Easy Holiday Meal Ideas for Between the Holiday Feasts

As joyous as the holiday season is, there’s a reason that 80% of Americans feel more stressed during this time. With all the planning, gift wrapping, hosting, and traveling that the holiday season brings, even the most enthusiastic home cooks can start to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve rounded up a collection of weeknight-friendly chicken recipes and chicken cooking tips that are sure to please your family and other guests during the busiest time of the year.

The holidays are full of feast-worthy moments, but what about all those regular nights in between? You still want meals that are easy and delicious. That’s where a little planning goes a long way.

Keep reading for quick dinner recipes you can keep in your back pocket this December for the next time your kids ask, “What’s for dinner?”

Weeknight cooking during the holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful. We’re here to help with quick and easy chicken recipes that feature family-approved flavors and simple ingredients perfect for both kids and adults. Each recipe below takes just 25 minutes to make, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time checking off your holiday to-do list.

Sticking to dietary preferences and restrictions can feel especially challenging during holiday celebrations. With so many holiday parties and gatherings, it’s easy for gluten-free and dairy-free diets to get overlooked. Whether you’re accommodating a picky eater or someone with food allergies, the recipes below are gluten- and dairy-free, making mealtimes enjoyable for everyone.

With Sanderson Farms chicken at the center of your table, you can serve meals that are quick, nourishing, and crowd-pleasing, no matter how busy your December gets. So go ahead, try something new, and make even your busiest weeknights feel special.

When your schedule is packed with end of the year events and the holidays are in full swing, these extra tips will help you keep dinner time manageable and delicious.

• Meal Prep Ahead: Marinate or portion chicken in advance so it’s ready to go when you need it.
• Double your recipe: Scale the ingredients to prepare lunch or dinner for the next day. Our new recipe multiplier allows you to scale the ingredients to suit your needs without changing the step-by-step directions, conveniently found at the top of each recipe page.
• Make Use of Chicken Leftovers: Cook extra chicken to use in salads, wraps, or soups later in the week. When reheating leftovers, cover the container to retain moisture and ensure that the chicken is heated all the way through.

For more expert advice on making meals easier, check out our Tips and Tricks page. Whether you’re looking for chicken storage hacks, meal prep tips or cooking techniques, Sanderson Farms has you covered.

Remember, the holiday season is about making memories with the ones you love. With these easy chicken recipes and savvy cooking tips, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying those special moments together. Who knows, one of these weeknight dinners might just become your favorite December tradition!

Did your family devour one of our weeknight-friendly recipes? Snap a photo and tag @sandersonfarmschicken on Instagram.