The 17 stovetop dinner recipes we’re always telling people to make

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These stovetop dinner recipes have become our go-to suggestions whenever someone’s in a mealtime pinch. These are the recipes that have earned their stripes in our kitchens, the ones we’ve practically memorized. We’re talking about those reliable dishes that come to the rescue after a long day when you just need something straightforward and good to eat.

A pan with chicken in a creamy sauce.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Tuscan garlic shrimp and spinach with tomatoes in a pan.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach can be ready in 30 minutes, creating a flavorful, unmissable meal on your stovetop. This dish features shrimp cooked with garlic, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes alongside fresh tomatoes, spinach, and basil. Delicious, high in protein, and all made right in one pan.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

A plate of garlic butter chicken bites.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are a swift and straightforward meal to make right on your stove. These pan-fried chicken breast pieces are coated in cornstarch and then tossed in a seasoned garlic butter sauce. This stovetop meal is one way to put a flavorful meal on the table in only 20 minutes, making it a dish you want to pass on creating.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 25 minutes, this Cabbage and Sausage recipe brings together sautéed cabbage with onions and seared sausages, finished with a dash of apple cider vinegar for a zing. This combination cooks quickly, making it a smart choice for a filling and flavorful dinner on a busy night. Plus, all you’ll need is one pan and your handy stovetop to make this meal — try it out yourself!
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Creamy Dijon Chicken

Creamy chicken dish garnished with bacon and herbs in a skillet.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, you can whip up this Creamy Dijon Chicken that you should definitely try out. This stovetop meal brings together chicken thighs, spinach, and bacon in a creamy sauce made from Dijon mustard, heavy cream, and Parmesan. It’s a great recipe for a quick dinner that requires minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sausage Curry transforms simple ingredients into a meal full of depth in only under an hour. Sausages, sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions meld together in a creamy sauce seasoned with garlic, curry powder, and ginger. This recipe is one you’ll keep going back to on evenings when you want something with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Chicken Tortellini Soup

A bowl of chicken tortellini soup with vegetables and herbs.
Chicken Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Make Chicken Tortellini Soup for a comforting stovetop meal that’ll have you coming back for seconds. This hearty 40-minute soup combines chicken, cheese tortellini, carrots, celery, and onions. It’s a great choice for cool evenings, using either leftover or rotisserie chicken to keep it budget-friendly and easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Broccoli Fritters

A stack of broccoli fritters on a plate.
Broccoli Fritters. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare Broccoli Fritters in 35 minutes for a quick and nourishing meal that’ll become your next veggie fave. These fritters combine steamed broccoli, eggs, Parmesan, and either sunflower seed meal or almond flour, fried until crisp. Serve with a dip for a light dinner or filling snack that makes eating greens effortless and even delicious.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

A dish of chicken with creamy mushroom sauce garnished with fresh herbs.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Enjoy Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce as a swift 30-minute stovetop meal that you can’t miss. This recipe combines chicken thighs with a rich sauce of mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan, all in a single pan. It’s a practical choice for anyone needing a fast and hearty meal, easily paired with any side dish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Green Chile Chicken

Green chile chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Green Chile Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Green Chile Chicken is a quick 20-minute meal that utilizes leftover or store-bought chicken. Combining green chiles and a creamy sauce made of heavy cream and cream cheese, this dish turns everyday ingredients into a rich dinner. It’s a must-try stovetop meal for those who like a kick of spice in their lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Prepare Fried Cabbage with Bacon in just 25 minutes on your stovetop for a quick and hearty dish. This recipe features crunchy cabbage and crispy bacon, creating a flavorful combination that’s perfect for a balanced meal. It’s simple to make and creates a delicious meal, making it a must-try for lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken brings together chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a garlic-infused creamy sauce. This dish is perfect for those looking to prepare a flavorful and hearty meal. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a quick and delicious stovetop recipe that you have to try at least once.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Lemon Garlic Scallops

Scallops with parsley and garlic in a skillet.
Lemon Garlic Scallops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In 30 minutes, this recipe for Lemon Garlic Scallops delivers a restaurant-quality experience using your stovetop at home. These seared scallops are made with a lemon-garlic sauce and each bite features a light, citrusy flavor. They’re impressive yet surprisingly easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute Creamy Garlic Chicken combines chicken breasts and a rich garlic, Parmesan, and cream sauce. It’s a great choice for a meal that is both comforting and quick to make, ensuring you can enjoy a flavorful dinner even on the busiest nights. Plus, there’s no need for fancy equipment — you just need your stovetop to make this, so don’t miss out on it!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice garnished with fresh herbs with a fork.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is a superb healthy option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. Featuring ground beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, and cheddar, it’s seasoned just right with garlic powder and red pepper flakes. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, making a hearty meal that’ll have everyone gathering at the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

A skillet of creamy sun dried tomato chicken with a wooden spoon.
Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a stovetop dish that comes together in 30 minutes. Boneless chicken thighs are cooked in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, creating a robust flavor that’ll be difficult to pass up on. Serve alongside mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice, or noodles for an even heartier meal.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

White Bean Soup

A bowl of white bean soup with carrots and croutons.
White Bean Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

White Bean Soup is a nourishing one-pot meal that’s ready in 40 minutes. Featuring sautéed vegetables and white beans in a flavorful broth, it’s thickened by blending some of the beans into a creamy texture. This stovetop meal is a perfect choice for a healthy, filling dinner that the whole family will want to try.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts feature a savory mix of chicken and artichokes in a creamy sauce. Seasoned with Italian spices, garlic, and onion powder, this dish is a great way to enjoy a quick, flavorful dinner. All you’ll need is 30 minutes and a stovetop to make this meal you won’t want to miss.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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