Is it your turn to host the family? No worries! Here are a few Easy Chicken Dinner Party Recipes you can host this holiday season. Choose from an easy menu full of delicious and easy chicken recipes, ranging from appetizers to dessert. It is one of our most popular categories as it is right before Christmas and recipes are being shared across the web.
If you’re looking for easy chicken dinner party recipes, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve pulled together some of my favorite recipes, so you can host an amazing party without tons of stress.
In a Fit of March Madness, I Went Searching for the Greatest Chicken Dinner Party Recipe of All Time
Everyone is in need of one superb dinner party showstopper. It’s the recipe for when there is an occasion, and you must rise. It’s the recipe that lets you swagger into dinner with the in-laws and sleep well the night before. And, if you eat meat, I feel pretty strongly that at least one of your dinner party showstoppers should involve chicken. Chicken is easy; chicken is relatively cheap. Chicken is comfort; you just have to dress it up a bit.
Choosing chicken dinner party showstoppers, on the other hand, was riddled with subjectivity and an existential whimsy. I was constrained by sheer time and space, and to keep at least a fig leaf of consistency I stuck with relatively Western-centric recipes (no Hainanese chicken and rice to my sadness).
In the end, we decided that a showstopper needs to be impressive but not overly risky in taste or technique; it needs to be suitable for a crowd but have an edge of sexed-up appeal. But ultimately, it needed to have a story and a flair that transcended pure popular numbers.
Meet Our Four Chicken Contenders
1. The French Classic: Julia Child’s Coq au Vin
First up, Julia Child – the great, classic, coq au vin: chicken in red wine with teeny tiny perfect browned mushrooms. Also butter. So much butter! Julia is an enduring spirit for us and probably for you; she never goes out of style. (Don’t miss this New Yorker read if you’re in a mood to spend a little extra time with her today.) But sometimes we forget that she is still utterly modern in her clarity and energy; I was marveling again at the side-by-side recipe layouts of Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Why isn’t every recipe this lucid?
The coq au vin, one of her best-known and most iconic recipes, was a no-brainer for inclusion — it practically defines showstopper. It’s showy with a French authority; but it’s still comfort food you’re not afraid to bring to the table. I mean, this is JULIA CHILD’S COQ AU VIN. Who isn’t at least a little impressed by that? It deserves every bit of its fame. It’s rustic in the best ways, heady with wine and layers of flavor.
The drawback? Man, does it take time. And after all that time, I don’t want to share.
See my full recipe review for more detailed musings (and some pointers if you would like to try this one at home). But while Julia’s recipe at first seemed like a clear winner on taste, I felt dragged down by the weight of its extravagant time and expense. I was so happy for an excuse to buy that bottle of Armagnac but the $40 burnt a hole in my budget.
Is it worth making at least once in your life? By all the Armagnac in Toulouse, yes. Go slow and enjoy it. Is it the first thing that comes to mind when considering a dinner party? No, I can’t say that it does. I would rather make a pot of it slowly with no rush or pressure to set the table for anyone but my family, and hoard that good stew for myself and my husband on a greedy January weekend, with at least two bottles of wine. I don’t really want to share, especially after that much work, and sharing, unfortunately, is the point of a dinner party.
But still — at the start, Julia was the front-runner on sheer taste and pleasure. Who’s next?
2. The ’80s Star: Silver Palate Chicken Marbella
Another very easy choice for our chicken champion bracket — Sheila Lukins’ Silver Palate Chicken Marbella, the darling of the ’80s and beyond. This is the most on-trend recipe I’ve ever made — if that trend belonged to a time well in the past. Heaps of brown sugar, olives, and prunes. Enough chicken to feed a vast crowd. Simple preparation (just toss it all together!).
Again, read my full review, including what I would do differently next time I made it. I see why this is such a classic, but it wasn’t for me — which surprised me. It has so many things I love: olives, capers, the ease of all those chicken parts and make-ahead magic. But I found it contrived and in the end, just too sweet with a very non-contemporary lack of acidity. Even after I tacked on extra time in the oven, the chicken skin was pallid and greasy. The balance was off. It was missing something that would make me confident in serving it.
I’ve already had howls of kickback from people I shared my conclusions with, so to be fair, I don’t think I can pass this by without making it again, but for me — This isn’t my favorite, said in the precise enunciation of my three-year-old at bedtime.
Dinner party main recipes
From easy crowd-pleasing recipes to more impressive dishes for special occasions, try our dinner party main course ideas for fuss-free entertaining.
- Truffle chicken & potato gratinA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.12 ratingsIntroduce a little luxury to a creamy chicken and potato gratin by adding truffle. A great comfort dish to serve in winter, or when you want something special
- Next level paellaA star rating of 4.4 out of 5.19 ratingsChoose the freshest ingredients for a world-class paella with our ultimate recipe. Serve this classic Spanish seafood dish in the pan to impress your guests
- Salmon & spinach with tartare creamA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.172 ratingsEver-versatile salmon is as popular on our shopping lists as chicken. Make the most of it with this impressive recipe
- Honey-glazed spiced roast goose & confit potatoesA star rating of 5 out of 5.1 ratingCook goose glazed in honey and spices for an alternative to turkey this Christmas. Serve with herby confit potatoes
- Lamb chops with chilli & Ligurian broad bean pestoA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.5 ratingsImpress dinner guests with these lightly spiced lamb chops served on a bed of broad bean pesto. Serve with fennel fronds, a drizzle of olive oil and lemon
- One-pot chicken chasseurA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.512 ratingsThis French bistro classic is easy to make at home and fabulous with creamy mash or crusty bread
- Roast cauliflower with caper dressingA star rating of 3.4 out of 5.6 ratingsCooking cauliflower this way gives it a richness that’s balanced by the dressing. A great side dish for a roast dinner and it also works as a vegetarian main
- Cumin-crusted lamb with shallots & crushed new potatoesA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.12 ratingsGet the spiced lamb and new potatoes cooking straight away while you do the rest of the prep. This speedy dinner is delicious with a salted tomato salad
- Lemon roast chicken with chorizo stuffingA star rating of 4.9 out of 5.6 ratingsThe Spanish-style stuffing in this roast chicken dish is packed with flavour and even more so if you make it ahead of time
- Caramelised onion & chicory tart with gorgonzolaA star rating of 4 out of 5.4 ratingsBlue cheese and chicory is a classic combination that defines this tatin-style tart, with hazelnuts added for extra crunch. Perfect for entertaining
- Lobster thermidorA star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratingsEnjoy lobster thermidor for a celebratory starter or luxurious main course. We’ve given the dish a makeover while retaining its original charm
- Lamb biryaniA star rating of 4.7 out of 5.99 ratingsMake this classic Indian dish for deliciously moist lamb with paneer, rice and spinach, all spiced to perfection. Great for casual entertaining
- Slow-roasted shoulder of lambA star rating of 4.3 out of 5.34 ratingsPerfectly marinated meat that melts in the mouth is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Cook this roast for five hours, rest, then sprinkle with zesty gremolata
- Pot-roast pheasant with pearl barley & stuffed onionsA star rating of 4 out of 5.2 ratingsIf you’re cooking to impress, up your game with Tom’s perfect poultry dish for a sensational, seasonal supper for two
- Hake with paprika oil potatoesA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.7 ratingsLet the subtle flavour and meaty texture of hake be the star of the show with just a little paprika oil to lift it. Ideal for an easy, light, romantic meal
- Mustard-stuffed chickenA star rating of 4.6 out of 5.628 ratingsThis is so good we’d be surprised if this chicken fillet recipe doesn’t become a firm favourite. Save it to your My Good Food collection and enjoy.
- Orange-stuffed Christmas duckA star rating of 4.8 out of 5.9 ratingsDuck with an orange glaze is an unbeatable combination, this mouthwatering main course is a festive feast for two
chicken recipes for stress-free entertaining
These impressive poultry dishes are at the top of the pecking order.
We’re keen as mustard for this chicken with creamy mustard and sage sauce
Phoebe Wood’s chicken with creamy mustard and sage sauce recipe is great for whipping up for unexpected weekend guests.
Lift your Sunday roast game with our chicken with lemon and rosemary
Bring citrus and rosemary to the dining table this week, with this Italian chicken dinner.
Chicken tariq
“Who would have thought curdled yoghurt could be so delicious? Also the way the golden slopes of the chicken thighs rise up from the pan reminds me of Gibraltar, the rock island actually named after the general,” says Matt Preston.
Roast chicken and bread salad
“Comfort doesn’t come easier than this,” says Colin Fassnidge.
Baked chicken in cacio e pepe bagna cauda sauce
“Use a good-quality chicken stock – it will make all the difference to the sauce,” says Dominic Smith.
Chicken schnitzel with jalapeno, herb and mustard mayo
This pickled jalapeno, herb and mustard mayo is the perfect pairing to this crumbed chicken schnitzel.
Chilli caramel wings with peanut coriander relish
These Thai-flavoured chicken wings are a little bit nutty and spicy.
Roast chicken with lemon, sage and parsley stuffing
“Tear up some bread for rustic Italian-style salads, or place a whole roast chicken on some stale bread to soak up all the delicious pan juices,” says Lisa Margan.
Chicken shawarma with fried chickpeas
Colin Fassnidge and Anthony Puharich are bringing the kebab to the people, with a family-friendly version that packs a punch.
This juicy chicken burger is the ultimate party starter
Satay chicken. In a burger. Say no more.