Last Minute Chicken – Barefeet In The Kitchen

How cool is it that this quick chicken recipe is the easiest chicken we make, and it is also some of the tastiest chicken we make? Seasoned with plenty of terrific flavors and quickly cooked in any number of ways, this chicken is the weeknight main dish that the whole family enjoys.

The Fastest Way to Cook Chicken

You only need a few minutes to get this chicken ready to cook and you’ll be sitting down to eat just ten minutes later. The chicken is great on its own with a side of raw vegetables and ranch dip. It can also be sliced thin for sandwiches, or chopped bite-size for soups, salads, or pasta.

I’ve been making this chicken probably every other week for over 5 years now. And yes, it’s taken that long for me to share it here on the website.

The recipe is another favorite from The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook. However, I use the chicken in so many other recipes, I decided it was past time to share the original here.

Why make this chicken?

It tastes fantastic. The whole family devours it every time I make it. This is the fastest possible way to cook chicken. It can be prepped in under 5 minutes and cooked in under 10. I could go on and on about how delicious and EASY this chicken is.

My preference and go-to cooking method for this chicken is my grill pan on the stove. When I’m in a rush, the oven method is a little faster, simply because you can cook all the pieces at once. This chicken can also be cooked in a skillet on the stove or on an outdoor grill.

Quick Chicken Recipes

To make a batch of last minute chicken, combine the garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle half the spices over the chicken. Turn the chicken pieces over and sprinkle the remaining spices over the chicken. Rub spices into the chicken, as needed, to coat well.

This recipe can be made with chicken breasts as well. Simply watch the cooking time and adjust as needed. Chicken breasts will cook faster than thighs, depending on their thickness.

I honestly don’t think you can have too many quick chicken recipes. Indian Chicken Bites was the first recipe I made using this method and in the years since, I’ve made Southwest Chicken Bits, and Sauteed Spiced Zucchini with Chicken Bits too. There are endless ways to switch things up when making chicken bites.

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken with juicy meat and crisp, flavorful skin can be on your dinner table with about 5 minutes’ worth of effort! This crispy chicken is made in the oven without any breading at all; the only ingredients you need are the chicken, a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper. And this Crispy Italian Chicken has a crispy skin and juicy interior that makes it one of my all-time favorite chicken recipes.

How To Cook Chicken On A Grill Pan

My preference and go-to cooking method for this chicken is my grill pan on the stove. When I’m in a rush, the oven method is a little faster, simply because you can cook all the pieces at once. This chicken can also be cooked in a skillet on the stove or on an outdoor grill.

Heat a nonstick grill pan over medium heat. Place half the chicken in the grill pan, making sure there is a gap between the pieces. Cook the chicken without touching it for 5 minutes.

Flip over and cook an additional 3-5 minutes until cooked through. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing thin.

Prefer to cook your chicken on the outdoor grill? You can find out How To Grill Chicken Thighs here too.

How To Broil Chicken Thighs

Preheat the oven to broil. Arrange an oven rack 6 inches from the top of the oven. Place a wire rack over a large baking tray. Arrange the chicken on the wire rack.

Place the chicken in the oven and broil for 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven, turn each piece of chicken over, and then broil an additional 5-6 minutes. Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing thin.

Broiled Chicken Thighs have been a staple in my meal planning for about as long as I can remember. Learning how to broil chicken makes it easy to get a delicious dinner on the table fast.

What to Serve with this Chicken

We like to serve this chicken with Roasted Fingerlings. (That aioli makes an awesome dipping sauce for the chicken too!) It’s also great with Chipotle Lime Rice, Ramen Noodle Salad, and this Dill Pickle Potato Salad.

Try the chicken over this creamy Fettuccine Alfredo and pair it with a Strawberry Spinach Salad for a restaurant-worthy meal on your next date night at home.

{originally published 5/13/20 – recipe notes and photos updated 10/2/25}