Easy dinners you can make from pantry staples are the answer when you want great food without spending all day in the kitchen. These recipes balance convenience and taste, making them perfect for busy schedules and hungry families. Each one is worth trying at least once.

Balsamic Fig Glazed Chicken

Chicken in a pan with sauce and herbs.
Balsamic Fig Glazed Chicken. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Balsamic Fig Glazed Chicken is a delightful blend of savory and sweet. It’s a mouthwatering dish that perfectly balances savory flavors with a touch of sweetness, creating a delightful harmony of tastes.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Fig Glazed Chicken

Sheet Pan Honey Soy Cashew Chicken

Sheet Pan Honey Soy Cashew Chicken with sesame seeds and chopsticks.
Sheet Pan Honey Soy Cashew Chicken. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Sheet Pan Honey Soy Cashew Chicken, with minimal prep and cleanup, this dish is a time-saving treasure for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Honey Soy Cashew Chicken

Better Chicken Piccata Recipe

One chicken cutlet in saucepan with capers and butter.
Better Chicken Piccata Recipe. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Better Chicken Piccata Recipe is a simple and elegant dish of pan-fried chicken fillets in a rich lemon and caper sauce.
Get the Recipe: Better Chicken Piccata Recipe

Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

A wooden spoon lifting a serving of italian ground beef skillet garnished with parsley from a cast-iron skillet.
Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

This is an easy Italian ground beef skillet meal you can throw together in 30 minutes or less. Just cook the beef in a creamy tomato sauce, mix in cauliflower rice and top the whole skillet with mozzarella cheese and parsley!
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

30 Minute Mongolian Tenderloin

30 Minute Mongolian Tenderloin on a plate.
30 Minute Mongolian Tenderloin. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

30 Minute Mongolian Tenderloin is an old favorite using thinly sliced beef or pork tenderloin.
Get the Recipe: 30 Minute Mongolian Tenderloin

Chicken Curry

A white dish filled with pieces of chicken in a yellow curry sauce, garnished with chopped fresh herbs, sits on a wooden board—perfect for easy dinners using pantry staples.
Chicken Curry. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

This delicious one-pot chicken curry is simple to make, but it’s absolutely bursting with flavor! Perfect for spicing up your weeknight dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry

Salt and Pepper Pork Chop Bites

A plate of Salt Pepper Pork Chop Bites on a bamboo mat.
Salt and Pepper Pork Chop Bites. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Salt and Pepper Pork Chop Bites are a quick, tasty, and satisfying dish. This Chinese-inspired recipe has a delightful combination of flavors.
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Pork Chop Bites

Baked Firecracker Salmon

Baked Firecracker Salmon on a white plate.
Baked Firecracker Salmon. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Baked Firecracker Salmon: A Flavor Explosion on Your Plate! Perk up those taste buds with tonight’s low-carb dinner. This baked salmon has little sweet and a little heat. And, it’s a whole lot of deliciousness!
Get the Recipe: Baked Firecracker Salmon

Honey Garlic Chicken Rollups

Vegetables wrapped in chicken cutlets in a skillet.
Honey Garlic Chicken Rollups. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

a delightful dish that combines tender chicken breast with a flavorful blend of spices, vegetables, and a delicious honey garlic sauce.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken Rollups

Stovetop Chicken Tinga Recipe

Two Chicken Tinga tacos on a plate with slaw and limes.
Stovetop Chicken Tinga Recipe. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Mexico with this enticing Stovetop Chicken Tinga recipe. Bursting with a harmonious blend of smoky chipotle, shredded chicken, and aromatic spices, this dish offers a symphony of tastes that tantalize the palate.
Get the Recipe: Stovetop Chicken Tinga Recipe

Hoisin Pork Tenderloin

Hoisin Pork Tenderloin on skewers in a pan.
Hoisin Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

When it comes to dinner options that are both delicious and easy to prepare, hoisin pork tenderloin takes the cake. This recipe combines the rich flavors of hoisin sauce, the warmth of allspice, and the kick of garlic and pepper to create a mouthwatering dish that will have your family and friends coming back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Hoisin Pork Tenderloin

Air Fryer Caprese Chicken

Chicken Caprese with tomato and basil on a blue plate.
Air Fryer Caprese Chicken. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

With this air fryer Caprese chicken recipe, you can have a mouthwatering juicy chicken breast for dinner in no time! Easy and delicious perfect for a quick dinner on a busy weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Caprese Chicken

Brown Sugar Crockpot Pork

Shredded pork on a white plate.
Brown Sugar Crockpot Pork. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

Are you ready to break out your crockpot and make a mouthwatering pork shoulder? Well get your taste buds ready because this Brown Sugar Rub Crockpot Pork has a rich, bold, caramelized flavor and it will feed and please a crowd
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Crockpot Pork

Creamy Barbecue Shrimp

Barbecue Shrimp in a white bowl.
Creamy Barbecue Shrimp. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

This Big Easy favorite recipe is shrimp smothered in a creamy, buttery, and rich sauce. I kicked up the traditional NOLA barbecue shrimp by adding heavy cream to the rich buttery sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Barbecue Shrimp

Ultimate Grilled Pork Chops

Close up photo of grilled boneless pork chops.
Ultimate Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

This recipe is simple and delicious. It comes together with just a handful of seasonings
Get the Recipe: Ultimate Grilled Pork Chops

Keto Cheesy Balsamic Chicken

Chicken covered with cheese in a casserole dish with roasted tomatoes.
Keto Cheesy Balsamic Chicken. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Keto Cheesy Balsamic Chicken (aka Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken), the combination of chicken, cheese, balsamic vinegar, and grape tomatoes is heavenly.
Get the Recipe: Keto Cheesy Balsamic Chicken

Copycat Alice Springs Chicken

A picture of Alice Springs chicken on white plate.
Copycat Alice Springs Chicken. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Now you can recreate Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs chicken at home with this easy copycat recipe. Get the ultimate comfort food featuring juicy chicken smothered in a mustard sauce, topped with savory mushrooms, crispy bacon, and melty cheese. It’s a perfect blend of delicious flavor and texture in every bite!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Springs Chicken

Copycat Cracker Barrel Sunday Homestyle Chicken

A plate with two breaded chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, and green beans—an easy dinner made with pantry staples—served with a gold fork on the side.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Sunday Homestyle Chicken. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

This easy copycat Cracker Barrel Sunday homestyle chicken recipe is sure to become your family’s favorite! The crunchy coating and the tender meat will teleport you to a comforting atmosphere of Cracker Barrel’s Southern flavors and homestyle goodness.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Sunday Homestyle Chicken

Stovetop Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs

Cooked chicken chunks on skewers in a grill pan.
Stovetop Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Delicious, nutritious, and easy to make, Stovetop Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs are a simple solution for busy families and home cooks who don’t have a grill.
Get the Recipe: Stovetop Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs

Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp

Shrimp with lemon wedges in a red sauce in a white casserole dish.
Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp, these sautéed shrimp make a quick and easy recipe that’s ready in just 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Browned Butter Honey Garlic Shrimp

Healthy Chicken Piccata

Three grilled chicken breasts topped with capers, lemon slices, herbs, and red chili—served with green onions. One of our favorite easy dinners using pantry staples, perfect for simple yet impressive dinner recipes. Fork and knife on the side.
Healthy Chicken Piccata. Photo credit: Thriving In Parenting.

Ditch the dinner-prep stress with this healthy chicken piccata recipe perfect for busy weeknights when you need something tasty on the dinner table, pronto! It’s healthy meal that pairs well with any side.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Chicken Piccata

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Chicken enchilada casserole with corn and jalapenos.
Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is a versatile, flavorful dish that brings together the essence of comfort food with a spicy kick.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Stovetop Lemon Dill Chicken

Stovetop Lemon Dill Chicken in a skillet.
Stovetop Lemon Dill Chicken. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

This stovetop masterpiece not only tantalizes your taste buds but also brings together ingredients in a way that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.
Get the Recipe: Stovetop Lemon Dill Chicken

Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

Shrimp and peppers in a skillet with serving spoon.
Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas are a quick, healthy, delicious one-pot meal that the whole family loves.
Get the Recipe: Quick Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

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

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