Description
Craving an Easy 30-Minute Dinner for Busy Weeknights? This skillet chicken recipe is your answer. Simple, flavorful, and a lifesaver!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 red or yellow bell pepper, sliced
- Flavor Boosters:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Finishing Touches:
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional Extras:
- Pinch of sugar (to balance acidity)
- Splash of white wine (for deglazing)
Instructions
- Prep Your Goodies:: First things first, get that chicken ready. Dice it into those quick-cooking 1-inch pieces. While you’re doing that, mince your garlic, dice your onion, and slice up those bell peppers. I always get a little giddy seeing all the colors lined up, ready to go. This step feels like setting the stage for a delicious show, and honestly, a little mise en place makes the whole cooking process so much smoother. Don’t skip it, even if you’re rushing for an Easy 30-Minute Dinner for Busy Weeknights!
- Sizzle & Brown the Chicken:: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, add your chicken pieces in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or it’ll steam instead of brown – a mistake I’ve made countless times! Let it get a nice golden-brown sear for about 3-4 minutes per side. You don’t need to cook it through, just get some color. This browning adds so much flavor, trust me, it’s a game-changer for this Easy 30-Minute Dinner for Busy Weeknights.
- Aromatics Awaken:: Once the chicken is browned, remove it from the skillet and set it aside. Add a little more olive oil if needed, then toss in your diced onion and bell peppers. Sauté them for about 3-5 minutes until they start to soften and get fragrant. Oh, that smell! It’s the best part, honestly. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for just one more minute until you can really smell it – don’t let it burn, that’s a kitchen disaster I know too well!
- Simmer & Sauce It Up:: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, then stir in your dried oregano and basil. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s pure flavor right there! Return the browned chicken to the skillet, making sure it’s nestled into the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes.
- Check & Adjust:: After simmering, check that the chicken is cooked through – no pink in the middle, please! Give the sauce a taste. This is where you become the chef! Does it need a pinch more salt? A twist of black pepper? Maybe a tiny dash of sugar if your tomatoes are a bit acidic? Trust your taste buds here; they’re usually right. I always adjust the seasoning at this stage for my perfect Easy 30-Minute Dinner for Busy Weeknights.
- Finish & Serve:: Once everything is seasoned just right and bubbling happily, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle generously with fresh Parmesan cheese and a handful of chopped fresh parsley. The warmth of the sauce will melt the cheese just slightly, creating this beautiful, glossy finish. Let it sit for just a minute or two, letting all those flavors meld. Serve immediately, maybe over some pasta or rice, and soak up all those delicious juices. It’s simple, comforting, and an absolute win for an Easy 30-Minute Dinner for Busy Weeknights.