14 Easy Chicken Recipes for Entertaining
Chicken is the one ingredient that works for almost every party, budget and guest list. There’s a chicken dish for every kind of gathering, from finger food to a full dinner party. I’ve rounded up 14 easy chicken recipes for entertaining, with appetizers and mains that are delicious without keeping you in the kitchen all night. Plenty of them can be made ahead too!
Chicken Appetizers and Finger Foods
1. Chicken Sesame Toast
Crispy, golden and covered in toasted sesame seeds, these chicken toasts are the first thing to disappear at any party. Easy to make, top chicken on bread and fry until crunchy. Serve them with sweet and sour sauce for dipping and watch them disappear!
2. Chicken and Waffles
These chicken and waffle bites are a full meal in one bite. They are a cute finger food option that guests of all ages love! Stacking them together gives a super impressive look, but they’re easy and simple to make! Serve them up with ranch or spicy sauce on the side. Use a mini waffle maker to get the adorable mini waffles!
3. Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Oven Baked Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip has all the bold Buffalo flavors you love, baked into a lighter, wholesome version. It’s spicy, creamy, and ideal for game day spreads or holiday parties where you’re craving something warm.
4. Sticky Chicken Meatballs
This is a favorite dinner in my house that I regularly make. They’re really easy to make, making them ideal for dinner, but they’re also perfect for parties! These chicken meatballs are coated in a sweet and savory glaze that you can serve on a party platter with toothpicks. They’re a good one when you need something that feeds a lot of people.
5. Lemon Herb Chicken Skewers
Chicken skewers are a huge trend now, and it’s easy to see why; they’re delicious and super easy to make! Marinate the chicken in lemon, garlic and herbs, then grill or bake until golden. They look pretty on a platter and work for casual parties and elegant ones, especially with a creamy dipping sauce on the side.
6. Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
You don’t need a fryer for great wings! Baking them until crispy keeps things simple, and you can toss them in honey garlic, buffalo or your favorite sauce. Put out a few different sauces and let guests pick. They’re a hit at every kind of party or event.
7. Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich
If you’re looking for a chicken salad sandwich, this one is a winner! Made with creamy chicken with sweet cranberries and crunchy pecans, tucked into bread. They’re easy to make ahead and great for showers, brunches and potlucks. Check out my finger sandwich recipes for more ideas like this one.
Chicken Mains for a Dinner Party
8. Chicken Shawarma
This is one of the easiest and most impressive chicken appetizers or mains. Made with Middle Eastern spices, dark boneless chicken and served with hummus, tahini, and vegetables. Set out wraps, rice or a big platter with toppings and let everyone build their own plate. To serve as an appetizer, place the chicken on a bed of hummus on small individual plates.
9. Creamy Tuscan Chicken
These juicy chicken breasts are seasoned with Italian spices and seared until golden, then simmered in a creamy sauce packed with parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, onions and plenty of spinach. It all happens in one skillet- super easy, and the sauce is so good you’ll want something to soak it up, so serve it over pasta, rice or mashed potatoes!
10. Chicken Marsala
Tender chicken in a silky mushroom and wine sauce is elegant enough for a dinner party but easy enough for a weeknight. It comes together in one pan and goes beautifully with pasta or creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a good choice when you want to impress without stress.
11. Mediterranean Sheet Pan Chicken
One pan, minimal washing up and gorgeous colors. Chicken roasted with tomatoes, olives, peppers and herbs looks beautiful on the table and needs very little attention. It’s a great pick when you’d rather spend the evening with your guests than at the stove.
Planning a party menu and want to keep everything organized? My Printable Party & Event Planner ($9.99) has a menu page, guest list, budget tracker and timeline, so you know exactly what to cook and when!
12. Easy Baked Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs stay juicy and are very forgiving, which makes them perfect for entertaining. Season them simply, bake until the skin is crispy and serve with your favorite sides. They’re budget-friendly and easy to scale up for a bigger group.
13. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Let the slow cooker do the work while you get ready for guests. Sweet, sticky honey garlic chicken is great over rice, and it keeps warm for hours. It’s ideal for casual get-togethers and buffets.
14. Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Layer shredded chicken, black beans, green chiles and cheese between tortillas and bake until bubbly, so you get all the flavor of enchiladas without rolling a single one! Rotisserie chicken makes it even quicker, and you can prep the filling the day before and assemble just before baking. It serves 8, so it’s great for a crowd. Set out sour cream, avocado and tortilla chips and let everyone top their own!
My Thoughts
Chicken is one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd, and these recipes prove it can be fancy, casual, spicy or comforting depending on the occasion. My top tips are to pick at least one make-ahead dish, balance a hot dish with a cold one, and don’t try to make everything from scratch! For more menu ideas, check out my easy party finger food ideas and food board ideas.
Sarah xx
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