Introduction

Can we talk about dishes for a second?

Because honestly the cooking part of dinner has never been my problem. It’s the aftermath. The mountain of pots and pans waiting in the sink while everyone else goes to relax and somehow you’re still in the kitchen forty minutes later scrubbing.

That’s exactly why quick one pan dinner ideas became my entire personality at some point.

One pan means one thing to wash. Sometimes literally zero things if you line it with foil first. These 12 quick one pan dinner ideas are ready in 20 minutes, taste incredible, and mean you’re done in the kitchen the second everyone finishes eating.

If dishes are your least favorite part of cooking — and let’s be honest whose favorite part is that — these quick one pan dinner ideas are about to become your new best friends.

Why Quick One Pan Dinner Ideas Are a Game Changer

There’s a reason quick one pan dinner ideas have exploded in popularity and it’s not complicated.

• One pan means minimal cleanup every single time
• Everything cooks together so flavors actually blend
• Less time washing means more time doing literally anything else
• Works for stovetop, oven, or both
• Genuinely impossible to mess up once you know the basics

Let’s get into the actual recipes.

1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

If you only try one of these quick one pan dinner ideas make it this one.

Everything goes on a single sheet pan — chicken, peppers, onions, all tossed in fajita seasoning. Twenty minutes in the oven and you have restaurant quality fajitas with zero standing over a hot stove.

Serve with warm tortillas and you have dinner that looks like way more effort than it actually was.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Golden chicken strips and charred colorful peppers all roasted together on one sheet pan. The quick one pan dinner idea that looks like way more effort than it actually is. Twenty minutes and dinner is done with almost nothing to wash.

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Prep Time 8 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 28 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Mexican American

Calories: 410

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 600 g chicken breast sliced
• into strips
• 2 red bell peppers sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
• 1 large red onion sliced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Half teaspoon oregano
• Salt and pepper generously
• 8 small flour tortillas
• Lime wedges and cilantro
• to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 220C or 425F
2. Step 2: Mix olive oil chili powder cumin garlic powder paprika oregano salt and pepper in large bowl
3. Step 3: Add chicken strips and all sliced vegetables to bowl toss until everything is evenly coated
4. Step 4: Spread mixture in single layer on large sheet pan — don't overcrowd use two pans if needed
5. Step 5: Roast 18 to 20 minutes stirring once halfway through until chicken is cooked through and vegetables have charred edges
6. Step 6: While fajitas roast warm tortillas in oven last 2 minutes or in dry pan
7. Step 7: Remove from oven squeeze fresh lime over everything
8. Step 8: Serve with warm tortillas fresh cilantro and any toppings you like

Notes

— Don't overcrowd the pan —
crowding means steaming
not charring

— Slice everything similar
thickness for even cooking

— Add sliced jalapeno for
extra heat

— Leftovers make incredible
fajita bowls next day over rice

2. One Pan Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes

This is the quick one pan dinner idea that makes you feel like you’re eating at a steakhouse.

Bite sized potatoes go in first since they take longest. Steak pieces go in after. Garlic butter ties everything together at the end. One pan, restaurant quality result, genuinely 20 minutes.

My husband requests this constantly and has no idea how simple it actually is.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

One Pan Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes

Bite sized steak and golden roasted potatoes coated in glossy garlic butter. This quick one pan dinner idea feels like a steakhouse meal but comes together in 20 minutes with just one skillet to clean.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 520

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 600 g sirloin steak cut
• into bite sized pieces
• 600 g baby potatoes halved
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Salt and pepper generously
• Fresh parsley to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in large cast iron skillet over medium high heat
2. Step 2: Add halved potatoes cut side down season with salt pepper and Italian seasoning
3. Step 3: Cook 8 to 10 minutes without moving until deeply golden on cut side
4. Step 4: Flip potatoes cook 3 more minutes push to edges of pan
5. Step 5: Pat steak pieces dry season generously with salt and pepper
6. Step 6: Add steak to center of pan cook 2 minutes without moving
7. Step 7: Flip steak cook 1 to 2 more minutes for medium rare adjust for preference
8. Step 8: Reduce heat to low add butter garlic and rosemary to pan
9. Step 9: Spoon melted garlic butter over steak and potatoes 1 minute
10. Step 10: Serve immediately topped with fresh parsley

Notes

— Potatoes need head start —
they take longer than steak

— Don't move steak while
searing for best crust

— Adjust steak time based
on thickness and desired
doneness

— Garlic butter at the end
ties everything together —
don't skip it

3. One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice

Everything — chicken, rice, sauce — cooks together in one pot. The rice absorbs all the chicken flavor as it cooks which means every single bite is packed with taste.

This is the quick one pan dinner idea that feels the most like a hug. Creamy, comforting, and the kind of meal that makes a stressful day feel instantly better.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice

Chicken and rice cook together in one pot so the rice absorbs all that chicken flavor as it cooks. This quick one pan dinner idea is the most comforting thing on this entire list. Creamy, cozy, and ready in 20 minutes.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 23 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 480

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 500 g chicken thighs diced
• 1.5 cups long grain rice
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 small onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• Half cup heavy cream
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper generously
• Fresh parsley to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in large pot over medium high heat
2. Step 2: Season chicken with salt pepper and Italian seasoning add to pot
3. Step 3: Cook 5 minutes until golden on all sides remove to plate
4. Step 4: Same pot add onion cook 2 minutes until softened
5. Step 5: Add garlic cook 30 seconds
6. Step 6: Add rice stir to coat in remaining fat for 1 minute
7. Step 7: Add chicken broth bring to boil
8. Step 8: Return chicken to pot reduce heat to low cover simmer 15 minutes until rice is tender
9. Step 9: Add peas and cream stir gently cover 2 more minutes until peas are heated through
10. Step 10: Taste season as needed serve topped with fresh parsley

Notes

— Don't lift lid while
simmering — rice needs
consistent steam

— Chicken thighs stay
juicier than breast
in this recipe

— Add cream at the very
end so it doesn't curdle

— Leftovers reheat well
with splash of broth

4. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers

Sausages, colorful peppers, onions, all roasted together on one pan until everything gets those gorgeous caramelized edges.

This quick one pan dinner idea works with literally any sausage you have — Italian, chicken, whatever’s in your fridge. Serve over rice, in a bun, or just on its own. Genuinely one of the easiest dinners I make.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers

Sausages and colorful peppers roasted together until everything gets gorgeous caramelized edges. One of the easiest quick one pan dinner ideas on this list and works with whatever sausage you have on hand.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 6 Italian sausages
• 2 red bell peppers sliced
• 2 yellow bell peppers sliced
• 1 large red onion sliced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper generously
• Fresh basil to serve
• Crusty bread or rice to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 220C or 425F
2. Step 2: Toss peppers and onion with olive oil Italian seasoning garlic powder salt and pepper
3. Step 3: Spread vegetables on large sheet pan in single layer
4. Step 4: Place sausages on top of vegetables
5. Step 5: Roast 20 minutes turning sausages halfway through until sausages are cooked through and vegetables have charred edges
6. Step 6: Let rest 2 minutes
7. Step 7: Slice sausages if desired serve with fresh basil over rice or with crusty bread

Notes

— Any sausage works —
Italian chicken or
plant based all great

— Don't overcrowd pan —
charring requires space

— Internal temp for
sausages should reach
71C to be safe

— Leftover peppers and
onions great in
sandwiches next day

5. One Pan Shrimp and Sausage Boil

This quick one pan dinner idea brings serious Friday night energy to a random Tuesday.

Shrimp, sausage, corn, all cooked together in one pan with bold Cajun seasoning. Looks like a proper seafood boil but without any of the actual boiling or mess that usually involves.

Twenty minutes and your kitchen smells incredible.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

One Pan Shrimp and Sausage Boil

All the flavor of a seafood boil without any actual boiling or mess. Shrimp, sausage, and corn roasted together with bold Cajun seasoning. This quick one pan dinner idea brings serious flavor to any night of the week.

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Prep Time 8 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American Cajun

Calories: 430

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 500 g large shrimp peeled and deveined
• 4 smoked sausages sliced
• 2 corn cobs cut into thirds
• 4 tablespoons butter melted
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lemon juiced
• Fresh parsley to serve
• Lemon wedges to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 220C or 425F
2. Step 2: Mix melted butter Cajun seasoning garlic and lemon juice together
3. Step 3: Toss sausage and corn pieces in half the butter mixture
4. Step 4: Spread on large sheet pan roast 10 minutes
5. Step 5: Add shrimp to pan toss with remaining butter mixture
6. Step 6: Roast 5 more minutes until shrimp are pink and cooked through
7. Step 7: Toss everything together on pan
8. Step 8: Serve immediately topped with fresh parsley and lemon wedges

Notes

— Shrimp cooks fast —
add later than sausage
and corn

— Don't overcook shrimp —
they go rubbery quickly

— Frozen shrimp works just
thaw and pat dry first

— Adjust Cajun seasoning
amount based on spice
preference

6. One Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon and Asparagus

Out of every quick one pan dinner idea on this list this is the one that looks most impressive for the effort involved.

Salmon fillets and asparagus go on one pan with lemon, garlic, and butter. Twenty minutes later you have something that looks plated at a restaurant. Healthy, fast, and the lemon garlic combination is honestly perfect.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

One Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon and Asparagus

Salmon and asparagus roasted together with lemon, garlic, and butter. The quick one pan dinner idea that looks plated at a restaurant but takes 20 minutes and one pan. Healthy, fast, and the lemon garlic combination is perfect.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 380

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 bunch asparagus trimmed
• 4 tablespoons butter melted
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lemon sliced plus extra for juice
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• Salt and pepper generously
• Fresh dill to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 200C or 400F
2. Step 2: Mix melted butter garlic dried dill salt and pepper together
3. Step 3: Place asparagus on sheet pan toss with half the butter mixture
4. Step 4: Place salmon fillets on same pan among asparagus
5. Step 5: Spoon remaining butter mixture over salmon
6. Step 6: Top each fillet with lemon slice
7. Step 7: Roast 12 to 15 minutes until salmon flakes easily and asparagus is tender
8. Step 8: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over everything before serving
9. Step 9: Garnish with fresh dill serve immediately

Notes

— Salmon thickness affects
cooking time — check at
12 minutes

— Asparagus thickness varies —
thin spears cook faster
than thick ones

— Don't overcook salmon —
should be just opaque
and flake easily

— Add cherry tomatoes to
pan for more color
and flavor

7. One Pan Beef and Broccoli

We covered this in another article but it deserves its place here too because it’s truly one of the best quick one pan dinner ideas that exists.

Thin sliced beef, broccoli, glossy savory sauce, all in one wok. Better than takeout, ready in 20 minutes, and the cleanup is one pan and a cutting board. Can’t beat it.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

One Pan Beef and Broccoli

Thin sliced beef and broccoli in glossy savory sauce, all in one wok. Better than takeout and one of the best quick one pan dinner ideas that exists. Cleanup is one pan and a cutting board — genuinely can't beat it.

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Prep Time 8 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 19 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Asian American

Calories: 440

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 500 g beef sirloin thinly
• sliced against grain
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated

SAUCE:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• Quarter cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Cooked rice to serve
• Sesame seeds to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Mix all sauce ingredients together set aside
2. Step 2: Heat oil in wok over highest heat until smoking
3. Step 3: Add beef single layer cook 90 seconds without touching
4. Step 4: Toss cook 30 more seconds remove to plate
5. Step 5: Add broccoli stir fry 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender
6. Step 6: Add garlic and ginger cook 30 seconds
7. Step 7: Return beef pour sauce over everything
8. Step 8: Toss constantly 1 to 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats everything
9. Step 9: Serve immediately over rice topped with sesame seeds

Notes

— Thin slicing against
grain is essential

— Partial freezing makes
slicing easier

— Don't overcook beef —
cooks incredibly fast

— Sauce doubles well for
extra servings

8. One Pan Chicken Alfredo

Pasta cooks directly in the sauce in this one which means the starch from the pasta thickens everything beautifully without needing extra cream or flour.

This quick one pan dinner idea tastes like it took way more effort than dumping everything in one pot and stirring occasionally. My family has no idea it’s this simple and I plan to keep it that way.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

One Pan Chicken Alfredo

Pasta cooks directly in the sauce so the starch thickens everything beautifully without extra cream needed. This quick one pan dinner idea tastes like way more effort than dumping everything in one pot and stirring occasionally.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 24 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian American

Calories: 590

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 400 g fettuccine pasta
• 400 g chicken breast diced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup parmesan grated
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper generously
• Fresh parsley to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Season chicken with salt pepper and Italian seasoning
2. Step 2: Heat butter in large pot over medium high heat
3. Step 3: Cook chicken 5 to 6 minutes until golden and cooked through remove to plate
4. Step 4: Same pot add garlic cook 30 seconds
5. Step 5: Add chicken broth and cream bring to simmer
6. Step 6: Add pasta directly to liquid stir to submerge
7. Step 7: Simmer 12 to 14 minutes stirring frequently until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened
8. Step 8: Return chicken to pot
9. Step 9: Add parmesan stir until melted and creamy
10. Step 10: Serve immediately topped with fresh parsley and extra parmesan

Notes

— Stir frequently — pasta
can stick to bottom
of pot

— Sauce thickens more as
it sits — add splash of
broth if too thick

— Don't skip stirring in
last few minutes —
this is where it
comes together

— Add baby spinach in
last 2 minutes for
extra nutrition

9. Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables

Sweet, tangy honey mustard glaze on chicken and roasted vegetables, all on one sheet pan.

This quick one pan dinner idea proves that a good sauce does most of the work. Toss everything in the glaze, roast for 20 minutes, done. The glaze caramelizes slightly in the oven which makes everything taste even better.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Vegetables

Sweet tangy honey mustard glaze on chicken and roasted vegetables, all on one pan. This quick one pan dinner idea proves a good sauce does most of the work. The glaze caramelizes in the oven for incredible flavor.

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Prep Time 8 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 28 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 460

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 8 chicken thighs boneless
• skinless
• 500 g baby carrots
• 500 g baby potatoes halved

GLAZE:

• 4 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper generously
• Fresh thyme to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 220C or 425F
2. Step 2: Mix honey mustard olive oil garlic dried thyme salt and pepper together for glaze
3. Step 3: Toss potatoes and carrots with half the glaze spread on sheet pan
4. Step 4: Roast 10 minutes
5. Step 5: Toss chicken thighs in remaining glaze
6. Step 6: Add chicken to pan with vegetables
7. Step 7: Roast 15 more minutes until chicken is cooked through and glaze has caramelized
8. Step 8: Garnish with fresh thyme serve immediately

Notes

— Vegetables need head
start since they take
longer than chicken

— Watch glaze in last few
minutes — honey can burn

— Chicken thighs more
forgiving than breast here

— Double glaze recipe and
keep extra for drizzling

10. One Pan Taco Skillet

All the flavors of tacos in one skillet without any of the assembly.

Ground beef, rice, beans, taco seasoning, cheese melted on top. This quick one pan dinner idea is basically a deconstructed taco that comes together in one pan and feeds the whole family generously.

Add your favorite toppings after — sour cream, salsa, avocado — and you have a complete meal.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

One Pan Taco Skillet

All the flavors of tacos in one skillet without any assembly. Ground beef, rice, beans, and melted cheese come together in this quick one pan dinner idea that feeds the whole family generously with almost nothing to clean.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Mexican American

Calories: 540

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 500 g ground beef
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 1 can black beans drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream salsa avocado to serve
• Fresh cilantro to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Heat large skillet over medium high heat
2. Step 2: Add ground beef break apart cook 8 minutes until browned
3. Step 3: Drain excess fat
4. Step 4: Add taco seasoning stir to coat beef
5. Step 5: Add rice beans diced tomatoes and broth stir well
6. Step 6: Bring to boil reduce heat to low cover
7. Step 7: Simmer 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed
8. Step 8: Sprinkle cheese over top cover 2 minutes until melted
9. Step 9: Top with cilantro serve with sour cream salsa and avocado

Notes

— Don't lift lid while
simmering — rice needs
steady steam

— If rice not tender after
20 minutes add splash
more broth cover
2 more minutes

— Leftovers make great
burrito filling next day

— Works with ground turkey
or chicken too

11. One Pan Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

Jarred pesto does the heavy lifting in this quick one pan dinner idea.

Chicken and vegetables roast together coated in pesto until everything is fragrant and slightly caramelized. The pesto soaks into the vegetables in a way that makes them taste completely different from plain roasted vegetables. Genuinely incredible.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

One Pan Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

Jarred pesto does the heavy lifting in this quick one pan dinner idea. Chicken and vegetables roast together coated in pesto until fragrant and caramelized. The pesto transforms ordinary roasted vegetables completely.

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Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 24 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 470

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 zucchini sliced
• 1 yellow squash sliced
• Half cup jarred pesto
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper generously
• Fresh basil and parmesan to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 220C or 425F
2. Step 2: Toss zucchini squash and tomatoes with olive oil salt and pepper
3. Step 3: Spread vegetables on sheet pan
4. Step 4: Season chicken with salt and pepper coat generously with pesto
5. Step 5: Place chicken on pan with vegetables
6. Step 6: Roast 18 to 20 minutes until chicken reaches 75C internal temperature and vegetables are tender with charred edges
7. Step 7: Garnish with fresh basil and grated parmesan serve immediately

Notes

— Good quality pesto makes
a real difference here

— Chicken breast thickness
varies — check temp
at 18 minutes

— Add more pesto drizzled
fresh at the end for
extra flavor

— Works with chicken thighs
too just adjust time slightly

12. One Pan Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

Everything cooks together — chicken, rice, teriyaki sauce — and the rice ends up infused with all that sweet savory flavor.

This quick one pan dinner idea is the kind of meal that makes you wonder why you’d ever order takeout again. One pan, 20 minutes, and the rice alone makes this worth making on repeat.

⏱️ Ready in: 20 minutes

One Pan Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

Chicken, rice, and teriyaki sauce cook together so the rice gets infused with sweet savory flavor throughout. This quick one pan dinner idea makes you wonder why you'd ever order takeout. One pan, 20 minutes, incredible result.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 23 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Asian American

Calories: 470

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 500 g chicken thighs diced
• 1.5 cups long grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth

TERIYAKI SAUCE:

• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger grated
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• Sesame seeds and green
• onions to serve

Method

 

1. Step 1: Mix teriyaki sauce ingredients together set aside
2. Step 2: Heat oil in large pot over medium high heat
3. Step 3: Add chicken cook 5 minutes until golden
4. Step 4: Add rice stir to coat 1 minute
5. Step 5: Add chicken broth and half the teriyaki sauce bring to boil
6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low cover simmer 15 minutes until rice is tender
7. Step 7: Add frozen vegetables and remaining teriyaki sauce stir gently
8. Step 8: Cover 2 more minutes until vegetables are heated
9. Step 9: Serve topped with sesame seeds and green onions

Notes

— Don't lift lid during
rice simmering

— Add vegetables at end so
they stay vibrant and
don't overcook

— Sauce thickens as it
sits — perfect texture
after few minutes resting

— Leftovers reheat well
with splash of water

My Tips For Quick One Pan Dinner Ideas Success

After making quick one pan dinner ideas almost every week here’s what actually matters:

Cut everything the same size:

For sheet pan recipes especially — if your vegetables and protein are different sizes they cook at different rates. Keep everything roughly the same size for even cooking.

Don’t overcrowd the pan:

This is the number one mistake with quick one pan dinner ideas. Overcrowding means steaming instead of roasting and you lose that caramelization that makes everything taste good. Use your largest pan or sheet.

Line for even less cleanup:

Parchment paper or foil on sheet pans means sometimes there’s genuinely nothing to wash. Five extra seconds of prep saves you five minutes of scrubbing.

Build in layers:

Add ingredients that take longest to cook first. Potatoes before steak. Chicken before quick cooking vegetables. This is the difference between everything being perfectly cooked versus some things raw and others overcooked.

Which Quick One Pan Dinner Idea Are You Trying Tonight?

Twelve quick one pan dinner ideas. All ready in 20 minutes. All minimal cleanup. All genuinely delicious.

Pick one tonight and enjoy not standing at the sink for thirty minutes afterward. Bookmark this page because quick one pan dinner ideas deserve to be your weeknight default from now on.

Tried one? Let me know in the comments which quick one pan dinner idea you went for — I always love hearing what worked.

More quick one pan dinner ideas coming to MealIn20 every week. All fast. All real. All barely any dishes.