15 Quick Skillet Recipes for Simple Spring Dinners (2024)

These simple skillet dinners feature seasonal spring vegetables that are widely available from March through May—think the bright, fresh flavors of asparagus, artichokes, fennel, and peas. They prove that you can coax a lot of flavor out of simple, affordable ingredients. Pair your spring produce with chicken, beef, turkey, beans, or shrimp, and in less than an hour you'll have a complete dinner on the table. And with these one-pan meals, you'll cut down on clean-up duty, so you can spend more time enjoying the beautiful seasonal weather.

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Easy Skillet Chicken Primavera

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15 Quick Skillet Recipes for Simple Spring Dinners (1)

With a mix of fresh and frozen vegetables, this chicken dinner is super-affordable and customizable. Dig into your spice cabinet to season the chicken breasts with dried parsley and basil, then add frozen mixed veggies and fresh grape tomatoes, green onions, and zucchini. A scoop of sun-dried tomato pesto ties everything together, and you can enjoy the protein and produce mix as a one-pot pasta, over rice, or alongside mashed potatoes.

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Skillet Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Potatoes

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This quick, family-friendly stovetop recipe is almost entirely hands-off. Chicken thighs simmer with baby carrots, baby potatoes, and onions in a chicken stock-based sauce in this one-skillet chicken thigh dinner. A spoonful of cornstarch makes the sauce taste remarkably silky.

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Turkey Spaghetti Zoodles

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Twirl up some zucchini noodles and toss them with fresh spinach and a ground turkey marinara sauce for a lightened-up Italian-inspired spring skillet dinner. It just so happens to be gluten-free, low in carbs, low in calories, and Paleo-friendly.

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Ricotta, Bacon, and Arugula Skillet Pizza

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This better-than-delivery homemade pizza is topped with arugula, green onions, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Creamy ricotta cheese, savory bacon, and spicy red pepper flakes complement the fresh produce beautifully atop a store-bought thin pizza crust. It's on the table in just 25 minutes.

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Romantic Chicken with Artichokes and Mushrooms

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Scented by briny capers and infused with citrusy white wine (try a sauvignon blanc), this artichoke, mushroom, and chicken dinner offers a delightful taste of the Mediterranean. If you can find fresh artichokes, feel free to trade them in for canned. Either way, you'll get some spring vibes from this easy chicken entree.

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Singapore Noodle Curry Shrimp

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Featuring quick-cooking shrimp and rice noodles, this is one of the fastest and freshest spring pasta recipes out there. Fresh ginger, green onions, and red bell pepper deliver on the fresh front, and feel free to use fresh spring peas instead of frozen if you can find them. Both taste amazing here, especially once coated in the umami-rich oyster sauce, soy sauce, and chicken broth sauce.

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Chicken, Asparagus, and Mushroom Skillet

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Of course, no spring skillet recipe round-up would be complete without a fresh asparagus recipe! This oh-so-easy entree features dried herbs, fresh mushrooms, and just a splash of white wine. Turbos Mom raves, "Five stars, ten if I could! Didn't change a single thing."

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Zucchini and Ground Beef Skillet

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Skip those additive-filled boxed burger dinners. This ground beef, mushroom, and zucchini meal (plus canned tomatoes and olives) proves that it's almost as easy to start from scratch. Crown this spring skillet recipe with a generous handful of shredded Cheddar cheese.

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Fennel Risotto

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Fresh fennel is in peak form early spring. Its subtle licorice-like flavor mellows out as you simmer it down with broth, cream, Parmesan cheese, and arborio rice in this creamy homemade risotto. Try it as a meal in and of itself, or top with a few shrimp or slices of crispy bacon.

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Pineapple and Apricot Skillet Chicken

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Ahead of peaches, nectarines, and plums, fresh apricots usher in the beginning of stone fruit season. Pair them with canned pineapple, orange zest, yellow and red bell pepper, and a splash of dark rum, to give this chicken skillet dinner serious flavor. Enjoy over rice, quinoa, or couscous.

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Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepes)

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Crowd-pleasing, quick-cooking shrimp are the star of this Vietnamese crepes recipe, which pays tribute to a popular street snack in south Vietnam. "The name means sound crepe, and refers to the sound the batter makes when it hits the hot skillet. Serve with fresh herbs," suggests recipe creator foxyamf.

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Kale and Fennel Frond Frittata

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"A very green frittata that makes delicious use of fennel fronds," says recipe creator Diana. "I love the delicate flavor that they impart, and the kale and feta cheese in this frittata are a perfect match. You could use spinach or chard instead of kale, if desired."

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Skillet Spinach Lasagna

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Try this luscious take on traditional baked pasta that's made on the stovetop. Italian sausage and three cheeses get a boost of bright color from fresh spinach.

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Quick and Easy Teriyaki Beef Stir-Fry

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Create irresistibly savory flavor in under 30 minutes with this winning stir-fry recipe from fabeveryday. Broccoli, snow peas, and sirloin steak tips take center stage for a sweet, garlicky, and wholly satisfying meal.

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Ham and Broccoli Bake

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"Super easy and delicious recipe!" raves home cook JessieG. "My oldest (10 year old) has seconds and my two little ones ate without argument so that’s a win in my house."

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More Inspiration

15 Quick Skillet Recipes for Simple Spring Dinners (16)

  • One-Pot Broccoli Main Dishes for Easy, Complete Meals
  • Light and Fresh Spring Soups
  • 25 of Our Best Spring-Fresh Side Dishes
15 Quick Skillet Recipes for Simple Spring Dinners (2024)

FAQs

What is the most simple thing to cook? ›

Easy staples of mine:
  • Eggs - scrambled and over easy.
  • spaghetti with meat sauce (brown meat and add a jar of sauce)
  • hamburgers on the grill.
  • tacos (hamburger meat and seasoning packet)
  • Bake a chicken breast with seasoning and microwave a bag of frozen veggies for side.
Jan 17, 2018

What can you cook in a 12 inch skillet? ›

The 12 inch skillet is big enough to roast a chicken, sauté pork chops, sear steaks, brown a pound of sausage, or make a big round of cornbread. I can even use it on my grill! Lodge skillets come pre-seasoned, but that's just a good base.

Is there anything I shouldn't make in a cast iron skillet? ›

Is There Anything You Shouldn't Cook in Your Cast-Iron Skillet? Experts Weigh In. While there's nothing that's technically off limits, the pros say you should be careful with acidic foods, like tomato or wine sauce, which can corrode the seasoning if left in the pan for too long.

Is there anything you shouldn t cook in a cast iron skillet? ›

Don't Cook Delicate Fish In Cast Iron

Flaky white fish like flounder or tilapia are at risk of falling apart and not flipping well when cooked in cast iron. Even with heartier fish like salmon, the skin is likely to stick to the cast-iron surface, making flipping difficult.

What can you cook in a cast iron skillet and not cook it? ›

A good rule of thumb is to only cook thicker cuts of fish in a cast-iron skillet. Tuna, mahi-mahi, and swordfish steaks are perfect for searing, and can withstand the heat. Delicate types of fish like sole, cod, flounder, and even salmon will likely stick to the pan and leave a bit of a mess.

What is the healthiest skillet to cook in? ›

How a piece of cookware is coated may impact how healthy (or safe) it is to use. In general, glass or stainless steel cookware options are the healthiest, as they do not have a coating on them.

What is the healthiest skillet to use? ›

This is a substance that is commonly found in many Teflon and nonstick pans sold nationwide and is thought to be dangerous when consumed in large quantities. As a safe alternative, stainless steel, ceramic, glass, and cast-iron pots and pans are the go-to materials to avoid risky ingredients seeping into your food.

What is the difference between a skillet and a frying pan? ›

If the sides are slanted, the pan is a skillet, which is also sometimes called a frying pan or fry pan. If the slides are straight, it's a sauté pan. A skillet, sometimes referred to as a frying pan or a frypan, is a shallow pan with slanted sides.

What to make for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
  • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
  • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
  • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
  • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
Jan 11, 2023

What to cook when homeless? ›

Easy meals for homeless
  • Frozen breakfast sandwiches to last 3 weeks! Frozen breakfast sandwiches to last 3 weeks! ...
  • Tiffany Sotelo. ...
  • One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta - Mother Thyme. ...
  • White Sauce Penne Pasta. ...
  • Easy Chili Mac. ...
  • Easy Dinner Idea: Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe. ...
  • Baked Cheddar Ranch Potatoes, Cheesy Red Potatoes.

What can I cook in 5 minutes? ›

25 healthy recipes you can cook in 5 minutes or less
  • Pea and broad bean couscous.
  • Fast home-made baked beans.
  • Porridge.
  • Pasta with cherry tomatoes and rocket.
  • Home-made hummus.
  • Smashed avocado and wilted spinach.
  • Cucumber (or potato) raitha.
  • Quick pitta pizzas.

What can I cook as a beginner? ›

These simple, no-fail recipes can help you cook with confidence — and lead to success.
  • Easy. Turkey Chili. Eric Kim. ...
  • Easy. Cheesy Frittata. ...
  • Easy. Spatchco*ck Roast Chicken. ...
  • Easy. Roasted Salmon With Dill and Cucumber Salad. ...
  • Easy. Sautéed Mushrooms. ...
  • Easy. Monte Cristo. ...
  • Easy. Pan-Seared Salmon. ...
  • Easy. Spaghetti Stir-Fry With Chicken.

What is the easiest food in the world? ›

The simplest dish anyone can make is a classic grilled cheese sandwich. All that is needed is two slices of bread, a few slices of cheese, and a bit of butter or margarine. Get the pao bun. Put pizza sauce on the bun or sauce of your liking.

What is lazy cooking? ›

It means making smart or clever adjustments that make cooking quicker and easier. Think of it as pandemic cooking 2.0—good, healthy food made convenient. It's all about sheet pan dinners, pressure cookers and any meal you can make in one vessel. It likely involves fewer steps and fewer ingredients.

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