15 Easy Chicken Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner
on Oct 01, 2026
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These 15 Easy Chicken Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner are sure to be a standout. You can serve your chicken main alongside turkey, or if you are not having turkey, here are some ideas for you to keep chicken as a special centerpiece.
Be sure to check out our Thanksgiving Alternative Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey for even more Thanksgiving inspiration.
Our Top 15 Easy Chicken Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner
For Thanksgiving, turkey is normally front and center; however, you don’t always have to cook a whole turkey! Below are some of our poultry alternative favorites.
- For a classic chicken main, Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken is the way to go.
- If you want something super savory with a spicy kick, Calabrian Balsamic Chicken Thighs is perfect.
- Another favorite is our Maple Butter Chicken, it has all the flavors of Thanksgiving along with autumnal herbs.
Classic Roasted Chicken
Cast Iron Skillet Whole Roasted Chicken (with Maple Butter!)
This Cast Iron Skillet Whole Roasted Chicken is a no-fail, no-fuss one-pan dinner. The chicken is dry-brined and seasoned with a maple Dijon butter and stuffed with lemons, herbs, and garlic. Serve with a Dijon Chicken Gravy, and dinner is ready in no time.
We are living for this simple, yet packed with juiciness and flavor, garlic herb roasted chicken. The herb roast chicken spice blend is simple: a mix of parsley, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and lemon, and of course, unsalted butter, all tossed and roasted to perfection.
Salt and Pepper Roasted Bone-In Chicken Breast
We absolutely adore this salt and pepper roasted bone-in chicken breast. It’s filled with flavor; it’s juicy and tender from a wet brine, and it is such a simple weeknight dinner. You can mix and match all your favorite vegetables and sides with this; it is truly so versatile!
Spiced Chicken Ideas for Thanksgiving
Tandoori Roasted Chicken and Potatoes
Spice up your dinner routine with Tandoori Roasted Chicken and Potatoes, cooked in the oven until juicy and crispy. The chicken cooks over a bed of potatoes, soaking up all the smoky, spiced goodness, while a creamy yogurt sauce adds the perfect balance. It’s an easy, one-pan take on a classic Indian favorite.
Korean Roasted Chicken with Ginger Scallion Sauce
New favorite weeknight dinner: roasted spatchcocked Korean chicken marinade made with soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, gochujang, garlic chili oil, paprika + spicy bean paste.
Served with a blended ginger scallion sauce (you can also just chop by hand with sesame oil + salt), rice, and served family style with butter lettuce wraps! Just set on the table and make your wraps as you go. SO good.
Calabrian Balsamic Chicken Thighs
I LOVE these Calabrian and balsamic chicken thighs! This simple balsamic chicken recipe is a wonderful weeknight easy chicken dinner. We are serving this meal with a pearl couscous tabouli and roasted tomatoes and garlic.
I also love how I’ll always have the balsamic chicken marinade ingredients on hand (and less than 6 ingredients), using Calabrian chili, garlic, vinegar, brown sugar, and salt and pepper. The most amazing flavorful sauce!
Harissa & Sumac Roasted Chicken with Tzatziki
Weeknight dinner idea: this harissa and sumac roasted chicken with tzatziki! It is SO good. First, you’ll start by making your marinade with harissa powder, lemon pepper, sumac, paprika, salt, pepper, and oil, all tossed over a spatchcocked chicken.
Literally, this roast chicken has so much flavor!
Crispy and Breaded Chicken
Crispy Panko Breaded Buffalo Chicken Cutlets
These Crispy Panko Breaded Buffalo Chicken Cutlets bring the heat and crunch to any dinner. These cutlets are thin-pounded and coated in a panko mixture, and then finished with buffalo sauce.
Dreaming over this paprika and mustard spatchcock chicken. I love to prep this on a Sunday night and eat throughout the week. Pair with dinner with roasted vegetables and greens or rice. Save the bones for stock and shred in salads, sandwiches + more. Options are endless!
Crispy Chicken Schnitzel Recipe
This crispy chicken schnitzel recipe is absolutely EPIC. A panko blend with fresh parsley and basil, with dried herbs like oregano, garlic powder, ginger powder, and paprika make this chicken super crispy. This is hands down one of my favorite dishes, filled with so much flavor and lots of crunch.
Chicken and Potato Recipes
Roasted Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes (10 Ingredients!)
This is a dinner we never get tired of: Roasted Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes with under 10 ingredients. Chicken and potatoes get roasted together in one pan with a garlicky, lemon, and oregano-spiced marinade. Serve alongside some Greek yogurt, and dinner is perfection!
This one-pan chicken and potatoes recipe is sure to become a new staple for an easy and delicious weeknight meal. This baked chicken and potatoes have flavors of ancho chili flakes and a mix of dried herbs. This dish is packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion. And…you only need one pot or one pan for easy cleanup!
Soups, Salads & Braised Chicken
THIS lemon chicken orzo soup recipe is amazing! This soup is cozy, hearty, and SO delicious. Made with homemade chicken stock and loads of vegetables like carrots and celery, this is a spin on a traditional classic (might I add some of the best chicken soup I’ve ever made or tasted).
Sumac Chicken Salad with Feta Basil Dressing
This Sumac chicken salad with feta basil dressing is one of my favorite chicken salad recipes! The best feta dressing ever. Loads of ingredients tossed with a creamy dressing. This recipe has SO much flavor! The salad is filled with all the veggies like cucumber, red onions, and sun-dried tomatoes, tons of greens, sumac chicken, couscous, and more! Literally obsessed.
Honey Braised Gochujang Chicken and Chickpeas
This honey-braised Gochujang chicken and chickpeas recipe will be in your weekday dinner rotation! This gochujang chicken is SO good! Braised with chickpeas and green onions, with hints of spice and sweetness. The marinade has SO much savory flavor, and the mix of flavors is the perfect balance.
Chicken Recipes for Thanksgiving FAQs
Start with a light salad tossed in a simple dressing, alongside a roasted chicken, roasted vegetables, and cookies for dessert.
Start with a whole roasted chicken in the oven with all of the autumnal herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and sage.
Any chicken you can get your hands on; it doesn’t need to be a whole chicken, and just roast it in the oven low and slow with your favorite spices and olive oil until cooked.
Even More Thanksgiving Recipes
Find all our Thanksgiving recipes in our index!
If you do make any of these 15 Easy Chicken Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner, leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, we would love to hear what you think! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram, we love to see what you’re making! If you’d like to stay in touch and get the latest in your inbox, sign up for our Newsletter. We can also be found on YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest!
