Some dinners just make sense. Chicken, tomatoes, garlic, basil, and rice—all those wonderful Italian flavors coming together in one skillet. And the best part? Once everything is assembled, the oven takes over!

This Italian Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes & Basil is the kind of dinner I love making when I want real food without spending the entire evening in the kitchen. The tomatoes soften and release their juices, the garlic and herbs bring plenty of flavor, and the rice cooks right alongside the chicken, soaking up all that goodness.

And because everything cooks in one skillet, there’s less cleanup afterward. That’s always a win in my kitchen!

Colleen’s Kitchen

The Pampered Chef tools I used to make this recipe easier.

Covered Sauté Pan
Easy one-dish dinners.
SHOP

8″ Chef’s Knife
Chopping made easy.
SHOP

Cutting Board
Prep without the mess.
SHOP

Quick Half Tool
Split chicken in seconds.
SHOP

Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you purchase through my Pampered Chef links.

Why You’ll Love This Italian Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes

• One skillet, one complete dinner. The chicken and rice cook together, so there’s no need to prepare a separate side dish.
• Fresh, bright flavors. Sweet roasted tomatoes, garlic, lemon, and basil give this dinner plenty of flavor without a heavy sauce.
• Mostly hands-off cooking. A quick sear and a few minutes of stovetop preparation are followed by time in the oven.
• Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. No flour, cream, butter, or cheese required. Just check your chicken broth and other packaged ingredients.
• Easy to adapt. A few convenience ingredients can make preparation even faster on a busy evening.

Italian Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes & Basil

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: Dairy Free, Gluten Free

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: slicedicedish

Tender Italian-seasoned chicken breasts, sweet roasted tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, and fluffy rice come together in one oven-safe skillet for a flavorful, gluten-free and dairy-free dinner with easy cleanup.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, split if thick
• 3 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
• 4 garlic cloves pressed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
• ¾ cup uncooked white rice
• 1½ cups chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves thinly sliced

Instructions

• Heat the oven to 400°F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 2–3 minutes per side, until lightly golden. Transfer to a plate; the chicken will finish cooking in the oven.
• Add the tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, oregano, dried basil, thyme, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
• Stir in the uncooked rice, then add the chicken broth and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Nestle the chicken and any accumulated juices into the rice mixture. Cover tightly.
• Transfer the covered skillet to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes. Check that the rice is nearly tender and add a small splash of broth if the pan looks dry. Uncover and bake for another 5–10 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165°F in its thickest part. Cooking time will vary with chicken thickness and the rice used.
• Let rest for 5 minutes. Scatter the fresh basil over the chicken and tomatoes before serving.

Notes

Easy, Easier & Easiest

EASY — A Little Less Prep

Leave the grape tomatoes whole and use a garlic press rather than chopping the cloves. Measure the dried seasonings together before you begin.

EASIER — Get Ahead

Earlier in the day, measure the rice, combine the dried seasonings, and press the garlic. Keep the garlic refrigerated; refrigerate the chicken separately. Everything will be ready to add to the skillet in order.

EASIEST — Let the Store Help

Use pre-trimmed chicken breasts, jarred minced garlic, bottled lemon juice, and a salt-free Italian seasoning blend instead of the oregano, dried basil, and thyme. Check the chicken early if using thin-sliced breasts, since they cook faster.

A Few Tips for Making This Recipe

Choose the right skillet. You’ll need a large oven-safe skillet with a tight-fitting lid. The lid helps trap the moisture the rice needs to cook properly.

Don’t skip the fresh basil. Dried basil adds flavor while everything cooks, but the fresh basil at the end gives the finished dish a wonderful burst of freshness.

Check the rice before serving. Different brands and varieties of white rice can cook a little differently. Make sure the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165°F before bringing dinner to the table.

A Dinner Worth Sharing

This is exactly the kind of meal that works for an ordinary weeknight but would also be lovely served to friends. Add a simple green salad, pour something delicious, and dinner is taken care of.

And if you’d love to entertain more often without having to figure out every little detail yourself, my Complete Dinner Party Plans help you plan the whole evening—from the menu and prep timeline to the welcome cocktail, table inspiration, and those thoughtful little touches that make gathering feel special.

Because great food brings people to the table. Meaningful moments keep them there.

Save me a bite!
Colleen 🥂

If you love easy Italian-inspired dinners, you’ll also want to try my Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan Bake with Homemade Marinara. It’s another delicious way to get dinner on the table without making things complicated!

My sister gave this Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan Bake a 17 out of 10! Not 10 out of 10. SEVENTEEN. 😂 So I think it’s safe to say this one is worth sharing!

This is another one of those recipes where you look at the ingredient list and wonder whether you really have the energy to make dinner. But here’s the thing: despite that long list, this chicken Parmesan bake comes together surprisingly quickly. And most of those ingredients are simply seasonings that give the dish its wonderful flavor.

You’ve got crispy, gluten-free breaded chicken, homemade marinara, tender zucchini, and plenty of melted mozzarella and Parmesan. And if you have a favorite family marinara recipe—or a jar of sauce you love—by all means, use it! This meal is all about comfort, not making extra work for yourself.

Colleen’s Kitchen

The Pampered Chef tools I used to make this recipe easier.

Quick Half Tool
Safe, even cuts.
SHOP

Can Opener
No sharp edges.
SHOP

Mandoline
Prep without the mess.
SHOP

Round Stone
From dinner to dessert.
SHOP

Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you purchase through my Pampered Chef links.

Why You’ll Love This Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan Bake

• All the comfort of classic Chicken Parmesan. Crispy breading, rich tomato sauce, melted cheese, and fresh basil. What’s not to love?
• Naturally easy to adapt. Use homemade marinara, a favorite family recipe, or a good-quality jarred sauce.
• A complete meal in one pan. The zucchini bakes right underneath the chicken, so you’re getting vegetables without making another side dish.
• Gluten-free without sacrificing flavor. Gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs and freshly grated Parmesan create a delicious, traditional-style coating.
• Weeknight-friendly. The ingredient list might look intimidating, but much of it is pantry seasonings, and the preparation is straightforward.

A Few Ways to Make Chicken Parmesan Even Easier

I’m all for making a great dinner, but I’m also a big believer in knowing where to save a little time.

Homemade marinara is wonderful, especially when you have a few extra minutes to let the garlic, tomatoes, and herbs simmer together. But if you’ve already got a favorite sauce, there’s absolutely no reason to reinvent the wheel.

And here’s another little trick: keep thin-sliced chicken cutlets in the freezer. They’re a terrific shortcut for recipes like this because you don’t have to spend time slicing and pounding chicken breasts. Just thaw them safely in the refrigerator before cooking.

The goal isn’t to make dinner complicated. It’s to make something delicious that brings everyone to the table.

Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan Bake with Homemade Marinara

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: Gluten Free

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Rest Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: slicedicedish

A comforting gluten-free Chicken Parmesan Bake with golden breaded chicken, homemade marinara, tender zucchini, and bubbly mozzarella and Parmesan. All the classic Italian flavors in one easy, family-friendly dish that's perfect for busy weeknights!

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Homemade Marinara

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves pressed
• 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes optional

Chicken & Vegetables

• 1½ lbs thin chicken breast cutlets
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup gluten-free Italian-style breadcrumbs
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¾ teaspoon sea salt divided
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 medium zucchini sliced into ¼-inch rounds
• ¾ cup fresh part-skim mozzarella cheese sliced ¼-inch thick
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves thinly sliced

Instructions

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat and cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. You’ll need about 2 cups for the chicken. Save any extra for another meal.
• Heat the oven to 425°F. Pat the chicken dry. Beat the egg in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, combine the gluten-free breadcrumbs, ¼ cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Dip each chicken cutlet into the egg, allowing the excess to drip off, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently so the coating adheres.
• Arrange the zucchini in the bottom of the Square Stoneware Pan and season lightly with salt. Arrange the breaded chicken over the zucchini in a single layer. Drizzle the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, until the breading begins to turn golden. Remove from the oven and spoon about 2 cups homemade marinara over and around the chicken. Return to the oven and bake another 5–8 minutes, or until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
• Lay the mozzarella slices and remaining ¼ cup Parmesan evenly over the chicken. Return to the oven for another 3–5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let stand for 5 minutes, then finish with plenty of fresh basil.

Notes

Easy, Easier, Easiest

EASY — Prep the Coating Ahead – Combine the gluten-free breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and seasonings earlier in the day. Slice the zucchini while the marinara simmers, so everything is ready when it’s time to assemble.

EASIER — Make the Sauce Ahead – Prepare the homemade marinara up to 4 days ahead and refrigerate it. You can also purchase thin-sliced chicken cutlets and pre-shredded mozzarella to reduce prep time.

EASIEST — Open the Jar – Use 2 cups of your favorite gluten-free jarred marinara, prepared gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs, thin-sliced chicken cutlets, and pre-cut zucchini. Top with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan for a homemade-style dinner with very little prep.

Is This Chicken Parmesan Bake Really Gluten-Free?

Yes! This recipe uses gluten-free Italian-style breadcrumbs instead of traditional breadcrumbs, so you can enjoy the classic flavors of Chicken Parmesan without wheat-based breading.

Just be sure to check the labels on your breadcrumbs, marinara sauce, and seasonings to confirm they’re gluten-free. If you’re cooking for someone with celiac disease, you’ll also want to prevent cross-contact during preparation.

This recipe does contain dairy from the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.

Comfort Food Is Meant to Be Shared

Some dinners are worth making simply because they taste good. Others become the meals people request again and again.

With a 17/10 rating already on the books, I have a feeling this Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan Bake might be one of those recipes!

And whether you’re making dinner for your family or inviting a few friends over, remember that a wonderful meal doesn’t have to mean spending the entire evening in the kitchen.

That’s the same philosophy behind my Complete Dinner Party Plans. I take care of the menu, recipes, preparation timeline, welcome cocktail, table inspiration, and those little touches that make an evening feel special.

You can explore them in my Complete Dinner Party Plans shop.

Because great food brings people to the table. Meaningful moments keep them there.

Save me a bite!
Colleen 🥂

Looking for more easy comfort food? If you love dinners that taste like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen without actually doing so, try my Homestyle Burger & Potato Casserole. It’s another family-friendly meal that makes a long ingredient list feel surprisingly manageable!

Today was one of those days.

You know the kind. By the time dinner rolled around, I was already running on fumes. Then I looked at the ingredient list for tonight’s Burger & Potato Casserole and thought, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

There were a LOT of ingredients. And quite frankly, I wasn’t in the mood.

But then I reminded myself of something I’ve been trying to stick to in my kitchen: JERF — Just Eat Real Food. That means making meals with real, recognizable ingredients, even when grabbing something convenient sounds awfully tempting.

So I got started. And you know what? I was pleasantly surprised at how easily it all came together! Yes, the ingredient list was long, but the actual preparation didn’t take nearly as much time as I’d expected. A little chopping, some measuring, and before I knew it, dinner was underway.

It’s a good reminder that a recipe can look complicated on paper without being complicated in the kitchen.

And on a day like today, I’ll take that little victory!

Colleen’s Kitchen

The Pampered Chef tools I used to make this recipe easier.

Covered Saute Pan
Easy one-dish dinners.
SHOP

8″ Chef’s Knife
Chopping made easy.
SHOP

Cutting Board
Prep without the mess.
SHOP

2-Qt Micro-Cooker
Steamer & veggie cooker.
SHOP

Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you purchase through my Pampered Chef links.

Why You’ll Love This Burger & Potato Casserole

• Real food without the fuss. A longer ingredient list doesn’t have to mean spending your entire evening in the kitchen.
• Comfort food for a busy day. Burgers and potatoes bring familiar, satisfying flavors to the dinner table.
• A practical family dinner. It’s the kind of meal that doesn’t require a special occasion or a beautifully set table.
• Easy to simplify. A few smart shortcuts can make the preparation even more manageable when time is tight.

Let’s Make Burger & Potato Casserole!

Homestyle Burger & Potato Casserole

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, potatoes

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Rest Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 4

Author: slicedicedish

Homestyle Burger & Potato Casserole brings together seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, crisp vegetables, and a creamy burger sauce for a satisfying, real-food dinner. Don't let the long ingredient list fool you—this comforting meal is surprisingly easy to make!

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Quick Pickles

• ½ English cucumber thinly sliced
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup water
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried dill

Creamy Burger Sauce

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 2 teaspoons water optional, to thin if needed

Casserole

• 1¼ lbs 93% lean ground beef
• 12 oz Yukon Gold potatoes diced into ½-inch cubes
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves pressed
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried mustard
• ¼ cup low-sodium beef broth gluten-free
• 2 medium tomatoes chopped
• 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• ½ avocado diced
• ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion optional
• Quick pickles drained
• Creamy burger sauce

Instructions

• Combine the cucumber, vinegar, water, salt, garlic powder, and dill in a small bowl. Toss well and let stand for at least 20 minutes while preparing the casserole.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Add a little water if needed to create a drizzleable consistency. Refrigerate until serving.
• Heat the oven to 400°F. Place the diced potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons water. Cover loosely and microwave for 4–5 minutes, until just beginning to soften. Drain well.
• Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and yellow onion. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles, until browned and the onion is tender. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried mustard. Cook for 30 seconds. Drain excess fat if necessary.
• Stir the partially cooked potatoes and beef broth into the beef mixture, spreading evenly.
• Bake uncovered for 18–22 minutes, until the potatoes are tender, the mixture is hot, and the edges are lightly browned. Let stand for 5 minutes.
• Top the warm casserole with chopped tomatoes, shredded romaine, avocado, red onion, and drained quick pickles. Finish with a generous drizzle of creamy burger sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes

Easy, Easier & Easiest Shortcuts

EASY — Prep While the Beef Browns

Use the microwave to partially cook the potatoes while browning the beef. Mix the burger sauce and quick pickles while the casserole bakes.

EASIER — Get Ahead of Dinner

Make the pickles and burger sauce up to 2 days ahead. Dice and partially cook the potatoes earlier in the day, refrigerating them until needed. Chop the onion and tomatoes in advance.

EASIEST — Let the Store Do the Chopping

Use refrigerated diced potatoes or thawed frozen diced potatoes, prepared dill pickles, pre-diced onion, bagged shredded romaine, and your favorite gluten-free, dairy-free burger sauce. Check labels.

Real Food Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

One of the things I’m learning as I focus more on JERF is that the number of ingredients isn’t always the best way to judge how much work a recipe will be. Sometimes a recipe with six ingredients requires a surprising amount of hands-on time. Other times, a recipe with twenty ingredients comes together pretty quickly because many of those ingredients are simply seasonings or pantry staples. And that’s worth remembering when you’re standing in your kitchen at 5:30, wondering why you ever thought cooking dinner was a good idea.

I’m not interested in making dinner harder just for the sake of saying everything is homemade. I want real food, practical shortcuts, and meals that fit into real life. That’s also why I love having kitchen tools that take some of the repetitive work off my plate. A little less chopping and a little less cleanup can make the difference between enjoying dinner and resenting the entire process!

Making Everyday Cooking Easier

I talk a lot about making entertaining easier, but the same idea applies to an ordinary dinner at home. A little planning, a few dependable recipes, and the right shortcuts can make cooking feel much more manageable.

And when you’re ready to invite people over, that philosophy is exactly what goes into my Complete Dinner Party Plans. I help take the planning off your plate with menus, recipes, preparation timelines, welcome cocktails, table inspiration, and thoughtful hosting ideas.

Because whether you’re feeding your family on a hectic Wednesday or welcoming friends for dinner, the goal is the same: good food and more time to enjoy the people around your table.

And if today has been one of those days for you, too, I hope this casserole reminds you that dinner doesn’t have to be nearly as complicated as it looks.

Because great food brings people to the table. Meaningful moments keep them there.

Save me a bite!
Colleen 🥂

A Little Story From My Kitchen

Sunday was one of those rainy, chilly days when staying inside, watching football, and enjoying a good dinner sounded just about perfect. And what better dinner for a day like that than Chicken, Shrimp & Sausage Jambalaya?

This is one of my favorite kinds of meals because I can do the chopping and measuring ahead of time, assemble everything in my Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker, and let the oven do most of the work. (Note: A covered cast iron Dutch oven works well if you don’t have the Baker).

The combination of tender chicken, smoky sausage, shrimp, rice, vegetables, and a homemade jambalaya seasoning makes for a hearty, flavorful dinner. And since everything comes together in one baking dish, cleanup is pretty easy, too.

It’s the kind of meal that feels like you spent the afternoon cooking—even when you were busy watching football!

Colleen’s Kitchen

The Pampered Chef tools I used to make this recipe easier:

Deep Covered Baker
Easy one-dish dinners.
SHOP

8″ Chef’s Knife
Chopping made easy.
SHOP

Cutting Board
Prep without the mess.
SHOP

Garlic Press
Fresh garlic in seconds.
SHOP

Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you purchase through my Pampered Chef links.

Why You’ll Love This Jambalaya

• Most of the work happens ahead of time. Chop the vegetables, prepare the protein, and mix the seasoning before dinner.
• It’s a complete meal. Chicken, shrimp, sausage, rice, and vegetables all in one dish.
• The oven does the work. No standing over the stove stirring a pot throughout dinner preparation.
• You control the heat. Adjust the cayenne to suit your family’s preference or omit.

Oven-Baked Chicken, Shrimp & Sausage Jambalaya

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: cajun-inspired

Keyword: oven baked jambalaya, chicken shrimp sausage jambalaya, one pot jambalaya, make ahead dinner

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: slicedicedish

This oven-baked jambalaya combines tender chicken, smoky sausage, juicy shrimp, white rice, and vegetables in one flavorful dish. Prep everything ahead, then let the oven do most of the work. Perfect for chilly evenings, football Sundays, or an easy family dinner.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 12 oz boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 6 oz smoked chicken sausage sliced
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 green bell pepper chopped
• 2 celery stalks chopped
• ½ medium yellow onion chopped
• 3 garlic cloves pressed
• 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
• 1 14.5-oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 12 oz large raw shrimp peeled and deveined
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
• 2 green onions thinly sliced

For the Jambalaya Seasoning

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Combine the smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
• Place the chicken, sausage, uncooked white rice, bell pepper, celery, onion, and garlic in the Deep Covered Baker.
• Drizzle with olive or avocado oil and sprinkle with the jambalaya seasoning. Toss to coat.
• Add the fire-roasted tomatoes with their juices and the chicken broth. Stir well, making sure the rice is submerged in the liquid.
• Cover and bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165°F. If the rice is still firm, add a little hot broth if needed, cover, and continue baking.
• Remove the Covered Baker from the oven and stir gently.
• Pat the shrimp dry and lightly season with salt and pepper. Arrange over the jambalaya.
• Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for approximately 8–10 minutes, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
• Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir gently and finish with chopped parsley and sliced green onions.

Notes

EASY — Make It All Fresh

Chop the onion, celery, and bell pepper yourself. Cut the chicken, slice the sausage, press the garlic, and mix your own jambalaya seasoning. You’ll have complete control over the flavors and heat.

EASIER — Prep Earlier in the Day

Chop the vegetables, cut the chicken, slice the sausage, and mix the seasoning earlier in the day. Refrigerate everything separately. When dinner approaches, simply combine the ingredients, add the rice and liquids, and let the oven do the work. Add the shrimp during the final minutes of baking.

EASIEST — Let the Store Do the Work

Use frozen chopped onion and bell pepper, pre-cut chicken, peeled and deveined shrimp, and a good-quality Cajun or Creole seasoning blend. Choose pre-sliced smoked sausage if available. Check seasoning and sausage labels if you’re keeping the recipe gluten-free and dairy-free.

A Note About Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cooking

This Jambalaya is naturally dairy-free and can easily be gluten-free, too. Just check the labels on your smoked sausage, chicken broth, and seasonings to make sure they work for your needs.

One of the things I love about cooking at home is knowing exactly what’s going into dinner. You don’t have to sacrifice flavor to make a meal that works for everyone at your table.

Good Food Is Just the Beginning

Sunday’s Jambalaya was a reminder of why I love meals that can be prepared ahead. When the chopping is finished and dinner is in the oven, there’s time to watch the game, relax, and enjoy the people around the table. And that’s exactly how I approach entertaining.

My Complete Dinner Party Plans take the planning off your plate with a thoughtfully designed menu, tested recipes, a preparation timeline, a welcome cocktail, table inspiration, and little details that make the evening special. Because having people over should be something you look forward to, not something you recover from.

✨ Explore My Complete Dinner Party Plans

Pull Up a Chair!

If you love practical recipes, make-ahead shortcuts, and ideas for bringing people together around the table, I’d love to have you here.

I share recipes straight from my kitchen, entertaining inspiration, and simple ways to make gathering around the table a little easier.

Because great food brings people to the table. Meaningful moments keep them there.

Save me a bite!
Colleen 🥂

There are recipes I make once and think, “That was good!”

And then there are recipes that quietly become part of our regular dinner rotation. This is one of those recipes. My Sweet & Savory Old Bay Salmon with Roasted Asparagus is on repeat in our house because it checks all my weeknight-dinner boxes:

✅ It’s fast.
✅ It’s easy.
✅ It uses very few ingredients.
✅ It’s always delicious.

The combination of Old Bay and just a little brown sugar creates this wonderful sweet-savory coating on the salmon. Add asparagus to the same sheet pan, put the whole thing in the oven, and dinner is essentially done. One pan. About 20 minutes. Real food. Hard to argue with that.

The Dinner Doesn’t Have to Be Exactly the Same Every Time

One of the reasons I make this so often is because it’s incredibly easy to change. Serve it with roasted potatoes one night and rice another. Open a package of rice pilaf or risotto when you need dinner to be REALLY easy.

Have another seasoning blend in your cabinet that sounds good? Use it!

The salmon-and-asparagus combination gives you a great starting point. From there, dinner can change depending on what you have, what you’re craving and—perhaps most importantly—how much energy you have at 5:30. That’s real-life cooking.

A Lot of Good Stuff on One Sheet Pan

Salmon is one of my favorite proteins to put into regular rotation because it’s packed with nutrition.

It’s an excellent source of high-quality protein and is especially well known for its omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart and brain health. Salmon also provides nutrients including vitamin B12, selenium and vitamin D.

And don’t overlook the asparagus. Asparagus provides fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K, along with a variety of beneficial plant compounds.

Put the two together and you’ve got a nutrient-dense dinner made primarily from whole foods—and it doesn’t require an hour in the kitchen.

That’s another reminder that eating REAL food doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s salmon, asparagus, olive oil and a few seasonings tossed onto a sheet pan. Dinner can really be that simple.

Sweet & Savory Old Bay Salmon with Roasted Asparagus

Makes 4 servings

• 1 bunch asparagus, about 1 pound, woody ends trimmed
• 1½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 16 ounces salmon, cut into 4 (4-ounce) fillets if needed
• 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Place the asparagus on a sheet pan. Drizzle with ½ tablespoon olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
3. Arrange the salmon fillets on the same sheet pan. Drizzle the salmon with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and use a basting brush to spread it evenly. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
4. In a small bowl, combine the Old Bay seasoning and brown sugar. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the salmon.
5. Roast the salmon and asparagus for 15–20 minutes.
6. Check the asparagus at 15 minutes. If it’s roasted to your liking, remove it from the sheet pan and keep warm while the salmon finishes cooking.
7. Continue roasting the salmon as needed until it reaches 145°F in the thickest part.
8. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with your favorite side.

Easy. Easier. Easiest.

You know I am a BIG believer that there is more than one way to get dinner on the table. The goal isn’t to prove how much work you can do. The goal is to eat well and enjoy the meal.

✳️ EASY: Make the salmon and asparagus as written and add homemade roasted potatoes, rice or another favorite side.

✳️ EASIER: Prep and trim the asparagus earlier in the day and mix the Old Bay and brown sugar ahead of time. When dinner rolls around, everything goes straight onto the sheet pan.

✳️ EASIEST: Buy pre-trimmed asparagus and individually portioned salmon fillets, then serve them with a package of rice pilaf or prepared risotto. Dinner is practically done for you.

And yes, Easiest still counts as cooking dinner.

This Is How I Really Cook

I love a beautiful dinner party. I love setting the table, making a special cocktail and creating an entire evening around a meal. But that’s not how we eat every night.

Most nights, I want exactly what you probably want: good food that doesn’t make dinner feel like a project.

And here’s what I’ve learned after years and years in the kitchen: When everyday cooking feels manageable, entertaining starts to feel more manageable, too.

You become comfortable with a handful of reliable recipes. You learn where shortcuts actually help. You stop believing everything has to be homemade or complicated to be good. And suddenly inviting people to your table doesn’t seem quite so intimidating. That’s exactly what I want to help you do.

✨ If easier cooking and easier entertaining sound good to you, subscribe to Slice, Dice & Dish so you don’t miss my weekly recipes, practical kitchen shortcuts and entertaining ideas.

✨ And when you’re ready to invite people over, shop my Complete Dinner Party Plans. I’ve already figured out the menu, recipes, prep timeline, shopping list, styling, welcome cocktail, take-home gift—and those all-important Easy, Easier & Easiest shortcuts.

You don’t have to make entertaining complicated to make it special.

Because great food brings people to the table.
Meaningful moments keep them there.

Save me a bite!
Colleen🥂