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My 13 Go-To Recipes When You I Have No Time, No Plan, and One Pan

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When there’s zero time and even less brainpower, these one-pan recipes always save the day. They come together fast, don’t need much planning, and mean fewer dishes to deal with later, which is a win in every way. These are the dishes I rely on when I’ve got hungry people to feed and absolutely nothing else figured out.

Honey Glazed Pork Chops

Plate of honey glazed pork chops with a side of white rice on a striped tablecloth.
Honey Glazed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

These honey-glazed pork chops are the definition of low-effort, big-flavor comfort food I can make even when I’ve got zero plan. It’s a simple and easy sear in one pan and done, with tender pork coated in the most irresistible sticky glaze. This recipe has saved so many last-minute dinner scrambles for me.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Pork Chops

Marry Me Chicken Skillet

A piece of creamy marry me chicken skillet.
Marry Me Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Marry Me Chicken is a one-skillet meal I fall back on when everything else feels like too much. It’s rich and creamy with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, yet still fast enough to pull off after a long day. When I’ve got no energy to plan and only one pan to work with, this dreamy chicken dinner is always the answer.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Skillet

Sheet Pan Eggs

Sheet pan eggs cut into squares, featuring sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, and greens.
Sheet Pan Eggs. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Sheet pan eggs are a lifesaver when I’m scrambling to feed people and don’t want a dozen dirty dishes. Just crack, mix, and bake, this one-pan wonder gives me fluffy, sliceable eggs I can use for breakfast sandwiches, wraps, or quick lunches. It’s my go-to when I need something fast and fuss-free but still homemade.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Eggs

Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken

A plate with slow cooker honey mustard chicken, steamed broccoli, and white rice.
Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

On those days I forget to plan ahead, tossing everything into the slow cooker for this honey mustard chicken saves me. It’s a one-pot situation with juicy chicken and a tangy-sweet sauce that somehow tastes like I actually tried. I love that it practically cooks itself while I deal with everything else life throws at me.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken

Instant Pot Barbacoa

A plate of barbacoa garnished with cilantro and lime wedges, served next to a bowl of lime slices.
Instant Pot Barbacoa. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

When I’ve got no plan but still want something bold and filling, this Instant Pot barbacoa never fails me. It delivers tender, spice-packed beef in one pot with barely any effort, and I can throw it into tacos, bowls, or salads depending on whatever else I have on hand. It’s the perfect fast-track recipe for days when time’s running out and dinner still needs to feel like a win.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Barbacoa

Cilantro Lime Rice

A wooden bowl filled with cilantro lime rice garnished with chopped herbs and lime wedges.
Cilantro Lime Rice. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Cilantro lime rice is my not-so-secret trick for making any last-minute meal feel fresh and finished. It takes barely any time, cooks in one pot, and gives plain rice a total flavor glow-up. Whether it’s taco night or I’m winging dinner with odds and ends, this easy side always pulls it all together.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Rice

Sheet Pan Chicken

A hand holding a spoon over a baking tray sheet pan chicken.
Sheet Pan Chicken. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

When the fridge is a mystery and time’s running out, I throw together this sheet pan chicken with whatever veggies I’ve got. Everything roasts on one tray, and the result is always flavorful, colorful, and filling with almost no cleanup. It’s my favorite fallback when I’ve got no dinner plan but still want something that feels pulled together.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Bowl of taco soup with shredded chicken, avocado, cilantro, cheese, sour cream, and lime on a marble surface.
Slow Cooker Taco Soup. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

On busy days when I’m short on time and ideas, this taco soup always comes to the rescue. It all simmers in one pot, packed with bold flavor and hearty ingredients that feel like comfort in a bowl. I just toss everything in and let the slow cooker do the work while I get on with my day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Piece of chicken cutlet on a fork resting over a larger portion with a lemon wedge.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

This Parmesan-crusted chicken is my answer to “What’s for dinner?” when I don’t actually have an answer. It uses pantry staples, comes together fast, and everything happens in one pan, just how I like it when time’s tight. The crispy, cheesy crust makes it feel a lot fancier than it really is.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Maple Bacon

Close-up of crispy, cooked maple bacon slices in a white dish.
Maple Bacon. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Maple bacon is my favorite “no-plan but still feel fancy” food that comes together in one simple sheet pan. The sweet maple glaze turns regular bacon into something smoky, sticky, and completely addictive, no skillet flipping, no guesswork, just pop it in and walk away. I love how fast it is to prep and how much flavor I get for basically zero effort.
Get the Recipe: Maple Bacon

One Pan Chicken Thighs

One pan chicken thighs with crispy skin, served with lemon wedges and broccoli.
One Pan Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

When I’m too busy to think and dinner still needs to happen, this one-pan chicken thigh recipe is what I reach for. It all roasts together, juicy chicken, crispy broccoli, and tender onions, so I can skip the juggling act and get a full meal without the mess. It looks like I put in effort, but really, I just threw it all in a pan and called it good.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

A basket of seasoned sweet potato wedges with a small bowl of ketchup beside it.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

These sweet potato wedges come to the rescue when I’ve got no dinner plan, one tray to use, and less than 10 minutes to pull it together. I season and toss them straight into the air fryer, and in no time, I’ve got golden, crispy wedges that go with just about anything. It’s my no-stress, no-fuss way to get something hot and homemade on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Close-up of shredded chicken with vegetables in a pan, being stirred with a wooden spoon.
Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

I lean on this salsa chicken every time I forget to plan dinner because it’s one of those meals that practically makes itself. It’s just chicken and jarred salsa in the slow cooker, but the result is juicy, flavorful meat I can use for tacos, bowls, or whatever I’m cobbling together that night. It’s the ultimate one-pot fallback that still feels like a win.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

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