So we've already given you easy one-pot pasta recipes, but with beach-bod season coming, you might want to lay off the carbs. Or you just might want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time outside looking at beach bods. Whatever your reason, here are 11 tasty one-pot recipes that are NOT pasta.
Red lentil chili
Coconut and cumin add a totally unexpected flavor profile to make this chili anything but basic. Plus, it comes together in less than an hour. Get the recipe here.
Key ingredients:
- Red lentils
- Black beans
- Jalapeños
- Corn
- Tomatoes
Thai yellow coconut curry with mango
When you're craving Thai food but actually want to cook, this quick and satisfying dish should do the trick. Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, which might be faster than takeout anyway. Recipe here.
Key ingredients:
- Coconut oil
- Coconut milk
- Red curry paste
- Roasted cashews
- Turmeric
Balsamic chicken and vegetables
This one is not the prettiest thing to look at, but we promise it tastes great. Get it here.
Key ingredients:
- Chicken
- Mushrooms
- Balsamic vinegar
- Peppers
- Zucchini
Chicken with creamy sun-dried tomato sauce
While this recipe can definitely benefit from the addition of pasta, it totally doesn't need it. The creamy sauce starts with store-bought sun-dried tomato & olive pesto, and bubbles together beautifully in one pan with cream and mushrooms. Get simmering here.
Key ingredients:
- Sun-dried tomato pesto
- Chicken
- Spinach
- Cremini mushrooms
- Goat cheese
Creamy mushroom and leek chicken breasts
One pan and 30 minutes are all you need to bring this dish to your table, plus the creamy sauce is wonderful on just about anything. Top it off with a fried egg if you feel like switching up your breakfast routine. Get the recipe here.
Key ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Cremini mushrooms
- Leeks
- Cream or half & half
- White wine
Chicken enchilada rice casserole
Enchiladas have never been easier. How can you say no to that? Say yes right here.
Key ingredients:
- Chicken
- White rice
- Grated cheese
- Crushed canned tomatoes
- Onion
Greek chicken & lemon rice
The secret to this super-flavorful dish is the cooking method. The chicken is seared in the pan, then finished right on top of the rice in the oven. This lets the chicken juices drip down and get fully absorbed into the rice. Do it right here with the recipe.
Key ingredients:
- Chicken Thighs
- Lemons
- Oregano
- Garlic
- Long-grain rice
Farro with tomatoes
Farro is a wheat grain, so while some people think it's pasta, it's not at all. It has a nice and chewy texture that goes splendidly with tomato broth. Get the recipe here.
Key ingredients
- Farro
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Basil
- Parmesan cheese
Spicy honey mustard chicken
Honey mustard is not just a condiment anymore. The tangy and creamy dressing happens to make a great marinade for chicken. This dish can be served as is, or you can add potatoes if you want to bulk it up a bit. Check it out here.
Key ingredients:
- Chicken
- Honey mustard
- Baby bella mushrooms
- Dijon mustard
Spanish chicken stew
This spicy stew of smoked sausage, chicken, potatoes, beans, and tomatoes also has olives for a briny flavor and Spanish paprika for a special kind of heat. You can easily throw this in a slow cooker, too. Recipe here.
Key ingredients
- Chicken
- Potatoes
- Sausage
- Tomatoes
- Olives
Moroccan chicken with pistachio couscous and goat cheese
It may sound like an odd combo, but the spices just work in this flavorful dish. There's cumin, coriander, cayenne, paprika, chiles in adobo, and more. The best part? It comes together in about 30 minutes from start to finish. You can omit the chicken to make it vegetarian, if you wish. Recipe here.
Key ingredients:
- Chicken
- Chickpeas
- Spices
- Chicken broth
- Couscous
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Dara Pollak is a freelance writer and recipe creator. She likes her pasta with a side of bacon. Follow her at @theskinnypignyc.