The Laziest Way to Make the Best Dinner of Your Week

Don't wash any more dishes.

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I don’t know about you, but one pan dinners are where it’s at. If I can make an entire meal in a single skillet or on a single sheet pan and have minimal dishes to wash at the end of the night, I have won. That is what we call peak weeknight cooking and I will not be taking questions.

One pan meals are not only less clean-up (yay!), but they actually can make the flavors even better. When the chicken sears in the pan and then the rice or orzo or pasta cooks in those same juices, it only enhances everything. The flavors just continue to build on top of each other.

So, in the name of making your weeknights easier, I’ve put together 10 amazing one pan meals—orzo dishes, rice dishes, and even some gnocchi. Let me know in the comments which one you’re going to try first!

• A large skillet or sauté pan. The workhorse of this list. It needs to be deep enough to hold liquid and protein without boiling over. If you don’t have one, it will change your life.

• An oven-safe skillet or cast iron pan. A few of these go from stovetop to oven. Make sure whatever pan you’re using can handle it before you put it in.

• A good pair of tongs. For searing chicken and flipping things without losing the sauce.

• A baking sheet (plus parchment paper).

• A meat thermometer. Almost everything here is chicken-based. Knowing exactly when it hits 165°F means perfectly juicy chicken every single time.

• Meal prep containers. Most of these hold up great in the fridge for days. Having good airtight containers is a must.

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Busy days call for easy dinners, and if you’re anything like me, then you want an easy, restaurant-quality dinner that’s ready in minutes. That’s where this recipe comes in. My One Pan Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is simple, flavorful, and comes together with just a few pantry staples.

The most popular recipe on my website and for good reason! Tender chicken breasts paired with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce and hearty orzo is such a good combination, it’ll make you want to marry the person who made it for you! Introducing my One-Pan “Marry Me” Chicken Orzo, an easy, delicious take on the classic “Marry Me” chicken.

A hearty one-pan meal is the perfect solution for those days where you don’t have a ton of time to make dinner. And this One-Pan Coconut Lime Chicken and Rice is the ultimate one-pan meal! It’s made with tender, crispy chicken thighs cooked upon a bed of fragrant, creamy coconut rice and it only gets better with time, which means, it’s perfect for preparing ahead of time!

Tender chicken meets a creamy coconut milk sauce for a match made in literal heaven. Introducing my One Pan Saucy Coconut Chicken, a simple, easy dinner that comes together in just 20 minutes. It’s filled with tons of herbs and spices for flavor that packs a punch in every bite. This is the perfect recipe to meal-prep at the beginning of the week, so you can have a delicious, better-than-takeout meal ready in minutes!

Your typical “chicken and rice” dinner just got a healthy, delicious, low-fuss upgrade. Introducing my One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken Orzo – a hearty and flavorful dish that is the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner. It comes together with tender, juicy chicken thighs, briny olives, and orzo stewed together in rich chicken broth and a variety of spices.

A one pan meal is proof that making a healthy, homemade dinner doesn’t have to be hard – and, when it comes to one pan meals, this may just be my best one yet. Introducing my One Pan Moroccan Chicken with Tzatziki, a tender, flavorful dish that’s made from perfectly-seasoned chicken thighs, warm winter veggies, and is topped with a creamy tzatziki and chopped pistachios. It’s an homage to my Middle Eastern roots and is even better than takeout.

If you’re looking for the easiest one pan chicken dish that will have dinner on the table in mere minutes, then look no further because this is it! My Juicy One Pan Middle Eastern Chicken & Potatoes is a quick, easy, one pan meal that comes together with minimal mess. It’s made from tender chicken thighs marinated in creamy labneh (or greek yogurt) and perfectly cooked potatoes for a hearty and comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy!

Everything you love about French onion soup, built around juicy chicken thighs and earthy mushrooms in one skillet for this One Pan French Onion Chicken and Mushrooms. The caramelized onions are what make this dish and they cannot be rushed, so plan accordingly and be patient because it is absolutely worth it. Serve over jasmine rice and soak up every last drop of that sauce.

If a quick-and-easy comfort meal is what you’re craving, then this is the perfect recipe for you. My One-Pan Italian Sausage Gnocchi is a creamy, hearty pasta dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s full of fluffy gnocchi, hearty Italian Sausage, and a creamy tomato sauce for a classic comfort recipe made in minutes.

If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and healthy dinner that comes together in record timing, then look no further because this recipe is IT! My Sheet Pan Lemon-Herb Salmon with Asparagus is a light and healthy dinner AND a side dish rolled into one. Plus, this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and takes only 20 minutes to make, making it perfect for the whole family to enjoy!

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