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    Home » Recipe Index » Chicken Dishes

    20 Easy Chicken Recipes for One Person

    February 19, 2023 Updated April 24, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD Chicken Dishes, Cooking for One

    collage of chicken dishes with text overlay

    Cooking for one? Here are 20 different chicken recipes for one person. These recipes include soup recipes, pasta recipes, salads, flatbread/pizza, and easy lunch recipes that all use chicken. Single serving recipes at their best.

    four different chicken dishes on plates

    [This chicken recipes for one round up was originally posted in February 2023. It has been updated with additional tips and more chicken recipes]

    Table of contents

    • Tips to Cook for One
    • What Should I Cook for One Person?
    • Soup
    • Pasta
    • Salad
    • Flatbread/Pizza
    • Easy Lunch Ideas
    • Other Chicken Recipes
    • FAQ

    Chicken is such an easy protein to have on hand. Buy some fresh chicken at the store whenever you go, stock up on frozen chicken breasts or tenders, or get a rotisserie chicken and use it for the week, or store for longer.

    I often buy a big package of frozen chicken tenders (these are cut chicken breasts, I think) at Costco and grab what I need. I usually don't defrost them, and cook them, covered, with water until defrosted, then cook to brown them.

    This is easy for me, is less expensive than buying it fresh, and it lasts a long time in the freezer. If you can bulk buy ingredients, and have some freezer storage, this is a great option.

    It's often a less expensive meat, and can be used in so many recipes!

    Tips to Cook for One

    If you're new to cooking for one or your cooking is feeling stale, here are a couple resources to get you started/re-inspire you. Remember, there's no need to always cook at home, but if you like cooking, this will make it easier and more enjoyable.

    • Cooking for One Pantry Essentials
    • Meal Planning for One
    • Free Cooking for One Cookbook
    • Cooking for One Cooking Hacks

    What Should I Cook for One Person?

    • Pantry Recipes for One
    • Easy Pasta Recipes for One
    • Cheap Meals for One
    • The Best Single Serving Recipes
    • Single Serving/Small Batch Desserts

    Soup

    Chicken Soup for One
    Make some comforting, delicious chicken soup for one in about 30 minutes. This warming recipe is easy, flavorful, and made in one pot. It's perfect for a quick winter dinner.
    Check out this recipe
    bowl of egg noodles, carrots in bowl

    Chicken soup is a comforting classic. For good reason. Make this easy chicken recipe for one person for a quick, comforting dinner. White wine and lemon are added for a boost of flavor.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Mushroom Soup (for one)
    This creamy, comforting chicken and mushroom soup with wild rice is the perfect winter recipe to warm up with. It just takes about 15 minutes hands-on time and is ready to eat in about 50 minutes. Use frozen chicken to make it even easier!
    Check out this recipe
    close up of mushroom and wild rice soup in a bowl

    Chicken and mushrooms is such a classic, delicious combination. Add both to this easy soup, that you can make in your Instant Pot. Double or triple this chicken recipe for one person so you can have leftovers.

    Pasta

    One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta (for one)
    Make this 20 minute, pantry ingredient, one pot chicken parmesan pasta for one. It's got crispy breadcrumbs instead of traditional crispy, cheesy chicken parmesan without the extra time, steps, and mess.
    Check out this recipe
    square photo of spiral pasta with tomatoes on a black plate with a fork

    Chicken parm is such a delicious dish, but it honestly takes more work than I'd like. With a few hacks, like pan frying breadcrumbs, you get all the delicious chicken parm flavors, without the mess and time.

    Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Pasta for One
    Combine the best salty, earthy, and meaty flavors in this 20 minute creamy one pot chicken bacon and mushroom pasta. Quickly cook your pasta while preparing your mushrooms then add it back after cooking the meat and mushrooms for a super easy one pot dinner for one.
    Check out this recipe
    close up of pasta with mushrooms, bacon, and chicken with a fork in it

    Chicken, mushrooms, and bacon with pasta! Need I say more? I love this flavor combo, and what makes it even better is that it's ready in 20 minutes. It's a delicious chicken recipe for one person.

    Salad

    Watermelon Chicken Salad
    Enjoy the best summer flavors with this easy watermelon chicken salad. It's made with sweet juicy watermelon, tender chicken, peppery arugula, salty feta, and chewy barley. This single serving salad is summer on a plate, no doubt!
    Check out this recipe
    large bowl full of watermelon, blueberries, feta cheese on a table

    I usually enjoy seasonal watermelon plain, but why not enjoy it with other ingredients in this easy watermelon chicken salad. It's easy, and perfect for a light summer meal.

    Chicken Cranberry Walnut Salad for One
    Cranberry walnut chicken salad just takes 15 minutes to make. It's the perfect easy lunch. Serve over greens, in a sandwich, croissant, or a wrap for lots of options.
    Check out this recipe
    chicken salad with crasins and walnuts on lettuce

    This chicken salad is great over greens, but it's really delicious with a crusty chunk of bread, or served as a sandwich. It's a great winter-y take on a classic chicken salad, which again, is the epitome of easy chicken recipes for one person.

    Mediterranean Grain Bowl for One
    This tangy Mediterranean grain bowl for one is ready in 20 minutes. It's full of lots of pantry ingredients, most of which can be swapped for what you already have. Use this recipe, especially the dressing, and adjust to use what you have.
    Check out this recipe
    blue bowl full of vegetables, olives, grains, chickpeas, and chicken

    This is one of my favorite meals, it's got so much flavor, so many textures, and is just so tasty. Adapt it to use what you have, here's a YouTube video to show you how to make it flavorful with what you have.

    Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken (for one)
    Make a strawberry spinach salad with chicken for one in just 10 minutes with cooked chicken, sweet strawberries, avocado, pistachios, and hemp hearts. It's bathed with an easy 4 ingredient balsamic dressing that you'll want on everything!
    Check out this recipe
    spinach strawberry salad in a bowl

    Add some cooked chicken to a simple strawberry spinach salad. It's a great way to enjoy summer flavors in a very delicious and refreshing way.

    Flatbread/Pizza

    Buffalo Chicken Flatbread for One
    Buffalo chicken flatbread for one or two can be made in 15 minutes. It's is tangy, spicy, and cheesy. It's perfect for a quick dinner if you've got precooked chicken and a few random vegetables that need to be eaten up.
    Check out this recipe
    buffalo chicken flatbread with ranch on top

    Pizza is my favorite way to use up random vegetables in the fridge, it's fun, always something to look forward to, and a great way to reduce food waste. This buffalo chicken flatbread/pizza is a nice vehicle for random ingredients.

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread (for one)
    This 20 minute chicken bacon ranch flatbread is an easy dinner recipe for one person that works as a great base for using up other ingredients like vegetables.
    Check out this recipe
    slice of chicken bacon pizza with bite out of it

    Chicken, bacon, AND ranch on a pizza/flatbread? Yes please, enjoy this easy dinner as is or add some random veggies in your fridge to reduce food waste.

    Easy Lunch Ideas

    Healthy Chicken Salad Sandwich
    Make an easy chicken salad pita for one in about 10 minutes. This easy lunch is so tasty! Eat it over a bed of lettuce, over whole grain bread, or just off a spoon. 
    Check out this recipe
    pita filled with chicken salad and salad on plate

    Like I said, chicken salad options are endless. Here's a classic version that's great in a pita, bread, or on greens. It's great as is or with even more add-ins.

    Chicken Omelet
    This chicken omelet is a great way to repurpose dinner leftovers. Pair the chicken with tomatoes, onion, and cheese for a flavorful breakfast.
    Check out this recipe
    omelet with chicken on plate with fork

    I never would have thought of adding chicken to an omelet, but this omelet is so comforting and delicious. It's a great way to use up leftover chicken in a slightly unexpected way. It makes an easy chicken dinner or breakfast.

    Apple Pecan Chicken Salad (for one)
    This apple pecan chicken salad, is a fantastic throw together lunch or dinner. It just takes 10 minutes! Use precooked chicken, green apple, pecans, and a Greek yogurt/mayonnaise dressing for a tangy salad.
    Check out this recipe
    open faced chicken salad sandwich with sides on plate

    If you like crunchy chicken salads, this chicken pecan and apple salad is perfect for you. Chicken salad is a classic quick chicken recipe for one person, and for good reason-it's easy, tangy, and add-in options are endless.

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich
    Make this easy chicken bacon ranch sandwich with leftover chicken (or freshly cooked) in about 15 minutes. Tender chicken, crispy and salty bacon, herby ranch, and gooey cheese make for the perfect filling in this sandwich.
    Check out this recipe
    chicken sandwich slices, stacked

    This easy sandwich can be made with leftover rotisserie chicken, crunchy bacon, some ranch and vegetable sandwich toppings. It's so flavorful and feels fancy without much effort.

    Chicken Burrito Bowl
    This Burrito Bowl Recipe is so satisfying! It’s the perfect lunch option and, best of all, it’s easy to throw together.
    Check out this recipe
    burrito bowl with cheese, avocado, lime, onions, beans, tomatoes

    I love a good burrito bowl, lots of textures, flavors, and a delicious sauce... in a bowl?! yes please. Another great way to use up random ingredients in your fridge, but in a delicious way.

    Other Chicken Recipes

    Single Serving Bacon Wrapped Chicken (hack)
    This easy single serving bacon wrapped chicken is the best way to enjoy fall and winter flavors without much effort at all. It just takes about 10 minutes hands on time, and you can let your oven do 90% of the work.
    Check out this recipe
    chicken with bacon on top next to brussels sprouts on a grey plate

    I'll be the first to admit, a recipe that takes 45 minutes to make? Not usually something I'd wait for. But this recipe is assembled quickly, is easy to clean up, and, well it has chicken and bacon. So it's worth trying. Again-chicken and bacon.

    Chicken Broccoli Divan (two servings)
    This easy chicken broccoli divan is ready to eat in about 30 minutes. It's full of tender chicken and broccoli with a creamy curry sauce. This simple recipe makes two servings, and is great as leftovers.
    Check out this recipe
    close up of cheesy broccoli in white casserole dish

    Serve this chicken and broccoli over rice for a delicious, easy recipe. It makes 2 servings, but honestly you'll want the leftovers. It's as good, if not better day two.

    Creamy Mushroom Chicken with Rice (single serving)
    This comforting, cheesy, creamy mushroom chicken with rice for one is the perfect fall recipe. It's done in about 25 minutes in just one pot, so you can have a delicious dinner in no time and with just a bit of clean-up.
    Check out this recipe
    mushrooms and chicken over rice on a white and grey plate

    This easy mushroom chicken with rice is so creamy and delicious, it's also made in one pot in less than 30 minutes, so it doesn't require much clean up either.

    Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice (single serving)
    Never have day old rice to make fried rice with? Make this super easy, single serving, one pot Instant Pot chicken fried rice. It just takes about 30 minutes. Make 2+ servings for leftovers.
    Check out this recipe
    bowl of chicken fried rice with gold fork in it

    If you don't have leftover rice, this Instant Pot chicken fried rice is a great way to enjoy fried rice, without the right, leftover rice. It takes about 30 minutes, and is made in an Instant Pot for super easy clean up.

    Juicy Baked Panko Chicken for One
    This panko chicken is very easy to make, throw some potato wedges and vegetables in with it to make a one pan dinner in about 30 minutes. A tasty mayonnaise coating seals in the juices so it's not dry at all.
    Check out this recipe
    sliced panko crusted chicken, side dishes, ranch on yellow plate

    This is one of my go-to meals. It's so easy and simple, yet flavorful with a few spices and mustard added before the breading. A special, simple sauce below the breading seals in the juices so your baked chicken is very tender and juicy.

    FAQ

    How to cook chicken for one person?

    There are lots of ways to cook chicken for one person, it doesn't have to be boring at all. Check out the chicken recipes listed above for some delicious and easy chicken recipes for one person.

    What are your best recipes for cooking for one?

    There are lots of delicious single serving recipes. Here is a list of some of my most popular/favorite Single Serving Recipes.

    Did you make any of these chicken recipes for one person? Leave me a comment & rating to share how your recipe(s) turned out!

    Want time saving tips to make recipes like these chicken recipes for one person delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Chicken Dishes

    • close up of pasta with mushrooms, bacon, and chicken with a fork in it
      Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Pasta for One
    • large bowl full of watermelon, blueberries, feta cheese on a table
      Watermelon Chicken Salad for One
    • chicken sandwich slices, stacked
      Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich
    • ravioli with mushrooms and chicken in a white bowl
      Mushroom Ravioli Sauce (no cream) for Two

    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandra says

      February 24, 2023 at 4:42 am

      Fabulous list of chicken recipes for one person. So handy to have in one spot. I've bookmarked it for later. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 24, 2023 at 6:15 pm

        great! enjoy when you need one

        Reply
    2. Katherine says

      February 24, 2023 at 4:29 am

      This is such a handy list for small portion meals! Bookmarking as I'm sure I'll use it a lot.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 24, 2023 at 6:16 pm

        totally! enjoy

        Reply
    3. Dannii says

      February 24, 2023 at 2:36 am

      This is so helpful for those nights that I just have me to cook for. So much great choice.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 24, 2023 at 6:16 pm

        awesome!

        Reply
    4. Rachna says

      February 23, 2023 at 9:22 pm

      This is a fantastic collection. I have shared it with my college going son who is always looking for recipes for one. Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 24, 2023 at 6:16 pm

        fantastic!

        Reply
    5. Ned says

      February 23, 2023 at 7:17 pm

      These are the best recipes! I love making them for lunch. Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 24, 2023 at 6:16 pm

        great to hear

        Reply

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