Life gets busy, and sometimes the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen after a long day. That’s where this creamy chicken skillet comes in.

Creamy Chicken Skillet: Easy Pantry Meal for Weeknights 16

It’s a lifesaver for those hectic weeknights when you need a delicious, satisfying meal on the table fast, using ingredients you likely already have on hand.

This recipe proves that simple pantry staples can transform into something truly special with minimal effort. Forget complicated steps or exotic ingredients; this dish is all about ease, flavor, and getting dinner done without the fuss.

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

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This creamy chicken skillet is a weeknight warrior, perfect for busy families, singles, or anyone looking for a comforting meal without a lot of fuss. It’s incredibly adaptable, making it ideal for using up whatever chicken you have in the fridge, whether it’s fresh chicken breasts or leftover rotisserie chicken. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and speed; you can have a hearty, flavorful dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, which is a huge win on those evenings when time is short. It’s also a fantastic option for beginner cooks, as the steps are straightforward and forgiving. Serve it as a standalone meal or alongside a simple side salad or some crusty bread for a complete and satisfying dinner that feels much more elaborate than it is.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

The ingredients for this creamy chicken skillet are intentionally simple, focusing on items you probably already have in your pantry or can easily grab at any grocery store. This makes it a go-to recipe when you’re short on time or don’t want to make a special trip for obscure items.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

When it comes to substitutions, this recipe is quite flexible. If you don’t have boneless, skinless chicken breasts, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work just as well, though they might take a minute or two longer to cook. For the onion, if you’re out of fresh, a teaspoon of onion powder can be used in a pinch, though fresh is always preferred for flavor. Similarly, garlic powder can substitute for fresh minced garlic. If you don’t have heavy cream, half-and-half can be used, but the sauce will be slightly thinner. For a dairy-free version, a suitable plant-based cream alternative can be used, keeping in mind the flavor profile might shift slightly. Feel free to use any brand of chicken broth or Parmesan cheese you prefer; store-brand options work perfectly fine.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the best features of this creamy chicken skillet is how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (This includes cubing the chicken, chopping the onion, and mincing the garlic.)
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes (This covers browning the chicken, sautéing the aromatics, and simmering the sauce.)
Total Time: 25-30 minutes

This realistic timeframe ensures you can get a hot, homemade meal on the table without feeling rushed or overwhelmed, even on your busiest days.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this creamy chicken skillet is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Prepare the Chicken: Start by patting your cubed chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. It doesn’t need to be perfectly cooked through at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.

Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook the onion for 3-5 minutes, until it softens and becomes translucent. This step builds a foundational layer of flavor.

Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for another minute, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter.

Deglaze with Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet again with a wooden spoon to release any remaining flavorful browned bits. Bring the broth to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly and concentrate its flavors.

Create the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk gently until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. The sauce should be creamy and coat the back of a spoon.

Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing it gently to coat it completely in the creamy sauce. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to warm through and absorb the flavors of the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if using, and serve immediately.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This creamy chicken skillet is wonderfully versatile, making it easy to adapt for different tastes or occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can add a handful of frozen peas or corn during the last few minutes of simmering, which adds a pop of color and extra veggies. You could also serve it over a bed of buttered egg noodles or rice, which are always a hit with younger eaters.

If you want to boost the vegetable content, consider stirring in some sautéed mushrooms, spinach (it will wilt down quickly), or even some finely diced bell peppers along with the onions. For a bit of a kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the Italian seasoning. This dish also works beautifully as a main course with simple sides like a crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, or garlic bread to soak up all that delicious sauce. For a more substantial meal, it pairs well with mashed potatoes or even a side of roasted asparagus.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls, but knowing them ahead of time can help you achieve perfect results every time.

One frequent mistake is overcrowding the skillet when browning the chicken. If you put too much chicken in the pan at once, it will steam instead of brown, leading to pale, less flavorful chicken. To avoid this, cook the chicken in batches if your skillet isn’t large enough to accommodate it in a single layer.

Another common issue is burning the garlic. Garlic cooks very quickly, and if it turns dark brown, it will taste bitter. Always add the minced garlic after the onions have softened, and cook it for only about a minute, until fragrant, before adding the broth. Keep the heat at medium or medium-low during this stage.

Over-reducing the sauce can also happen, resulting in a sauce that’s too thick or overly salty. When you add the chicken broth, let it simmer just enough to reduce slightly, but don’t let it cook down completely. Once the cream and Parmesan are added, keep the heat low and only simmer until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened, as it will continue to thicken as it cools.

Finally, not seasoning adequately can lead to a bland dish. Remember to season the chicken before cooking, and then taste the sauce after adding the cream and Parmesan, adjusting the salt and pepper as needed. Different brands of chicken broth and Parmesan can vary in their saltiness, so tasting is key.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This creamy chicken skillet is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored and reheated successfully with a few considerations.

To store, allow the skillet to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

When reheating, the sauce may thicken considerably in the refrigerator. To restore its creamy texture, reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat. You’ll likely need to add a splash of chicken broth or milk (about 1-2 tablespoons per serving) to thin the sauce back to your desired consistency. Stir frequently until warmed through. Avoid reheating in the microwave for too long at a high setting, as this can cause the sauce to separate or become oily. If using a microwave, heat in short intervals, stirring in between.

Making this dish ahead isn’t ideal for the absolute best texture, as creamy sauces can sometimes separate upon reheating. However, if you need to prep ahead, you can cook the chicken and sauté the aromatics, then store them separately. When ready to serve

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.

Creamy Chicken Skillet: Easy Pantry Meal for Weeknights

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