Our 5 Most Saved Chef John Recipes of All Time

He's the "main man" of main dishes.

A serving of casserole layered between corn tortillas on a white plate
Photo:

Chef John

Here at Allrecipes, Chef John is more than just a culinary mastermind—he's our home-cooking hero. Through his years of producing cooking videos on our site, he's demonstrated how to make hundreds of delicious, doable recipes. Oftentimes, they look so good, we're jumping to the "save" button before we’ve made it to the end of the video.

Of the many Food Wishes recipes Chef John has shared—from crowd-pleasing appetizers to indulgent desserts—it's his main courses that have captured the hearts of our community the most. Five dinner recipes in particular have been saved by our users more than any others, and they're all equally easy, family-friendly, and impressive.

So, give these five recipes a save if you haven’t already, and call on them whenever you need Chef John’s friendly, fail-proof guidance. "And, as always, enjoy!"

5. Quick Chicken Piccata

looking down at a few pieces of chicken piccata in a skillet

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Starting with a familiar favorite, Chef John’s chicken piccata is a weeknight wonder that comes together in just 25 minutes—hence the title “quick.” Whether you serve it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, this Italian-inspired chicken dinner with a simple lemon caper sauce feels both effortless and elevated. “One of my favorite recipes from Chef J,” said user MATT.

4. King Ranch Chicken Casserole

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

A Southern potluck staple, this kicked-up casserole is both filling and flavorful, making it perfect for a big family meal. Plus, the 9x13 dinner is made with a handful of pantry ingredients like premade soup and canned veggies, keeping it budget-friendly and extra-approachable.

3. Chef John's Italian Meatballs

Chef John's Italian Meatballs

Chef John’s signature Italian meatball recipe uses a hearty half-beef, half-pork mixture, and skips the step of pan frying for less mess. After a quick oven-bake, the homemade meatballs turn out juicy, tender, and oh-so flavorful. “Terrific meatballs,” said user HPYCMPR. “Thanks for another great one, Chef John!”

2. Chef John's Perfect Prime Rib

closeup of Chef John's Perfect Prime Rib with an herb crust and appealing pink center on a white ceramic platter
"I think this recipe is absolutely perfect! Every time!".

Mary Miedema

In our number two spot, we have a showstopping roast that shines over the holidays. Thousands of users have trusted Chef John with their pricey main meat, and his recipe always delivers. Just follow Chef John’s helpful tips and “mathematical method” and you too can deliver a juicy, perfectly cooked prime rib to the holiday table on your very first try.

1. Chicken Parmesan

homemade chicken parmesan recipe served on spaghetti and garnished with fresh basil leaves
Allrecipes

Saved over 140,000 times, it’s clear our users can’t get enough of Chef John’s Chicken Parmesan. This recipe, he shares, “is a little different than what they do in the restaurants, with less sauce and a crispier crust.” He keeps the Italian-American-style dinner quick and easy but gives it a decadent finish of fresh mozzarella, tangy provolone, and real Parmesan cheese to make it over-the-top tasty.

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