Easy Chicken Recipes For The Summer

A great summer recipe is one that gets you outside grilling, one that has bright sunny flavors and is quick to throw together. From chicken wings doused in spicy peri-peri sauce to a fruity take on chicken kabobs, these easy and flavor-packed poultry recipes are perfect for a quick summertime lunch or dinner.

Peaches are one of the best fruits to cook with in the summer. They're sweet, juicy and hold up extremely well on the grill. For a sweet and savory spin on kabobs, alternately skewer chunks of peaches, zucchini rounds and small pieces of marinated chicken and cook on the grill. 

For the Grilled Chicken and Peach Kabobs recipe, click here.

This skillet meal is inspired by the warm and sunny flavors of the Mediterranean. With oregano, sun-dried tomato, lemon and earthy seasonings, this chicken, cannellini beans, tomatoes and spinach dish takes less than half an hour to make. You can serve it with crusty bread or a quick side salad. 

For the Tuscan Chicken and Vegetables recipe, click here.

Peri-peri sauce is a traditional African sauce made from spicy African bird's eye chili peppers. For a spicy twist on wings, coat chicken wings in some store-bought peri-peri sauce mixed with apricot preserves for a sticky sweetness and serve them up with an easy yogurt and cilantro dipping sauce.

For the Peri-Peri Chicken Wings with Dipping Sauce recipe, click here.

This classic chicken adobo is inspired by flavors and techniques from the Philippines. The recipe uses apple cider vinegar, garlic, bay leaves and soy sauce and it all comes together in an Instant Pot. 

For the Instant Pot Chicken Adobo recipe, click here.

This is a great choice for an easy, hands-off summer dinner. Simply roast boneless chicken breasts with any in-season vegetables you find at your farmers market or grocery store and toss with a savory blend of spices. It pretty much makes itself right in one pan. 

For the Farmers Market Chicken and Vegetables recipe, click here. 

With rosemary, thyme, basil, cilantro and chives, this grilled chicken is both earthy and delicious. The fresh herbs make all the difference, as does the squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a whole head of garlic. 

For the Butterflied Herb and Lemon Grilled Chicken recipe, click here.

Homemade pizza dough can be time-consuming for a weekday, but you can prepare the dough during the day if you're home and it'll be ready to top and bake in the evening. For this flavor-packed BBQ chicken flatbread, toss cooked and shredded chicken in your favorite barbecue sauce, saute some onions and peppers, spread the sauce on a rectangular rolled-out dough and start topping. 

For the BBQ Chicken Flatbread recipe, click here.

You may not associate chicken pot pie with summer, but it is and will always be an ultimate comfort food no matter the season. The hearty dish is bursting with chicken, potatoes, peas, carrots and onions tossed in a creamy filling. You can also save some time during prep by using rotisserie chicken and mixing the shredded pieces right into the gravy.

For the Chicken Pot Pie recipe, click here.

This slightly lighter take on the quintessential Italian dish is made with a chunky, homemade marinara sauce, pan-fried breaded chicken cutlets and thick slices of mozzarella cheese. The ingredients are layered and baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

For the Chicken Parmesan recipe, click here.

Yes, you can make chicken Parmesan in an air fryer, too. This recipe is a game-changer and makes flawless crispy breaded chicken without all the greasy oil. Set up a breading station, pour your sauce, shred some cheese and have an easy lunch or dinner on the table in under 40 minutes.

For the Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe, click here.

Orange juice can be used for more than creating the perfect margarita — it also makes a sweet, Cuban-inspired marinade. Combine allspice, cumin, thyme and orange juice in a glass dish before coating a pound of boneless chicken in the mixture and refrigerating. Grill the chicken and top it with a mango-avocado salsa. In under 25 minutes, you'll have sweet restaurant-worthy tacos. 

For the Cuban Mojo Chicken Tacos recipe, click here.

When you have some lemons, you can make more than just lemonade. This easy Mediterranean spatchcocked chicken recipe is the perfect example. You'll only need four ingredients — olive oil, oregano, garlic and lemon — to take your grilled chicken to the next level. For extra flavor, add lemons to the grill along with a fresh, whole chicken to add a kick of zest to your plate. 

For the Easy Mediterranean Spatchcocked Chicken recipe, click here.

When you need a simple weeknight dinner that'll keep the entire family happy, roast chicken tacos with homemade salsa verde will do the trick. This chicken recipe comes with a kick thanks to the homemade charred salsa verde topping, and the roasted chicken — coated in fresh pepper and dried Mexican oregano — adds extra flavor. Top with onions, radish, cilantro and a drizzle of crema.  

For the Roast Chicken Tacos with Homemade Salsa Verde recipe, click here.

Add heart-healthy foods — like tomatoes and garlic — to your dinner plans with this Thai-inspired chicken noodle salad. Fresh flavors from mint, basil and cilantro combined with the sweetness of honey and the spice of red pepper flakes create a savory marinade for the grilled chicken. Toss fresh vegetables like snow peas, carrots and scallions together with the chicken and top with a dressing that takes less than 10 ingredients to create.

For the Thai Grilled Chicken Noodle Salad recipe, click here.

The trick to mastering a delicious stir-fry is to cook the meat separately for a tasty, charred flavor. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, sesame oil, garlic and ginger for a tangy marinade and pour the remaining mixture over your grilled vegetables. Serve with a side of rice for a delicious, hearty dinner.  

For the Ginger Garlic Asian Grilled Chicken recipe, click here.

Dinner at home will feel like a meal at a restaurant once you cook Cheesecake Factory's chicken taquitos. The secret is in the cheese  — you'll need cream cheese, cheddar cheese and jack cheese to replicate the dish — serve alongside enchilada and green chile sauce. Fry the tortillas in a bed of oil and brush the shells with egg before rolling and deep-frying to create the crusty shell.

For the Cheesecake Factory's Chicken Taquitos recipe, click here.

Copy Chipotle's famous dishes with this grilled cilantro lime chicken recipe. Zested and juiced limes and garlic are all your chicken needs to capture a bold taste. Create a corn salsa with corn, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, cilantro, salt and pepper to add color to your dish.

For the Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken with Corn Salsa recipe, click here.

Southwest chicken is one of the best easy grilling recipes. A spice-blended marinade made of chili and garlic powder, Italian seasoning, cumin, cilantro, vinegar and oil gives the chicken a hearty Southwest taste. Pair the chicken with a tasty side, like creamy macaroni and cheese. 

For the Southwest Chicken recipe, click here. 

You can recreate Panda Express's famed orange chicken with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. That delicious sauce is made from a mixture of ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, sugar, brown sugar and orange juice, and the boneless chicken gets its juicy flavor after it's fried in a coating of flour, corn starch, egg, salt and pepper. Serve alongside a sesame peanut noodle bowl. 

For the Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe, click here.

Skipping out on the seasonings is generally a bad cooking habit, but this minimal chicken recipe is the exception. You'll need only salt, pepper, thyme, lemon juice and minced shallots to whip up this light dish. 

For the Lemon Thyme Chicken recipe, click here. 

To make these drumsticks, you'll need lime, garlic and a seasoning rub — like this Dinosaur Bar-B-Que spice rub — to accomplish a zesty taste. After frying, top the chicken with fresh, chopped cilantro and pair with your sauce of choice. 

For the Zesty BBQ Drumsticks recipe, click here.

Oranges do more than boost your immune system. When combined with soy sauce, garlic powder, ground ginger, crushed red peppers and sesame seeds, you'll have an Asian-style marinade that boosts the flavor of plain chicken. Spice up more dishes by adding the marinade to other meats like pork tenderloin and flank steak. 

For the Grilled Orange-Ginger Chicken recipe, click here.

Honey — one of the best foods for weight loss — can also elevate any chicken recipe. Combine the honey with common pantry seasons — turmeric and cumin are two — and grill up the perfect Morrocan-inspired dish. Using honey to create savory dishes is a restaurant secret every home cook should know. 

For the Grilled Moroccan Spice Chicken recipe, click here. 

More from The Daily Meal:

How to Grill the Perfect Steak Every Time

Month-to-Month Seasonal Produce Guide

How to Cook Chicken, Turkey, Steak and 12 Other Foods Correctly

How to Thaw Chicken and Other Defrosting Food Questions, Answered

Quick Dinner Dishes You Can Make Out of Cans