Inspiration

[wellygang6]

Hi there, I am having some friends over for a meal on Saturday but cannot think what to cook. I thought perhaps something involving chicken as it tends to be something people like (although not essential that it involves chicken). There will be 2 children also. Does anyone have any ideas please. Thanks

www.feastingathome.com/chicken-provencal/
What about this? You can prepare ahead and serve with a MN salad (!), roast potatoes or jackets or pasta?

Jerk chicken, coconut rice and pineapple salsa https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/jerk-chicken-coconut-peas-pineapple-salsa/

There are a lot of variables that would impact decision making here for me. With children in the mix, chicken is a good shout though as most fussy eaters still eat chicken.

In recent times chicken based options I've done include:

Roast chicken - traditional or in a pot roast format with veg, roast potatoes, etc.

Roast chicken served with a rice pilaf and greens on the side. (A friend does similar but with a veggie based risotto - eg butternut).

Chicken tray bake. If I want it to be "fancy" I'll do a potato dauphinoise on the side and nice sides of greens. If it's more family fun time, I do it with mashed potato.

If no one is fussy, fajitas are fun and everyone can help themselves to what they want with their fajitas.

I would probably go with a couple of curries, one chicken one veg. Then rice, popadoms, naan, onion bhajis, onion salad, mango chutney and raita. A big relaxed help yourself affair. Obviously check with the parents that the kids would be ok with it.
My thinking being it's a good contrast to the upcoming Christmas food and can be mostly prepped and ready in advance.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/coq-au-vin

This is lovely - we made it with skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken legs.

I would do mexican, chicken fajitas with a bavette steak version if you want to be fancy. Let the guests assemble at the table, the children can select the bits they like.

With all the heavy food likely coming up in the coming days its a nice antidote.

Nigellas chicken and orzo
Chicken arrabiata with parmesan dumplings
Souvlaki platter
Creamy lemon chicken
Those are my goto chicken recipes I make for guests. I'm doing the souvlaki platter next week for the inlaws and adding halloumi, dolmades and Greek potatoes.
I like @idontlikealdi idea, fajitas always go down well with kids. Especially if you do a huge tray of nachos.