5 Easy One-Pan Chicken Dinners (Ready in 20 Minutes!)

Tired of spending hours in the kitchen after a long day? These easy one-pan chicken dinners are ready in just 20 minutes and require minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. Each recipe uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand, making dinner stress-free and delicious!

1. Lemon Garlic Chicken with Vegetables

This bright and flavorful lemon garlic chicken comes together in a flash and delivers a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors. The chicken breast pieces cook quickly while soaking up the delicious sauce, and the vegetables add color, nutrition, and texture to this complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow squash, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and oregano, then add to the hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until starting to brown.
3. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add broccoli, bell pepper, and squash to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
5. Pour in lemon juice and sprinkle with lemon zest. Add red pepper flakes if using.
6. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender-crisp.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

2. Honey Mustard Chicken with Green Beans

This honey mustard chicken delivers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The sauce caramelizes slightly as it cooks, creating a delicious glaze on the chicken. Green beans add a fresh element and cook to perfect tenderness in the same pan, absorbing all the wonderful flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 12 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup water or chicken broth

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix honey, both mustards, garlic, and thyme to create the sauce.
2. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add chicken thighs and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
5. Pour honey mustard sauce over the chicken and add green beans to the pan.
6. Add water or broth, reduce heat to medium, and cover. Cook for 5-7 minutes until chicken is cooked through and green beans are tender.
7. Serve hot, spooning extra sauce over the chicken and green beans.

3. Mediterranean Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Feta

Transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean with this vibrant and flavorful one-pan meal. The combination of juicy chicken, burst cherry tomatoes, briny olives, and creamy feta creates a restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly simple to make at home in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil.
3. Add chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until nearly cooked through.
4. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add cherry tomatoes and olives to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes begin to burst.
6. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using.
7. Remove from heat and top with crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil.
8. Let stand for 1 minute to allow feta to slightly melt before serving.

4. Quick Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry

This quick teriyaki chicken stir-fry delivers big flavor in minimal time. The homemade teriyaki sauce comes together in seconds and tastes far better than store-bought versions. Packed with colorful vegetables and served over rice, this complete meal satisfies cravings for takeout without leaving home.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, carrots, snow peas)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Cooked rice for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and cornstarch mixture to make the teriyaki sauce.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
3. Add chicken strips and cook for 3-4 minutes until nearly cooked through.
4. Add garlic and ginger, stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender.
6. Pour teriyaki sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.
7. Remove from heat and drizzle with sesame oil.
8. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
9. Serve over rice if desired.

5. Creamy Tuscan Chicken

This restaurant-quality creamy Tuscan chicken comes together in just 20 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day. The combination of tender chicken, wilted spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a garlic cream sauce creates an impressive dinner that’s perfect for both weeknights and special occasions.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into cutlets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Season chicken cutlets with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
4. In the same skillet, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
6. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
7. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
8. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce begins to thicken.
9. Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
10. Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top.
11. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until chicken is heated through.
12. Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve immediately.

Enjoy Quick and Delicious Meals Any Night of the Week

These five easy one-pan chicken dinners prove that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create delicious, nutritious meals your whole family will love. With just 20 minutes and minimal cleanup required, these recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when time is short but you still want to enjoy a home-cooked meal.

Each recipe offers a different flavor profile, from Mediterranean to Asian-inspired, ensuring you’ll never get bored with your quick dinner options. The best part? You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator, making these truly convenient options for last-minute meal planning.