Chicken Skillet Recipe

Quick & Tasty Chicken Skillet Recipe for Cozy Weeknights

Sizzling chicken skillets upgrade ordinary meals into culinary adventures that spark excitement at your dinner table.

Crispy, golden-brown edges and tender, juicy interiors define this versatile cooking technique that promises maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly these one-pan wonders come together, eliminating complicated cleanup and reducing overall kitchen stress.

Rich, savory seasonings penetrate every succulent bite, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.

Professional chefs and weekend warriors alike recognize the magic of a perfectly executed skillet chicken preparation that elevates weeknight dining from mundane to memorable.

Skillful techniques and smart ingredient combinations guarantee a meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Chicken Skillet Recipes Make Dinner So Easy

  • Quickly Coat and Crisp: Lightly dusting chicken with seasoned flour creates a delightful golden crust that locks in moisture and adds a subtle crunch to each bite.
  • Simple One-Pan Magic: This skillet recipe eliminates multiple dishes, making cleanup a breeze while allowing flavors to develop and blend beautifully in the same pan.
  • Mediterranean-Inspired Flavor Burst: The combination of artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers delivers a tangy, vibrant taste that transforms ordinary chicken into an exciting meal.
  • Speedy Weeknight Wonder: With just 15 minutes of prep time, this recipe offers a gourmet-style dinner that's perfect for busy families wanting a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for a One-Pan Chicken Skillet Meal

Main Ingredients:

Chicken and Protein:
  • Chicken Breast: Lean protein that cooks quickly when cut lengthwise, great for a quick weeknight meal.
Thickening Agents:
  • Gluten-Free Flour, Gluten-Free Flour: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy sauce without gluten, helps to thicken and bind ingredients.
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Salt, Ground Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the chicken and create depth in the dish.
Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Provides healthy fat and helps create a golden sear on the chicken.
  • Almond Milk: Dairy-free liquid that creates a creamy sauce base with a subtle nutty flavor.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds bright, tangy freshness to balance the rich ingredients.
Accent and Texture Ingredients:
  • Roasted Artichoke Hearts: Adds a tender, slightly smoky vegetable element to the skillet.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Brings intense, concentrated tomato flavor and chewy texture.
  • Capers: Provides briny, salty punch and interesting texture to the dish.
Herb Garnish:
  • Parsley: Fresh herb that adds color, light herbal note, and visual appeal to the finished dish.

How to Cook a Flavor-Packed Chicken Skillet

Step 1: Prepare Seasoned Coating

Gather your ingredients and create a flavorful flour mixture. In a medium bowl, combine flour with salt and pepper. Gently dust each chicken piece, ensuring an even, light coating.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place chicken pieces in the pan, cooking each side until golden brown and fully cooked.

Tips for Juicy Chicken and Savory Skillet Flavor

  • Flour Coating Trick: Shake off excess flour to prevent clumping and ensure an even, light coating on the chicken.
  • Pan Temperature Control: Keep the skillet at medium heat to achieve a golden-brown crust without burning the chicken.
  • Batch Cooking Technique: Cook chicken pieces in batches to maintain proper heat and prevent steaming instead of browning.
  • Smooth Sauce Secret: Whisk flour and almond milk thoroughly to eliminate lumps and create a silky, creamy sauce.
  • Fresh Herb Finishing: Chop parsley just before garnishing to preserve its vibrant color and maximize flavor release.

How to Store and Reheat Chicken Skillet Leftovers

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken skillet in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freezing: Transfer cooled chicken to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, removing excess air. Freeze for maximum 2 months, ensuring best quality and taste.
  • Reheating: Gently warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of almond milk to prevent dryness. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain sauce consistency.

What Goes Well with a Chicken Skillet Dinner

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio perfectly complement the tangy, light flavors of the chicken skillet. Their bright acidity cuts through the richness and enhances the artichoke and sun-dried tomato notes.
  • Serve Alongside Herbed Quinoa: Create a light, protein-packed side that absorbs the delicious sauce. The quinoa's nutty flavor matches the chicken's savory profile and provides a wholesome texture contrast.
  • Add Fresh Mediterranean Salad: Toss together cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and a simple lemon vinaigrette. This fresh, zesty side dish mirrors the recipe's Mediterranean ingredients and adds a refreshing crunch to the meal.
  • Recommend Sparkling Water with Lemon: The citrusy, bubbly drink cleanses the palate between bites and echoes the lemon juice in the skillet sauce. It keeps the meal feeling light and refreshing.

Chicken Skillet Variations That Keep It Fresh

  • Mediterranean Herb Boost: Replace plain flour with herbes de Provence mix for an aromatic Mediterranean flavor profile that enhances chicken's natural taste.
  • Dairy-Free Version: Swap almond milk with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of traditional thickening agents for a creamy, plant-based alternative.
  • Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chilies and smoked paprika to the flour coating, then use pepper jack cheese as a final garnish for a zesty southwestern kick.
  • Gluten-Conscious Option: Substitute regular flour with almond flour or cornstarch to create a lighter, gluten-free version while maintaining the recipe's delicious texture and flavor.
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Chicken Skillet Recipe

Chicken Skillet Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Mexican-inspired chicken skillet promises a zesty culinary adventure with tender chicken, colorful peppers, and bold spices. Simmering in a rich tomato sauce, this one-pan wonder delivers robust flavors that will transport you straight to a lively Mexican kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1.5 lb (680 grams) chicken breast, cut in half lengthwise to cook faster

Seasonings and Flour:

  • 3 tablespoons gluten-free flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Additional Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) can of roasted artichoke hearts, drained
  • 3 ounces (85 grams) sun-dried tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Create a zesty flour mixture by combining flour with salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Gently dredge each chicken piece, ensuring a light, even coating.
  2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the floured chicken into the pan, cooking each side for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Work in batches if necessary to maintain proper searing, then transfer to a covered plate to retain warmth.
  3. Prepare a smooth liquid base by whisking flour into almond milk until completely integrated, eliminating any potential lumps.
  4. Utilize the same skillet to sauté artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers for approximately two minutes, releasing their aromatic flavors. Pour in the milk mixture and lemon juice, stirring vigorously to create a cohesive sauce.
  5. Allow the sauce to gradually thicken, then reintroduce the cooked chicken into the skillet. Simmer for an additional two minutes, ensuring the chicken is heated through and thoroughly coated with the luxurious sauce.
  6. Present the dish immediately, adorned with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.

Notes

  • Flour power transforms plain chicken into a crispy, seasoned delight with a simple salt and pepper coating.
  • Olive oil creates the perfect golden-brown sear, cooking chicken to juicy perfection in a sizzling skillet.
  • Artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers dance together, adding bright Mediterranean flavors that elevate the entire dish.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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