When chicken hits a hot skillet, you get juicy meat, crispy edges, and a base for sauces that are anything but boring. With just one pan, you can put dinner on the table in under an hour. These recipes prove that skillet chicken is as versatile as it is delicious.

Chicken Peppers Onion and Rice

A white plate with roasted cauliflower and a lettuce leaf topped with a cheesy ground meat and vegetable mixture, perfect for cozy nights and skillet chicken dinners, garnished with chopped herbs.
Chicken Peppers Onion and Rice. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Everything cooks together in one pan, blending juicy chicken, crisp-tender peppers, and fluffy rice. It’s quick to prep and full of flavor. Great for weeknights when you want something filling without the mess. Just season, sauté, and serve.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Peppers Onion and Rice

Southern Fried Chicken

Southern Fried Chicken. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Chicken breasts cook in a tangy balsamic glaze before getting topped with melted mozzarella, soft tomatoes, and fresh basil. It’s colorful, fresh, and comes together mostly hands-off. The mix of sweet and savory gives it standout flavor. A great way to dress up basic chicken.
Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Chicken

Caprese Chicken Skillet

Grilled chicken breast topped with melted mozzarella and basil, served with roasted cherry tomatoes—a perfect choice for cozy dinners or anyone seeking delicious skillet chicken dinners.
Caprese Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Chicken breasts cook in a tangy balsamic glaze before getting topped with melted mozzarella, soft tomatoes, and fresh basil. It’s colorful, fresh, and comes together mostly hands-off. The mix of sweet and savory gives it standout flavor. A great way to dress up basic chicken.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Chicken Skillet

Mexican Chicken and Rice

Mexican Chicken and Rice. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Chicken and rice are cooked with warm spices and bold seasoning in this flavorful dish. It’s hearty, fast, and has just the right amount of heat. Everything cooks in one pot for easy cleanup. A solid choice for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Chicken and Rice

Chicken Marsala

Roasted chicken with mushrooms and potatoes in a cast iron skillet.
Chicken Marsala. Photo credit: Litlle House Big Alaska.

Chicken and mushrooms simmer in a rich Marsala wine sauce in this easy skillet dinner. The sauce is smooth and flavorful, soaking into every bite. It’s ready in less than an hour but tastes like it took longer. Serve with pasta, rice, or bread to soak up the extra sauce.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marsala

Chicken Fricassee

A white dish with chicken and peppers on it.
Chicken Fricassee. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Chicken thighs are cooked in a creamy white wine sauce with herbs and vegetables. It’s rich without being heavy and doesn’t need any special ingredients. This dish comes together in under an hour. A great option when you want something comforting.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fricassee

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Closeup overhead shot of 3 crispy chicken thighs in a black cast iron skillet.
Cast Iron Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These chicken thighs get seared in a cast iron pan for a crisp skin and juicy center. It takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Seasoned simply, the flavor really comes from the golden crust. No oven needed.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Cast Iron Chicken Thigh in Creamy Tomato Sauce with a spoon in a cast iron skillet.
Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Chicken thighs are cooked until golden, then simmered in a smooth tomato sauce. This dish is dairy and gluten-free but still full of flavor. The sauce has a nice balance of richness and acidity. It’s a quick and reliable meal with basic ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

This skillet dinner brings together chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a rich, garlicky cream sauce. It’s cooked in one pan and ready in about 40 minutes. The skin crisps up while the sauce thickens. Great for when you want something that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A cast iron skillet with chicken in a creamy sauce.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Litlle House Big Alaska.

Quick to make and loaded with garlic flavor, this creamy chicken dish is ready in half an hour. The sauce is smooth and coats the chicken perfectly. Serve it with pasta, rice, or veggies. Simple and dependable.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Cream Cheese Chicken

A plate with chicken and green beans on it.
Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This skillet meal uses cream cheese to make a rich, velvety sauce around seared chicken breasts. It’s decadent without being too fussy. Everything cooks in one pan, making cleanup easy. Great for when you want something comforting.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

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

Use up leftover chicken in this fast and flavorful green chile skillet. It’s done in 20 minutes and only uses one pan. The chiles bring just enough heat to balance the creaminess. A smart way to turn leftovers into dinner.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Chicken with Leftover Shredded Chicken Thighs

Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Garlic chicken bites with peppers and mushrooms in a skillet.
Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bite-sized chicken pieces cook with mushrooms, peppers, and onions in this quick skillet meal. Garlic and fresh herbs add tons of flavor in just 20 minutes. It’s fast, colorful, and loaded with texture. Serve it as-is or over rice.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Chicken Bite Skillet

Creamy Chicken with Sage and Spinach

A skillet filled with chicken and spinach.
Creamy Chicken with Sage and Spinach. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

This skillet dish features chicken in a creamy sauce with spinach and fresh sage. It’s rich but stays light enough for everyday meals. Everything comes together quickly in one pan. Works for both low-carb diets and anyone wanting something hearty.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken with Sage and Spinach

Copycat Chilis Monterey Chicken

Cheese covered chicken in a skillet with a spatula.
Copycat Chilis Monterey Chicken. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

This 15-minute recipe recreates the Chili’s favorite with chicken, bacon, cheese, and barbecue sauce. Everything cooks in one pan and melts together perfectly. It’s quick, filling, and packed with flavor. Great for a fast dinner that feels like takeout.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chilis Monterey Chicken

Blackened Chicken Tenders (Popeye’s Copycat)

Blackened chicken tenders in a white dish.
Blackened Chicken Tenders (Popeye’s Copycat). Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These chicken tenders are coated in bold seasoning and seared until crisp. They’re juicy inside and full of smoky, savory flavor. Great for wraps, salads, or just dipping. A solid option when you want a little spice.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Chicken Tenders (Popeye’s Copycat)

Blackened Chicken Thighs

Blackened chicmen thighs in a white dish.
Blackened Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These chicken thighs are rubbed with a smoky spice mix and cooked until the outside forms a flavorful crust. They stay juicy and tender inside. Great for serving over greens, in bowls, or alongside roasted veggies. Ready fast and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Chicken Thighs

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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