21 Thanksgiving Mains People Are Making Instead of Turkey This Year

Lately, I’ve been noticing how Thanksgiving conversations always drift to fresh ideas for mains, as if everyone suddenly is on a mission to shake things up. Friends keep telling me what they’re making instead of the usual turkey, and honestly, it’s been so fun swapping inspirations. This year, the hype around creative dishes has me more excited for dinner than ever. Mains that used to be side-thoughts are finally getting their moment.

Crispy Lemon Chicken That Beats Turkey

 

This bright, lemony baked chicken delivers tender meat and crispy potatoes—an easy, flavorful Thanksgiving main guests won’t expect.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Lemon Chicken And Potatoes

Creamy Custard Chicken for Holiday Comfort

This rich, savory chicken baked in a silky gruyere custard brings a decadent twist to Thanksgiving without the fuss of a whole turkey.
Get the Recipe: Chicken With Custard

White Wine Chicken Worth the Holiday Spotlight

A simple white-wine pan sauce transforms everyday chicken into an elegant Thanksgiving centerpiece without hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Chicken In White Wine

Sweet & Tangy Lemon Chicken for Thanksgiving

This vibrant lemon chicken with caramelized dates brings a bright, modern flavor to the Thanksgiving table without any heavy prep.
Get the Recipe: Baked Lemon Chicken Recipe

Crispy Chicken Fried Chicken for the Big Feast

This ultra-crispy Southern favorite brings comforting holiday nostalgia, complete with creamy gravy that rivals any turkey dinner.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Fried Chicken With Gravy

Prosciutto Chicken That Steals the Holiday Show

Salty prosciutto and a velvety pesto sauce turn simple chicken into a sophisticated Thanksgiving main that cooks in no time.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken With Creamy Pesto

Holiday Chicken Saltimbocca Everyone Loves

Fresh basil, prosciutto, and tender chicken make this fast, flavorful saltimbocca a standout Thanksgiving alternative.
Get the Recipe: Saltimbocca Recipe With Chicken & Artichokes

Crunchy Nut-Crusted Chicken for Thanksgiving

Pecans and panko give this chicken a festive crunch, while lemon and thyme keep the flavors bright for a refreshing holiday entrée.
Get the Recipe: Nut-Crusted Chicken With Lemon And Thyme

Chicken Marsala Perfect for Thanksgiving Night

This rich, mushroom-forward marsala chicken brings warm, earthy flavors to your holiday table without the work of roasting a bird.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Marsala With Mushrooms

Zesty Tequila Chicken for a Bold Thanksgiving

A bright tequila-lime marinade infuses this grilled chicken with holiday-ready flavor for a lively, unexpected Thanksgiving main.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Tequila Chicken Recipe (Chicken Marinade)

Roasted Chicken with Olives for Holiday Flair

Sweet grapes and briny olives roast together with juicy chicken for a rustic, holiday-ready dish that comes together quickly.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Chicken with Olives and Grapes

Maple Glazed Chicken Made for Thanksgiving

A maple-kissed glaze and roasted acorn squash make this cozy chicken dish a perfect seasonal centerpiece for your Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Maple Glazed Chicken With Acorn Squash

Southern Chicken & Dumplings for a Cozy Feast

Comforting and hearty, this Southern classic brings warm, nostalgic flavors to Thanksgiving without any complicated cooking.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken And Dumplings With Steamed Biscuits

Easy Roasted Chicken for a Stress-Free Holiday

This quick roasted chicken delivers bright lemon-thyme flavor and tender meat—ideal for a Thanksgiving main with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken With Lemon And Shallots

Apricot Chicken That Shines on Thanksgiving

Sweet apricot and tangy Dijon create a glossy, flavorful chicken dish that adds a bright, modern twist to your Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Tender And Juicy Apricot Chicken Recipe

Savory Adobo for a Bold Thanksgiving Main

Swap the turkey for this rich, tangy Filipino favorite that brings deep flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness to your holiday table. It’s a standout main that keeps guests coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Adobo Recipe

Creamy Tomato Chicken for Cozy Gatherings

Bring a luxurious twist to Thanksgiving with tender chicken simmered in a velvety sun-dried tomato sauce—an easy, crowd-pleasing main that feels festive without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Chicken

Roasted Chicken & Sweets for Holiday Flavor

This simple sheet-pan main delivers fall comfort with roasted chicken and caramelized sweet potatoes—an easy alternative that still feels holiday-worthy.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken And Sweet Potatoes

Tender Sous Vide Chicken for Turkey Haters

Skip the stress and serve perfectly juicy chicken every time—this sous vide option delivers tender, reliable results that make it a standout Thanksgiving centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Sous Vide Chicken Breast Recipe

Cheesy Stuffed Chicken for a Festive Main

Make your holiday table irresistible with this pesto-stuffed, bacon-wrapped chicken—an indulgent upgrade that feels special without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breast

Easy Crockpot Chicken for a No-Turkey Feast

When you want a stress-free Thanksgiving, this set-and-forget chicken with savory dressing delivers classic comfort without the turkey workload.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken And Dressing

Before the Turkey, Make These 22 Fall Sides Everyone Will Actually Eat

Fall dinners are all about those cozy, crowd-pleasing dishes that somehow disappear before the turkey even hits the table. From buttery potatoes to roasted veggies with a little seasonal flair, these sides are the kind everyone will actually eat, no sad leftovers here.
Grab it here: Before the Turkey, Make These 22 Fall Sides Everyone Will Actually Eat