After a long day, sometimes all you want is a delicious, fuss-free meal that doesn’t leave you with a mountain of dishes.
This collection of easy 2-person meals is designed precisely for those “reset evenings” when you want to unwind, connect, and enjoy some seriously good food without the stress.
Forget complicated recipes or endless ingredient lists. These simple and delicious dinner ideas are perfect for two people, making weeknight meals a breeze. Get ready to discover how effortless and enjoyable cooking for two can truly be.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Quick and Easy Chicken and Pasta Skillet for Two
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
This quick and easy chicken and pasta skillet is perfect for a fuss-free weeknight meal for two. It comes together in about 30-35 minutes with simple ingredients, making it ideal for busy evenings. The recipe features tender chicken, small pasta, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, finished with Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s lightly browned on all sides and no longer pink in the center. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate.
2. Add the chopped onion to the same pot, adding a tiny splash more olive oil if needed. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell its aroma, being careful not to let it burn.
3. Pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained) and chicken broth into the pot with the onions and garlic. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the small pasta to the simmering liquid. Stir well to ensure the pasta is fully submerged. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the pot with the pasta and sauce. Stir everything together gently to combine and heat through for about 1-2 minutes.
6. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s fully melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle the meal into two bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
Keywords: chicken, pasta, skillet, easy, weeknight, dinner, quick, comfort food, one pot, italian
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true lifesaver for anyone looking to simplify their weeknight cooking. It’s perfect for busy couples, roommates, or even individuals who enjoy having leftovers for lunch the next day. You’ll love how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal choice after a demanding workday when your energy levels are low, but your craving for something satisfying is high. It’s designed for those evenings when you want to put your feet up, relax, and enjoy a home-cooked meal without spending an hour in the kitchen. The ingredients are readily available, and the steps are straightforward, making it a fantastic option for beginner cooks or those who just want a break from culinary complexity.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store. The beauty of it lies in its simplicity and the ability to create a flavorful meal with minimal fuss.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer a richer flavor. If you don’t have fresh onion, 1 tablespoon of dried minced onion can work in a pinch, though fresh is always best for flavor. Vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth for a slightly different taste. Feel free to experiment with other small pasta shapes like orzo or mini shells if ditalini isn’t available. For a dairy-free option, omit the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can go from starting to sitting down with a warm, comforting meal. The prep involves just a bit of chopping, and the cooking is mostly hands-off simmering.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Follow these easy steps to create a delicious and satisfying meal for two. The visual cues will help you know exactly what to look for at each stage.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s lightly browned on all sides and no longer pink in the center. The chicken should have a nice golden crust. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate.
- Soften the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the same pot, adding a tiny splash more olive oil if needed. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell its aroma, being careful not to let it burn.
- Build the Flavor Base: Pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained) and chicken broth into the pot with the onions and garlic. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. You should see small bubbles forming around the edges of the liquid.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the small pasta to the simmering liquid. Stir well to ensure the pasta is fully submerged. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. The pasta should be soft but still have a slight bite (al dente).
- Reintroduce the Chicken and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pot with the pasta and sauce. Stir everything together gently to combine and heat through for about 1-2 minutes. The chicken should be warmed through, and the sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Stir in Cheese and Serve: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s fully melted and incorporated, making the sauce creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle the meal into two bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This versatile dish can be easily adapted to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. For a vegetarian twist, simply omit the chicken and add a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or chickpeas during step 5 for added protein. You could also toss in some chopped spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for an extra boost of greens. If you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the Italian seasoning will do the trick.
For serving, this meal is hearty enough on its own, but a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette would complement it beautifully. A slice of crusty bread for dipping into the delicious sauce is also a fantastic addition. If you’re looking to make it a bit more special, a dollop of fresh ricotta cheese or a sprinkle of fresh basil on top before serving can elevate the flavors. This dish is also surprisingly kid-friendly; the small pasta and familiar flavors often appeal to younger palates, especially if you go light on the seasoning.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have a few pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for can ensure your meal turns out perfectly every time.
- Overcooking the Chicken: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Make sure to cook them just until they are no longer pink in the center and have a nice sear, then remove them from the pot. They will finish cooking when added back to the sauce, ensuring they stay tender and juicy.
- Burning the Garlic: Garlic cooks very quickly and can turn bitter if burned. Add it to the pot after the onions have softened and cook it for only about 30-60 seconds, just until fragrant, then immediately add the liquids.
- Undercooked or Overcooked Pasta: The cooking time for pasta can vary based on shape and brand. Stir the pasta frequently while it simmers to prevent sticking and taste it towards the end of the suggested cooking time to ensure it’s cooked to your preferred al dente texture. If the sauce gets too thick before the pasta is done, add a splash more chicken broth or water.
- Lack of Seasoning: Always taste your food! Different brands of broth and canned tomatoes can vary in their sodium content. Taste the sauce after the pasta has cooked and before adding the Parmesan, then adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Parmesan cheese also adds saltiness, so factor that in.
- Forgetting to Stir the Pasta: Small pasta shapes can easily stick to the bottom of the pot if not stirred regularly while simmering. Give it a good stir every couple of minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This meal is wonderful fresh, but it also stores quite well, making it a great option for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers.
To store any leftovers, allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature, which usually takes about 30-45 minutes. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The pasta will absorb more of the sauce as it sits, so the texture might be a bit thicker, but the flavors will meld beautifully.
For reheating, you can warm individual portions in the microwave. Place the desired amount in a microwave-safe bowl, add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce, and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until thoroughly heated. Alternatively, you can reheat it gently on the stovetop in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if needed, until warmed through.
Making this dish ahead of time is also an option. You can prepare the entire recipe and store it as described above. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, making it an even more satisfying meal the next day. However, be aware that
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.
