Easy One Pan Chicken & Asparagus Meal

“Save time cooking & cleaning up with one pan meals.” - Tara Olson

One pan meals make cooking so easy!

My daughters are now adults and living on their own. I'm fortunate to have them both living close by, but that doesn't mean I see them every week. One way to entice them to come home is by telling them they always have a standing dinner invitation. That means I have to be prepared to deliver on that promise at a moment's notice. The conversation usually goes something like this:

Daughter: Are you cooking tonight?

Me: Yes.

Daughter: Will I like it?

Me: Yes.

Daughter: OK. Well, I thought I'd come over & eat with you.

Me: Great! See you soon.

Now the fun begins! I need a few meals in my back pocket that are quick and easy. I also want meals that taste good and are good for me and my husband. In addition, I want:

• meals that I can make on the fly for those days when I walk into my kitchen without a clue as to what I'm making for dinner.

• something I can prepare for 1 or 2 people just easily as 4 to 8 people if my daughters show up unexpectedly for dinner.

This recipe checks all of those boxes and is great for when I get those unexpected phone calls!

Oven Baked Chicken

Ingredients

8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

1 Tblsp olive oil or nonstick cooking spray

2 to 3 bunches asparagus

Approximately 1 Tblsp of lemon juice

1/2 cup butter, diced

Seasoning Mix

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp dried oregano (or thyme, baskil, or other herbs of choice)

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions for Chicken & Asparagus

1. Preheat your oven to 425 F.

2. Prepare your baking pan. Use a rimmed baking sheet pan. You can spray your pan with nonstick cooking spray or brush w/ olive oil and place the food directly on the pan. Or, if you prefer, line your baking pan with foil, spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray or brush with olive oil and place the food on it.

3. Rinse chicken thighs or chicken breasts and then pat dry with paper towels.

4. Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl.

5. Place chicken on one side of the pan. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken pieces w/ the seasoning mix.

6. Place the asparagus on the side opposite the chicken. Drizzle the lemon juice over the asparagus.

7. Arrange the diced butter over the chicken pieces and over the asparagus.

8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden.Turn chicken pieces once or twice while baking. Internal temperature should be 165 F using a meat thermometer.

Note

Choose your own vegetables or create a vegetable combination! Broccoli, onions, yellow squash, zucchini squash, green beans, or potatoes diced in small cubes are other suggestions. I adpated this recipe from eatwell101.