One-Pan Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Vegetables: An Easy Weeknight Meal

Busy weeknights call for simple, delicious, and easy-to-clean-up meals. Look no further than this one-pan creamy parmesan chicken and vegetables recipe! This dish is packed with flavor, requires minimal effort, and uses just one pan, making it a weeknight dinner dream. Tender chicken breasts are cooked alongside a medley of vibrant vegetables in a luscious creamy parmesan sauce. It’s a complete meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Chicken and Veggies

• Easy Cleanup: Seriously, just one pan! This is a lifesaver on busy nights.
• Flavorful and Delicious: The creamy parmesan sauce coats the chicken and vegetables perfectly, creating a rich and satisfying dish.
• Customizable: Easily adapt the vegetables to your liking or what you have on hand.
• Quick and Easy: From prep to plate, this meal is ready in under an hour.
• Complete Meal: Chicken and vegetables provide a balanced and nutritious dinner.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for even cooking. You can also use chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
• Vegetables: We’re using broccoli florets, bell peppers (any color), and red onion in this recipe. Feel free to substitute with your favorites like zucchini, asparagus, green beans, or carrots.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and chicken.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a wonderful aroma and flavor to the dish.
• Heavy Cream: This is the base of our creamy sauce. You can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option, but the sauce won’t be as thick.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese is essential for the best flavor and melting quality.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.
• Optional Garnishes: Fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, or extra parmesan cheese for serving.

Equipment Needed

• Large Oven-Safe Skillet (Cast Iron Recommended): A cast iron skillet is ideal for even cooking and transferring from stovetop to oven. However, any large oven-safe skillet will work.
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Mixing Bowl (optional, for tossing vegetables with olive oil)

Step-by-Step Instructions with Photos

Let’s walk through the process of making this delicious one-pan meal.

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better. Season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

   

2. Prepare Vegetables: Chop the broccoli into florets, bell peppers into bite-sized pieces, and red onion into wedges. Toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl (optional, but helps with even coating).

   

3. Sear Chicken: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in your oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. You don’t need to cook them through at this point; just get a nice sear on the outside.

   

4. Add Vegetables: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add the prepared vegetables to the skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until slightly softened. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

   

5. Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.

   

6. Combine and Bake: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them among the vegetables in the sauce. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged in the sauce. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).

   

7. Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, or extra parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.

   

Tips for the Best One-Pan Chicken and Vegetables

• Don’t overcrowd the pan: Overcrowding the pan will steam the vegetables instead of allowing them to brown properly. If necessary, cook the vegetables in batches.
• Use fresh parmesan cheese: Pre-shredded parmesan cheese often contains cellulose, which can prevent it from melting smoothly. Freshly grated parmesan will give you the best flavor and texture.
• Don’t overcook the chicken: Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to the correct internal temperature.
• Adjust the sauce to your liking: If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a splash of chicken broth or milk. For a thicker sauce, simmer it for a few more minutes before adding the chicken back to the pan.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
• Marinate the chicken: For even more flavor, marinate the chicken in Italian dressing or a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Vegetable Variations

This recipe is very versatile, and you can easily adapt the vegetables to your liking. Here are a few suggestions:

• Asparagus: Add asparagus spears during the last 10 minutes of baking.
• Zucchini: Chop zucchini into bite-sized pieces and add them along with the other vegetables.
• Green Beans: Use fresh or frozen green beans. If using frozen, thaw them slightly before adding them to the pan.
• Carrots: Slice carrots into rounds and add them along with the other vegetables.
• Potatoes: Dice potatoes into small cubes and add them to the pan along with the other vegetables. You may need to increase the baking time slightly to ensure the potatoes are cooked through.
• Mushrooms: Slice mushrooms and add them to the pan along with the other vegetables.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Add cherry tomatoes during the last 5 minutes of baking for a burst of sweetness.

Serving Suggestions

This one-pan creamy parmesan chicken and vegetables is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with:

• Pasta: Serve the chicken and vegetables over cooked pasta, such as fettuccine or linguine.
• Rice: Serve the chicken and vegetables over cooked rice, such as white rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
• Crusty Bread: Serve with crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
• Salad: Serve with a side salad for a lighter meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk to the skillet to prevent the chicken and vegetables from drying out.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Per serving, based on the ingredients listed above)

• Calories: Approximately 450-550
• Protein: 40-50g
• Fat: 25-35g
• Carbohydrates: 15-25g

Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

Recipe Card

Conclusion

This one-pan creamy parmesan chicken and vegetables recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and requires minimal cleanup. With customizable vegetables and simple ingredients, this dish is sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

   Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They will add a richer flavor to the dish. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly, as chicken thighs tend to take a bit longer to cook than chicken breasts.

2. Can I use frozen vegetables?

   Yes, you can use frozen vegetables. Thaw them slightly before adding them to the pan. Keep in mind that frozen vegetables may release more water than fresh vegetables, so you may need to cook the sauce for a few extra minutes to thicken it.

3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

   Yes, you can prepare the vegetables and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, sear the chicken and then add the vegetables and sauce to the pan. Bake as directed.

4. Can I use a different type of cheese?

   While parmesan cheese is the star of this dish, you can experiment with other types of cheese. Asiago, romano, or even a blend of parmesan and mozzarella would work well.

5. Can I add more vegetables?

   Absolutely! Feel free to add any vegetables you like. Just be sure not to overcrowd the pan, as this will prevent the vegetables from browning properly. You may need to cook the vegetables in batches if necessary.

More One-Pan Recipes to Try

• One-Pan Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken and Potatoes
• One-Pan Sausage and Veggie Bake
• One-Pan Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

Enjoy this delicious and easy one-pan meal! We hope you love it as much as we do.