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Looking for easy weeknight dinner recipes? Look no further than this list of 16 one pan meals that keep your dishes to a minimum and flavor to a maximum! From pots, to pans, to bowls these healthy and one-pot and sheet pan meals are sure to be a hit.

We’re big big fans of one-pan meals around here. Whether it’s an easy sheet pan dinner or a filling bowl of soup, my goal is always to maximize flavor while minimizing dishes. To be fair, I’m not the dishwasher around here but I don’t need to go out of my way to leave C with a whole sink load of dishes.

Weeknights are also a whole boatload of chaos with a toddler running around so keeping things simple is best. Even better if the ingredient list is also simple but also includes protein and vegetables.

So as back-to-school ramps up and we’re all trying to get by, I thought I’d round-up some of my favorite one-pan and one-pot meals. Let’s get to it…

One Pan Meals for Busy Weeknights!


chicken thighs, cilantro, lime and rice in a cast iron.

One Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken and Rice

A one pot cilantro lime chicken recipe mixed with rice and nutritious veggies makes this the perfect healthy weeknight meal made entirely in a cast-iron skillet. Top with fresh cilantro, avocado and/or jalapeno for a protein-packed meal the whole family will love.

one pot pesto chicken and orzo

One Pot Pesto Chicken and Orzo

This succulent and flavorful pesto chicken and orzo comes together quickly in just one pot and 30 minutes! Enjoy this easy meal without all the dishes. Added veggies include zucchini, onion, garlic and cherry tomatoes.

One Pot Za’atar Turkey Meatballs and Couscous

Keep the dishes to a minimum in this delicious one pot za’atar turkey meatballs and couscous recipe. A full meal in one pot with the perfect balance of protein, carbs, fat and exceptional flavor.

One-Pot Tandoori Chicken and Rice with red bell peppers, green beans, green onions and lime slices

One-Pot Tandoori Chicken and Rice

Enjoy the taste of this tandoori chicken recipe without all the dishes! This one pot tandoori chicken and rice can easily be prepped in advance and makes a large serving that the whole family can enjoy.

cheesy rice with hidden veggies in a pot with a wooden spoon.

One-Pan Cheesy Rice with Broccoli

Looking for an easy 25 minute meal or side dish your whole family will love? This One-Pan Cheese Rice and Broccoli is a great source of nutrition while also requiring minimal clean-up and dishes.

close up of spiced chicken thighs.

One Pot Chicken and Rice

This one pot chicken and rice is the perfect customizable meal for chaotic weeknights or a quick and easy weekend dinner. Juicy chicken thighs pair perfectly with tender and fluffy rice and crisp and delicious vegetables. Trust me, you and your family will love this recipe!

one-pot recipe for israeli couscous with chicken thighs.

One-Pot Israeli Chicken and Couscous

A one-pot recipe for Israeli Chicken and Couscous made with pearled Israeli couscous, kalamata olives, fresh tomatoes and chicken thighs. This easy dinner recipe is perfect to whip up on a busy weeknight!

one pot paprika chicken and rice in a large skillet.

One-Pot Paprika Chicken and Rice

Dinner made easy with this deliciously simple one-skillet paprika chicken and rice. Throw everything into a pot with the chicken juices and cook for a full meal with minimal ingredients and fuss.

one-pot greek chicken orzo in a shallow white bowl.

One-Pot Greek Chicken and Orzo

Looking for a simple and delicious weeknight dish that the whole family will love? This one-pot greek chicken and orzo is a full meal-in-one with minimal prep, cook time and dishes!

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Ready in 20 minutes, this Instant Pot white chicken chili is easy to make, uses minimal ingredients and will be loved by the whole family. Options for stove-top or slow-cooker versions too depending on what tools you have.

overhead of pesto pasta in a baking dish.

Pesto Pasta Bake

This delicious vegetarian pesto pasta bake is made entirely in one dish and makes weeknight dinner easy with little fuss! With bold and fresh flavors this pesto pasta recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Cozy up with a big bowl of this chicken enchilada soup! It’s packed-full of flavor and nutritious ingredients and can be made in a big batch that the whole family will enjoy. This enchilada soup recipe can be made on the stove top or in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. There’s options for everybody!

cropped-Tuscan-Kale-and-Lentil-Soup-3.jpg

Tuscan Lentil Kale Soup

A vegetarian meal-in-one, this Tuscan Lentil Kale Soup will keep you full for hours while also nourishing your body with plants! The perfect comforting bowl for a winter weeknight dinner or easy lunch.

Close up of chicken lentil soup in a dark grey bowl. Soup is topped with sour cream and a piece of crunchy bread.

Chicken Lentil Soup

Looking for a filling and flavorful chicken lentil soup recipe? This delicious soup is packed full of veggies, spices and a great protein boost from chicken and lentils.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

This easy slow cooker butter chicken is a set and forget it recipe with options for making in your Instant Pot or stove-top version too! The perfect combination of Indian spices and tangy flavors with a hint of butter to perfection.

peri peri chicken thighs on a sheet pan with roasted potatoes, fresh parsley and bird's eye chilis

Sheet Pan Peri Peri Chicken

This peri peri chicken recipe combines a flavorful and spicy peri peri marinade with juicy chicken thighs baked on a sheet pan with potatoes. The perfect easy sheet pan meal that’s packed full of flavor and nutrition.

Sheet pan pineapple chicken

Sheet Pan Pineapple Chicken

Juicy chicken pieces are tossed in a sweet and savory sauce in this delicious one pan pineapple chicken recipe. Mixed with veggies and topped with a delicious pineapple salsa recipe this 30 minute meal is sure to be a delight!

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

This sheet pan chicken fajitas recipe comes together quickly for a delicious and healthy weeknight meal. Chicken tenders, a mix of bell peppers and onions are roasted to perfection and wrapped together into tortillas for a recipe the whole family will love.

Sheet-Pan Harissa Chicken

One pan is all you need for this sheet-pan harissa chicken recipe. With chicken thighs, fresh veggies and herbs and a tangy harissa sauce this sheet pan meal will make the ultimate easy weeknight meal!

Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken [with Potatoes, Chickpeas + Kale]

A one-pan recipe for zesty lemon chicken with chickpeas, potatoes and crispy kale. Baked and ready in under an hour.

Sheet Pan Za'atar Chicken with Roasted Vegetables all made on a single pan with limited prep work!

Sheet Pan Tangy Za’atar Chicken with Veggies

Want a healthy and hearty dinner without all the work? This Tangy Za’atar Chicken with Veggies is made entirely on a sheet-pan for easy clean-up and quick cooking that the whole family can enjoy. Don’t forget the spicy yogurt sauce!

Veggie Pasta Bake [No-Boil]

Get a good dose of veggies in this filling, one-pan and NO-BOIL Primavera Pasta Bake recipe. Just throw everything into one dish and bake for a full, vegetarian meal-in-one.

Eggplant Parmesan Quinoa Casserole

Get the best of eggplant parmesan in this meal-in-one, easy clean-up version of eggplant parmesan quinoa casserole. No need to precook your quinoa – just mix your ingredients and make for a delicious, easy dinner recipe.

Cast-Iron Healthy Kimchi Fried Rice made with gut-healthy kimchi and veggies!

Healthy Kimchi Fried Rice

Get in your fried rice kick with an added nutritional boost in this healthy kimchi fried rice. A perfect easy weeknight dinner or enjoy as leftovers for lunch the next day! Plus only one-pan required.

Meet the Maven

Hi! I'm Davida and welcome to my corner of the internet. I'm a wellness blogger, yoga teacher, certified herbalist, and green beauty lover.

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