Find new (and easy!) ways to prepare chicken recipes for kids, from nuggets and meatballs to yummy Instant Pot and Slow Cooker options. (Bonus: Parents will enjoy them too!)
Chicken Recipes for Kids
Chicken is a favorite dinnertime staple and it’s so super versatile. It can also be a great texture for kids, a fast meal component, and an easy way to offer up protein. To make it easier for you to find easy recipes, I put all of my chicken dishes together into this post.
This will make it easy for you to scroll through options to use the kind of chicken you have on hand, or to pick the preparation that your kids prefer.
There are options here that are suitable for babies, toddlers, big kids, and the grownups at the table.
(You may also like Pasta Recipes for Toddlers and Make-Ahead Toddler Dinners.)
Your toddler won’t eat? Help is here!
Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Tips for Choosing Kids Chicken Recipes
When trying a new recipe, I would recommend taking the age of the kids into consideration—older babies and younger toddlers will find it easier to chew softer meats such as nuggets made with ground chicken and shredded chicken.
Older kids shouldn’t have any issues with chewing diced up breast or thighs, so you have more options the older the kids get.
Chicken thighs, either whole or in very thick finger-size pieces, can be a great option for Baby Led Weaning (they are high in iron and fat, which babies need). And they are often really moist and tender for any age.
Add a dip if your kids like to dip their food and remember that if a kiddo doesn’t like a certain kind of meat, first try to make sure that it’s easy to eat. And second, know that there’s no kiddo who likes every food. (The approach known as the Division of Responsibility can help with perspective on this.)
TIP: Learn more about beneficial fats for kids and the nutrients they need in their weekly diets.
Easy Family Chicken Recipes
Each of these recipes is appropriate for a toddler, but should also be appealing to the entire family—kids and parents alike! I always aim to have recipes that appeal to everyone to help reduce the amount of overall cooking we have to do. Fingers crossed anyway!
Baked Chicken Nuggets
These have just a few basic ingredients and are so crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They’re a forever hit.
These baked chicken nuggets have simple ingredients and a pleasantly crispy exterior. Aim to cut the chicken into similarly sized pieces so they bake evenly.
Get the recipe
Baked Chicken Tenders
Recreate chicken tenders at home with this super simple method. (There are 2 options for the crispy coating, so pick the one that sounds best!)
These crispy Chicken Tenders are fast and versatile. To make these with panko breadcrumbs, use 1 cup and stir ¼ teaspoon salt into the flour before you dredge the chicken.
Get the recipe
Chicken Nuggets with Sweet Potato
These are a favorite chicken recipe for a baby and one year olds since they are super tender and super nutritious. The sweet potato pairs so nicely with the ground chicken.
Crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, these Homemade Chicken Nuggets are both easy and delicious. You can prep the sweet potato up to 5 days ahead if that’s easier for you, too. Try serving these with ketchup, ranch, or marinara sauce.
Get the recipe
Baked Chicken Meatballs
This recipe is so straight forward and I love the option to add some shredded carrots. These were a staple in our lives when my youngest was one and otherwise ate no veggies!
With just four simple and affordable ingredients, you can make tender Baked Chicken Meatballs to share with the kids. Bonus: You can tuck a veggie into the mix, and they are perfect to batch-cook and stash in the freezer!
Get the recipe
Pesto Chicken Meatballs
Adding pesto to chicken meatballs is seriously delicious and an easy way to enhance the flavor.
Tender, flavorful, and easy to make and share, these Pesto Meatballs are a favorite family dinner. You can bake them in the oven or cook in the air fryer, and they’re delicious with pasta or as meatball sandwiches.
Get the recipe
Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
With garlic, soy, and ginger flavors, these easy chicken meatballs are a great one to try to mix things up. They pair well with rice or noodles and any veggie your family enjoys.
With hints of garlic and ginger, these Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs are flavorful and a perfect protein to serve with rice or noodles and broccoli or green beans as an easy family meal. You can bake them in the oven or make then in the Air Fryer.
Get the recipe
Pan Seared Chicken
Put the chicken into the pan, turn on the timer, and you’ll have perfectly cooked chicken every time. I love this with chicken tenders but it works with any boneless cut.
Try these quick and easy chicken tenders for a kid-friendly weeknight protein paired with a grain and a veggie (or fruit!)
Get the recipe
Italian Chicken Cutlets
Fast, delicious, and versatile with what you pair them with, this easy chicken recipe is a staple.
With just three ingredients and less than 10 minutes of cooking time, these Italian Chicken Cutlets are one of the absolute best chicken recipes to share with the kids.
Get the recipe
Sweet Potato Chicken Bowls
Whether you want an easy sheet pan meal or you want to prep ahead for lunch or easy dinners to store in the fridge, this is a great recipe to try.
You can meal prep this recipe to have ready for future lunches or dinners to share with the kids or you can make it as a family dinner. Add flavor to your bowl with the optional ingredients.
Get the recipe
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Let the instant pot do this work and serve up delicious barbecue chicken sandwiches or platters in no time.
You can double this recipe and use 2 pounds of chicken if desired. Just do your best to spread it into an even layer in the instant pot. (Note: The nutrition facts will vary based on the bbq sauce that you use.)
Get the recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken and Bean Tacos
The beauty of this recipe is that the sauce is loaded with veggies so you don’t need to make anything else on the side! Oh and it freezes so well.
With a short ingredient list and a veggie-loaded sauce, these Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are such a delicious family meal. (You can even make it in the Instant Pot for dinner in just 25 minutes.)
Get the recipe
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Warm spices and a simple method make this one of our favorite chicken dinners to share with the kids. Add some rice and naan and you’re set.
Forget takeout—deliver this popular Indian dish to your table instead. Shredded chicken thighs are coated in a rich, buttery sauce with hints of tomatoes, ginger, and garam masala—a messy but very flavorful finger food. Adapted from The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook.
Get the recipe
Pesto Chicken and Rice
Cauliflower rice, chicken, and pesto team up in this easy skillet dinner. It’s a one pan wonder that’s perfect for easy weeknight cooking.
With a quick cooking time and easy method, this Pesto Chicken and Rice is a delicious family meal to share. It’s flavorful, versatile, and just so delish.
Get the recipe
Pasta Salad with Chicken
Whether for an easy dinner or a make-ahead lunch to serve up throughout the week, this is easy and flavorful. And the kinds of chicken you can use are wide open!
This simple Pasta Salad with Chicken works well anytime of the year, but the flavors are particularly great in summer. Try it for dinner, a potluck, or to meal prep lunch.
Get the recipe
Chicken Puree
Learn how to make iron-rich baby food with this easy recipe for Chicken Puree with three flavor combinations and easy storage tips. This works as a Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 baby food.
This chicken puree is a nutrient-rich baby food that’s easy to make and packed with flavor. It’s a quick blend of chicken and sweet potato that’s versatile, so you can make it as a Stage 1 or 2 baby food.
Get the recipe
Creamy Chicken Pasta
With veggies right in the sauce and an easy method, this one-dish dinner is a family favorite.
Creamy Chicken Pasta with veggies that blend right into the sauce? Win! This pasta recipe is legit delicious and is so crazy comforting. See the Notes for variations and storage information.
Get the recipe
Chicken in Tomato Sauce
Learn how to poach chicken in tomato sauce for tender results, every time, and a perfect texture for the littles.
This is the absolute easiest way to cook flavorful chicken—it simply poaches right in the marinara sauce. This Chicken in Tomato Sauce is perfect with pasta or with a side of Italian bread and is a great easy family meal.
Get the recipe
Yogurt Chicken
Tender, flavorful, and so easy to make, this chicken recipe is one of my favorites to share with the kids.
The most tender, flavorful, delicious chicken? This Yogurt Chicken is in the running! The easy chicken recipe is delicious on its own, shredded for kids, or added to pasta, rice, or another favorite meal. Plus, it stores well and can be served cold or warm.
Get the recipe
Chicken and Stars Soup
Just like you had when you were a kid, but with the ease of a simple method and all the fresh flavors.
With a quick cooking time, a veggie-loaded base, and most comforting texture and flavor, this Chicken and Stars Soup is an all-time favorite family meal. It’s soothing when illness strikes and just makes for a fast and yummy meal when you need it.
Get the recipe
Chicken Noodle Soup
This is our favorite soup to make when sickness strikes, or just to share on days when there’s a chill in the air.
This easy recipe makes a big pot of comforting soup to feed the whole family—babies, toddlers, and big kids included. The leftovers store nicely so you can enjoy it for a few days!
Get the recipe
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment below to share!
This post was first published September 2021.