The beauty of this Last Minute Chicken Dinner is in its simplicity. With just one pan and a handful of common ingredients, you can create a creamy, hearty meal that’s perfect for hectic evenings. Tender chicken, crisp-tender potatoes, and a medley of vegetables all come together in a savory cream sauce, topped with just the right touch of Parmesan cheese.
This dish is a real crowd-pleaser and ideal for feeding the family when time is tight. The flavors are cozy and familiar, and you can easily adjust the vegetables or seasoning to suit your pantry. Whether you’re coming home from work or simply want a no-fuss meal, this recipe delivers satisfaction with minimal cleanup.
Full Recipe:
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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4 potatoes, thinly sliced
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1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
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1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
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1 onion, chopped
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½ cup milk
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¼ teaspoon garlic powder
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2 cups frozen broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower mix
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½ teaspoon dried parsley
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¼ teaspoon dried marjoram
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¼ teaspoon dried basil
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⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
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In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced potatoes and cook, stirring frequently, until tender-crisp.
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Add chicken cubes to the skillet and cook until browned.
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Reduce heat to medium. Stir in cream of chicken soup, chopped onion, milk, and garlic powder.
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Arrange frozen vegetables on top of the mixture. Sprinkle with parsley, marjoram, and basil.
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Cover and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
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Remove from heat, stir in grated Parmesan, and serve hot.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 533 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Ultimate Comfort Meal: Creamy One-Pot Chicken with Veggies & Potatoes
When it comes to dinnertime dilemmas, few recipes can match the convenience, heartiness, and universal appeal of a creamy one-pot chicken dinner. The Last Minute Chicken Dinner — a creamy skillet meal featuring boneless chicken, thinly sliced potatoes, mixed vegetables, and savory herbs — offers the perfect solution for those hectic nights when time is short and appetites are big.
Originally shared by home cooks as a go-to “emergency meal,” this dish has become a weeknight favorite thanks to its satisfying texture, comforting flavors, and minimal cleanup. Whether you’re a busy parent, a college student, or just someone who appreciates a wholesome dish that doesn’t take hours to prepare, this creamy chicken skillet is worth adding to your culinary toolkit.
Why This Dish Works for Everyone
The appeal of this meal lies in its balance. You get protein from the chicken, carbs from the potatoes, fiber and nutrients from the vegetables, and a creamy sauce that ties everything together. It’s one of those rare dinners that manages to check every nutritional box while still delivering the cozy comfort of a home-cooked meal.
Unlike more complicated dishes that require multiple pots or oven time, everything in this recipe cooks in a single pan — meaning fewer dishes and more time to enjoy your evening. Plus, it’s highly adaptable. Don’t like cauliflower? Swap in green beans. Want a lower-fat version? Use low-sodium cream of chicken soup and skip the cheese. This recipe is a foundation that welcomes your personal spin.
The Secret to Perfect Texture and Flavor
While the recipe may seem simple at first glance, there are a few things that set this dish apart from other one-pot meals. First, the order in which you cook the components matters. Potatoes go in first because they need time to crisp up and soften. Chicken is browned next, adding flavor and a touch of caramelization.
The real magic happens when the cream of chicken soup, milk, and seasonings are added. These ingredients create a luscious sauce that binds the chicken and veggies together without overwhelming them. Parmesan cheese, added at the end, provides a sharp, nutty contrast that elevates the entire dish from good to great.
The combination of dried herbs—parsley, basil, and marjoram—brings a hint of aromatic complexity that’s surprising in such a quick meal. These Mediterranean herbs cut through the richness of the sauce and add layers of flavor that make the dish taste like it took far longer than it did.
Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers
This creamy chicken skillet isn’t just a lifesaver for busy nights — it’s also a great meal prep option. The flavors meld beautifully over time, and the creamy sauce helps keep the chicken and vegetables moist when reheated.
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. You can reheat it on the stovetop with a splash of milk to restore the sauce’s creamy consistency or simply microwave it in short intervals. It’s just as tasty the next day, and you might even find the flavors more developed.
For those who love to plan ahead, this dish also freezes surprisingly well. Simply portion it out, allow it to cool completely, and store in freezer-safe containers for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat, defrost in the fridge overnight and warm gently on the stove or in the oven.
Tips for Customizing the Dish
One of the best things about this recipe is how easily it can be adapted to your dietary needs or what you already have in your kitchen.
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Swap the Protein: Instead of chicken breasts, try boneless chicken thighs for added richness, or go meatless and add chickpeas or tofu.
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Go Fresh or Frozen: While the original calls for frozen mixed vegetables, you can use fresh broccoli, carrots, or snap peas if you prefer more crunch.
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Make It Spicier: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for a little heat.
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Use Homemade Sauce: If you’re avoiding canned soups, a simple roux made with butter, flour, chicken stock, and milk will do the trick.
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Boost the Flavor: Add a splash of white wine while the chicken cooks for a slightly more refined taste.
Feel free to experiment — that’s the beauty of a dish like this. It’s forgiving, flexible, and always comforting.
Serving Suggestions
While the dish stands alone beautifully, it can also be paired with a variety of sides and beverages to create a more complete meal. For instance:
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Serve with a crisp green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to contrast the creaminess.
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Add a side of crusty bread or dinner rolls to soak up the delicious sauce.
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Pair with a light white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.
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For a cozier evening, serve it with a warm herbal tea or apple cider.
This meal is hearty enough for winter but light enough to enjoy in the warmer months, especially if you opt for more vegetables and less sauce.
Kid-Friendly and Family-Approved
Many parents have praised this dish for being universally loved by picky eaters. The creamy texture and mild flavors are often a hit with kids, especially if you let them choose which vegetables to include.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity to introduce kids to cooking. Let them help stir the sauce or sprinkle in the herbs. Getting children involved not only builds life skills but makes them more likely to enjoy the meal they’ve helped prepare.
Budget-Friendly and Pantry-Ready
This dish is the epitome of “pantry meal.” It relies on a few affordable staples — potatoes, canned soup, frozen vegetables — which are often already on hand. This makes it ideal for weeks when you need to stretch your grocery budget or avoid an extra trip to the store.
Even the meat can be substituted or reduced to make it more economical. Add more vegetables or even cooked lentils to bulk up the dish without adding to your bill.
A Comfort Classic with Endless Possibilities
Over time, this recipe has evolved into a trusted classic in many households. From busy professionals to stay-at-home parents, this creamy one-pot chicken meal has something for everyone. It’s more than just a quick fix — it’s a dish that brings comfort and nourishment to the table.
You can make it your own with just a few small tweaks, and it never fails to deliver on flavor and satisfaction. Whether you’re craving a warm meal after a long day or planning meals for the week ahead, this skillet dish belongs in your rotation.
Conclusion: Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Dish
The Last Minute Chicken Dinner is far more than just a fast meal — it’s a reminder that great food doesn’t need to be complicated. With a single pan and a short list of ingredients, you can create something deeply satisfying, nourishing, and shareable.
Its creamy texture, cozy flavor profile, and adaptable nature make it a hero on nights when you need dinner to come together effortlessly. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe again and again — not just because it’s easy, but because it’s genuinely delicious.
Whether you serve it for a casual family dinner, a cozy solo meal, or the centerpiece of a stress-free gathering, this dish checks all the boxes: comforting, convenient, and completely crave-worthy.