Recipes Main Dishes Chicken 35 Cheap Chicken Recipes for Weeknight Dinners These cheap chicken dinners are delicious, but they won't break the bank. By Corey Williams Corey Williams Corey Williams is a food writer for MyRecipes and Allrecipes. She has a decade of journalism experience. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on February 15, 2024 Close Photo: DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS These cheap chicken recipes are easy on the pocketbook, but they taste like a million bucks. From crowd-pleasing casseroles to simple-but-flavorful drumsticks and chicken thighs, these budget-friendly chicken dinners are perfect for weeknights at home. 01 of 36 Simple Chicken and Noodles View Recipe "This is a recipe my grandmother used. She lived on a chicken farm, so it is as basic and simple as it can get. Usually all we have to accompany this recipe is mashed potatoes. It's really nice on cold days and extremely cheap to make." —Clara 02 of 36 Best Cranberry Chicken View Recipe Terri McHugh "My mom found this recipe for cranberry chicken thighs years ago. It's now a cheap and easy weeknight favorite at my house." —misscarolb 03 of 36 Easy Chicken and Broccoli View Recipe France C "This is a cheap chicken breast recipe that's comforting and quick enough for busy evenings." —Kraft 04 of 36 Adobo Chicken with Ginger View Recipe "Chicken adobo is considered the national dish of the Philippines. The combination of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and peppercorns is delicious and actually preserves the chicken! My mother taught me how to cook this using her variation on the original recipe. It's a delicious, cheap, and easy dish." —Liz Cranis 05 of 36 Baked Chicken Thighs With Mushroom Brown Rice View Recipe fabeveryday "This easy and delicious one-pan meal that's easy on the budget can also be made with white rice." —trishthedish617 06 of 36 Cheesy Chicken and Potato Soup View Recipe "I was messing around in my kitchen one day when I was hungry and came up with this using what I already had. It's cheap, easy, and delicious! Top with extra cheese and bacon bits." —Katy G 07 of 36 Easy Parmesan-Crusted Chicken View Recipe Dotdash Meredith Food Studios "I really enjoyed the cheesiness and the crispy texture in this recipe. I appreciate the few ingredients and how simple and quick it was as well." —Carol Farrington 08 of 36 Emergency Chicken View Recipe dawn newlove "This was a perfect quick dinner and delicious!! I have it on a recipe card and will share it with my family." —Janet Lanham 09 of 36 Easy Baked Chicken Drumsticks View Recipe "These easy baked chicken drumsticks are crispy on the outside, and moist on the inside—a flavorful, cheap meal to make any time!" —Le12ahw 10 of 36 Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas View Recipe My Hot Southern Mess "This easy slow cooker chicken fajitas recipe is so easy and delicious you won't believe it. All four of my kids love this dish, which is not an easy accomplishment!" —BusyMomTo4 11 of 36 Southern Fried Chicken Livers View Recipe "Mom made us fried chicken livers because they were cheap, and now the convenience stores sell them in the South! Use a fry screen — these things can pop and will burn you! Serve with pepper gravy or a packet of chicken gravy." —Cindy Capps Lepp 12 of 36 Sheet Pan Mediterranean Frittata View Recipe NicoleMcMom "It's a cheap and easy meal that's fit for company whether served as a weeknight dinner or weekend breakfast. Easy to make with minimal clean up, I would make this over omelets any day!" —Nicole McLaughlin 13 of 36 Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches View Recipe "Finger sandwiches are always popular for English-style tea or for gatherings. These chicken-apple-walnut sandwiches are unbelievably cheap, tasty, and easy to make with a food processor." —Isara 14 of 36 Cilantro-Lime Grilled Chicken View Recipe "This marinated grilled chicken is not only fast and easy, it's also budget-friendly and kid-approved!" —muchemwa 15 of 36 Crispy and Tender Baked Chicken Thighs View Recipe DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS "Crispy chicken thighs are baked in the oven with a flavorful, homemade spice rub. The bone-in chicken thighs stay moist and juicy while the skin crisps up beautifully. Serve this budget-friendly main dish alongside any side dish for a dinner the whole family will love." —Nicole Burdett 16 of 36 Oven-"Fried" Chicken Thighs View Recipe Lauren Magenta "These oven-'fried' chicken thighs are a perfect go-to dinner! They are budget friendly and can be turned into a complete meal served over rice, quinoa, or a fresh salad." —Lauren Magenta 17 of 36 Buffalo Chicken Rice View Recipe Chef John "This Buffalo Chicken Wing inspired twist on Dynamite Rice sushi rolls is a great budget-friendly family meal or crowd-pleaser for your next football party!" —Chef John 18 of 36 Easy Sesame Chicken View Recipe CookingWithSheila "This sweet and savory dish is simple to make and budget-friendly. Add broccoli and serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal." —CookingWithSheila 19 of 36 Spicy Chicken Penne alla Vodka View Recipe TheDailyGourmet "This spicy chicken penne alla vodka is a restaurant-style pasta dish that is also budget friendly. Most items will likely be in your pantry already, plus it takes very little time to put together. It'll be on the table in about half an hour." —TheDailyGourmet 20 of 36 Crispy Baked Chicken Strips View Recipe "A delicious, cost-effective recipe for crispy baked chicken strips. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce." —Keri Morris 21 of 36 More Inspiration 18 Cheap and Easy Dinners 14 Nights of Dinner Ideas All Under $2 Per Serving 20 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas for Two 22 of 36 Mexican-Style Pulled Chicken View Recipe SoupLovingNicole "My family loves it no matter where I use it (carnitas, burritos, enchiladas... the list goes on). It freezes extremely well, so I always make extra." —Seekerbird 23 of 36 Blackened Ranch Pan-Fried Chicken Thighs View Recipe "Using a cast iron skillet means these blackened ranch chicken thighs take only a few minutes to cook. Great for a weeknight dinner." —Yoly 24 of 36 Salsa Simmered Chicken View Recipe France C "A very simple and quick recipe for hectic weeknights." —France C 25 of 36 Crunchy French Onion Chicken View Recipe Crunchy French Onion Chicken. bd.weld "The family loves it!! Super simple and delicious!" —Meghan 26 of 36 Instant Pot Crispy Barbecue Chicken Wings View Recipe "I didn’t think with it being so easy it would taste so amazing. I will be making these often that’s for sure. Cooked perfectly!" —Donna Holland 27 of 36 A Good, Easy Garlic Chicken View Recipe "Sprinkle chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoning salt — then sauté and enjoy. Couldn't be easier! Great recipe for a quick and easy meal, even for the pickiest eater." —Julia Green 28 of 36 Blackened Chicken View Recipe CARRIE C. "I've always liked blackened chicken and finally decided to try to make it myself. This tastes just like the chicken I get from the restaurants! My wife and I absolutely love it!" —Sean 29 of 36 Crispy Baked Chicken Legs View Recipe France C "Easy to throw together and full of flavor." —France C 30 of 36 Simple Baked Chicken Legs View Recipe "We have some family members who love chicken legs, and every now and then, I have enough to treat them. This recipe starts with a simple salt water brine that makes them tender and juicy and removes discoloration that is sometimes." —Bibi 31 of 36 Super Easy Roasted Chicken Thighs View Recipe "This recipe is simple and proves the theory of less is more." —Esther Arias 32 of 36 Mamaw's Chicken and Rice Casserole View Recipe Melissa Goff "I grew up with this chicken and rice casserole recipe. My Grandmother got it from a lady from church at a pot luck a long time ago! She passed it down to my mom and it's always been a family favorite." —katiefbenham 33 of 36 Ridiculously Simple Roast Chicken View Recipe "I have been roasting chickens for almost 30 years and this is the best method I've tried. Juicy, tender, and delicious." — SUSAN360 34 of 36 Slow Cooker Chicken and Salsa View Recipe EverFit Montana "Easy recipe! Chicken comes out moist and sweet. Slice breast to serve as main course or shred and use in tacos. Very versatile." —CorindaRose 35 of 36 Quick and Easy Chicken Spaghetti View Recipe "This chicken spaghetti recipe is quick and easy to make, yet is hearty and delicious. It's a great way to use leftover chicken!" —Beamish 36 of 36 More Inspiration bd.weld 18 Cheap and Easy Dinners 14 Nights of Dinner Ideas All Under $2 Per Serving 20 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas for Two Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit