Chicken Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less

Let’s face it – we all have those evenings when opening a cookbook to find a recipe with 20+ ingredients just feels like too much. After a decade of running this food blog and hearing from thousands of busy home cooks, I’ve learned that simplicity often creates the most satisfying meals. That’s why I’ve gathered my absolute favorite chicken recipes that require just 5 ingredients or less!

These recipes have saved my dinner plans countless times, and I’ve perfected them through years of testing. The beauty lies in their simplicity – fewer ingredients means less shopping, less prep time, and often, cleaner flavors that let quality ingredients shine.

Why Simple Chicken Recipes Are Kitchen Heroes

Before diving into these delicious recipes, let me share why 5-ingredient chicken dishes deserve a permanent spot in your cooking rotation:

Time-Saving Champions

On busy weeknights when soccer practice runs late or work meetings stretch beyond schedule, these recipes have been my secret weapon. With minimal measuring and prep work, you can have dinner on the table in record time. Last Tuesday, when my daughter’s science project took over our evening, I whipped up the lemon garlic chicken thighs in just 20 minutes of active cooking time!

Budget-Friendly Options

With grocery prices climbing higher than my sourdough on a good day, recipes with fewer ingredients naturally cost less. I’ve calculated that these 5-ingredient wonders typically cost 30-40% less than my more complex recipes. When I switched to making these simpler meals three nights a week, our monthly grocery bill dropped noticeably.

Less Food Waste

How many times have you bought specialty ingredients for a single recipe, only to find them wilted or expired weeks later? When you stick to recipes with fewer ingredients – especially ones you regularly keep on hand – you’ll waste less food and feel better about your environmental impact.

Perfect for Beginner Cooks

These recipes have been the most requested by my college-aged nephew and his roommates who are just learning to cook. With minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques, they build confidence in the kitchen without overwhelming new cooks.

Essential Pantry Items to Complement Your 5-Ingredient Recipes

Before sharing the recipes, let’s talk about what I don’t count toward the 5-ingredient limit. These are the pantry staples I assume most kitchens have on hand:

• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil or cooking oil
• Water
• Basic dried herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
• Garlic powder

If your pantry isn’t stocked with these basics yet, consider picking them up – they’ll elevate all your cooking, not just these chicken recipes!

5-Ingredient Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

This recipe has been the most-viewed on my blog for three years running, and for good reason. The combination of bright lemon and savory garlic creates intensely flavorful chicken with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 3 lemons
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1/4 cup honey

Instructions:

1. Prep the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the zest and juice from 2 lemons, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, and honey. Stir until well combined.
2. Marinate the chicken: Add chicken thighs to the bowl, turning to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (though overnight works amazingly if you plan ahead).
3. Prepare for cooking: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup.
4. Arrange for baking: Place marinated chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet, skin side up. Pour any remaining marinade over the chicken. Slice the remaining lemon and tuck the slices between chicken pieces.
5. Bake to perfection: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Rest before serving: Allow chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, which helps keep those juices in the meat where they belong!

When I make this for my family, I usually pair it with a simple side of roasted potatoes or a quick salad. The pan juices make an incredible sauce – don’t waste a drop!

5-Ingredient Balsamic Glazed Chicken Breasts

This recipe saved me when I had unexpected dinner guests last month. It looks fancy enough for company but requires almost no effort.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Instructions:

1. Season the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and nearly cooked through.
3. Prepare the glaze: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add balsamic vinegar and honey to the skillet, stirring to combine. Add cherry tomatoes.
4. Finish cooking: Let everything simmer together for 5-7 minutes, occasionally spooning the glaze over the chicken. The glaze will thicken, and the tomatoes will begin to burst.
5. Add the finishing touch: Remove from heat and sprinkle with torn basil leaves just before serving.

The tangy-sweet glaze on this chicken is absolutely addictive, and the burst tomatoes create little pockets of bright flavor. I’ve had friends ask for this recipe after just one bite!

5-Ingredient Salsa Verde Slow Cooker Chicken

When I know I’ll have a hectic day ahead, this is my go-to recipe. The slow cooker does all the work while you’re handling life’s demands.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 16 oz jar salsa verde
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Layer the ingredients: Place chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the chicken.
2. Add remaining components: Pour salsa verde and chicken broth over the seasoned chicken. Add the drained and rinsed white beans.
3. Set it and forget it: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Shred and serve: Before serving, shred the chicken using two forks directly in the slow cooker. Stir to combine with the sauce.

This versatile chicken can be served in so many ways – over rice, in tortillas as tacos, on nachos, or even stuffed in a baked sweet potato. Last time I made this, we enjoyed it three different ways throughout the week!

5-Ingredient Parmesan Crusted Chicken Cutlets

These crispy, cheesy chicken cutlets have converted even my most chicken-skeptical dinner guests. The outside gets perfectly golden while the inside stays juicy.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds chicken cutlets (or breasts pounded thin)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Set up your breading station: In one shallow dish, beat the eggs. In another shallow dish, combine Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and Italian seasoning.
2. Bread the chicken: Dip each chicken cutlet into the beaten eggs, then press into the Parmesan-panko mixture, coating both sides thoroughly.
3. Prepare for cooking: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Cook to golden perfection: Cook chicken cutlets for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
5. Drain and serve: Briefly rest cooked cutlets on paper towels to remove excess oil before serving.

My kids request these chicken cutlets weekly! I usually serve them with a squeeze of lemon juice and a simple green vegetable on the side. The leftovers (if there are any) make incredible chicken sandwiches for lunch the next day.

5-Ingredient Coconut Curry Chicken

When takeout cravings strike but your wallet says “cook at home,” this simplified curry comes to the rescue. It’s creamy, slightly spicy, and deeply satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
• 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons red curry paste
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow onion, sliced

Instructions:

1. Brown the chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken chunks and cook until browned on all sides (about 5-7 minutes).
2. Add aromatics: Add sliced onion and bell pepper to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
3. Create the sauce: Stir in red curry paste, making sure to coat the chicken and vegetables. Pour in coconut milk and stir to combine.
4. Simmer to perfection: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and sauce has thickened slightly.
5. Serve hot: Enjoy over rice or with naan bread for soaking up that delicious sauce.

I discovered this recipe during the pandemic when grocery trips were limited and restaurant dining wasn’t an option. It’s become such a favorite that it’s still in regular rotation even though we could easily order takeout now.

Tips for Success with Simple Chicken Recipes

After years of developing and testing recipes, I’ve learned that simple cooking requires attention to certain details:

Quality Ingredients Matter More

When you’re only using a few ingredients, their quality becomes even more important. This is where I recommend investing in slightly better chicken (free-range if possible), real Parmigiano-Reggiano instead of pre-grated stuff, and fresh herbs when the recipe calls for them.

Master Basic Chicken Cooking Techniques

Learning to properly sear chicken (getting that golden crust without overcooking), checking for doneness with a meat thermometer (165°F is your target), and allowing meat to rest before cutting will elevate every chicken dish you make.

The Power of Proper Seasoning

Even with just salt and pepper, proper seasoning makes an enormous difference. Season chicken before cooking, taste sauces before serving, and don’t be afraid to add a final sprinkle of flaky salt to finish a dish.

Flexibility Is Your Friend

These recipes are incredibly forgiving and adaptable. No lemons? Try orange or lime instead. Out of honey? Maple syrup or brown sugar can work in many recipes. The more comfortable you get with substitutions, the more these 5-ingredient recipes will serve you.

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

One of the greatest advantages of these simple chicken recipes is how well they work for meal prepping:

Freezer-Friendly Options

The salsa verde chicken and coconut curry chicken freeze beautifully. I often make a double batch and freeze half in portion-sized containers for easy future meals.

Batch Cooking for Busy Weeks

When I know a particularly hectic week is coming, I’ll prepare a big batch of the Parmesan crusted cutlets on Sunday. They reheat well in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or even in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes.

Creative Leftover Transformations

Leftover lemon garlic chicken can be shredded for amazing chicken salad sandwiches. Balsamic glazed chicken can be sliced and added to a quick pasta dish. Learning to repurpose leftovers means you’re really getting two meals from one cooking session.

Why These Recipes Have Stood the Test of Time

In my decade of food blogging, I’ve shared hundreds of recipes, but these simple chicken dishes continue to receive the most views, comments, and shares. I think it’s because they hit the sweet spot of being:

• Approachable: Anyone can make these successfully
• Reliable: They work every time with consistent results
• Adaptable: They can be customized to what you have on hand
• Satisfying: Despite their simplicity, they deliver big on flavor

As we all navigate increasingly busy lives, having a repertoire of simple, delicious recipes becomes more valuable than ever. These 5-ingredient chicken recipes prove that you don’t need complicated techniques or extensive ingredient lists to create meals that nourish both body and soul.

I’d love to hear which of these recipes you try first and how you might adapt them to your family’s preferences! Leave a comment below sharing your experience or asking any questions you might have.