Big Batch Chicken Dinners The Whole Family Will Love

It’s no surprise that chicken dinners are so popular. Tender, succulent, and an ideal blank canvas, chicken is a hearty, delicious food that many people love. Its versatility makes it a great pick for family dinners, entertaining, and special occasions. But what to cook? If you’re looking for ideas for big batch chicken dinners, we’re here to help.

Chicken Salad

If you’re looking for something on the lighter side that’s great for easy summer dinners, then chicken salad is ideal. Served between slices of crusty bread, spooned into lettuce cubs, or simply eaten with a fork, chicken salad is a healthy and delicious dinner. Best of all: it’s relatively easy to make for a crowd. For an extra tender version, use chicken thighs rather than chicken breasts. The tender, succulent meat means that every bite makes you think “that’s the best one yet!” Mix in your favorite flavorings, like crumbled cooked bacon, thinly sliced scallions, snipped chives, capers, or even chopped olives. Toasted, chopped nuts are welcome, too. As for dressing? You can go for anything from a classic mayonnaise version to a French-style Dijon vinaigrette. Get started with The Kitchn’s template for How To Make Classic, Creamy Chicken Salad and then riff from there. If you like to get ahead, store the prepared chicken salad in our Vacuum Seal Stainless Steel Mixing and Storage Bowls, which will protect your fridge from salad smells and the salad from fridge smells.

Braised Chicken Thighs

Your Dutch oven is simply calling out for chicken thighs, which just might be the perfect big batch chicken dinner. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are arguably the best bit of the chicken. It’s easy to make a one-pot chicken thigh dinner without a recipe: Start by searing them in oil over medium-high heat until golden brown, then transfer them to a plate (skin-side up, so it stays crisp!) Cook any vegetables or aromatics in the drippings, then top with the chicken thighs again and bake in a 350ºF oven until the chicken is cooked through (an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the biggest thigh should read 165ºF). Or, try Delish’s Chicken Cacciatore recipe, which combines chicken thighs with mushrooms and a caper-packed tomato sauce.

Chicken Piccata

If you’re looking for a big batch chicken main that will please many people, look no further than chicken piccata, a dish made with thin chicken cutlets that get dredged in flour before frying in oil. Topped with a lemon-caper-butter sauce, chicken piccata is delicious served with rice, roasted potatoes, sliced and tossed with buttered noodles, or paired with steamed broccolini. Want to try it? We like Epicurious’s classic version of Chicken Piccata.

Chicken Pot Pie

Perhaps the definitive comfort food, chicken pot pie is a fantastic pick for big batch chicken dinner. Hear us out: Though it takes a bit of work to make the filling and assemble the pie crust, you can double up the batch and freeze one pie for eating later. It’s not really more work to make two pies than one. Filled with a creamy chicken and vegetable filling and topped with a flaky pie crust, the result is perfect for winter evenings with family and friends. Serve slices of pie with salad, potatoes, or steamed greens. We love this recipe for Chicken Pot Pie from Allrecipes.

White Chicken Chili

Nothing says big batch chicken dinner like a vat of bubbling chili, and white chicken chili is no exception. There are no hard and fast rules for white chicken chili—some recipes use ground meat while others prefer to poach and shred chicken thighs or breasts. And, of course, you can make a shortcut version with rotisserie chicken. Whatever format you choose for the meat, the key is in building great flavor with diced green chilis, white beans, and plenty of spices. Top bowls of white chicken chili with sliced avocado, sour cream, cilantro leaves, and tortilla chips (natch). It’s perfect made in your Dutch oven, though if you want to double or triple the batch, reach for your stock pot, instead. Try it yourself with Bon Appétit’s Cozy and Quick White Chicken Chili. 

Fried Chicken

Perhaps the quintessential big batch chicken dish, fried chicken is the way to make dinner feel fun. Paired with your favorite coleslaw, a batch of tender cornbread, and plenty of hot sauce, you can bring the feeling of backyard summer cookouts into your kitchen year-round. Fried chicken is great for a crowd (and not just because that means more people will be complimenting your cooking). Once you start frying, you might as well keep going, and any leftovers can be transformed into fried chicken sandwiches the next day. You’ll want to grab your deep sauté pan or Dutch oven to make fried chicken to avoid any dangerous oil splatters. Use our recipe for Fried Chicken With Spicy Honey Butter and prepare to hand out copies of the recipe for fans.