Lazy Dinners That Only Require One Skillet

By Mary Shannon Wells
December 13, 2018
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner
The holiday season is busy, and we know you don’t have a second to spare on that calendar. That’s where these one-skillet meals come in. This season, skip the takeout and forget about spending hours in the kitchen (unless you're baking cookies). With these easy one-skillet dinners, you’ll get a hearty, homemade meal on the table in no time, and you’ll only have one dish to clean up afterward. There’s never a bad time to break out your cast-iron skillet, and these dinners are reason enough to use that piece all season long. Even the pickiest kids at the table will want second helpings of recipes like fried chicken, baked ziti, mac and cheese, and shrimp fried rice. And with skillet recipes like pork cacciatore, orzo with fish and herbs, and chicken-and-wild rice casserole, you’ve got easy one-skillet options that look (and taste) company-ready. Your family and holiday guests will adore these suppers, and you’ll adore how easy they are to get on the table and clean up.
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Busy Night? Grab Your Skillet.

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Lighter Pan-Fried Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Lighter Pan-Fried Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes

Get crispy, golden fried chicken with a quick pan-fry rather than a deep fry, and cook tender veggies in the very same skillet for a meal the kids and adults will love.

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Skillet Spinach Lasagna

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Skillet Spinach Lasagna

We bet you didn’t see this one coming—all the homemade comfort of a casserole-style lasagna made quickly and simply in a skillet. Weeknight genius.

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King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

Two Southern classics combine in this simple chicken mac and cheese that cuts down on preparation time by using a number of convenience products.

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Cast-Iron Pork Cacciatore

Credit: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cast-Iron Pork Cacciatore

This gorgeous Italian-inspired dish is ready in just 30 minutes, so you can focus on getting yourself and the house ready before company arrives.

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Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

Video: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

This one-dish meal is a modern take on the classic chicken-and-wild rice casserole Mama has been serving for years.

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Skillet Shrimp Chilaquiles

Credit: Stephen DeVries

Recipe: Skillet Shrimp Chilaquiles

Video: Skillet Shrimp Chilaquiles

A grown-up version of nachos, these chilaquiles will switch up your taco Tuesday routine for the better. Best served with a margarita (in our opinion).

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Cast-Iron Chicken Piccata

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Cast-Iron Chicken Piccata

When we get an Instagram-worthy dinner on the table in just 30 minutes, we call that a win.

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Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Video: Skillet Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

This decadent dinner features two of the South’s favorite flavors of the season—apples and hint of bourbon. With a warm sauce and comforting sides, this pork chop dinner is ideal for the winter.

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Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

No filling or rolling required for our easiest-ever enchilada recipe that comes together in just 25 minutes.

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Skillet-Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Skillet-Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers

Video: Skillet Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers

Pasta night was already easy, but add a cast-iron skillet and wow-worthy Andouille and it becomes almost too good to be true.

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Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Fricassee with Spring Vegetables

Bring a comforting stew of chicken and vegetables to the table in no time with this wholesome, one-skillet dish.

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Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Lemons

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Lemons

In less than one hour, you'll have a savory chicken recipe that's as tender and flavorful as if it had been slow cooking all day.

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Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-Fry

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Beef-and-Brussels Sprouts Stir-Fry

This flavorful stir-fry is even easier than ordering takeout, and your kids will actually eat Brussels sprouts served this way.

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Whole Wheat Pesto Pizza

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Whole Wheat Pesto Pizza

With whole-wheat crust and fresh toppings, this skillet pizza is a healthy dinner that only feels indulgent.

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Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas

Store-bought potato gnocchi is delicious when sautéed in a skillet. This easy recipe can be jazzed up with any sauce or seasoning, and you can add a protein like shrimp or chicken for a more filling dish.

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Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Leeks and Mushrooms

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Leeks and Mushrooms

This party-ready pot pie can be ready in time for everday dinner instead with a little bit of prep work. Slow cook the chicken ahead of time to make night-of meal preparation much easier.

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Skillet Orzo with Fish and Herbs

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Skillet Orzo with Fish and Herbs

This pretty entrée is quick and simple enough for a weeknight but looks dressy enough for company.

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Easy Skillet Tacos

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Easy Skillet Tacos

This one-skillet approach to a family favorite will make taco night even easier.

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Crispy Chicken Thighs with Pasta and Pesto

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Crispy Chicken Thighs with Pasta and Pesto

This simple recipe doesn’t require a lot of seasoning or fuss because our homemade arugula pesto speaks for itself.

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Shrimp Fried Rice

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

Your kids might not believe you when you tell them this fried rice came from your kitchen and not takeout boxes. Our test kitchen recommends using cooled, day-old rice, which is drier and less sticky.

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Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

This Southern classic is so much easier when made in a cast-iron skillet with refrigerated pie crusts.

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Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs

This version of mac and cheese features three kinds of cheese for the dreamiest dinner your kids will beg you to make.

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Skillet Rice with Shrimp and Chicken

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Skillet Rice with Shrimp and Chicken

Packed with two kinds of protein, rice, and tons of veggies, this one-dish meal will fill your family up more than you might think.

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Sunny Skillet Breakfast

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Recipe: Sunny Skillet Breakfast

Video: Sunny Skillet Breakfast

If your family is craving breakfast for dinner, this skillet meal is easier and faster flipping pancakes or waiting for a breakfast casserole to chill for hours.

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By Mary Shannon Wells