10 Easy 30-Minute Skillet Dinners

When time is short but you still want a homemade dinner, a skillet is your best friend. One pan, minimal cleanup, and fast cooking—these meals are perfect for busy weeknights. Here are 10 delicious skillet dinners you can make in 30 minutes or less.

---

1. Garlic Butter Shrimp & Asparagus Skillet

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
3. Toss in shrimp, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes per side.
4. Add asparagus and sauté 4–5 minutes until tender.
5. Squeeze lemon juice over the top and serve immediately.

---

2. Skillet Chicken Fajitas

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless chicken breasts, sliced
• 2 bell peppers (red and green), sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Tortillas, for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken, season with spices, and cook until browned, 6–7 minutes.
3. Stir in peppers and onion; cook another 5–6 minutes until veggies are tender.
4. Serve hot with tortillas.

---

3. Beef & Broccoli Skillet

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high.
2. Add steak and cook until browned, 4–5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Add garlic and broccoli; cook 4–5 minutes.
4. Stir in sauces and honey. Return steak to pan, toss to coat, and serve.

---

4. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Skillet

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup spinach
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in skillet over medium. Cook chicken 6–7 minutes per side until golden. Remove.
2. Add garlic and tomatoes; sauté 3 minutes.
3. Stir in cream, Parmesan, and spinach until thickened.
4. Return chicken to skillet, simmer 3 minutes, and serve.

---

5. Spicy Sausage & Peppers Skillet

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage, sliced
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in skillet. Add sausage and cook until browned, 6 minutes.
2. Stir in onion, peppers, and red pepper flakes; cook until softened.
3. Add diced tomatoes, simmer 5 minutes, and serve hot.

---

6. Honey Garlic Salmon Skillet

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of ½ lemon

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high. Cook salmon, skin side down, 4–5 minutes per side. Remove.
2. Add garlic, honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Simmer 2 minutes.
3. Return salmon, spoon sauce over, and serve.

---

7. Ground Turkey Taco Skillet

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed
• 1 cup corn
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• ½ cup shredded cheddar
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in skillet, cook turkey until browned, 6 minutes.
2. Stir in beans, corn, and taco seasoning with ½ cup water.
3. Simmer 5 minutes, top with cheese, and serve.

---

8. Caprese Chicken Skillet

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze, for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in skillet. Cook chicken 6–7 minutes per side until golden.
2. Top each with tomato slices and mozzarella. Cover until cheese melts.
3. Garnish with basil and balsamic glaze.

---

9. Lemon Garlic Butter Tilapia

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Season tilapia with salt and pepper.
2. Melt butter in skillet, add garlic, cook 1 minute.
3. Add tilapia, cook 3–4 minutes per side.
4. Squeeze lemon juice, sprinkle parsley, and serve.

---

10. Cheesy Beef & Rice Skillet

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in skillet, cook beef and onion until browned, 6 minutes.
2. Stir in rice, tomatoes, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle cheese over top, cover until melted, and serve.

---

✅ Quick Tip: For faster prep, chop your veggies in the morning or use pre-cut options from the store.