The 18 stovetop recipes we can’t stop sharing with everyone we know

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Stovetop recipes have a way of making it into every conversation, and these 18 are no exception. They’re the ones we can’t help but share with everyone we know, because they are just that great. Whether it’s a casual Tuesday night or a casual get-together, these are the go-to dishes that promise a great meal with minimal hassle.

A pan with shrimp, tomatoes and spinach in it.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken

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

Creamy Dijon Chicken is a stovetop winner, perfect for whipping up a filling meal in just 30 minutes. With juicy chicken thighs, fresh spinach, and crispy bacon smothered in a rich Dijon sauce, this dish delivers comfort and flavor in every bite. It’s especially good on those chilly evenings when you want a hearty meal that feels like a hug. Simple and quick, it appeals to anyone wanting to prepare a luxurious dinner without too much work or clean up afterward, making it one of our most recommended dishes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

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 top choice for a fast stovetop meal, ready in only 20 minutes. These chicken bites are golden and tender, thanks to being quickly fried and then tossed in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. They’re a hit for those evenings when you need a meal that’s both fast and filling. Perfect for last-minute dinners, they’re a straightforward and delicious solution that saves time, which is crucial on hectic days. That’s why this recipe is often recommended to anyone with a busy lifestyle.
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.

Cabbage and Sausage is a go-to stovetop dinner due to its simplicity and exciting taste. Mixing sautéed cabbage and onions with juicy sausages and a touch of apple cider vinegar, this dish is ready in 25 minutes. It’s a great choice for a filling meal that doesn’t require much prep or cleanup, perfect for busy or tired cooks who want a hearty dinner quickly. This dish is frequently recommended because it combines convenience with good flavors, great for those who need practical and quick meal solutions.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Sausage Curry

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

Sausage Curry stands out as a highly recommended stovetop dinner because it combines heartiness with simplicity. In less than an hour, this curry brings together sausages, sweet potatoes, carrots and peas in a rich, creamy sauce that’s bursting with flavor. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a comforting and filling meal that’s straightforward to make and clean up. This dish is great on those days when you want something different from the usual dinner routine but don’t want to spend all night cooking.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Broccoli Fritters

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

Broccoli Fritters are a great quick meal, ready in about 35 minutes on the stovetop. They are made with steamed broccoli, eggs, and Parmesan, resulting in a crispy, delicious, and light dish. They’re especially good for introducing more vegetables into your meals in a fun way. They’re often recommended because they are so quick to prepare and versatile, perfect for both kids and adults looking to add more greens to their diet without too much effort or time.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Fritters

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

This stovetop Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a crowd-pleaser for its rich flavors and easy preparation. The sauce, a creamy mix of mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and seasonings, coats tender chicken thighs. It cooks in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a last-minute dinner that doesn’t feel last-minute at all. This recipe is highly recommended because it turns a regular evening into a special one without much effort or cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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 brings all the classic flavors of a Reuben sandwich in a simple, quick-to-assemble form. It involves browning corned beef, mixing with coleslaw or shredded cabbage and sauerkraut, and topping with Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for those who need a meal that’s both quick and filling. We often recommend it because it solves the dinner dilemma on busy weeknights without compromising on flavor or satisfaction.
Get the Recipe: Reuben Bowls

Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

A pan full of shrimp, tomatoes and spinach.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This quick shrimp and spinach dish is a stovetop favorite because it’s easy to whip up in just 30 minutes. Loaded with garlic, Italian seasoning, fresh tomatoes, and basil, it brings a hearty Mediterranean flavor that’s both fresh and filling. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is not only quick but also healthy, serving a great way to enjoy a seafood meal that’s rich in protein without spending too much time in the kitchen. This is why it’s a top pick for anyone looking for a nutritious meal on a tight schedule.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach

Chicken Tortellini Soup

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

Chicken Tortellini Soup is a great choice for a comforting meal that requires minimal effort. This soup combines cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, cheese tortellini, carrots, celery, and onions into a rich and hearty broth. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s great for colder days or when you need something filling quickly. We always recommend this recipe because it’s both economical and a great way to use up leftovers, making it a practical choice for busy families.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup

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 flavorful and quick meal for any day of the week. With cooked shredded chicken, green chiles, and a creamy sauce, this dish comes together on the stovetop in just 20 minutes. It’s especially great for those evenings when you’re short on time but want something more interesting than the usual fare. This dish is frequently recommended because it’s easy to prepare and packs a punch with its creamy and slightly spicy sauce.
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.

Fried Cabbage with Bacon is a straightforward and fast recipe that combines the crispiness of bacon with the natural sweetness of cabbage. It’s cooked in just 25 minutes, making it a great choice for a quick and hearty meal. This recipe is perfect for introducing more vegetables into your diet without little to no effort.
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 features chicken thighs cooked with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in a rich garlic cream sauce. This dish is ready in 40 minutes and is perfect for those looking for a meal that’s both quick and indulgent. It’s often a top recommendation for its ability to impress guests or serve a treat during the workweek without requiring extensive preparation or cooking skills. It’s a great choice for anyone wanting to enjoy a hearty meal that tastes like it took all day to make.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Lemon Garlic Scallops

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

Lemon Garlic Scallops are our top pick for a quick and impressive stovetop dinner. Ready in less than 30 minutes, these scallops are seared to perfection and drizzled with a lemon-garlic sauce that brightens the dish with its light citrus flavor. It’s a great choice for those evenings when you want to enjoy a seafood dish that seems fancy but is incredibly easy to prepare. This recipe is perfect for a last-minute dinner party or a special weeknight when you want to treat yourself without the hassle of complex cooking.
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.

Creamy Garlic Chicken is a comforting meal ready in just 30 minutes from your stovetop. This dish features tender chicken breasts enveloped in creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce, making it a great choice for a filling dinner on busy nights. The simplicity of the preparation and the rich flavors make it a go-to recipe for when you’re short on time but crave a meal that feels homemade and special. It’s also a great option for cooking a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

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 nutritious and hearty meal that comes together quickly on your stovetop, making it a staple recommendation. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a dish full of rich flavors with ground beef, cauliflower rice, and a creamy cheddar sauce. It’s the perfect answer for a wholesome dinner that doesn’t compromise on taste or health. Perfect for busy evenings, this skillet dish is a lifesaver when you need a dinner option that keeps everyone happy.
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 favorite that’s ready in 30 minutes and packs a punch with flavors. This dish features boneless chicken thighs cooked in a creamy sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. It’s a great choice for a hearty meal that is both quick and delicious. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week. This recipe is particularly great for those evenings when you want a cozy dinner that’s easy to make and clean up.
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 perfect for those looking for a hearty, nutritious meal that’s easy to prepare on the stovetop. This soup is ready in 40 minutes and combines sautéed vegetables with creamy white beans in a rich broth, thickened by blending some of the beans. It’s a great choice for a comforting dinner, especially on cold nights. Adding a touch of lemon brightens the dish, making it a refreshing yet filling meal that doesn’t require extensive preparation or expert cooking skills.
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 is a great choice for a quick, delicious stovetop dinner. This dish is ready in just 30 minutes and combines tender chicken thighs with a creamy sauce made with artichokes, Parmesan, lemon juice, and heavy cream. It’s the perfect recipe for those nights when you need something rich and comforting but don’t want to spend too much time cooking. This dish is quick and easy to make and leaves everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

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