No-Fuss Chicken Dinner: Easy Pantry Skillet Recipe

Weeknight dinner looming? You don’t need fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen. This no-fuss skillet chicken recipe uses simple pantry staples to create a golden, flavorful meal in under 30 minutes.

Juicy chicken, tender veggies, and a lightly sauced pan come together in one skillet, making cleanup easy. Perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or quick meal prep, it’s a dependable, satisfying American home-cooked dinner everyone will enjoy.

Time Breakdown

What This Is And Isn’t

This isn’t a gourmet restaurant dish or a complex chef-style recipe. It’s an easy, forgiving, everyday American home-dinner, made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

Ingredient Snapshot

• Chicken thighs or breasts (1.5 lbs)
  Skin-on or boneless, whatever’s convenient
• Olive oil (2 tbsp)
  For browning
• Salt & pepper
  To taste
• Garlic cloves (3–4)
  Minced, for aroma
• Onion (1 medium)
  Sliced thin
• Canned diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  Pantry staple
• Chicken broth (½ cup)
  Adds depth without fuss
• Dried Italian herbs (1 tsp)
  Or any herb mix you like
• Optional: frozen peas or green beans (1 cup)
  For extra veggies

Before cooking begins, the following technical standards define the temperature, heat, and storage limits used throughout this recipe.

Technical & Safety Reference

Why It Works

Browning the chicken first locks in flavor and creates a golden crust. Cooking in a skillet concentrates juices and keeps the meat tender. Garlic and onions softened over medium heat release natural sweetness, and a splash of broth keeps the dish saucy without extra fat.

Step-by-Step Method

Prep the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Dry chicken browns better.

Heat the Skillet
Medium-high heat with 2 tbsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken skin-side down.

Brown Chicken
5–6 minutes per side, until golden. Transfer to a plate.

Sauté Aromatics
Lower heat to medium, add onions and garlic. Cook 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.

Add Tomatoes & Broth
Stir in canned tomatoes, chicken broth, and herbs. Bring to a simmer.

Return Chicken
Nestle chicken back into the skillet, cover, and simmer 10 minutes, until fully cooked (165°F internal temp).

Add Veggies (Optional)
Stir in frozen peas or green beans in the last 2 minutes.

Finish & Serve
Remove from heat, let rest 2 minutes, then serve straight from skillet.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Chicken sticks to the pan – Ensure the skillet is hot and chicken is dry before cooking.
• Garlic burns – Lower heat and stir constantly once added.
• Sauce too watery – Simmer uncovered for a few minutes to reduce.

Variations (US-Relevant Only)

• Steakhouse-style – Add a splash of cream and sprinkle with parsley.
• Scampi-inspired – Swap broth for white wine, add butter at the end.
• Bread-dipping version – Serve with toasted sandwich bread to soak up sauce.

Storage, Reheating & Food Safety

• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to preserve moisture.
• Ensure chicken reaches 165°F when reheating.

How Americans Commonly Use This

• Quick weeknight dinners
• Family meals with minimal cleanup
• Meal prep for 2–3 days

Soft, Confident Close

This skillet dinner proves that flavorful, satisfying meals don’t require hours in the kitchen. With simple pantry ingredients and a few straightforward steps, you’ve got a dependable dinner any night of the week.

Editorial Transparency Statement

This article is research-based and informed by historical culinary references, established food science, and professional instructional standards. It does not rely on personal kitchen testing.

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