Description
Busy weeknight “Quick and Easy Skillet Dinners” deliver delicious one-pan magic for families craving simple, flavorful meals. Hearty ingredients and minimal cleanup make these recipes perfect companions when hunger strikes and time is short.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup (150g) diced zucchini
- 1 cup (150g) diced bell peppers (any color)
- 1/2 cup (75g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup (60g) shredded carrots
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a large skillet and heat olive oil over medium flame, creating a sizzling cooking surface for the protein.
- Season chicken pieces with aromatic spices including garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coating for maximum flavor infusion.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown exterior while cooking through completely.
- Gently transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm and preserving its juiciness.
- Utilize the same skillet to sauté an array of colorful vegetables – zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and shredded carrots – maintaining a crisp texture during brief cooking.
- Reintroduce the perfectly cooked chicken into the vegetable medley, creating a harmonious mixture of protein and produce.
- Enhance the dish’s depth by pouring chicken broth and fresh lemon juice over the skillet contents, allowing ingredients to intermingle and develop complex flavors.
- Simmer the combined ingredients briefly, ensuring complete integration of tastes and temperatures.
- Optional: Sprinkle fresh parsley for a vibrant garnish that adds visual appeal and herbal brightness.
- Serve immediately alongside complementary starches like rice, pasta, or crusty bread to complete the meal.
Notes
- Use high-heat cooking oil like avocado or grapeseed for better browning and crispy chicken texture.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure maximum flavor absorption and perfect golden-brown sear.
- Customize vegetable mix based on seasonal availability or personal preferences, keeping cooking time consistent.
- Reduce liquid content for low-carb version by replacing broth with white wine or skipping additional liquid entirely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg