As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been thinking a lot about what actually worked in my kitchen this year. Not the trend-driven recipes or the ones that looked good on camera but never made it back into rotation. I’m talking about the meals we returned to again and again, the ones that fed my family, fit into real life, and felt familiar in the best way.
This year was about synergy. Slowing down. Choosing simplicity. Letting go of perfection and leaning into what feels good and dependable. And when I look back at the easy chicken recipes that defined my kitchen in 2025, these three stand out for all the same reasons: they’re classic, easy, and rooted in tradition.
If you missed them this year, don’t worry, these are the recipes you’ll still be making well into 2026.
1. Parboiled Fried Chicken
A forever classic that proves simple always wins
If there was one recipe that truly surprised people this year, it was my parboiled fried chicken. This method is old-school, practical, and wildly underrated. Parboiling the chicken first ensures it’s seasoned through, tender on the inside, and perfectly cooked before it ever hits hot oil.
What I love most about this recipe is how forgiving it is. There’s no guesswork, no stress about undercooked chicken, and no need for fancy ingredients. It’s the kind of fried chicken you make when you want it right, crispy, juicy, and deeply familiar.
This recipe became a staple in my kitchen in 2025, and it’s not going anywhere.
2. Southern Smothered Chicken
Comfort food that feels like home
Southern smothered chicken is the definition of slow, intentional cooking, without being complicated. It’s rich without being heavy, flavorful without being fussy, and comforting in a way that feels grounding.
This was one of those recipes that aligned perfectly with the rhythm of the year. One pan. Simple ingredients. A meal that encourages you to sit down, slow down, and enjoy the moment. It’s the kind of dish that feels like care—both in how it’s made and how it’s served.
As we head into 2026, this is exactly the kind of food I plan to keep making.
3. Slow Cooker Baked Chicken
Proof that ease and flavor can coexist
2025 reminded me that ease is not a shortcut, it’s a strategy. And this slow cooker baked chicken recipe embodies that lesson perfectly. It’s hands-off, reliable, and endlessly adaptable to whatever season you’re in.
This recipe became a go-to on busy days when I still wanted something warm and satisfying on the table. It’s simple, familiar, and practical—everything real-life cooking should be.
If 2026 is about preserving energy and protecting routines, this recipe earns its place.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that familiar doesn’t mean boring and simple doesn’t mean lacking intention. These three chicken recipes reflect the way I want to move forward: rooted, steady, and thoughtful.
As we head into 2026, I’m carrying these lessons with me. Cooking meals that nourish without overwhelm. Choosing recipes that work for real families and real schedules. And honoring the classics that never fail us.
If you’re building your recipe rotation for the year ahead, start here. These are not-to-be-missed for a reason.
Which one are you making first?
Parboiled Fried Chicken
Southern Smothered Chicken
