This easy teriyaki chicken recipe is one of those recipes I keep in my back pocket for busy nights when I want something comforting but don’t want to think too hard about dinner. It’s sweet, savory, glossy, and comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients. No store-bought sauce here!

If takeout teriyaki is your usual go-to, this homemade version is going to surprise you. It’s faster than delivery, easy to customize, and one of those meals everyone at the table is happy to see.

The Best Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Cade loves sushi. Like, loves it. I think it is horrid. Wait, I know, you all love it too, but I just can’t jump on that bandwagon. I kind of want to, but at this point I’m just trying to find ways to survive. For example, I adore Cade and because he loves sushi I love going out with him for it.

The only stinky part is that then I sit there with nothing to eat, so I generally try to get a teriyaki chicken bowl or something similar. I loved an easy teriyaki chicken bowl growing up and remember how I told you about our teriyaki chicken quesadillas? Yeah, pretty much delicious. So why have I never posted such an easy and delicious recipe?!

I think the real secret to teriyaki chicken, other than a good sauce, is actually the meat you use. Everyone goes for breast meat, which is awesome and leaner, but it’s all about them thighs! Chicken thighs are more moist and work so well with the teriyaki sauce.

In fact, maybe I should ask if they could make a teriyaki chicken sushi roll!!! GENIUS! Oh, wait, except I don’t love the seaweed. Dagnabit! See! I’ve tried to like the stuff. Any recommendations on what kind I should try that would be better for me to ease into? And in the meantime, bust out our easy teriyaki chicken bowl for the fam!

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A one-skillet dinner that’s healthy, easy AND flavorful?! That’s right, this cheesy chicken, sweet potato and kale skillet meal is nutritious and delicious, just the way a busy weeknight meal should be!

Easily one of my go-to meals lately, my savory chicken and sweet potato recipe is packed with kale, veggies and protein.

There’s a lot of talk about perimenopause lately, so I wanted to create a dish that is not only perfect for busy families, but also something to help support those feeling like they might be entering perimenopause in their 30s and 40s. Heck, it’s a great recipe for menopause too! I love how healthy and balanced this meal is!

Ingredients for Healthy Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet

• Chicken Breasts: Main protein; provides heartiness, structure, and a mild flavor that carries the spices.
• Salt and Pepper: Core seasonings; salt enhances natural flavors, while pepper adds gentle heat and balance.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky depth and warmth without spiciness, complementing the bacon and sweet potatoes.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Brings a touch of heat to brighten the dish and balance the sweetness of the potato.
• Bacon: Adds savory richness, smokiness, and a crisp texture that contrasts with tender chicken and vegetables.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing; carries flavors, prevents sticking, and adds a subtle fruitiness.
• Garlic: Infuses the skillet with aromatic depth, boosting the savory base of the dish.
• Sweet Potato: Adds natural sweetness, creaminess, and substance, balancing the spice and savory flavors.
• Chicken Broth: Keeps the skillet moist, helps cook the sweet potatoes, and builds a flavorful base.
• Kale: Provides a slightly bitter, earthy contrast, plus color, texture, and nutrients.
• Lemon: Adds brightness and acidity at the end, cutting through richness and making flavors pop.
• Parmesan: Adds a salty, nutty finish that melts into the skillet for extra umami and richness.

How to Make Chicken Kale Skillet

1. Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and season with all the seasonings.
2. Cook the Bacon: Cook the chopped bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Remove to a plate.

If you’ve ever found yourself craving that tender, flavorful Cafe Rio shredded chicken, you’re in the right place! This slow cooker recipe makes it easy to have those bold, zesty flavors right at home—without the takeout line. It’s family-friendly, perfect for meal prep, and honestly one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd.

This chicken dinner recipe is one of those life saver crock pot (slow cooker) recipes. I love that you can throw everything together in less than 5 minutes, let it cook all day and then feel like a hero as you serve it to your family for dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Cafe Rio Chicken

• Hands-off crock pot recipe – take 5 minutes to throw all the ingredients in the crockpot, set it and walk away
• Just a few pantry ingredients – only 5 ingredients needed!
• Freezer-friendly & great for meal prep – freeze for another meal or eat it throughout the week
• Works in tacos, burritos, salads, and more – so versatile!
• Copycat flavor at a fraction of the price – restaurant prices are insane these days, so I try to make more restaurant copycats at home
• Great for a crowd or to share with a neighbor – It’s a great dinner idea to take to someone who may need a family friendly meal.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Chicken

You only need 5 ingredients to make this delicious chicken recipe! And you literally toss it all in the slow cooker let it cook. Here is the ingredients list:

• Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing: Acts as the flavorful marinade base. The vinegar tenderizes the chicken while the herbs and spices infuse it with that bold, tangy punch Cafe Rio chicken is known for. Avoid the fat free dressing.
• Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy depth and a hint of smokiness that balances the tangy dressing.
• Chili Powder: Brings mild heat and layers of chili pepper flavor, making the chicken savory and robust without being overly spicy.
• Garlic: Boosts the savory notes and gives the chicken that aromatic, crave-worthy flavor.
• Chicken Breasts: The protein star of the recipe; they soak up all the marinade flavors and shred beautifully after slow cooking, just like Cafe Rio’s signature chicken.
• Creamy Tomatillo Cilantro Ranch Dressing: The famous Cafe Rio sauce! Creamy, tangy, and fresh, it ties everything together when drizzled over salads, tacos, or burritos.
• Cilantro Lime Rice: The perfect base. Light, fluffy, and bright from the lime and cilantro, it balances the richness of the chicken and dressing, just like at the res

These delicious Greek Chicken Meatballs are full of so much flavor, and more importantly, they are so moist! They are so easy to make with ground chicken, feta and a secret to moisture, zucchini! No dry meatballs here!

These are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Serve the meatballs with a generous scoop of homemade tzatziki , pearl couscous and fresh tomatoes!

Why You’ll Love This Greek Chicken Meatball Recipe

Family-friendly Mediterranean recipe

Quick and easy for weeknights – less than 30 minutes!

Light but still flavorful

High in protein, low in carbs

Makes a great main dish or a fun appetizer

Ingredients for Greek Chicken Meatballs

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps soften the breadcrumbs so the meatballs stay tender instead of dense.
• Italian Breadcrumbs: Bind the mixture together and give the meatballs structure while soaking up flavor from the seasonings.
• Ground Chicken: The base protein—lean, mild, and perfect for carrying all those fresh Greek flavors.
• Feta: Adds creamy, salty pops of flavor and helps keep the meatballs moist.
• Zucchini: Grated zucchini sneaks in extra moisture (so the chicken doesn’t dry out) plus a little hidden veggie goodness.
• Lemon: Both juice and zest brighten the flavors, balancing the richness of the chicken and feta with fresh, citrusy notes.
• Egg: Acts as the “glue” to bind everything together so the meatballs hold their shape.
• Garlic: Adds savory depth and that classic Mediterranean flavor.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors so the meatballs don’t taste bland.
• Fresh Mixed Herbs (dill, mint, parsley): Bring freshness and authentic Greek flavor—each herb layers in something unique.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and balance to the savory flavors.
• Olive Oil: Helps the meatballs get golden brown on the outside.

How to Make Greek Chicken Meatballs

1. Soak the Breadcrumbs: Combine the milk and breadcrumbs in a bowl and let them sit for a few minutes.
2. Combine: Add all the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine thoroughly.
3. Form: Use a cookie scoop to form meatballs that are similar in size. Coat your hands in a little olive oil and then roll the meatballs in your hands.
4. Bake: Cook in the air fryer preheated to 400℉ for 11 minutes or in the oven on a baking sheet (also at 400℉) for 12-15 minutes.

What to Serve with Greek Chicken Meatballs

We love to eat these meatballs

Sometimes the simplest things end up being the biggest wins. That’s how I feel about this cheesy, crispy, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla. My boys and I threw them together a few weeks ago for the first time with some of the items we tend to on hand in the freezer. Suffice it to say that these are way tastier than they have any right to be!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla

I fell in love with the Just Bare brand of frozen chicken bites several years ago when I first found them at Costco. We make ours in the air fryer, and they are the perfect solution for adding some quick protein to a salad or a sandwich.

I could lie and tell you that this recipe was a long series of difficult developments. But, it’s so much simpler than that. We literally just threw together our favorite air fried chicken bites with cheese and some crumbled leftover bacon. Dip your hot quesadillas in some homemade ranch and it all still counts as cooking, OK?

And for what it’s worth, I’ll happily eat this for lunch, or for dinner. And I do. On repeat, my friends. I eat this on repeat. I’ve made a LOT of quesadillas over the years. They’re one of my favorite quick snacks or meals, and they never get old because you can just swap out ingredients.

And, what I’ve learned while making probably hundreds if not thousands of quesadillas over the years is that the right pan makes a big difference for steady, even heat. This hard anodized non-stick pan is HANDS DOWN the best nonstick pan I have ever used. Don’t waste your money on the trendy and viral brand names. I’ve owned them, and they aren’t worth it. This one will not let you down.

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