Believe it or not, there are several different ways to cook chicken for easy weeknight meals that are anything BUT boring. And we’ve got the recipes to prove it.   

It’s finally starting to feel like fall, which makes us think of the back-to-school season, which makes us think of busy weeknights, which makes us think of quick-fix meals, which brings us to the standard (translation: boring) chicken dinner.

Although this lean protein is easy to prepare and versatile, it gets a bad rap for its flavor, or lack thereof. We’re here to rescue you from your chicken rut and prove once and for all that it can actually taste good. Great, even. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Coat it in a glaze

…but not just any glaze. A vinegar, soy sauce, and honey one, to be exact. It’s meant to coat the chicken, but we have a feeling you’ll be sneaking some on the rice and crispy snap peas as well.

2. Make it crispy

Crispy fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food. The only problem? It often comes with a side of guilt. Our chefs found a way around this by coating baked chicken thighs with panko and sour cream.

3. Put it on a pizza

It doesn’t matter what month it is–we will always be in the mood for this summery corn and chicken pizza with tomatoes, scallions, and Adobo sauce.

4. Toss it with pasta

Just when we thought our favorite alfredo dish couldn’t get any better, this protein-packed version came along. Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder. WIN.

5. Drizzle on the sauce

In the world of sauces, creamy peppercorn ones reign supreme. But don’t just take our word for it. Whip it up to see for yourself.

6. Create a crust

For a nutty flavor and crunchy texture, combine mustard with crushed pistachios. Super simple but DELISH.

7. Sneak it in a taco

Celebrate taco night with these smoky chicken tacos. There’s a bit of heat thanks to our unique Southwest spice blend, a kick of tang from the lime crema, and a pop of color with the addition of sweet corn and succulent tomatoes.

Now that you’re equipped with seven different ways to cook chicken, it’s time to move onto another protein-packed ingredient: beans.