22 Comforting Weeknight Recipes That Call for Chicken Broth

From weeknight chicken ramen to Instant Pot chicken and dumplings, these quick and easy meals make good use of a box of broth.

By
Claudia Cash
Claudia Cash
Claudia Cash
Claudia has been a contributor for Simply Recipes 2017, writing numerous articles focused on cooking on a budget, quick and easy meals, and kid-friendly foods.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
and
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves is a food and beverage writer.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated April 28, 2025
Skillet Chicken and Orzo
Elise Bauer

Sometimes you have a half-empty carton of chicken stock (or is it broth?) in the fridge. But if you look at it as a half-full opportunity, it's a nudge to make a saucy or soupy recipe on the fly. Other times, you just need a dinner you can cobble together with pantry ingredients, and that's when your stash of unopened cartons can save the day.

Either way, what ridiculously easy meals can be made with chicken broth? Let’s answer that question with 22 of our favorite dinner recipes from the site!

  • Creamy Chicken Florentine

    Creamy chicken Florentine in skillet.

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    Chicken, spinach, and mushrooms smothered in a creamy, tasty sauce are hard to resist and cook up in just 30 minutes.

  • Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen

    Easy Chicken Ramen Recipe with Noodles and poached eggs in a round bowl
    Sally Vargas

    A practically fuss-free meal that boosts store-bought chicken broth with some flavor enhancers and gets your bowls on the table in under 30 minutes.

  • Chop Suey

    Platter of Chop Suey at a Table Setting With Chopsticks on Napkins and Bowls of Rice, All on a Grey Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    Make this Chinese American classic dish with chicken, plenty of vegetables, and a sauce of low-sodium chicken broth, oyster sauce, and soy sauce. Serve over rice.

  • Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts

    Lemon Pepper Chicken in a Pan Garnished with Shredded Parsley and Lemon Slices

    Simply Recipes / Marta Rivera Diaz

    Here's a weeknight winner that's a breeze to make in a skillet. Deglaze the pan with a splash of chicken broth to make a lemony sauce.

    Continue to 5 of 22 below

  • Microwave Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)

    Microwave Oyakodon (Japanese Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl) in a Microwavable Dish, and in the Background, a Small Plate With Cooked Rice and a Small Plate of Kimchi

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    If you have eggs, half a cup of chicken stock, and a little leftover cooked chicken, you're not far from making this comforting microwave meal. Serve with warm rice.

  • Chicken Piccata Pasta

    Lemon Chicken Piccata Recipe
    Nick Evans

    The best of chicken piccata's flavors, but in a slightly easier-to-serve preparation. This recipe makes a ton of food, so you’ll have leftovers to freeze!

  • Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

    A blue bowl on a pink cloth filled with chicken and dumplings with an instant pot in the background.
    Coco Morante

    Old-fashioned, comforting chicken and dumplings that take a lot less time to make when you use your Instant Pot.

  • Sopa Seca de Fideo (Mexican-style Angel Hair Nests)

    Sopa Seca de Fideo Angel Hair Nests
    Elise Bauer

    The noodles in this dish absorb all the rich flavors of the chicken broth, making the noodles taste better than anything you’ve ever imagined.

    Continue to 9 of 22 below

  • Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms and Shallots

    http://dealshub.info/recipes/edamame_dip/
    Elise Bauer

    Did you know that tarragon adds the best flavor to chicken and mushrooms and really elevates the whole dish? Use a little bit in this recipe to make the flavor out of this world.

  • Balsamic Risotto with Tomatoes and Basil

    Balsamic Risotto with Tomatoes and Basil
    Elise Bauer

    If you’re looking to use up a lot of chicken broth, then this is the recipe for you! It uses up four cups and is perfect if you’re looking for something hearty, rich, and flavorful.

  • One Pot Chicken and Orzo

    Skillet Chicken and Orzo
    Elise Bauer

    The trick to pulling this dish off is to toast the orzo so it adds a warm, toasty, and nutty flavor that can’t be beat! Even with toasting the orzo, the dish is ready in about 35 minutes.

  • Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup

    Sally Vargas

    Use rotisserie chicken to make this dish super easy to throw together. And, don’t forget the garnishes because they really elevate the dish.

    Continue to 13 of 22 below

  • Rotisserie Chicken Stroganoff

    Chicken Stroganoff Recipe
    Nick Evans

    The finished sauce is reminiscent of chicken pot pie filling, but it's served over egg noodles.

  • Weeknight Chicken Biryani

    Chicken Biryani
    Sheryl Julian

    This stovetop version of the well-known Indian rice dish is made with chicken and seasoned with turmeric and ginger. It can be ready for the table in under an hour!

  • Quick Chicken Pho

    Quick Chicken Pho
    Emma Christensen

    The broth is simmered with herbs and spices to boost its flavor. This is a great recipe for those who have never made pho before!

  • Copycat Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

    Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken and gnocchi soup on a beige table napkin

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

    Recipe Developer Melissa Gray says, "Olive Garden adds roast chicken to the soup. You can take their lead and pick up a roast chicken from the grocery store—that's what I did to develop the recipe."

    Continue to 17 of 22 below

  • Chicken and Apples in Honey Mustard Sauce

    Chicken Apples Honey Mustard
    Elise Bauer

    Dredge chicken breasts in a little flour, brown them along with apple slices in a little olive oil, and add a simple honey mustard sauce. Serve with rice or buttered noodles.

  • Skillet Chicken with Baby Bok Choy

    Sesame Chicken on top of Seared baby bok choy
    Coco Morante

    Seared, slightly peppery baby bok choy creates a bed for soy-sauced chicken breasts sprinkled with sesame seeds.

  • Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

    Pressure Cooker Chicken and Rice Casserole
    Coco Morante

    Sour cream and heavy cream create a rich creamy sauce for the classic, comforting chicken, rice, and mushroom dish that's ready in under an hour.

  • Easy Chicken Pot Pie

    Homemade Chicken Pot Pie with a golden crust has a serving removed and set on a white plate to the right.
    Marta Rivera

    Use rotisserie chicken, frozen vegetables, and puff pastry to make a quick version of this classic comfort food.

    Continue to 21 of 22 below

  • Stracciatella alla Romana

    Italian Egg Drop Soup
    Elise Bauer

    Also called Italian egg drop soup, Parmesan cheese, panko, spinach, and egg get swirled into chicken broth for a delicious, easy, warming soup.

  • Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

    beef and broccoli stir-fry
    Elise Bauer

    Tender steak, crisp broccoli, and plenty of garlic are the classic ingredients to this stir-fry (with sauce made from chicken broth) that's done in 30 minutes.

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