50 Easy Christmas Chicken Recipes That Are Perfect for the Holidays

• Time Commitment: 5 hours and 45 minutes (includes brining time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4 to 6

A buttermilk marinade ensures luscious, tender meat and a shatteringly crisp exterior. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to brine the chicken. "The potatoes aren't strictly necessary," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen explains, "but they complete the meal nicely and with little extra effort. And the way they soak up the chicken juices? Chef's kiss." This dish is the perfect hands-off meal to put on while enjoying Christmas crafts with the kids. Set the chicken to marinate or roast and then dive into decorating ornaments.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, one pot
• Serves: 6

Don't let the homemade stock intimidate you. It's pared down for the sake of simplicity, so it won't be as fussy to prepare as you think. "The beans are canned, the greens are swappable and the entire thing is easier (and tastier) than grabbing a can opener," Gillen asserts.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: one pan, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

It tastes as glorious as it looks. Even better, it cooks to crispy perfection in a single skillet. "If you can't find fresh cranberries, it's completely OK to use frozen ones; just thaw and drain them first," suggests recipe developer Erin McDowell.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

Minimal effort, maximum flavor. Can you believe this stunner is only seven ingredients away? (And that's *including* salt and pepper.) "Use [the leftovers] in salads, soups and pastas all week long," McDowell recommends.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Baked in a skillet for crispy brown edges, of course. Store-bought frozen puff pastry (and store-bought rotisserie chicken) makes this classic comfort food a total breeze to master, even on your first attempt.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, keto-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

A crowd-pleasing appetizer if I've ever seen one. Serve these during cocktail hour with blue cheese or ranch dressing, celery, carrots and plenty of toothpicks and napkins.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

Warning: This one will go fast, even at the picky kids' table. It's prime for casual holiday dinner with a few friends or relatives, and I'm betting you have most of the necessary ingredients already on hand. Turn it into a fun kids' activity by letting them help measure and mix the ingredients or garnish the dish before serving—it’s a great way to get them involved in the holiday preparations.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Their juiciness is a Christmas miracle all its own. The acidic Greek yogurt marinade helps tenderize the chicken pieces, while a flurry of warm spices (like cumin, curry powder and chili powder) and fresh lemon do the heavy lifting in terms of flavor.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, one pan
• Serves: 6

Who invited Julia Child to dinner? (OK, I admit it: It was me.) This French classic is ridiculously impressive, and this version, which stars dry white wine instead of traditional red, is ready in less than an hour. Très magnifique.

• Time Commitment: 5 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

The ever-handy Crockpot is a big-time blessing for busy hosts. Thanks to its slow-cooking superpowers, this ridiculously simple Christmas chicken recipe basically prepares itself, people.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

Shatteringly crisp skin, yet there's no messy frying required. You probably have nearly all the ingredients you need already in your kitchen. (And if you don't have a packet of ranch seasoning on hand at all times, you really should.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

Pan-fried chicken and gooey cheese is my idea of festive. "I stuff the insides of those cutlets with mozzarella so when you cut into them, they bleed cheese," model and recipe developer Chrissy Teigen says. Feel free to fall-ify the arugula salad with sweet potatoes, squash or candied nuts.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4 to 6

Easy, gorgeous and delicious are my three favorite food groups. You won't need to boil the rice separately either; it cooks right in the skillet with the chicken. In the words of Ina Garten, how easy is that?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Oh hi, caramelized Medjool dates and briny olives. This dish is equal parts savory, acidic and sweet. Even better, it contains 26 grams of protein per serving, so you won't be nibbling on Christmas candy 30 minutes after dinner.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

All you need are seven ingredients, one casserole dish and one hour. While the drumsticks cook, prepare your sides on the stovetop. (I'm partial to pasta, rice, roasted Brussels sprouts or couscous.)

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 50 minutes (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Your guests won't ever see this Insta-worthy wonder coming—and they'll have no idea that it only required four ingredients. Good looking out, canned chipotles in adobo.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 4 to 6

Fact: Appetizers just taste better skewered on a stick. "I marinate chicken strips in yogurt and spices, then grill the skewers until slightly charred yet still juicy," McDowell explains. "And since no satay is complete without a dipping sauce, we had to make one that’s rich and creamy—with just a hint of heat." Prepare the zingy, creamy dip ahead to save time on the big day.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe, high protein
• Serves: 4

If you’re only serving four people this year, look no further than this mess-free meal. (Dirty dishes kind of kill the post-dinner mood, no?) Choose a grain to pair the chicken and produce with, or opt for an over-the-top salad instead.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Skip the tricky bird carving in favor of these skin-on chicken thighs. "They're succulent,” recipe developer Diana Henry explains, "so much better than breasts, which can dry out. In fact, it's hard to overcook chicken thighs—they all cook at the same time (and quickly)."

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, high protein
• Serves: 4

The perfect pairing for roasted sweet potatoes, if I do say so myself. The star ingredient in this Christmas chicken dinner is za'atar, a savory, aromatic Middle Eastern spice blend. The vibrant fresh citrus goes a long way, too.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: keto-friendly, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Because dirty dishes are not on your holiday wishlist. If you have relatives on a low-carb or keto diet coming to dinner, this pick will suit them just fine. Serve it with dinner rolls or biscuits so not a drop of the creamy lemon sauce goes to waste.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 55 minutes (includes chilling)
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 6

In the Barefoot Contessa I trust. (This Christmas chicken recipe calls for one-and-a-half heads of garlic, so you know it's delicious.) Don't let the time commitment turn you off: The poultry is simply marinated overnight in the fridge.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Bury me in the savory-sweet glaze, please. It helps the veggies and chicken caramelize like a charm as they roast, as does the baking sheet that guarantees a painless cleanup. Serve it with rice or risotto, if you're feeling fancy—and for the ultimate cozy vibe, pair it with your favorite Christmas movie. It’s the perfect combination for a stress-free, festive evening.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <500 calories
• Serves: 4

The dressing uses olives and Worcestershire sauce, two vegetarian alternatives that offer just as much punchy flavor as traditional anchovies. How smart is that? (I'm also in love with the crunchy lemon-pepper croutons.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes (plus marinating time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, sheet pan recipe
• Serves: 8

"Pomegranate molasses adds a sweet and tart twist to the classic buttermilk brine for roast chicken," recipe developer Jake Cohen explains, "while sumac kicks the sourness into the next gear, cutting through the richness of the rendered schmaltz." Save your carrot greens for garnishing—they look luxurious and pretty next to sliced rainbow radishes.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

Low and slow = crackly, crispy skin. "Searing thighs in a hot skillet burns the skin," recipe developers Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton write. "Rather, we go low and slow, arranging them skin side down in a heavy skillet (cast-iron or nonstick are best) over moderate heat and leave them alone, resisting the urge to move or turn them until the fat has rendered and the skin is golden brown and crisp."

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

The sprouts soak up allllll the pan juices, resulting in the most autumnal, drool-worthy veggie side of all time. "There's barely any prep," recipe developer Maria Lichty explains. "The oven does all the work and when you pull out the pan, your family and friends will be amazed by this impressive almost-instant dinner."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 8

This Christmas chicken recipe is bound to warm your bones. The broth is already flavorful, but adding turmeric root offers both vibrant color and anti-inflammatory perks. "I usually make the broth the day before and assemble the soup before eating," recipe developer Aran Goyoaga suggests. "The flavors deepen as the broth sits. You can also add some rice or pasta for a richer version."

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Be sure to use pure maple syrup instead of pancake syrup here. It's the only sweet element in the rub (and arguably the most important for rounding out the flavor). I'm betting the compound butter would taste divine on ribs, steak and burgers, too.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe, high protein
• Serves: 4

"It's the perfect recipe for a during-the-week meal after a crazy-busy day," writes recipe developer Dorie Greenspan, "although it's just as good on the weekends. If you've got a crowd coming, double the recipe and use two pans." Crisis averted.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

Nonna will be so proud, even if you skip the whole cauldron-over-a-fire thing that they did in the old days. (This Christmas chicken recipe cooks in a single skillet instead, but turns out just as scrumptious.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

It's low in fat, high in protein and easy on the eyes—what's not to like? Pro tip: Reserve half the honey-mustard sauce and drizzle it over the chicken and veggies just before broiling to caramelize the top.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 6

Between the tender rice, juicy chicken, creamy broth and toasty ciabatta, this app just might outshine the main course. Feel free to make the soup in advance and reheat it when you're ready to serve; just save the toasty bread for last. Pass the Parm, please.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Come on, it’s already sporting a Christmas color scheme, thanks to fresh tomatoes and chopped basil. Serve it with pasta, Caesar salad or garlic bread. (You might just be tempted to eat it straight out of the pan—you've been warned.)

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Winner, winner, magazine-caliber chicken dinner. This recipe is a hands-off, completely foolproof way to achieve a stunning bird that you won't believe you made yourself. (Your Crockpot really can do anything.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

This citrusy, honey-kissed gem is only one hour away. Whether you use thighs, drums, wings or even pork ribs, plate this sweet, spicy, cold-weather masterpiece with salad, pasta or rice.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, low carb
• Serves: 4

Bye-bye, tedious cleanup. I'll pick crumbled feta cheese and parchment paper over dirty dishes any day. Might I suggest making a big Greek salad to serve alongside this one-pot delight?

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

A staple at Portuguese churrasqueiras, this dish is named for the southeast African piri piri pepper. If you can find them, kudos. If not, use fruity, mild red finger or Anaheim chiles. (BTW, the key is spatchcocking the chicken to reduce the cooking time and maximize the crispness of the skin.)

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

An easy, kid-friendly dinner for a casual Christmas meal sounds like a plan to me. If you want to play it extra chill, serve the chicken on sub rolls with extra pesto, arugula and lemon juice. (Oh, and plenty more kettle-cooked potato chips on the side.)

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, one pan
• Serves: 6

Risotto is delicious, but the O.G. method of making it can be a time suck. This version is almost totally hands-off, since it bakes to gooey bliss in the oven and requires minimal stirring. That's a win-win in my book.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 12 pies

Are these not the cutest little casseroles you ever did see? Perfect for a non-traditional Thanksgiving, just whip up the old-school filling and bake it inside the miniature, single-serve containers store-bought pie crust (because presentation is everything during the holidays). I have a feeling the kids will gobble them up in ten seconds flat.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

I'm betting that if this was the sole dish you served on Christmas, not one guest would complain. Such is the power of warm marinara and crisp, poppable, cheese-encrusted chicken. Alfredo sauce, pesto and even ketchup are fine for dipping, too.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, high protein
• Serves: 4 to 6

It doesn't take much to pull off this soul-soothing entrée at home. Twenty garlic cloves + five thyme sprigs + 1 lemon = pure holiday magic. I wouldn't blame you for leaving a plate of this out for Santa instead of the usual cookies.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

Pastries at holiday cocktail hour? Don’t mind if I do. Shred up a store-bought rotisserie chicken to mix into the filling to speed things along on Christmas day.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes (plus marinating time)
• Why I Love It: air fryer recipe, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

There's no rotisserie required for this Christmas chicken recipe—you're welcome. Nearly all the ingredients are pantry staples you likely have on hand right now, like soy sauce, fresh garlic and brown sugar.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Just set it and forget it on Christmas Eve, then let it cook overnight until succulent and golden brown. Set out some goodies for Santa so he's not tempted to investigate the herby aroma—he's sure to get jealous.

• Time Commitment: 6 hours (includes chilling time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 9

Don't sleep on this soul food essential. This Christmas chicken recipe calls for using wings, but you could substitute legs or thighs if you'd prefer. (The latter may feel a bit fancier for the holidays, IMO.)

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, high protein, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Thyme, rosemary and oregano, oh my! A flurry of dried herbs transforms humble seasonal ingredients into a spectacular main for the books. Bring on the red potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots and butternut squash.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
• Serves: 6

This stunner doubles as a gorgeous centerpiece, if you ask me. Serve it once and you'll be crowned the hostess with the mostest by your guests (and you just might need to make it an annual tradition going forward).

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6

Complete with honey-roasted kabocha squash and coconut rice, this main couldn't be more satiating if it tried. Sharp fresh ginger, tart pomegranate juice and sweet Thai chili sauce make for a deliciously balanced marinade.