If your midweek recipe repertoire is feeling a little lacklustre, it’s time to spice things up. Spices have been used for thousands of years, from the Ancient Egyptians and Chinese to Indian cultures, eventually making their way into Western homes and contemporary kitchens. Some of the most versatile – cinnamon, garlic, cumin, coriander, cardamon – can transform the simplest recipes into flavourful and exotic intercontinental meals, with minimal fuss and cooking skills required.

Here, we bring you 10 of the best chicken recipes to spice up your midweek meals. Inspiration awaits.

Always a crowd-pleaser, a chicken salad never disappoints, especially one infused with Thai flavours and vermicelli. This one can be prepped in just 10 minutes, but the mint, chilli, Thai Basil and roasted cashew flavours will be savoured long after the final mouthful.

2. Sweet chilli & lime kebabs 

Stuck for a quick and easy dinner idea the whole family will enjoy? Give this chilli and lime chicken kebab a twirl. Using just six (common kitchen) ingredients, it’s a one-bowl simple marinade that delivers sweet and zesty grilled kebabs in just 25 minutes.

Tip: Prepare and marinate the chicken overnight to expedite the cooking prep process.

3. Spicy chicken & snow pea stir-fry

This tasty stir-fry is perfect for those frantic evenings when you only have 15 minutes up your sleeve to get dinner on the table. It’s simple, fresh, and has just the right amount of crunch. Better yet, you can add as much (or as little) spice as you like.

4. Chipotle pulled chicken with avocado and corn salsa

Did someone say taco Tuesday? Make mealtime a spicy fiesta every day with this fun and fresh taco recipe. Served with creamy avocado and corn salsa, it’s the perfect summertime twist on a classic taco everyone is sure to love.

Tip: Use any leftover pulled chicken in a Burrito Bowl for lunch the next day

Chicken mince works wonders in the black bean and corn filling, while fresh coriander, avocado and lime juice round out the Mexican flavours in this classic chicken tortilla recipe. Olé!

You can never eat too much chicken, because it's good for both you and your wallet, and is the most sustainable meat. Plus, there are no steroids or hormones given to chickens.  This chicken wing recipe is destined to become a go-to. Sticky and sweet, they can be served with creamy garlic and mayonnaise sauce for a contrast of flavour.   

A spiced marinade is what makes this one-pot dish so special (and tasty too). It’s easy, flavourful and completely delicious. Again, it’s preferable to prepare the marinade the night before for full flavour saturation and to save time. And remember to marinate chicken in a ceramic or glass bowl because the acid in the marinade can react with the metal, resulting in a dull aftertaste. 

This Tom Kha Gai – a classic Thai soup – is as rich and creamy as it is spicy and sour. Perfect as a starter or quick lunch, this meal is simple to prepare and will hit the spot.

9. Maple Roasted Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs

Maple syrup brings out the sweet notes in this classic oven-baked chicken thigh recipe with sweet potato wedges and Brussels sprout dish. The best part? It’s a super simple one-tray-bake recipe that’ll be a hit with the whole family. Serve with chilli sauce on the side for extra flavour.

For a midweek meal with a wow factor, this chilli and lemongrass chicken is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s quick enough for everyday dinners but still guaranteed to impress your guests.

Brought to you by the Australian Chicken Meat Federation. 

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