15 Quick Skillet Recipes for Simple Spring Dinners

top-down view of chicken primavera on angel hair pasta
Easy Skillet Chicken Primavera. Photo: fabeveryday

These simple skillet dinners feature seasonal spring vegetables that are widely available from March through May—think the bright, fresh flavors of asparagus, artichokes, fennel, and peas. They prove that you can coax a lot of flavor out of simple, affordable ingredients. Pair your spring produce with chicken, beef, turkey, beans, or shrimp, and in less than an hour you'll have a complete dinner on the table. And with these one-pan meals, you'll cut down on clean-up duty, so you can spend more time enjoying the beautiful seasonal weather.

01 of 16

Easy Skillet Chicken Primavera

Easy Skillet Chicken Primavera
Easy Skillet Chicken Primavera. fabeverydayblog

With a mix of fresh and frozen vegetables, this chicken dinner is super-affordable and customizable. Dig into your spice cabinet to season the chicken breasts with dried parsley and basil, then add frozen mixed veggies and fresh grape tomatoes, green onions, and zucchini. A scoop of sun-dried tomato pesto ties everything together, and you can enjoy the protein and produce mix as a one-pot pasta, over rice, or alongside mashed potatoes.

02 of 16

Skillet Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Potatoes

Skillet Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Potatoes
Jaime Nolan

This quick, family-friendly stovetop recipe is almost entirely hands-off. Chicken thighs simmer with baby carrots, baby potatoes, and onions in a chicken stock-based sauce in this one-skillet chicken thigh dinner. A spoonful of cornstarch makes the sauce taste remarkably silky.

03 of 16

Turkey Spaghetti Zoodles

Turkey Spaghetti Zoodles in a skillet
bd.weld

Twirl up some zucchini noodles and toss them with fresh spinach and a ground turkey marinara sauce for a lightened-up Italian-inspired spring skillet dinner. It just so happens to be gluten-free, low in carbs, low in calories, and Paleo-friendly.

04 of 16

Ricotta, Bacon, and Arugula Skillet Pizza

Ricotta, Bacon, and Arugula Skillet Pizza
Photo by Anna Shoeman.

This better-than-delivery homemade pizza is topped with arugula, green onions, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Creamy ricotta cheese, savory bacon, and spicy red pepper flakes complement the fresh produce beautifully atop a store-bought thin pizza crust. It's on the table in just 25 minutes.

05 of 16

Romantic Chicken with Artichokes and Mushrooms

Romantic Chicken with Artichokes and Mushrooms
naples34102

Scented by briny capers and infused with citrusy white wine (try a sauvignon blanc), this artichoke, mushroom, and chicken dinner offers a delightful taste of the Mediterranean. If you can find fresh artichokes, feel free to trade them in for canned. Either way, you'll get some spring vibes from this easy chicken entree.

06 of 16

Singapore Noodle Curry Shrimp

Singapore Noodle Curry Shrimp
Singapore Noodle Curry Shrimp | Photo by Susheelover. Susheelover

Featuring quick-cooking shrimp and rice noodles, this is one of the fastest and freshest spring pasta recipes out there. Fresh ginger, green onions, and red bell pepper deliver on the fresh front, and feel free to use fresh spring peas instead of frozen if you can find them. Both taste amazing here, especially once coated in the umami-rich oyster sauce, soy sauce, and chicken broth sauce.

07 of 16

Chicken, Asparagus, and Mushroom Skillet

Chicken, Asparagus, and Mushroom Skillet
CookinBug

Of course, no spring skillet recipe round-up would be complete without a fresh asparagus recipe! This oh-so-easy entree features dried herbs, fresh mushrooms, and just a splash of white wine. Turbos Mom raves, "Five stars, ten if I could! Didn't change a single thing."

08 of 16

Zucchini and Ground Beef Skillet

Zucchini and Ground Beef Skillet
fabeveryday

Skip those additive-filled boxed burger dinners. This ground beef, mushroom, and zucchini meal (plus canned tomatoes and olives) proves that it's almost as easy to start from scratch. Crown this spring skillet recipe with a generous handful of shredded Cheddar cheese.

09 of 16

Fennel Risotto

Pressure Cooker Risotto with Fennel and Bacon
Jessica Harlan

Fresh fennel is in peak form early spring. Its subtle licorice-like flavor mellows out as you simmer it down with broth, cream, Parmesan cheese, and arborio rice in this creamy homemade risotto. Try it as a meal in and of itself, or top with a few shrimp or slices of crispy bacon.

10 of 16

Pineapple and Apricot Skillet Chicken

portrait shot apricot skillet chicken
Scott M.

Ahead of peaches, nectarines, and plums, fresh apricots usher in the beginning of stone fruit season. Pair them with canned pineapple, orange zest, yellow and red bell pepper, and a splash of dark rum, to give this chicken skillet dinner serious flavor. Enjoy over rice, quinoa, or couscous.

11 of 16

Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepes)

Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepes)
bd.weld

Crowd-pleasing, quick-cooking shrimp are the star of this Vietnamese crepes recipe, which pays tribute to a popular street snack in south Vietnam. "The name means sound crepe, and refers to the sound the batter makes when it hits the hot skillet. Serve with fresh herbs," suggests recipe creator foxyamf.

12 of 16

Kale and Fennel Frond Frittata

Kale and Fennel Frond Frittata
barbara

"A very green frittata that makes delicious use of fennel fronds," says recipe creator Diana. "I love the delicate flavor that they impart, and the kale and feta cheese in this frittata are a perfect match. You could use spinach or chard instead of kale, if desired."

13 of 16

Skillet Spinach Lasagna

portrait shot spinach lasagna
Skillet Spinach Lasagna. mswafford

Try this luscious take on traditional baked pasta that's made on the stovetop. Italian sausage and three cheeses get a boost of bright color from fresh spinach.

14 of 16

Quick and Easy Teriyaki Beef Stir-Fry

Quick and Easy Teriyaki Beef Stir-Fry
fabeveryday

Create irresistibly savory flavor in under 30 minutes with this winning stir-fry recipe from fabeveryday. Broccoli, snow peas, and sirloin steak tips take center stage for a sweet, garlicky, and wholly satisfying meal.

15 of 16

Ham and Broccoli Bake

close up view of Ham and Broccoli Pasta Bake on a white plate with a fork
Sugarplum

"Super easy and delicious recipe!" raves home cook JessieG. "My oldest (10 year old) has seconds and my two little ones ate without argument so that’s a win in my house."

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