29 Healthy Skillet Dishes and Chicken Pan Recipes for Weeknights

Make these easy, healthy chicken recipes in a pan or skillet for quick weeknight meals the whole family will love.

Chicken Asparagus Skillet Supper
Photo: Blaine Moats

Sauté, sear, or stir-fry your way to a fantastic chicken pan recipe for dinner. Seasonal ingredients and time-saving techniques are the secrets to these fast and satisfying dinner recipes that are healthy and delicious. Whether you use a wok, a skillet, or a frying pan, you'll love these easy meals—and so will your family.

01 of 29

Chicken and Lemon-Broccoli Alfredo

Chicken Lemon-Broccoli Alfredo
Blaine Moats

Brighten up chicken breasts with fresh lemon slices and broccoli florets. Refrigerated light Alfredo sauce keeps the simple skillet dinner creamy yet under 300 calories per serving. Plus, it helps make this chicken pan recipe super-fast, too—it takes only 20 minutes from start to finish.

Buy It: T-Fal Basic Easy Care 5-Quart Nonstick Skillet ($45, Walmart)

02 of 29

Chicken with Apple-Vegetable Slaw Stir-Fry

Chicken with Apple-Vegetable Slaw Stir-Fry
Blaine Moats

Chicken gets a reboot in this fresh stir-fry! Crunchy apples and satisfying veggies complement this chicken pan recipe perfectly. While this recipe calls for a wok, you can also use an extra-large skillet.

Buy It: Mainstays 13.75-inch Non-Stick Wok ($7, Walmart)

03 of 29

Chicken, Macaroni, and Cheese

Chicken, Macaroni, and Cheese
Andy Lyons

This skillet chicken breast mac and cheese isn't the one you remember from childhood—it's better! The stove-top creation is a twist on your childhood favorite and is packed with protein and veggies. Garlic and herb cheese gives the dish a sharp flavor.

04 of 29

Mediterranean Chicken-Pomegranate Stir-Fry

Mediterranean Chicken-Pomegranate Stir-Fry
Blaine Moats

Sweet and savory are always an enticing flavor match. Tangy pomegranate adds zing and color to this Mediterranean dish. The expertly-seasoned sauce adds lots of flavor. This chicken pan recipe comes together quickly—it takes only 25 minutes—giving you time to whip up a Mediterranean side to serve, too.

05 of 29

Herbed Chicken, Orzo, and Zucchini

Herbed Chicken, Orzo, and Zucchini
Andy Lyons

This one-dish meal features a delicious blend of chicken breast, orzo, and zucchini. This chicken pan recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights. Add another food group by serving a fresh fruit dessert.

06 of 29

Lemon Butter Chicken Breasts

Lemon Butter Chicken Breasts
Blaine Moats

Try one of our most popular recipes ever! Moist chicken is perfectly seasoned in this year-round fave. This lemon chicken skillet gets most of its flavor from fresh lemons, but lemon pepper plays a big role, too. Never settle for bland chicken again.

07 of 29

Hot Chicken Salad Skillet Casserole

Hot Chicken Salad Skillet Casserole
Blaine Moats

Toasted almonds and green onions make the garnish for this chicken casserole recipe, and a sauce with chicken soup and melted cheese makes it irresistible. Try serving over steamed broccoli or cauliflower rice for a healthy chicken dinner.

08 of 29

Tortilla-Chicken Skillet Casserole

Tortilla-Chicken Skillet Casserole
Kritsada Panichgul

Take a trip South of the Border with this classic Tex-Mex skillet dish. Layering corn tortilla strips, diced tomatoes, and shredded chicken creates a tasty skillet casserole recipe that reminds us of a hearty plate of nachos. It's quick and easy and will satisfy spice cravings with a kick from chipotle peppers.

09 of 29

Korean-Style Chili-Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry

Korean-Style Chili-Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry
Karla Conrad

Soy sauce, chili-garlic sauce, and just a touch of sweetness create the perfect Korean-style flavor for this hot and savory dish. Top off the one-pan chicken recipe with quick-pickled veggies to give your plate some tang and gorgeous color.

10 of 29

Cauliflower-Sauced Chicken Skillet

Cauliflower-Sauced Chicken Skillet
Andy Lyons

Juicy chicken meets fresh asparagus and cauliflower for an easy skillet dinner recipe. Don't see any cauliflower? We snuck it into this chicken breast recipe in a creamy, cheesy homemade sauce. Picky eaters will never even know it's there!

11 of 29

Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
Jason Donnelly

It's easy as pie! This savory dish makes a creamy, homey dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds. Finish this cast-iron skillet chicken recipe in the oven so the pastry topper gets beautifully golden brown all over.

12 of 29

Chicken Pad Thai

Chicken Pad Thai
Kritsada Panichgul

Once you perfect this traditional pad Thai recipe, you'll never go for takeout again. The chicken, egg, and bean sprouts are all cooked right in your skillet—just add tender rice noodles and a crunchy peanut topping.

13 of 29

Korean Chicken Tacos

Korean Chicken Tacos
Karla Conrad

Chili-garlic sauce mixed with lime, ginger, and soy provides the finger-licking sauce on this seared chicken pan recipe. Kimchi, a flavorful pickled vegetable condiment, finishes this twist on tacos with some tang. If you're a cilantro fan, you can add a few sprigs on top as a garnish.

14 of 29

Picadillo-Style Chicken Taco Salad

Picadillo-Style Chicken Taco Salad
Andy Lyons

Cooking chicken in a skillet is especially easy when using ground chicken—it's just like cooking ground beef. The lean protein mixed with tomatoes, potatoes, and olives creates a flavorful taco salad mix-in. It's a great meal for getting kids and picky eaters to eat more veggies.

15 of 29

Thai Green Curry Chicken

Thai Green Curry Chicken
Kritsada Panichgul

These skillet chicken thighs cook in a slightly spicy green curry to add global flavor to your dinner table. Ditch forks for chopsticks for a more authentic dining experience as you devour this 30-minute start-to-finish stir-fry.

16 of 29

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Brussels Sprouts and Apples

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Brussels Sprouts and Apples
Blaine Moats

Maple syrup gives these skillet-seared chicken thighs their sweet exterior. Balance the glaze with fresh Brussels sprouts, apples, and thyme. When all those flavors come together in this chicken thigh skillet recipe, they make the perfect fall dinner.

17 of 29

Skillet Chicken and Green Beans with Lemon-Tahini Sauce

Skillet Chicken and Green Beans with Lemon-Tahini Sauce
Blaine Moats

Here's a way you can put a dent in that jar of tahini that doesn't involve making hummus. Add a generous dollop to add flavor and extra protein to the lemon sauce for these cast-iron skillet chicken thighs. Toss in some green beans for more fresh veggies and pretty color, and you've got a complete meal.

Buy It: Lodge 10.25-inch Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet ($20, Walmart)

18 of 29

Moroccan Chicken

Moroccan Chicken
Scott Little

Turmeric, cumin, and coriander combine with apricots, olives, and fresh ginger to flavor this sweet and spicy Moroccan-inspired pan chicken recipe. We tossed a can of chickpeas into the mix to give this skillet chicken breast recipe even more protein. The 30-minute meal can be made even faster when you use a pouch of quick-cooking rice.

19 of 29

Maple-Glazed Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Maple-Glazed Chicken Sweet Potatoes
Jacob Fox

Even the pickiest eaters will crave this slightly sweet pan chicken recipe with maple syrup. Served with a mound of mashed sweet potatoes sprinkled with fresh green onions, it's a hearty fall dinner. While you can make sweet potatoes from scratch, using leftover or refrigerated mashed sweet potatoes gets this skillet chicken breast recipe on the table faster.

20 of 29

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore
Kritsada Panichgul

Create an Italian classic in less than an hour with fresh vegetables, tender chicken thighs, and a chunky tomato sauce. A splash of balsamic vinegar and a handful of Kalamata olives punch up the Mediterranean flavor. To add freshness, sprinkle this chicken skillet dinner with parsley before bringing it to the table (the pop of green will make it look even more appetizing!).

21 of 29

Chicken Marsala Skillet

Chicken Marsala Skillet
Scott Little

Chicken Marsala is a classic chicken pan recipe, and we made it super easy to serve on a weeknight. One pan and 35 minutes are all you need for moist chicken breast cutlets covered in silky mushroom sauce. Add freshness to the family-friendly Italian recipe with snipped parsley and cracked black pepper.

22 of 29

Chicken Dijonnaise

Chicken Dijonnaise
Blaine Moats

The rich, flavor-packed mustard sauce that coats this chicken dinner makes the recipe a "total keeper," according to one BHG reader. The classic pan chicken recipe is quick, too—it's table-ready in just 30 minutes.

23 of 29

Lemon-Thyme Chicken with Fingerlings

Lemon-Thyme Chicken with Fingerlings
Karla Conrad

We've already sung the praises of lemon chicken recipes, but this skillet chicken takes it up another notch. Zesty lemon slices and fingerling potatoes are at the heart of this healthy skillet dinner. Add a splash of white wine to elevate the flavor of thyme-seasoned chicken breasts.

24 of 29

Pan-Fried Chicken with Polenta and Vegetables

Pan-Fried Chicken with Polenta and Vegetables
Andy Lyons

You don't need a whole pot of oil to make skillet-fried chicken—you can get by with just a few tablespoons! Frying chicken breasts in just a splash of vegetable oil makes them a healthier choice for dinner than regular fried chicken, but they'll still get nice and crispy, just the way we like. This cast-iron skillet chicken breast recipe becomes even better for you with the addition of fresh cherry tomatoes and spinach.

25 of 29

Chicken and Vegetable Sauté

Chicken and Vegetable Sauté
Karla Conrad

Grab your skillet, favorite veggies, and a few chicken breasts, and you can make a healthy, delicious skillet dinner in just 30 minutes. This veggie-filled chicken breast skillet features good-for-you broccoli, carrots, and red onion. Tossing Northern beans into the mix brings each serving up to a whopping 43 grams of protein, too!

Buy It: Blue Diamond Ceramic 5-quart Sauté Pan ($38, Walmart)

26 of 29

Basil-Tomato Chicken Skillet

Basil-Tomato Chicken Skillet
Blaine Moats

Simple doesn't have to mean boring. Impress your family with these garlicky chicken breasts, wilted spinach, and vibrant cherry tomatoes. Then, change up this 25-minute chicken skillet by experimenting with a variety of fresh mushrooms.

27 of 29

Chicken Breasts with Herbs

Chicken Breasts with Herbs
Andy Lyons

Fresh parsley, oregano, lemon peel, and garlic flavor the buttery sauce that coats these golden chicken breasts. Mix up the medley with your favorite in-season herbs, then make this skillet recipe a meal by adding fresh veggies or an easy salad on the side.

28 of 29

Arroz con Pollo a la Mexicana

Mexican Chicken and Rice
Andy Lyons

Make a memorable Mexican meal for six with an extra-large skillet and skinless, boneless chicken breasts. Ground chile pepper lends a deep, spicy flavor to the meat, while carrots, olives, and peas keep the dish hearty. If your stomach is growling before this chicken skillet is ready, you can always snack on a Mexican appetizer like chips and salsa while cooking.

29 of 29

Chicken and Asparagus Skillet Supper

Chicken Asparagus Skillet Supper
Blaine Moats

While the chicken cooks, you can speed along the asparagus and summer squash by steaming them in the microwave, then stirring them into the pan when the chicken is almost done. In addition to fresh veggies, bacon makes everything better.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles