16 High-Protein Skillet Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less

Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Whip up a dinner with minimal cleanup by making one of these one-skillet recipes. In only 30 minutes or less, you'll be enjoying your meal without having to worry about multiple pots and pans in the sink. And with at least 15 grams of protein per serving, these delicious dishes are satisfying choices that can help support muscle growth, bone health and healthy digestion. Recipes like our Pizza Bean Skillet and High-Protein Enchilada Skillet are easy, tasty and nutritious options for dinner tonight.

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Pizza Bean Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Ruth Skipworth.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Ruth Skipworth.

This one-pan vegetarian dinner captures all the savory, cheesy flavors of pizza in a hearty skillet of beans and vegetables. It’s quick enough for a weeknight and perfect for scooping up with crusty bread or serving over whole grains for a more filling meal.

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02 of 16

Creamy Chicken, Corn & Poblano Skillet Casserole

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

This zesty skillet chicken casserole is perfect for a busy weeknight. A creamy sauce coats the chicken, offering a flavorful bite with a nice level of heat. Poblano peppers are generally mild, but their heat can vary. For a milder version, you can substitute green bell peppers and omit the jalapeño.

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03 of 16

Easy White Bean Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.

This easy white bean skillet brings together pantry staples and fresh greens for a comforting plant-based meal. Sweet onion, tomatoes and garlic form a rich, savory base for creamy white beans. A handful of spinach adds freshness and color, and a sprinkle of Parmesan ties everything together with salty richness. Served alongside toasted whole-wheat baguette slices for dipping, it’s a fast, satisfying dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a simple weekend supper.

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04 of 16

High-Protein Enchilada Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This black bean and tofu enchilada skillet is a one-pan meal packed with plant-based protein. Crumbled tofu soaks up the sauce, while corn tortillas soften into it for a rich, satisfying filling. Black beans provide protein and fiber, and a sprinkle of cheese on top adds melty goodness to every bite. Quick and nutritious, this skillet meal is perfect for your next weeknight dinner.

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05 of 16

Skillet Bruschetta Chicken

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This flavorful skillet chicken bruschetta puts a tasty spin on a traditional dish. Drawing inspiration from the Italian appetizer, we replace the usual toasted bread with protein-packed chicken cutlets. The vibrant and juicy chopped tomato topping remains a constant, complemented by a drizzle of sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. For an added layer of flavor, serve topped with shaved Parmesan cheese or add some chopped olives to the tomato mixture for a briny kick.

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06 of 16

Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

These broccoli-Cheddar butter beans are a cozy dish that will remind you of broccoli-Cheddar soup, but in a convenient skillet. Tender butter beans add creaminess and plant-based protein, making the dish filling enough for a main course. Broccoli florets bring color, while sharp Cheddar cheese melts in for that classic flavor. Everything comes together in one pan, creating a thick texture that’s perfect for scooping up with crusty bread.

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07 of 16

Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

This Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet is a different take on Marry Me Chicken—a dish traditionally made with chicken coated in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. By swapping in fiber-packed white beans and spinach as the main ingredients, we’ve given it a vegetarian spin. You’ll want to sop up every last bit of sauce, so serve this with a nice hunk of crusty whole-grain bread.

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08 of 16

One-Pan Chicken Florentine

Credit: Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.
Credit: Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.

Classic chicken Florentine—creamy spinach served alongside sautéed chicken—is a fast and easy meal. This recipe uses cornstarch to thicken the cream instead of cheese. This chicken recipe is simple enough for weekdays but also elegant enough for a dinner party.

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09 of 16

Creamy Balsamic Chicken & Mushroom Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

The sauce in this creamy balsamic chicken and mushroom skillet recipe strikes the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. The shallots, garlic and thyme add aroma and flavor to the dish. Thin-cut chicken cutlets are key for getting dinner on the table quickly. If you can’t find chicken cutlets, make your own: Look for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are about 8 ounces each. Slice them in half horizontally and pound to an even thickness.

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10 of 16

Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole with Broccoli

Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Whip up this quick and easy teriyaki chicken casserole in just one skillet—it’s the perfect go-to recipe for hectic weeknights, sure to satisfy a crowd. It’s ideal for making use of any leftover chicken and rice you have on hand. If you’re short on leftovers, a rotisserie chicken paired with a package of microwaveable brown rice is a good substitute.

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11 of 16

Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Is a Must-Try, High-Protein Dinner

Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.

This creamy garlic chicken-and-broccoli skillet dinner comes together in just 20 minutes. Tender chicken cutlets are paired with crisp-tender broccoli in a light garlic cream sauce. A splash of white wine adds depth, while fresh parsley adds a pop of color and flavor.

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12 of 16

Steak Enchilada Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This one-skillet dinner is a breeze to pull together, making it perfect for busy weeknights—plus it's easy to build and adjust to taste for picky eaters. Flour tortillas are cooked right in the skillet with everything else. Add them gradually to prevent them from sticking together. For a slightly different flavor and firmer texture, swap out the flour tortillas for corn tortillas.

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13 of 16

Chicken Cutlets with Creamy Spinach & Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Serve these saucy, ultra-quick chicken cutlets over your favorite pasta. This easy dinner recipe is sure to become a new weeknight favorite.

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Cast-Iron Skillet Pizza with Red Peppers, Chicken & Spinach

Credit: Jason Donnelly
Credit: Jason Donnelly

Whirring up roasted red peppers with olive oil and garlic makes a tangy sauce that's a nice alternative to classic pizza sauce. Don't have a large cast-iron skillet? Don't fret. We tested this recipe on a pizza stone and baking sheet as well. As long as you preheat whichever one you use, the crust will come out crispy every time.

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Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach

Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Quick-cooking chicken cutlets are coated in a garlic cream sauce, while spinach adds a boost of color and nutrition to this easy one-skillet recipe.

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16 of 16

One-Skillet Chicken Paprikash with Mushrooms & Onions

Try this quick and easy one-skillet version of the Hungarian classic chicken paprikash. Serve the chicken cutlets, mushrooms and creamy sauce over egg noodles with a green salad on the side.

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Original Source:

https://www.eatingwell.com/high-protein-30-minute-skillet-dinner-recipes-11914189