18 easy stovetop dinners for when you just want to eat well and chill

Photo of author

| Published:

Whether you’re dodging the daily grind or simply can’t be bothered with the oven’s commitment issues, these recipes are your ticket to a chill evening. Easy stovetop dinners are the heroes we all need on those days when you want nothing more than to kick back and eat well. They’re quick to cook, even quicker to clean up, and sure to make your taste buds and your schedule very happy companions.

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

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.

Here’s the scoop on the Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet: it’s your ticket to a chill evening. Think juicy ground beef, fluffy cauliflower rice, rich cheddar, and earthy mushrooms all in one skillet. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is a no-brainer for those who want a great meal without the hassle. It’s the perfect setup for a low-key night — simple ingredients, simple cooking, and even simpler cleanup. Plus, it’s a meal that respects your need for downtime without skimping on flavor.
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 your quick fix to winding down on a busy day. It’s got everything: chicken, cheese tortellini, carrots, celery, and onions, all bobbing in a soothing broth. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s the kind of meal that doesn’t require cooking all day. Perfect for a chill, comforting dinner at home. It’s like pressing the easy button for dinner — throw the ingredients in, let them simmer, and boom, dinner’s served. No sweat, no tears, just good eating.
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 might sound simple, and that’s because it is. Cabbage, onions, sausages, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and a sprinkle of spices — it’s a straightforward mix that turns into something pretty great in just 25 minutes. It’s the kind of meal you go for when you need something filling but can’t be bothered with anything complicated. Minimal ingredients, minimal time, minimal cleanup — maximal satisfaction. And hey, it’s almost impossible to mess this one up; it’s that easy.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Sausage Curry

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

Shake up your weeknight routine with the Sausage Curry. This dish throws sausages, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, and a curry sauce together for a meal that’s anything but ordinary. Ready in less than an hour and all in one pan, it’s the hero for your hunger without the villainous cleanup. It’s got a bit of everything to keep dinner interesting without making you work too hard. Grab a pan, toss it all in, stir, and you’re set. This is how you make dinner fun and chill at the same time.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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

If you’re looking for a quick dinner that feels like you’ve done something special, Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are your go-to. You just need chicken, butter, garlic, and about 20 minutes. You’ll end up with crispy, golden bites that are all filling, no pain. It’s the kind of meal that’s perfect when you want to eat well without making a big deal out of dinner. Plus, it leaves you with hardly any cleanup. So, less time cleaning means more time chilling. Great for an easy-going night.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites

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.

Picture this: Reuben Bowls packed with corned beef, sauerkraut, coleslaw, and melted Swiss cheese, all thrown together in a bowl for a no-mess, no-stress meal. Ready in just 30 minutes, these bowls are a perfect pick for a chill evening. No need to juggle multiple pans or deal with a mountain of dishes afterward. It’s essentially a lazy person’s dream come true when you want to eat well and relax. Plus, it’s an easy sell for convincing someone that cooking doesn’t have to be a chore, perfect for getting over that kitchen intimidation.
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.

Here we have chicken thighs that meet their match with artichoke hearts in a creamy sauce, all done in under 30 minutes. It’s simple, quick, and looks like you tried harder than you actually did. Great for impressing a date or showing your mom that you can indeed cook something that didn’t come out of a box. It’s a great stovetop dinner for those nights when you want something a bit nice but don’t want to go all out. This dish keeps it real — real easy and really delicious.
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.

Pop open a window to Italy with Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach — and guess what? It only takes 25 minutes. You’ve got shrimp, spinach, tomatoes, and just the right amount of garlic, simmered in a pan. It’s perfect for those nights when you want to eat well but chill harder. This dish is all about making your evening stress-free. No fancy skills are needed, just a stovetop and a pan. Hey, and the best part? You’re left with just one pan to clean, leaving you more time to kick back and relax.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is all about bringing together chicken thighs, mushrooms, and cream for a rich, comforting meal that’s ready in no time. You’ve got 30 minutes? You’ve got a meal that’ll make you look like you know your way around the kitchen. It’s the kind of dinner that’s perfect for when you want to chill but also want to treat yourself to something nice. And hey, if cooking is usually your nemesis, this recipe might change your mind. It’s easy and fast, and the cleanup is a breeze.
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.

Think scallops sautéed with garlic and a squeeze of lemon, ready in about 20 minutes. Lemon Garlic Scallops are fast, light, and punch way above their weight class in terms of flavor. Perfect for when you want something a little fancy but not so fancy that you need to dress up or spend all day cooking. It’s a great choice for those evenings when you’re looking to enjoy something special without spending all night in the kitchen. Plus, you’ll look like a pro with seafood, which is always a plus if you’re trying to impress.
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 your go-to for a no-stress, flavor-packed dinner. Chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and a splash of cream come together in about 30 minutes for a dish that’s comforting and easy to pull off. This one’s for those nights when you’re craving something good but don’t want to put in too much effort. Think of it as the dining equivalent of putting on your favorite playlist and kicking back — it’s all the vibes, none of the hassle.
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 where simplicity meets comfort. Just beans, veggies, and a hint of lemon simmer together to create a hearty meal that’s ready in about 40 minutes. It’s the soup you turn to when you need a hug in a bowl — easy to make, easier to eat, and perfect for those chill nights. This soup doesn’t ask for much; it just requires a pot and your appetite. It’s a straightforward, feel-good meal that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with overly complicated recipes.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Broccoli Fritters

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

Broccoli Fritters are your shortcut to a great meal with minimal mess. Whip up a batch by mixing broccoli, eggs, and Parmesan into golden fritters in just 35 minutes. They’re the perfect snack or light dinner, especially when you don’t want to spend your whole evening in the kitchen. And hey, they require so few dishes you’ll think the cleaning fairy came early. Perfect for those days when even ordering takeout feels like too much work. So, if you want to eat well and chill without any hassle, these fritters have your back.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Dive into Creamy Tuscan Chicken for a touch of Italy minus the plane ride. It’s simple: chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan, and spinach meld together in a creamy sauce, ready in 40 minutes flat. It looks like you spent all day cooking, but it was actually a breeze to make. Great for impressing a date or just treating yourself without the mess. And when you aim to eat well and chill, this dish is like hitting the easy button on gourmet — no sweat, all the flavors.
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.

Green Chile Chicken is the spicy pick-me-up your dinner routine didn’t know it needed. Combine shredded chicken, jalapeños, and green chiles in a creamy sauce, and 20 minutes later, dinner’s served. It’s the superhero of quick meals, rescuing you from the brink of another cereal-for-dinner night. The cleanup is so minimal it practically does itself, leaving you more time to unwind. Perfect for those evenings when you want great flavor fast and with zero hassle — just what you need to eat well and totally chill.
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 your go-to for comfort food that doesn’t take forever. This dish is ready in 30 minutes with chicken breasts smothered in creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s perfect for lazy nights. Serve it over pasta or rice, and watch it disappear. It’s great for those days when you want a hearty meal without chaining yourself to the stove. This dish shows that you can eat well and chill without compromising on a great dinner.
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.

Creamy Dijon Chicken makes having a fancy dinner easy. In just 30 minutes, mix chicken thighs with a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, Parmesan, spinach, and bacon — all simmering together in one pan. It’s the dish to serve if you want to impress guests or just treat yourself on a chill night in. Low effort, high reward, and absolutely no pile of dishes to haunt you afterward. Just the thing when you want to eat well and relax without any of the usual kitchen drama.
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.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon turns simple ingredients into something you’ll want to make over and over. It takes 25 minutes to cook bacon, onion, cabbage, and spices in one pan. It’s straightforward and delicious, with a cleanup so easy you’ll have plenty of time to kick back afterward. If you’ve been avoiding the kitchen, this dish is a great way to dip your toes back in. Plus, it’s a delicious way to sneak some veggies into your day, showing that eating well and chilling are totally compatible.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Leave a Comment

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