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How cool is it that this quick chicken recipe is the easiest chicken we make, and it is also some of the tastiest chicken we make? Seasoned with plenty of terrific flavors and quickly cooked in any number of ways, this chicken is the weeknight main dish that the whole family enjoys.
Last minute chicken is a great recipe title! I had a package of chicken tenderloins in the fridge without a plan a ended up making this with roasted potatoes and sauteed yellow squash on the side. I used the broiler method with success. I think the spice mix would do well on pork as well! Thanks Mary. We dipped into buffalo sauce and ranch (so good).
The Fastest Way to Cook Chicken
You only need a few minutes to get this chicken ready to cook and you’ll be sitting down to eat just ten minutes later. The chicken is great on its own with a side of raw vegetables and ranch dip. It can also be sliced thin for sandwiches, or chopped bite-size for soups, salads, or pasta.
I’ve been making this chicken probably every other week for over 5 years now. And yes, it’s taken that long for me to share it here on the website.
The recipe is another favorite from The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook. However, I use the chicken in so many other recipes, I decided it was past time to share the original here.
Why make this chicken?
It tastes fantastic. The whole family devours it every time I make it. This is the fastest possible way to cook chicken. It can be prepped in under 5 minutes and cooked in under 10. I could go on and on about how delicious and EASY this chicken is.
My preference and go-to cooking method for this chicken is my grill pan on the stove. When I’m in a rush, the oven method is a little faster, simply because you can cook all the pieces at once. This chicken can also be cooked in a skillet on the stove or on an outdoor grill.
Quick Chicken Recipes
To make a batch of last minute chicken, combine the garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle half the spices over the chicken. Turn the chicken pieces over and sprinkle the remaining spices over the chicken. Rub spices into the chicken, as needed, to coat well.
This recipe can be made with chicken breasts as well. Simply watch the cooking time and adjust as needed. Chicken breasts will cook faster than thighs, depending on their thickness.
I honestly don’t think you can have too many quick chicken recipes. Indian Chicken Bites was the first recipe I made using this method and in the years since, I’ve made Southwest Chicken Bits, and Sauteed Spiced Zucchini with Chicken Bits too. There are endless ways to switch things up when making chicken bites.
Crispy Oven Baked Chicken with juicy meat and crisp, flavorful skin can be on your dinner table with about 5 minutes’ worth of effort! This crispy chicken is made in the oven without any breading at all; the only ingredients you need are the chicken, a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper. And this Crispy Italian Chicken has a crispy skin and juicy interior that makes it one of my all-time favorite chicken recipes.
How To Cook Chicken On A Grill Pan
My preference and go-to cooking method for this chicken is my grill pan on the stove. When I’m in a rush, the oven method is a little faster, simply because you can cook all the pieces at once. This chicken can also be cooked in a skillet on the stove or on an outdoor grill.
Heat a nonstick grill pan over medium heat. Place half the chicken in the grill pan, making sure there is a gap between the pieces. Cook the chicken without touching it for 5 minutes.
Flip over and cook an additional 3-5 minutes until cooked through. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing thin.
Prefer to cook your chicken on the outdoor grill? You can find out How To Grill Chicken Thighs here too.
How To Broil Chicken Thighs
Preheat the oven to broil. Arrange an oven rack 6 inches from the top of the oven. Place a wire rack over a large baking tray. Arrange the chicken on the wire rack.
Place the chicken in the oven and broil for 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven, turn each piece of chicken over, and then broil an additional 5-6 minutes. Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing thin.
Broiled Chicken Thighs have been a staple in my meal planning for about as long as I can remember. Learning how to broil chicken makes it easy to get a delicious dinner on the table fast.
What to Serve with this Chicken
We like to serve this chicken with Roasted Fingerlings. (That aioli makes an awesome dipping sauce for the chicken too!) It’s also great with Chipotle Lime Rice, Ramen Noodle Salad, and this Dill Pickle Potato Salad.
Try the chicken over this creamy Fettuccine Alfredo and pair it with a Strawberry Spinach Salad for a restaurant-worthy meal on your next date night at home.
Last Minute Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tsps granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 1½ tsps granulated onion or onion powder
- 2 tsps paprika or smoked paprika
- 2 tsps dried oregano
- 1½ tsps freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsps fresh cilantro chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle half the spices over the chicken. Turn the chicken pieces over and sprinkle the remaining spices over the chicken. Rub spices into the chicken, as needed, to coat well.
- GRILL PAN INSTRUCTIONS: Heat a nonstick grill pan over medium heat. Place half the chicken in the grill pan, making sure there is a gap between the pieces. Cook the chicken without touching it for 5 minutes. Flip over and cook an additional 3-5 minutes until cooked through. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- BROILING INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat the oven to BROIL. Arrange an oven rack 6 inches from the top of the oven. Place a wire rack over a large baking tray. Arrange the chicken on the wire rack. Place the chicken in the oven and broil for 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven, turn each piece of chicken over, and then broil an additional 5-6 minutes.
- Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing thin. Sprinkle with cilantro before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 5/13/20 – recipe notes and photos updated 10/2/25}
Can you give instructions for the oven method? I don’t see them in the recipe itself. Thanks very much.
The oven directions are in the recipe card, Judith. “Preheat the oven to BROIL. Arrange an oven rack 6 inches from the top of the oven. Place a wire rack over a large baking tray. Arrange the chicken on the wire rack. Place the chicken in the oven and broil for 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven, turn each piece of chicken over, and then broil an additional 5-6 minutes.” I hope you like the chicken!
Last minute chicken is a great recipe title! I had a package of chicken tenderloins in the fridge without a plan a ended up making this with roasted potatoes and sauteed yellow squash on the side. I used the broiler method with success. 6 min on each side was sufficient. I think the spice mix would do well on pork as well! Thanks Mary.
We dipped into buffalo sauce and ranch (so good).
I’m so happy to hear this, Tristin! Glad the recipe was a hit.
Hi Mary. I have loved many of your recipes. I have a question regarding the Last Minute Chicken. On the little video accompanying this recipe, it is shown with olive oil being sprinkled on the chicken pieces after applying spices and turning them over. But olive oil is not mentioned in the recipe. Do you use it with this chicken?
Hey Judy, sorry to have missed your comment! You don’t need oil for this recipe, but it won’t hurt. The video in this post is actually a different recipe chicken recipe. (I still need to shoot a video for this one!)
I love this chicken! This is probably a silly question, but what kind of stove top grill pan do you use? I currently don’t have one and looking to buy.
This is the grill pan that I use: https://amzn.to/2WZLoVX
Do you have to slice this after cooking or can you just eat the whole thigh? Didn’t get the slicing thing.
You can eat the whole thing, Lynne. I just typically slice them up to serve them.
Dear Mary:
I’ve wanted to write to you for some time, but here I am. After I ordered your first book, I had to buy book two and three. It is so enjoyable to receive recipe books that I just love, and COOK from them. The Granola is a wonderful one, and everyone should try it, Do you have any more books coming out in the near future? or even in the far future? Thanks for all your efforts, and please keep it up. I”ve also made the Italian Pasta Soup with Beef and Cabbage, such a keeper. It’s wonderful for autumn weather. .I also love how your books are bound, they open flat. Well, thanks again so much.
Hi Verna, what a terrific review of the cookbooks. Thanks for taking the time to let me know you love them. At this time, I’m not planning to write another one, but maybe someday. Happy cooking!
You stole this recipe from iwashyoudry.com you might what to look up copyright laws and take this down before you get sued.
Wow, hon. You might want to actually read her blog post about the recipe. Shawn is a friend of mine and she reviewed my Weekday Lunches and Breakfasts Cookbook, where the original Last Minute Chicken recipe was published. Pretty sure I’m safe from any potential lawsuits.
I’m loving this Last Minute Chicken!
I’m glad you love it, Christine!
This might sound stupid…
Rather than grill or broil can this chicken be baked in the oven after applying all the spices.
It sounds so yummy.
Thank you
Sure thing, Anne. The spices work great with chicken no matter how you choose to cook it.
Looks good. Is a special pan rather than a regular frying pan? It doesn’t seem like a long enough time to cook.
A cast iron grill pan works best.
Great recipes
Especially like the crockpot recipes.
Thank you, Jan. Enjoy!
I haven’t tried this but will very soon. I’ve come to trust any recipe you print so I’m going to say with the spices and seasonings cooking method I know it’s a 10!
I’m glad you have confidence in the recipes, Nadine! I hope you love the last minute chicken. Enjoy, and happy cooking.
Really excited about trying this recipe – am elderly beginner cook! If baked in the oven, what would be the time and temperature? Also, will this wonderful recipe work as an ingredient in most main-dish chicken recipes? Awesome website!
I’m thrilled to have you here, Sue! Yes, this chicken will work well in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken.