Last Updated April 17, 2025 by Davina Kelly
Are you trying to save money on food but don’t want to eat boring bland meals? These cheap chicken dinner ideas will help you create tasty meals without breaking the bank.
Chicken is one of the most versatile and affordable proteins you can buy. With the right recipes, you can use cheap cuts to make mouth watering high-quality dishes.
Balancing your budget with your taste buds might seem challenging, but trust me – it’s totally doable. It took some trial and error but now I can create affordable delicious dinners every week.
Whether you’re cooking for a family or just for yourself, these easy chicken dinner ideas will help you get creative in the kitchen without overspending.
After reading this post, you’ll have plenty of fresh ideas to whip up cheap and cheerful chicken dinners that don’t skimp on flavour.
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15 Tasty Cheap Chicken Dinner Ideas:
1. Lemon & Herb Chicken Traybake with Butter Beans & Potato Wedges
Can you picture these juicy, herb-infused chicken thighs roasted to perfection alongside crispy potato wedges and tender butter beans?
It tastes just as good as it sounds, trust me.
The lemon adds a zesty brightness, while the butter beans soak up all the delicious juices in this hearty satisfying dish.
It’s the kind of dinner that feels fancy but requires minimal effort and only one pan to clean.
2. Easy Teriyaki Chicken
This easy Teriyaki chicken is sweet, savoury and so addictive!
The chicken is coated in a glossy, sticky sauce that’s perfect over a bed of fluffy rice.
Add a side of steamed broccoli and you’ve got a complete meal that tastes just like your favourite takeaway but for a fraction of the price.
3. One-Pot Chicken and Rice
This one-pot chicken and rice dinner is so tasty and comforting.
It’s made with tender chicken thighs embedded into perfectly cooked, flavourful rice.
It’s hearty, filing and made for those nights when you want a quick, no fuss dinner.
You can just throw everything into one dish and let it cook itself.
4. Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
This is one of the easiest cheap chicken dinner ideas. It’s classic and simple, you literally can’t go wrong.
Juicy roasted chicken paired with caramelised veggies like carrots, zucchini and onions is always a good choice.
The best part is you can switch up the veggies depending on what you have on hand or what’s on sale.
All you need is some good seasoning, a hot oven and dinner practically makes itself.
Grab my FREE weekly meal planner below to help plan your dinners for the week.
5. Honey Garlic Chicken
This is one of my favourite cheap chicken dinner ideas. I have it at least once a week.
It’s sticky, sweet and savoury all at the same time.
This honey garlic chicken is coated in a caramelised glaze that’s so good you may want to lick the plate lol
Serve it with rice and add some roasted veggies for an easy, delicious dinner.
6. Chicken Parmesan
Golden, crispy chicken smothered in a sauce and topped with gooey melted cheeses – what’s not to love?
This dish feels fancy but it’s totally doable on a budget.
Pair it with spaghetti for the ultimate Italian-inspired dinner or keep it light with a side salad.
7. Satay Chicken Stir Fry
This stir fry is one of the best cheap chicken dinner ideas.
It’s creamy, nutty and packed with flavour.
This satay chicken stir fry features tender chicken pieces coated in a rich peanut sauce, noodles and colourful veggies.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s full of flavour, you need to give this a try.
8. Easy Chicken Tacos
Who doesn’t love tacos?
These chicken tacos are loaded with chicken and so many tasty fillings.
Add your favourite toppings like cheese or salsa and you’ve got a customisable dinner that’s fun, flavourful and super affordable.
9. Marry Me Chicken
If you haven’t tried Marry Me chicken yet, you need to try this dish.
It’s creamy, indulgent and oh-so comforting.
This cheap dinner features juicy chicken, simmered in a rich sauce.
Serve it with rice and enjoy all the amazing flavours.
10. Chicken Fried Rice
Got any leftover rice? This is the ultimate fridge cleanout meal!
This dish combines juicy chicken, rice and veggies all stir-fried into a delicious sauce.
It’s quick, easy and perfect for turning leftovers into something delicious.
Whether you’re clearing out the fridge or just craving a simple yet satisfying dinner, you’ll love this recipe.
Plus, it’s guaranteed to leave everyone at the table happy and full.
11. Copycat California Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza
Friday night pizza for dinner anyone?
It’s the perfect way to end a busy week.
This copycat California Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza tastes just as good as the restaurant version, if not better.
Top it off with cilantro and you’ve got a cheap dinner that’s perfect for pizza night at home.
12. Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs
If you love bold flavours, you’ll love this dish.
The balance of honey’s sweetness and the heat from the spice gives these chicken thighs a glaze that’s absolutely irresistible.
Serve it with sticky rice, potatoes or a crispy green salad for a dinner that’s simple but impressive.
13. Creamy Pesto Baked Gnocchi & Chicken Skillet
Pillowy gnocchi, tender chicken and creamy pesto sauce – what’s not to love?
This dish feels indulgent but comes together surprisingly quickly, so it’s perfect for weeknights when you fancy something special.
14. Chicken Shawarma Bowls
This is another one of my favourite cheap chicken dinner ideas.
I love chicken shawarma it’s full of so much flavour and these bowls are packed with all the spices and texture.
This bowl includes tender, spiced chicken over rice, topped with fresh veggies.
Drizzle the sauce on top for a creamy finish.
These chicken shawarma bowls are fresh, filling and easy to prep ahead of time for a few days worth of dinners.
15. Chicken Pasta Bake
Chicken pasta bake is the ultimate comfort food.
This pasta bake is loaded with tender chicken, a tasty sauce and plenty of melted cheese.
It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect for feeding a family or meal prepping for the week.
Tips to Keep Your Chicken Dinners Budget-Friendly
Buy in bulk:
Chicken is often cheaper when bought in larger quantities. Wash and season it then divide it into portions and freeze for later.
Use cheaper cuts:
Chicken, thighs, drumsticks and wings are usually more affordable and packed with flavour.
Stock up during sales:
Keep an eye out for discounts and stock your freezer when prices drop.
Final Thoughts
These cheap chicken dinner ideas prove that you don’t need a big budget to create meals that are packed with flavour.
Whether you’re cooking for the family, meal prepping or just trying to make your paycheck stretch a little further, there’s something for everyone.
Which cheap chicken dinner are you going to try? Let me know in the comments below!
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Davina Kelly
Hey! I'm Davina, the owner of Davinas Finance Corner. I'm passionate about finding ways to budget, save, earn more money and improve your life. After breaking free from payday loan debt and living paycheck to paycheck I want to share my experience to help other women improve their finances.