We know those nights, friend. You open the fridge, it looks bare, and takeout starts calling your name. Then you glance at that pantry full of cans and jars and think, “Now what on earth can we do with this?”
Those shelves are pure gold for one pan chicken recipes. With a skillet, a few pantry staples, and a little love, we can pull together easy dinner ideas that taste like a warm hug. These meals are perfect for weeknight dinners, feel like real family meals, and still count as budget-friendly recipes.
We keep everything simple, cozy, and kind to our energy levels. Most of these are 30-minute meals, use 10 ingredients or fewer, and rely on basic tools like a good skillet or Instant Pot. This is easy cooking at its best, turning pantry odds and ends into quick recipes that save the day.
Photo by Tahir Xəlfə
Tomato Chickpea Chicken Skillet
Easy because everything simmers in one pan while we set the table, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 20 minutes.
We brown chicken thighs in a little oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet, then pour in a can of diced tomatoes, a drained can of chickpeas, jarred garlic, salt, pepper, and a pinch of cumin. It all bubbles together until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.
We can swap chickpeas for white beans or use chicken breasts instead of thighs. This one keeps well for meal prep, so we pack leftovers for lunch and feel proud of ourselves the next day.
Zesty Salsa Chicken
Easy because the jar of salsa does almost all the seasoning, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 18 minutes.
We sear seasoned chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet, then pour in a jar of salsa and a drained can of corn. A little cumin and chili powder turn it into a saucy, cozy dish that cooks through in minutes.
We use mild salsa for kids and spicy for grown-ups. Leftovers roll up perfectly in tortillas, which makes this a quiet hero for quick meals and next-day meal prep burritos.
Green Bean Garlic Chicken
Easy because we open cans instead of chopping veggies, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 22 minutes.
We warm oil in a skillet, add chicken tenders, and spoon in jarred minced garlic. Then we toss in two drained cans of green beans and a splash of broth, sprinkle onion powder, and let everything simmer till the chicken is juicy.
Fresh green beans work if we have them, but cans keep it truly simple recipes style. This reheats well in the microwave, so we portion it into containers for grab-and-go family meals.
Creamy Mushroom Chicken Skillet
Easy because canned soup makes the sauce for us, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 20 minutes.
In an oven-safe skillet, we brown chicken pieces, then stir in two drained cans of mushrooms and a can of cream of chicken soup. A little thyme and pepper, then we slide it into the oven until bubbly.
We swap cream of mushroom soup if that is what we have. Leftovers over rice or noodles turn into another full dinner, so this one is lovely for meal prep.
Artichoke Olive Pantry Chicken
Easy because jars bring big flavor with no chopping, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 19 minutes.
We brown chicken thighs in oil, then add drained jarred artichoke hearts, a handful of olives, and a can of diced tomatoes. A sprinkle of oregano and garlic powder makes it smell like a cozy café.
We can use chicken breasts or leave out olives if our crew is picky. It keeps beautifully in the fridge and tastes even better the next day as a quick meal over couscous.
Coconut Curry Chickpea Chicken
Easy because coconut milk turns into sauce on its own, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 20 minutes.
In a deep skillet, we sear chicken, then pour in a can of coconut milk, a drained can of chickpeas, curry powder, and salt. It simmers into a silky curry that feels like takeout without the bill.
We use light coconut milk to cut richness or swap chickpeas for lentils. This dish is a star for meal prep, spooned over rice and stacked in the fridge for busy weeknight dinners.
White Bean “Tuscan” Chicken
Easy because we toss everything into one pan and let it cozy up, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 21 minutes.
We brown chicken breasts, add two drained cans of white beans, a spoon of chopped sundried tomatoes from a jar, and some frozen spinach. A little garlic and broth help it simmer into a thick, hearty stew.
Black beans work in a pinch, and kale can stand in for spinach. We love this one as a budget-friendly recipe that stretches into two nights of family meals.
Kidney Bean Chili Chicken (Instant Pot)
Easy because the Instant Pot does the work while we rest, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 15 minutes under pressure.
We sauté ground chicken in an Instant Pot, then add a can of kidney beans, a can of tomato sauce, chili powder, and dried onion. After a short pressure cook, dinner comes out thick and cozy.
Pinto beans or black beans both fit right in. This chili freezes like a dream, so we tuck extra portions away for future easy dinner ideas.
Roasted Pepper Skillet Chicken
Easy because roasted peppers arrive ready to use, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 18 minutes.
We sear chicken thighs, then stir in sliced roasted red peppers from a jar, a can of tomatoes, and dried basil. It all simmers into a bright, slightly smoky sauce in one cozy skillet.
We can add canned mushrooms if we want more veggies. Leftovers are wonderful spooned over toasted bread, turning into a fast lunch that tastes special.
Black Bean Fiesta Chicken (Air Fryer Option)
Easy because we dump and cook with almost no stirring, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 20 minutes.
We mix chicken pieces with a drained can of black beans, a can of corn, and a few spoonfuls of salsa, then cook in an air fryer skillet insert or regular skillet. Cumin and paprika give it a fun taco flavor.
Pinto beans or kidney beans swap in fine. We use leftovers for nachos or rice bowls, which makes this recipe a little meal prep powerhouse.
Spaghetti Sauce Chicken Skillet
Easy because a jar of pasta sauce is our shortcut, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 22 minutes.
We brown chicken in a nonstick skillet, then pour over a jar of marinara and add a drained can of mushrooms. It simmers into a rich sauce that loves a sprinkle of pantry parmesan.
We switch to jarred Alfredo when we want something creamy. Any extra sauce and chicken go over pasta the next night, turning one pan into two quick recipes.
BBQ Baked Bean Chicken
Easy because two pantry staples make the sauce, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 20 minutes.
We sear chicken tenders, then add a jar of barbecue sauce and a can of baked beans. It all cooks together into a sticky, sweet-salty dinner that feels like a cookout in a skillet.
We swap in honey mustard or plain tomato sauce with brown sugar if needed. This is a fun option for casual family meals, and leftover beans and chicken tuck nicely into sandwiches.
Pineapple Ginger Skillet Chicken
Easy because the fruit and sauce are in the same can, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 19 minutes.
We add chicken breasts to a hot skillet, then pour over a can of pineapple chunks with juice, spoon in jarred minced ginger, and splash in soy sauce. It thickens into a glossy, sweet-savory glaze.
We use canned mandarin oranges when pineapple is out. Served with rice, this makes bright quick meals, and leftovers taste even better cold in a salad.
Pea and Carrot Comfort Chicken
Easy because every veggie comes straight from a can, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 21 minutes.
We brown chicken thighs, then stir in a can of peas, a can of carrots, and a can of cream soup. A little poultry seasoning and pepper turn it into cozy, spoonable comfort food.
Frozen veggies can stand in if that is what we have. This one is perfect for meal prep, since it reheats gently without drying out.
Lemon Caper Skillet Chicken
Easy because it feels fancy but uses jarred ingredients, with prep time 5 minutes and cook time 18 minutes.
We lightly flour chicken breasts and pan fry them in a sturdy skillet, then add a spoonful of capers from a jar, lemon juice, broth, and a touch of butter. The pan sauce comes together in minutes.
Olives work if we do not have capers. We like to save extra sauce for the next day and spoon it over leftover chicken or even veggies for a second simple meal.
When we look at a pantry full of cans and jars now, we see a lineup of one pan chicken recipes ready to rescue busy nights. These dishes bring quick recipes, 30-minute meals, and real comfort to the table without a sink full of dishes. They turn what we already own into warm, generous plates of food.
We hope you feel a little lighter knowing dinner can be this easy and this kind to your time. Try one tonight, then come back and tell us which recipe stole your heart first. Let’s keep sharing sweet, simple suppers together.
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