This chicken skillet dinner is a fantastic main dish for dinner, offering big flavor with low effort, perfect for busy weeknights.
When life gets hectic, having a reliable, delicious recipe that comes together quickly is a game-changer. This dish delivers on all fronts, making it a go-to for families and anyone looking for a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Discover the details of how to create this flavorful and fuss-free chicken tenderloin recipe that’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation. It’s designed for maximum taste with minimal stress, proving that quick meals can still be incredibly delicious and wholesome.
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
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Quick and Easy Chicken Skillet Dinner
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This chicken skillet dinner is a fantastic main dish for dinner, offering big flavor with low effort, perfect for busy weeknights. It’s a reliable, delicious recipe that comes together quickly and is a go-to for families and anyone looking for a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This dish delivers on all fronts, making it a true weeknight hero designed for anyone who craves a delicious, home-cooked meal but is short on time. You’ll love its simplicity and the incredible depth of flavor it achieves with common pantry staples. It’s perfect for busy parents, individuals with demanding schedules, or even beginner cooks looking to build confidence in the kitchen. The beauty of a skillet dinner lies in its efficiency – everything cooks in one pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor integration. This dish is ideal for a casual family dinner, a cozy night in, or even a quick meal prep for lunches throughout the week. It’s hearty enough to satisfy, yet light enough not to feel heavy, making it a versatile option for any evening.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken tenderloins.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the seasoned chicken tenderloins to the hot skillet in a single layer. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
3. Remove the seared chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
4. Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes and the rinsed and drained cannellini beans into the skillet with the broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Carefully return the seared chicken tenderloins to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato and bean mixture. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C). The sauce should also have thickened slightly.
6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh spinach, allowing the residual heat to wilt it for 1-2 minutes. The spinach should turn bright green and tender.
7. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve the chicken and bean mixture directly from the skillet or transfer to individual plates. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: chicken, skillet, dinner, easy, weeknight, one pan, beans, spinach, quick, healthy
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true weeknight hero, designed for anyone who craves a delicious, home-cooked meal but is short on time. You’ll love its simplicity and the incredible depth of flavor it achieves with common pantry staples. It’s perfect for busy parents, individuals with demanding schedules, or even beginner cooks looking to build confidence in the kitchen. The beauty of a skillet dinner lies in its efficiency – everything cooks in one pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor integration. This dish is ideal for a casual family dinner, a cozy night in, or even a quick meal prep for lunches throughout the week. It’s hearty enough to satisfy, yet light enough not to feel heavy, making it a versatile option for any evening.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
This section outlines all the ingredients you’ll need to create this delicious skillet dinner. We focus on readily available items that are easy to find at any grocery store, ensuring a stress-free shopping experience. After the main list, you’ll find some simple substitution ideas to adapt the recipe to your pantry or dietary preferences.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap chicken tenderloins for boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces. If you don’t have cannellini beans, great northern beans or even chickpeas would work well. Feel free to use fresh garlic and onion if you prefer, just sauté them briefly before adding the chicken. Any type of sturdy greens like kale or Swiss chard, finely chopped, can replace spinach, though they might require a slightly longer cooking time to wilt.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is truly designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those evenings when every minute counts.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes Total Time: 30-35 minutes
These times are realistic and account for basic chopping, measuring, and active cooking, ensuring you can get a delicious, hot meal on the table in under 40 minutes.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this flavorful chicken skillet dinner is straightforward. Follow these steps to ensure a perfect meal every time.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. This helps them brown nicely. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken tenderloins.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet (preferably cast iron or another heavy-bottomed skillet) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the seasoned chicken tenderloins to the hot skillet in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this point, just nicely browned on the exterior.
- Build the Sauce: Remove the seared chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This deglazing step adds a lot of flavor to your sauce.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes and the rinsed and drained cannellini beans into the skillet with the broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Return Chicken and Simmer: Carefully return the seared chicken tenderloins to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato and bean mixture. Cover the skillet (if your skillet has a lid, use it; otherwise, foil works) and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The sauce should also have thickened slightly.
- Wilt the Spinach: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh spinach, allowing the residual heat to wilt it for 1-2 minutes. The spinach should turn bright green and tender.
- Serve Immediately: Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve the chicken and bean mixture directly from the skillet or transfer to individual plates. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This versatile skillet dinner lends itself well to various customizations and serving options, making it a truly family-friendly meal. For a touch of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the seasonings or diced green chiles with the tomatoes can elevate the flavor. If you prefer a creamier sauce, stir in a tablespoon or two of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream at the very end, after the spinach has wilted.
For serving, this dish is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. A simple side of fluffy white rice or quinoa will soak up the delicious sauce. For a low-carb option, serve it with cauliflower rice or a fresh green salad. Steamed green beans or roasted asparagus also make excellent companions. To make it extra kid-friendly, you can serve the chicken and beans with a side of buttered noodles or even some crusty bread for dipping into the flavorful sauce. Leftovers are also excellent for packing into lunch containers, making your week even easier.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes can help ensure your chicken skillet dinner turns out perfectly every time.
One frequent mistake is overcrowding the skillet when searing the chicken. When too many pieces are in the pan, the temperature drops, and the chicken steams instead of searing, resulting in pale, less flavorful meat. To avoid this, cook the chicken in batches, ensuring there’s enough space around each piece for proper browning.
Another common issue is overcooking the chicken. Chicken tenderloins are lean and cook quickly. Overcooking can lead to dry, tough meat. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once it reaches this point, remove it from the heat. The residual heat will continue to cook it slightly.
Not deglazing the pan after searing the chicken is another missed opportunity for flavor. Those browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet are packed with deliciousness. Pouring in the broth and scraping them up incorporates all that flavor into your sauce, adding depth and richness. Don’t skip this step!
Finally, not rinsing canned beans can sometimes lead to a slightly metallic taste or excess sodium. Always rinse and drain canned beans thoroughly under cold water before adding them to your dish to ensure the best flavor and texture.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This chicken skillet dinner is excellent for meal prepping and storing, making your weeknights even smoother.
To store leftovers, allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature (within two hours of cooking). Transfer the chicken and sauce to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For making ahead, you can prepare the entire dish and store it as described above. The flavors actually meld and deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day. Reheating is simple: for individual portions, microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. For larger quantities, gently reheat in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce seems too thick, until warmed through. Be careful not to overcook the chicken during reheating to maintain its tender texture. This dish does not freeze particularly well due to the texture of the cooked beans and spinach, which can become mushy upon thawing.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Here are some common questions and helpful answers to ensure you feel confident making this delicious chicken skillet dinner.
Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?
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.
