprese Chicken

Caprese Chicken combines fresh flavors with chicken breasts, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, and balsamic glaze. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook them in olive oil for about 5-6 minutes per side until fully cooked. Top the chicken with slices of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, letting the cheese melt slightly. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh basil for a simple yet elegant dish that pairs beautifully with a light salad or garlic bread.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

This Parmesan Crusted Chicken requires chicken breasts, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, olive oil, and garlic powder. Mix grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and garlic powder in a bowl. Coat the chicken breasts with olive oil, then press them into the Parmesan mixture until well coated. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until golden and fully cooked. The crispy Parmesan crust adds a delicious crunch that pairs well with roasted veggies or a simple salad.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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