18 effortless stovetop dinners for the lazy chef in all of us

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After a long day of pretending to be a responsible adult, the last thing you want is a dinner that requires a PhD in cooking. Enter the realm of stovetop dinners, where the only skills required are the ability to turn on a burner and locate a spatula. These effortless creations will make you feel like a kitchen rock star, all while you bask in the glory of not having to scrub an entire casserole dish.

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.

Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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

Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts are your ticket to a failproof dinner that feels a bit fancy without hard work. This dish features tender chicken thighs smothered in a creamy sauce with artichokes and a hint of lemon. It’s quick to prepare, cooking up in less than 30 minutes on your stovetop, making it a great choice for those evenings when you’re tight on time but still want something great. Not only does it save you from a sink full of dishes, but it also adds a nice touch to your dinner routine.
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.

Enjoy Italy without leaving your kitchen with Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. This stovetop dinner combines juicy shrimp, fresh spinach, and tomatoes, all drenched in a garlicky sauce. It’s like a mini vacation in a pan, ready in 30 minutes and without a pile of dishes afterward. It’s a straightforward, flavor-packed meal perfect for those nights when you want something good but don’t want to try too hard. Plus, it’s pretty hard to mess up, which is always a plus when you’re more interested in eating than cooking.
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.

Creamy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet is a stovetop wonder that packs a punch without packing your evening with chores. It mixes hearty ground beef, fluffy cauliflower rice, creamy cheddar cheese, and earthy mushrooms in a dish that’s as filling as it is easy to make. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dinner is a no-brainer for those busy nights when you want a comforting meal without the heavy lifting. And the best part? You can cook everything in one skillet, so clean-up is a breeze. Perfect for lazy chefs who’d rather spend the evening relaxing than cleaning.
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 like a hug on a lazy day. This soup combines tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and fresh veggies in a flavor-rich broth. It’s quick to prepare, takes only 40 minutes from start to finish, and it’s easy to clean up, too. This dish is great when you want to cozy up with something hearty but don’t want to spend all night in the kitchen. It’s practically effortless, making it a top pick for those who want to enjoy a good meal without any work. A real lifesaver on those evenings when you just can’t be bothered.
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.

Let’s keep it real simple tonight with Cabbage and Sausage. You just toss some cabbage and onions in a pan, throw in the sausages, and give it all a good stir with a bit of apple cider vinegar and spices for a delectable finish. This dish is a perfect stovetop solution, ready in just 25 minutes, and keeps your evening stress-free. It’s basically a shortcut to a hearty meal and the best part? Minimal dishes, maximum flavor. It’s the kind of dinner that makes you feel like a chef, even on your laziest days.
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 turn that dreary evening around. Start with sausages, add chunks of sweet potatoes and carrots, throw in some peas, and let it all simmer in a rich curry sauce. It’s not just about cooking; it’s about cooking smart. Ready in under an hour, this one-pan meal is effortless and spares your kitchen from a huge mess. It’s filling and exactly what you need when you’re feeling a bit too lazy to cook but still want something good. This meal is a lifesaver for when you’d rather relax than cook and clean.
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 meal that’s quick, easy, and downright delicious, Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are the answer. These bites are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish is perfect for those days when even ordering takeout feels like too much effort. It’s the cooking equivalent of hitting the easy button. Plus, the quick clean-up means more me-time. Say goodbye to the hassle and hello to a relaxing night with a dish that’s almost too good to be this easy.
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.

Make these Reuben Bowls when you’re craving big flavors with minimal effort. This stovetop gem is all about keeping things simple and filling. Pile up corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, creamy coleslaw, and melty Swiss cheese — all in a single bowl. Forget about the bread and the usual sandwich mess. It’s perfect for lazy chefs who’d rather spend the evening chilling than cooking. You can whip this up in just 30 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to do, well, absolutely nothing else. Let’s face it, on a busy weeknight, that’s about as good as it gets. No dishes, no drama, just good eating.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

This 30-minute Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce will make your evenings a lot easier. Juicy chicken thighs and creamy mushroom sauce are all done on one stovetop. This meal is all about keeping things simple and delicious. It’s perfect for those who want a hearty meal without the mountain of dishes afterward. This dish is like the silent hero of busy weeknights — it’s there to save your dinner plans and your sanity. Great for pairing with whatever you’ve got on hand, and it’s pretty much guaranteed to be a hit.
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 new best friend if you want a fancy dinner that won’t keep you in the kitchen all night. Pan-sear these babies to golden perfection, splash them with a lemon-garlic sauce, and boom — you’re done in 20 minutes. This recipe is all about making something special without the special effort. It’s the go-to for impressing guests or just treating yourself because, let’s be honest, you deserve it. And the clean-up? Almost non-existent. This is for those evenings when you want to step it up a notch but not your workload.
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 packs a punch with bold Mediterranean flavors and only 30 minutes of cooking. Chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and heavy cream are all simmering together to create something special. And the clean-up? It is as easy as cooking. This dish is a great choice for anyone looking to whip up something delicious without spending the whole evening in the kitchen. It’s a simple, effective way to bring a bit of gourmet into your weeknight routine. Who said quick meals can’t be great? Not this recipe!
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.

If you’ve got 40 minutes, you have enough time to make a White Bean Soup that’ll change your thoughts about dinner. This one-pot meal mixes white beans, assorted veggies, and just a splash of lemon for that fresh kick. It’s comforting, filling, and ridiculously easy to make. Plus, you can say goodbye to a sink full of dishes. This soup is perfect for those evenings when you want something soothing without any of the stress. It’s like getting a hug from your kitchen, no strings — or dishes — attached.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Broccoli Fritters

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

Broccoli Fritters turn the often-overlooked broccoli into a star on your plate. Just grab some broccoli, eggs, and a bit of Parmesan, and in 35 minutes, you’ll have crispy golden patties that make a great snack or a light dinner. They’re easy to whip up and leave you with minimal dishes to wash — just what you need for those evenings when you’d rather relax than scrub pots. These fritters show that you can have a no-muss meal that still feels like you’ve put in some effort. Plus, they might even make broccoli fans out of the skeptics in your house!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

Creamy Tuscan Chicken brings Italian flair right to your skillet in just 40 minutes. Chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach swim in a luxuriously creamy sauce that’s deceptive in its simplicity. This dish is perfect for effortless weeknight feasts that require little clean-up afterward, fitting seamlessly into a lazy chef’s meal plan. It’s also a great pick for impressing guests without letting on just how easy it was to prepare. Lazy yet luxurious — what’s not to love?
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 turns a hectic day into a chill dinner in just 20 minutes. Combine shredded chicken, green chiles, and a creamy sauce for a straightforward dish that’s bursting with flavor. It’s perfect for those days when even preheating the oven seems daunting. Clean-up is also a breeze, making this meal a top choice for lazy chefs looking for maximum flavor with minimum effort. Think about ending your day with a delicious dinner that practically cleans up after itself!
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 fast track to a comforting, pseudo-gourmet dinner. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish pairs chicken breasts with a garlic and Parmesan cream sauce for a full-on flavor experience. Serve it over pasta or rice to catch every bit of the creamy goodness. This one-pan meal epitomizes cooking for those who want great results without the hassle, making it a prime pick for a relaxed evening at home. It’s about enjoying the good things in life without the hard work.
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 simplifies gourmet with chicken thighs, creamy Dijon mustard sauce, Parmesan, spinach, and bacon — all cooked in one pan within 30 minutes. This dish is perfect for those looking to impress without the stress. You spend less time washing up and more time relaxing. It’s a perfect match for anyone who wants a delicious dinner without the complicated effort typically required. This is lazy cooking at its finest — flavorful, quick, and nearly self-cleaning.
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 is the easy dinner hero you didn’t know you needed. In 25 minutes, crisp bacon meets sautéed onion and cabbage, all cooked in delicious bacon fat. This one-pan meal is simple yet delicious, embodying the spirit of cooking for those who prefer to keep kitchen time short and sweet. It’s a straightforward way to add some veggies to your diet without boring your taste buds. Plus, the minimal clean-up means more downtime in your evening. Now, that’s a recipe for a relaxed night in!
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

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