Make feeding the family a little easier with these top ten chicken recipes that are great to share with the kids! Each has an easy method, nutritious ingredients, high protein, and yummy flavor that everyone will love.
Chicken is a go-to for many families, but it can be hard to know which recipes are best for kids—so below find the ones that are nutritious, yummy, and also easy for toddlers to chew.
You will find slow cooker chicken, chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken that works great for tacos, and more to use as easy weeknight dinners to share with the kids.
Each can also be used as a toddler meal prep option if you want to get ahead for the week, too.
(You may also like my protein snacks for kids and my Turkey Zucchini Meatballs as more nutritious kids meal options.)
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Baked Chicken Meatballs
They use super simple ingredients, are easy to mix together, and are a wonderfully easy-to-eat texture for little kids.
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!
4-Ingredient Baked Chicken Meatballs
Baked Chicken Nuggets
With just a few simple ingredients, you can bake up moist and crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets. They’re so darn delicious that parents usually enjoy them just as much as kids!
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.
Crispy Baked Chicken Nuggets
Homemade Chicken Nuggets
These homemade Chicken Nuggets (with sweet potato!) are an easy toddler dinner that parents will enjoy, too. They’re packed with nutrition and have a veggie right in the mix!
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.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets (with Sweet Potato)
Baked Chicken Tenders
These Baked Chicken Tenders are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—and are ready in about 20 minutes. They’re a total hit with kids and adults, and you need only 4 simple ingredients to make them.
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.
Easy Baked Chicken Tenders
Yogurt Chicken
This recipe, which uses yogurt and pantry spices to make a quick marinade, is incredibly tender and perfect for shredding. That makes it a great chicken recipe for babies, toddlers, and really anyone who’s interested!
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.
Yogurt Chicken (Baked or Air Fried)
Salsa Chicken Tacos
The shredded chicken is so tender and easy for toddlers to gum or chew. And it’s flavorful enough without being overly spicy. (Plus, it’s delicious for adults, too!)
With just two main ingredients and the option to cook this easy dinner in a pan on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, or in the Instant Pot, these Salsa Chicken Tacos are the flexible meal we all need. Plus: You can scale this up or down as needed!
Salsa Chicken Tacos
Cilantro Chicken
The marinade ingredients are similar to the ones used in classic carne asada, which means they are super flavorful. But paired with less expensive (and easier to cook) chicken thighs, the recipe hits all the marks for flavorful and easy.
With options to cook it in a pan or in a slow cooker, to let it marinate or cook it right away, this Cilantro Chicken is a perfectly easy option to feed a crowd—or just your family. It has the flavors of carne asada and is so delicious!
Easy Cilantro Chicken
Chicken Bites
These are mild yet also flavorful enough for my grown up tastebuds. They cook in minutes, work well as leftovers, and are perfect for dunking into your dip of choice.
Transform plain chicken into the most tender and flavorful Chicken Bites. This method is easy, fast, and perfect for adding a delicious protein to a kids meal or family dinner.
Easy Chicken Bites
Chicken Fritters
These Chicken Fritters are delicious, yes, but they also solve a problem I often have—what to do with leftover chicken to ensure that it actually gets eaten.
With just a few ingredients, you can transform chicken into the yummiest Chicken Fritters to share with the kids. These are great as a baby-led weaning food, a nutritious finger food, or just a delish family dinner option.
Easy Chicken Fritters
Marinated Chicken Tenders
I love that this recipe creates chicken that’s flavorful and tender, there are easy flavor variations, and you can make it ahead of time and stash it in the fridge or make it in the moment in less than 15 minutes start to finish.
With a super simple method and three flavor variations, you can make the most tender, delicious Marinated Chicken Tenders in the air fryer or oven to share with the kids. One of the easiest chicken recipes for kids, ever!
Easy Marinated Chicken Tenders
Frequently Asked Questions
Do your best not to overcook the chicken. You can use an instant-read thermometer to help.
Reheat on a heat-safe plate in the microwave in 15 second increments to avoid overcooking or warm in an air fryer at 350 degrees F for 2-4 minutes. The air fryer is best for breaded chicken recipes that are meant to be crispy.
How to Store
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to 6 months. Warm briefly in the microwave or air fryer, or serve cold according to how the kids prefer it.
Best Tips for Success
- Add simple sides like cut up fruit, applesauce, Cheesy Rice, or Roasted Frozen Broccoli to round these meals out.
- Shred or slice thinly for younger toddlers to make the chicken easiest to chew.
- Omit the salt from the recipe and add it to your own serving as you like if you prefer to cook without added salt for a baby or one year old.