Chicken Dinners for Busy Work Weeks

When the work week gets hectic, finding time to prepare healthy and delicious meals can feel like an impossible task.

We all want to nourish our bodies with good food, but who has hours to spend in the kitchen after a long day? This recipe is designed precisely for those moments, offering a fantastic solution for busy individuals and families alike.

This article shares a collection of chicken recipes that are not only quick to assemble but also packed with protein and flavor. They’re perfect for your meal planning systems, ensuring you have satisfying work lunch meals and easy dinners ready to go. Get ready to streamline your cooking process and enjoy balanced meal prep ideas that keep you energized and feeling great.

Quick and Easy Skillet Chicken

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• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This recipe offers a quick and easy solution for busy weeknights, providing a flavorful, high-protein chicken dish that can be on the table in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for meal prep and can be easily adapted with various ingredients and serving suggestions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon cold water

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165 F (74 C). Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

3. Pour the chicken broth into the hot skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Bring the broth to a simmer.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth to create a slurry. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering broth in the skillet, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, usually within 1-2 minutes. It should be glossy and coat the back of a spoon.

5. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Stir gently to coat all the chicken. Allow it to simmer for another 1-2 minutes to ensure the chicken is heated through and well-integrated with the sauce.

6. Remove the skillet from the heat. If desired, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Category: main dish
• Method: skillet
• Cuisine: american

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving

Keywords: chicken, skillet, quick, easy, weeknight, meal prep, high protein, dinner, family friendly, simple

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true lifesaver for anyone juggling a busy schedule, from working professionals to parents managing school nights. What makes it so appealing is its incredible simplicity and speed; you can have a wholesome, homemade meal on the table in under 30 minutes, which is often faster than ordering takeout. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners when you need something satisfying without a lot of fuss, or for weekend meal prep to stock your fridge with healthy options for the days ahead. The chicken provides a lean protein source that keeps you full and focused, making it an excellent choice for those looking for good high-protein meals. It’s also highly adaptable, meaning you can easily tweak it to suit different tastes or whatever ingredients you have on hand, making it a versatile staple in any kitchen.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

This recipe uses straightforward ingredients you likely already have or can easily find at any grocery store. The beauty of it lies in its simplicity, requiring no exotic spices or hard-to-find produce. We’re focusing on fresh, accessible items that come together to create a flavorful and balanced dish.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

For simple substitutions, feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer a richer flavor and slightly more tender texture – they cook up beautifully here. If you don’t have dried oregano or basil, an Italian seasoning blend works wonderfully as a substitute. For the chicken broth, a low-sodium option is always a good choice to control the overall saltiness of the dish. If you’re out of cornstarch, you can skip thickening the sauce, or use a roux made from butter and flour for a richer, thicker consistency.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its efficiency. You won’t be spending hours in the kitchen, which is crucial for busy work weeks.

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
• Total Time: 25-30 minutes

This quick turnaround makes it an ideal candidate for those nights when time is of the essence but you still want a nutritious, home-cooked meal. The hands-on time is minimal, allowing you to multitask or relax while dinner comes together.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this delicious chicken dinner is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time.

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better. Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
3. Deglaze the Pan: Pour the chicken broth into the hot skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. These bits are full of flavor and will enrich your sauce. Bring the broth to a simmer.
4. Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth to create a slurry. Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering broth in the skillet, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, usually within 1-2 minutes. It should be glossy and coat the back of a spoon.
5. Combine and Heat Through: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Stir gently to coat all the chicken. Allow it to simmer for another 1-2 minutes to ensure the chicken is heated through and well-integrated with the sauce.
6. Final Touches and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. If desired, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This versatile chicken dish can be easily adapted to suit different preferences and meal needs. For a kid-friendly twist, you can reduce the amount of dried herbs and add a touch of honey or maple syrup to the sauce for a slightly sweeter glaze. Kids often love dipping, so serving it with some plain rice or pasta and a side of steamed broccoli is a great way to get them to enjoy it.

If you’re looking to add more vegetables, stir in some frozen peas, diced carrots, or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking the sauce. Bell peppers or mushrooms can also be sautéed with the chicken. For a creamy variation, a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese can be whisked into the sauce at the end.

This chicken is fantastic served over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice, quinoa, or even mashed potatoes. For a lighter meal, pair it with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables like green beans or asparagus. It also makes an excellent filling for wraps or sandwiches the next day. For a party or buffet, keep it warm in a slow cooker and provide toothpicks for easy serving as an appetizer. Optional toppings include a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a dash of red pepper flakes for a little heat.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes can help you achieve perfect results every time.

• Overcrowding the Pan: When searing the chicken, resist the urge to cram all the pieces into the skillet at once. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature, causing the chicken to steam rather than sear, resulting in a less appealing gray color and rubbery texture. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary, ensuring there’s enough space between pieces for proper browning.
• Overcooking the Chicken: Chicken breasts, especially when cut into smaller pieces, cook very quickly. Overcooking will make them dry and tough. Keep an eye on them and remove them from the pan as soon as they are cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C). The pieces will continue to cook slightly when added back to the hot sauce.
• Lumpy Sauce: A lumpy sauce usually happens when cornstarch is added directly to hot liquid without being mixed with cold water first. Always create a smooth slurry by whisking cornstarch with cold water before adding it slowly to the simmering broth. Whisk continuously as you pour to ensure it incorporates smoothly.
• Not Scraping the Pan: Those browned bits (fond) at the bottom of the skillet after searing the chicken are packed with flavor. Forgetting to deglaze the pan means you’re missing out on a crucial layer of taste for your sauce. Always scrape them up with a wooden spoon when you add the broth.
• Under-seasoning: Chicken can be bland if not seasoned adequately. Don’t be shy with the herbs and spices. Taste the sauce before adding the chicken back in and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This chicken dish is fantastic for meal prep because it stores and reheats beautifully, making those work lunch meals and easy dinners a breeze.

To store leftovers, allow the cooked chicken and sauce to cool completely to room temperature (within two hours of cooking). Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. This makes it perfect for portioning out into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.

For making it ahead, you can cook the entire dish as directed and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, simply reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat it gently in a skillet over medium-low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.