18 stovetop recipes to keep you out of the kitchen and off dish duty

Photo of author

| Published:

If you think spending hours in the kitchen is a badge of honor, it’s time to rethink your life choices. These stovetop recipes are so easy, convenient, and delicious, you’ll feel like you’re getting away with something. Wave farewell to marathon cooking sessions and embrace more time doing literally anything else.

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

Reuben Bowls

A bowl of coleslaw with creamy dressing, garnished with green onions, served in a ceramic bowl with a fork.
Reuben Bowls. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Reuben Bowls turn the classic sandwich into a no-stress bowl meal. It features corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, creamy coleslaw, and melty Swiss cheese; this dish packs a punch and skips the bread. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a solid choice for those evenings when you’re low on time and high on hunger. Plus, it’s all in one bowl, so you can forget about a sink full of dishes and trick yourself into thinking you cleaned before you started cooking. This meal is perfect for anyone who enjoys a hearty dish without chaining themselves to the sink afterward.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls

Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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

If you’re after something that sounds fancy but doesn’t keep you in the kitchen all night, Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts is your dish. This meal features tender chicken thighs in creamy artichoke and lemon sauce. It’s quick to whip up in about 30 minutes and is a brilliant way to impress without the stress. Keep your evening plans and kitchen clean because great flavor doesn’t mean being stuck in the kitchen. Not this recipe! It’s all about maximum flavor with minimum cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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 bring the flavors of Tuscany right to your stovetop when you want a fancy quick trip to Italy. This dish combines succulent shrimp, fresh spinach, and juicy tomatoes, all bathed in a garlicky sauce. It’s a complete meal ready in about 30 minutes, so you can enjoy a gourmet meal without missing your favorite TV show. The quick cleanup is a bonus — spend your time chilling, not scrubbing. This is how you make dinner quickly and keep your kitchen looking like nobody cooked there.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

The Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is a no-brainer when you want comfort food without the cleanup comedy. It mixes ground beef, cheddar cheese, mushrooms, and cauliflower rice into a hearty skillet meal. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a busy night when you want to eat well but not spend the evening with the dishes. This skillet’s about getting dinner done quickly and keeping your kitchen cleaner than a whistle — because who needs extra chores?
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Chicken Tortellini Soup

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

Chicken Tortellini Soup is practically a hug in a bowl, and it’s just as easy to clean up after as it is to enjoy. This broth is rich with chicken, cheese tortellini, carrots, and celery, coming together in 40 minutes. It’s your best friend on a lazy evening when you want a filling meal but not the hassle of a big cleanup. After all, nobody cooks to spend the night doing dishes. So, pour yourself a bowl and pat yourself on the back for outsmarting the kitchen cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

Cabbage and Sausage

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

Cabbage and Sausage is your hero if you’re into saving time and keeping things simple. Just toss some cabbage, onions, and sausages into a pan, spice it up with apple cider vinegar and your favorite spices, and boom — dinner in 25 minutes. It’s a straightforward dish that’s easy to make and keeps your sink pretty lonely afterward. Perfect for a busy weeknight when you’d rather chill than deal with a mountain of dishes. Plus, it’s packed with flavors that make it a hit every time without the hassle of a lengthy clean-up.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Sausage Curry

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

Sausage Curry is here to lift your spirits on those less-than-sunny days. It’s packed with sausages, sweet potatoes, carrots, and peas, simmering in a comforting curry sauce. Whip this up in under an hour with only one pan to wash — yes, you heard that right. Perfect for those evenings when you want to eat well but can’t face the aftermath. No one enjoys cleaning up after a good meal. Not only does it save you from the dreaded dish duty, but it also fills your home with a rich aroma that promises a great meal.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the hero for your hunger and the zero for your dishwashing woes. These crispy chicken morsels are smothered in a lush garlic butter sauce and ready before you know it — 20 minutes tops. It’s the perfect pick for those evenings when you want to eat well without the aftermath of a kitchen disaster. Quick, easy, and with an even easier cleanup, this recipe lets you feed the frenzy without turning the kitchen into a splash zone.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

Talk about a winner for a stress-free dinner; Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce brings it all. With juicy chicken thighs and a rich mushroom sauce, this dish screams comfort and gets ready in a snap — 30 minutes flat. Serve it alone or throw a side next to it; either way, you’ve got a crowd-pleaser with barely any cleanup. It’s pretty much the dream scenario for a lazy night in. This dish is a great way to get a creamy, flavorful experience without spending all evening over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Lemon Garlic Scallops

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

Lemon Garlic Scallops are your shortcut to seeming like a gourmet chef without having to be one. These babies are pan-seared quickly and dressed up with a tangy lemon-garlic sauce. In just 20 minutes, you can dish out a meal that looks fancy but skips the messy kitchen saga. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to eat well and have time to kick back afterward. This dish gives a fresh, light taste that’s sure to impress, and the quick prep means you won’t miss out on the evening relaxation.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

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 quick, flavorful meal you can whip up to impress without the stress. It features chicken thighs simmered in a lush sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and a dash of cream — all in about 30 minutes. And with just one pan to clean, it’s a great way to enjoy a delicious dinner and keep your evening plans. It’s not only quick but also packed with bold flavors that make it seem like you spent hours in the kitchen.
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.

You can do comfort food quickly and with minimal cleanup. White Bean Soup combines white beans, an assortment of veggies, and a splash of lemon to create a soothing, rich-textured soup in just 40 minutes. And since it’s all done in one pot, you can forget about a sink full of dishes. It is just the kind of meal you need after a long day — easy, comforting, and with no cleanup drama. This soup is perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you need a hearty boost without the stress.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Broccoli Fritters

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

Broccoli doesn’t have to be boring. Transform your basic steamed broccoli into Broccoli Fritters in just 35 minutes. It combines steamed broccoli, eggs and a hearty sprinkle of Parmesan. These crispy, golden patties are easy to make and a joy to eat. They’re perfect alone or with your favorite dipping sauce. And the best part is that cleanup is as simple as the recipe. With this one-pan wonder, you’ll spend less time scrubbing dishes and more time enjoying your evening. Plus, you might even trick the kids into eating their greens!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Sometimes, you wish dinner could whisk you away to Italy, so enter Creamy Tuscan Chicken. This dish combines juicy chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a delectably creamy sauce. It’s your weeknight passport to a Tuscan flavor escape, all cooked in one skillet and ready in 40 minutes. Perfect for when you want to impress without the mess. Say goodbye to a sink full of dishes and hello to more time relaxing with a glass of wine — or maybe just catching up on your favorite series.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Green Chile Chicken

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

If you’re in a dinner rush and need something quick and filling, our Green Chile Chicken is your go-to. This recipe involves tender shredded chicken and fiery green chiles, all simmered in a lusciously creamy sauce. Ready in 20 minutes and cooked in just one pan, it’s perfect for those nights when you can’t even think about tackling a complicated meal. Less time cooking and cleaning means more time for you. Relax, unwind, and let this dish bring the heat without heating your entire kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

Creamy Garlic Chicken is a must for a touch of comfort without the commitment. This dish features tender chicken breasts bathed in a rich garlic and Parmesan cream sauce, all in one pan and done within 30 minutes. It’s the perfect meal for a low-key night but special enough for guests. Cook this on a gentle simmer and watch it transform simple ingredients into a dinner you’d proudly serve. Forget about facing a mountain of dishes — this dish keeps your evening smooth and your sink clear. It’s all the comfort with none of the cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Nothing says ‘effortlessly gourmet’ quite like our Creamy Dijon Chicken. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish features succulent chicken thighs drenched in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, with fresh spinach and rich, crumbled bacon adding layers of flavor and texture. Thanks to cooking everything in one pan, it’s all about maximizing taste while minimizing cleanup. Whether a casual dinner or a last-minute meal for friends, this dish delivers big flavors with little cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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

Try Fried Cabbage with Bacon if you’re looking for a speedy dish that delivers on both taste and convenience. This simple, one-pan meal combines the hearty flavors of bacon and cabbage with the sweet sharpness of onion, all fried up in bacon fat for extra richness. Ready in just 25 minutes? It’s a great way to add some veggies to your diet in a way that’s anything but dull. Plus, it leaves you with practically no dishes to wash — more time to relax or maybe sneak in an extra episode of your favorite show.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.