Learn My 10 Southern Secrets to Beautiful Gatherings

Best Chicken Recipes for Family Meals and Entertaining

Discover the Southern chicken recipes every cook should know. From easy weeknight dinners and comforting casseroles to baked favorites and party-ready dishes, this collection of trusted recipes will make chicken the star of your table.

With over 45 chicken recipes gathered in one place, this roundup is your go-to guide for cooking chicken with confidence — Southern style. These are the meals I rely on for busy weeknights, effortless entertaining, and Sunday suppers with family. No matter what you’re planning, you’ll find a recipe here that works — and works well — every single time.

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My Tips For Cooking The Best Chicken Recipes

I’ve cooked a lot of chicken in my kitchen, and over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks. Here are the simple things I do to make sure every recipe turns out tender, juicy, and full of flavor.

  • Use a meat thermometer: It’s the easiest way to make sure your chicken is juicy and safe to eat—165°F for breasts, 175°F for thighs.
  • Rest before slicing: Letting your chicken rest for 5–10 minutes locks in the juices. Y’all do not skip this step, ever!
  • Season generously: Chicken has a mild flavor, so seasoning it up is crucial for great flavor – don’t hold back on salt, pepper, herbs, and spices.
  • Marinate or brine: A quick marinade or simple saltwater brine makes chicken more flavorful and tender.
  • Batch cook for busy weeks: Grill or roast extra chicken, then shred it for salads, soups, or wraps later in the week. This is my best lazy genius hack!

Easy Weeknight Chicken Recipes

Fried chicken leg served on white parchment paper in a red basket.

Oven Fried Chicken (Crispy And Juicy)

Learn how to make crispy, succulent chicken in the oven, without sacrificing flavor or texture! This simple recipe for Oven Fried Chicken is a winner on busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or any time you want delicious fried chicken without a lot of work.

Whole cooked chicken cooked in the air fryer with golden crispy skin, sliced and served on a bed of fresh parsley on a white plate.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

This Air Fryer Whole Chicken is so easy to make! Roasted chicken that's tender and juicy on the inside, with crispy skin, is totally irresistible. This guide for making the BEST whole chicken in the air fryer is one you'll use over and over again!

Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs with sauce and lemons.

Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs

In just minutes, you can make rich, tangy homemade BBQ Sauce with just the right amount of sweetness and heat! This made-from-scratch sauce is great slathered on chicken, pork, or beef, plus it's great as a dip for fries, onion rings, and veggies.

Marry Me Chicken made with chicken breasts, sun dried tomatoes, cooked in a light cream sauce with fresh basil served on a white plate.

Marry Me Chicken (Quick And Easy)

Tender, juicy chicken cooked in a creamy, rich, and savory sauce is an impressive one-pan dish made in under 30 minutes! Marry Me Chicken might sound strange, but after just one bite, you'll be smitten with this incredibly flavorful recipe.

Tender, juicy chicken marinated in balsamic, honey, garlic, olive oil fresh thyme and rosemary is an easy recipe to make on the grill or in the oven. Perfect for a weeknight meal or a lazy Sunday supper.

Juicy Balsamic Chicken Thighs

For an easy weeknight meal or a casual weekend get together, Balsamic Chicken Thighs are always a welcome sight at the table. Marinated in balsamic vinegar, honey with fresh herbs and garlic, this chicken is tender, juicy, tangy, and sweet.

Melt In Your Mouth Chicken

This Melt In Your Mouth Chicken recipe is a true winner! It’s easy and simple, with a creamy, cheesy topping that gives juicy, tender chicken a flavor boost that’s hard to beat. Plus, with just a handful of ingredients, you can have this dish on the table with minimal effort but maximum flavor.

Baked Ranch Chicken – Sheet Pan Recipe

This easy sheet pan chicken dinner comes together with just a few pantry spices and one pan. Juicy chicken thighs with crispy skin, roasted red onion, and bold ranch seasoning—simple, flavorful, and perfect for a busy night.

Herb butter with thyme, basil and oregano flavors a whole chicken roasted in the oven on a bed of new potatoes.

Herb Butter Roast Chicken with Potatoes

Chicken, slathered in butter flavored with herbs, then perfectly roasted on a bed of potatoes is something totally fantastic. This simple recipe doesn’t have any fancy tricks and once you make it, you’ll understand why it’s something to brag about! I’ve been roasting chicken for years. I have several different recipes in my collection and

Grilled Pineapple Chicken Skewers

Air fryer chicken thighs in the basket of an air fryer.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

If you’re looking for the juiciest, most flavorful chicken thighs without all the fuss of frying, this Air-Fried Chicken Thighs recipe is the one for you! With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll get perfectly crisp, golden skin and tender, juicy chicken, all in under 30 minutes!

Tender, and juicy oven baked chicken with a rich BBQ sauce with all the flavors you love from summer grilling is easy to make and the perfect weeknight meal.

Baked BBQ Chicken Breast

Make the best Oven Baked BBQ Chicken with this easy 4-ingredient recipe! The chicken is moist and juicy with a sweet BBQ glaze that is so good you won't believe it was made in the oven.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) are so delcious flavored with lemon pepper, paprika, garlic powder. Roasted to perfection in just 20 minutes, this is a great, inexpensive weeknight main dish and perfect for feeding a crowd.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

This recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs is the best for perfectly seasoned drumsticks without heavy breading and extra oil. They are juicy on the inside with mouthwatering crispy, crunchy skin. If that were not enough, they are ready to serve in 20 minutes!

On pan Skillet Chicken Spaghetti on a striped towel to cool.

Skillet Chicken Spaghetti

Juicy chunks of chicken with tender spaghetti in tomato sauce cooked in a cast iron skillet makes a great one dish meal. Topped with cheese then baked in the oven turn into a family favorite dish!

Roasted Chicken With Lemon

When juicy, tender chicken pairs with irresistibly crispy skin, you know you're in for a treat with this Lemon Roast Chicken! I’ve got some foolproof tricks to make it 'perfect' every time, and trust me, you'll be amazed at how consistently delicious it turns out.

Oven roasted chicken breasts.

Roasted Chicken Breasts

Craving juicy, mouthwatering chicken? With just five simple ingredients, this Oven Roasted Chicken Breasts recipe is foolproof! Perfectly tender and delicious chicken that's versatile enough for any meal, it's easy to make with my easy-to-follow tips.

Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken

This Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken recipe is sweet, smoky, and just spicy enough! Made with honey, chipotle peppers, and lime, it's perfect for grilling season.

Sheet Pan Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs

With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, this sweet and savory Sheet Pan Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs recipe is a game-changer for busy home cooks! Treat yourself to a meal that's as easy to make as it is delicious to eat!

Chicken Casseroles and Comfort Food Classics

Southern Style Chicken Stew

This classic, “Southern Style” recipe has been around for generations. It’s full of tender chicken in a creamy broth seasoned with salt and pepper. It’s simple, straightforward, and absolutely delicious!

A delicious, easy to make casserole with spaghetti, chicken, Rotel tomatoes and chilie, cream cheese, sour cream and cheddar cheese. A great dish for potlucks, covered dish suppers or when you're feeding a crowd!

Rotel Chicken Spaghetti

Out Of This World Rotel Chicken Spaghetti is a family favorite one-pan meal. Made with tender chicken, tomatoes and green chilies tossed in a creamy, cheesy sauce, this is pasta casserole taken to a whole new level! This easy to make recipe is always a hit at the supper table, potlucks and makes a great freezer meal.

Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup

Creamy chicken soup loaded with soft, fluffy gnocchi and tender vegetables is comforting, delicious, and simple to make! If you've ever had The Olive Garden's version, hold on, because now, you can make this popular, comfort food recipe at home in 30 minutes.

Braised Chicken Thighs

With the temperatures dropping, you already know it's time for comfort food! Tender, juicy Braised Chicken Thighs are simple to make and out of this world delicious. Packed with rich flavors, this easy to make recipe is sure to keep you and your family warm this winter!

White bowls with taco soup topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and avocado on a brown table, with spoons and a green check napkin.

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup is the ultimate combination of flavor and convenience! It's loaded with all your favorite taco flavors in a rich, comforting soup. It's a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed year-round, whether you're hosting a casual dinner party or craving a cozy meal.

Close Chicken Alfredo Bake with broccoli and a fork.

Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Cheesy, creamy Chicken Alfredo Bake is a family favorite dish that's irresistible! When you're craving comfort food, look no further than this recipe. It's a make-ahead one-dish wonder that's great for potlucks, covered dish suppers, a weeknight meal, or when you're feeding a crowd.

Homemade Chicken and Cheese Tortellini Soup is hearty and so easy to make. Made with rotesseri chicken, cheese filled tortellini, white beans, carrots, celery and herbs in a store bought broth.

Chicken and Cheese Tortellini Soup

A few, quality store bought ingredients are all simmered together in a rich broth to make the perfect chicken soup with pillows of cheese tortellini and beans.

Creamy Chicken Casserole in a white casserole dish with a wooden spoon for serving.

Creamy Chicken Casserole

If you’re looking for a delicious way to use up leftover chicken (or turkey), this is a great casserole for the job.

Crock Pot Favorites

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs in bowl of pot with serving fork.

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

Juicy, fall-apart chicken thighs slow-cooked in a bold, savory-sweet sauce made with garlic, honey, and soy. It’s comfort food with big flavor—just the kind of dish that makes weeknights easier and weekends even better.

Buffalo chicken cooked in a crock pot.

5-Ingredient Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken

Enjoy this easy-to-make Buffalo Chicken on sandwiches, in dips, salads, sliders, or pizza! Buffalo Chicken made with just 5 ingredients cooked low and slow in the Crock Pot is a recipe with so many uses!

Mississippi Chicken cooked in the crock pot made into sliders with cheese and baked in the voen.

Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken Sliders

With only 5 ingredients, Mississippi Chicken cooked in the slow cooker is tender, juicy, and packed with spicy flavors. When this mouthwatering chicken is turned into sliders, with melted cheese then you've got something irresistible for a weeknight meal. This scrumptious recipe is great to serve as an appetizer, for parties, and perfect for game day!

Crock Pot cooked chicken breasts cooked in salsa, cream cheese and seasoning the shredded and served with sliced jalapenose and fresh parsley.

Crock Pot Creamy Salsa Chicken Recipe (3-Ingredients)

Crock Pot Creamy Salsa Chicken is a simple 3-ingredient recipe that combines tender chicken, zesty salsa, and cream cheese into a main masterpiece! It's terrific served for tacos, nachos, over rice, and salads.

Crock Pot Chicken Legs

Juicy, fall-apart Crock Pot chicken legs made with homemade BBQ sauce. An easy dinner recipe that works for family meals or casual cookouts.

Easy to make White Chicken Chili in a bowl topped with cool sour cream and tortilla chips is totally delcious!

Creamy White Chicken Chili

Creamy White Chicken Chili is warm, comforting, and ready to serve in just 30 minutes. Made with cream cheese and tender chicken, this chili hits the spot on a cool night and is great for game day.

Lemon chicken cooked in the crock pot on a white platter with garlic and a fresh thyme sprigs.

Crock Pot Lemon Chicken

Lemon Chicken, cooked low and slow in the Crock Pot is succulent, juicy, and fall off the bone tender. Flavored with garlic, lemon, and thyme, this recipe makes an impressive dish when entertaining, yet it’s simple enough for a weeknight meal!

Shredded chicken cooked low and slow in the crock pot is flavored with taco seasoning and salsa. It's an easy to make recipe that great for tacos, nachos, burrito bowls and salads.

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

This Crock Pot Salsa Chicken recipe is versatile, delicious, and made with just 3-ingredients! It's a flavor-loaded dish that will quickly become your go-to when it's time to serve up your favorite Mexican dishes like tacos, nachos, burrito bowls and salads

Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan served with cooked spaghetti, fresh bread and a green salad.

Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan

Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-inspired meal that's easy to make and perfect for busy days. This hands-off cooking method makes tender, juicy chicken that's slow-cooked in Mariana sauce and then finished with a topping of rich shredded cheese. Serve it over pasta for a one-pot dish everyone will love after just one bite!

Chicken Appetizers and Party Favorites

Air Fryer chicken wings are crispy, crunch and juicy. Made with chicken wings, Montreal Steak seasoning, garlic powder and salt. They are super yummy served with cool ranch dip and Texas Pete hot sauce.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Extra crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these Air Fryer Chicken Wings are totally irresistible! No oil or marinating is needed for the BEST wings made in about 30 minutes.

Lemon garlic oven baked chicken wings on a wooden board with lemon slices and topped with chopped parsley.

Lemon Garlic Baked Chicken Wings

Lemony, garlicky baked chicken wings are downright lip-smacking good! These wings are cooked in the oven with a light, super flavorful sauce that will make you think twice about ever frying your wings again.

Buffalo chicken Dip with dipped tortilla chip.

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip is a quick and easy appetizer that is sure to be a hit at your next party! Made with slow-cooked buffalo chicken, cheese and loaded with your favorite wing sauce, it's a hot, creamy dip that will have everyone begging you for the recipe.

Red basket with Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders cooked in the air fyer area crispy and spicy served with pickles.

Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken is a new healthy twist on the classic Southern dish that people rave about! With iconic sweet heat flavors of honey, cayenne, and hot sauce coating crispy air-fried chicken, this recipe will have you licking your lips and your fingers to savor every amazing bite.

Flatbread topped with buffalo chicken, blue cheese, celery and mozzarella then baked, cut into triangles on a wooden cutting board topped with parchment paper.

Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizza, made in less than 20 minutes, is an easy-to-make recipe that's perfect for game day or a weeknight meal. It's loaded with spicy buffalo chicken piled on tender bread with a slathering of ranch dressing, then sprinkled with blue cheese.

Easy Chicken Salads I Rely On All Year Long

Waldorf Chicken Salad With Apples And Grapes

A little sweet, a little savory, and a whole lot of fresh flavor! This Waldorf Chicken Salad is creamy, crunchy, and just right for easy lunches, picnics, entertaining or anytime you’re craving something simple and satisfying.

Homemade Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

This easy-to-make recipe has loads of tender chicken, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and sweet apples. It's great as a sandwich, with lettuce as a salad, on crackers, and great for parties and potlucks. 

Easy BBQ Chicken Salad

BBQ Chicken Salad is a perfect mix of smoky, tangy, and fresh ingredients! Ideal for busy weeknights or a light lunch, this easy-to-make salad is a fresh and healthy way to enjoy all the bold flavors of BBQ in one irresistible bite.

Artichoke Chicken Salad made with shredded white meat chicken, artichokes, capers and red onion tossed in a creamy, light, fresh dressing is a great new twist on a classic recipe!

Artichoke Chicken Salad

Artichoke Chicken Salad is a fresh twist on a classic recipe. This salad is so versatile and is easy to throw together for lunch, when company comes over or for parties! Loaded with tender chicken, artichokes, capers and red onions, then all tossed in a light, bright dressing, this salad is sure to become a

Avocado Chicken Salad

Tender chicken and creamy avocados are the stars of the show in this flavor-packed salad. Avocado Chicken Salad with bacon, corn, red onion, and almonds, all tossed in a creamy vinaigrette, is the perfect light salad for lunch and makes excellent sandwiches and wraps.

Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Skewers are juicy and tender. Make with lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Add in a chopped salad with tomatoes, onions and cucumbers and you've got a meal your friends and family will love!

Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Chopped Greek Salad

Tender, flavorful Chicken Souvlaki Skewers grilled to perfection then pared with a fresh Chopped Greek Salad is game day food at it’s BEST! Bright flavors of lemon and oregano along with just the right amount of garlic make the chicken absolutely mouthwatering. So, fire up the grill and make this game day recipe. You’ll be

The Chicken Menus I Rely On for Gatherings Big and Small

When I’m hosting, I lean on chicken to build menus that work for everything from casual get-togethers to sit-down suppers. Here are a few of my favorites.

Menu 1: Sunday Supper with Friends

Menu 2: Fresh and Easy Party Menu

Menu 3: Game Day Get-Together

The Effortless Host eBook

My New eBook!

The Effortless Host

Hosting doesn’t have to mean stress, long to-do lists, or staying stuck in the kitchen. The Effortless Host is your shortcut to pulling off beautiful gatherings with confidence and ease.

5 Days of

Southern Christmas Showstoppers

GET THIS FREE GUIDE: Southern favorites from appetizers, to cookies, to my Christmas dinner menu.

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