Crispy Veggie-Packed Dinners Better Than Takeout

Crispy Veggie-Packed Dinners are the perfect solution for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to getting that crispy texture is to not overcrowd the pan. The fresh veggies and warm, cozy spices will make your kitchen smell amazing. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy The Healthy Pantry Staple I Add to Ground Meat to Make Tacos, Chili and Pasta Sauce Stretch Further and I Tried the Viral Loaded Olive Oil Dip, and It’s Peak Summer Eating.

What You'll Need for Crispy Veggie-Packed Dinners Better Than Takeout

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Soy sauce
• Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
• Optional: Red pepper flakes

How to Make Crispy Veggie-Packed Dinners Better Than Takeout

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add zucchini and broccoli, and cook for another 3-5 minutes until tender.
3. Step 3: Stir in tomatoes, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until tomatoes start to soften.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch, soy sauce, and water. Pour into skillet and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Return chicken to skillet and stir to coat in sauce.
5. Step 5: Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes (optional). Serve hot and enjoy!

Storing & Reheating Crispy Veggie-Packed Dinners Better Than Takeout

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the chicken and vegetables ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. Cook as directed when ready to serve.

Freezing Crispy Veggie-Packed Dinners Better Than Takeout

Freeze cooked chicken separately for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, cut the chicken into smaller pieces.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken with your favorite protein, such as tofu, shrimp, or beef.
• Make-ahead: Cook the chicken and vegetables separately and store in the fridge. Reheat and combine when ready to serve.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or chicken broth.

Crispy Veggie-Packed Dinners Better Than Takeout

⏱

Prep

15 minutes

🍳

Cook

25 minutes

⏳

Total

40 minutes

🍽

Serves

4 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water

Seasonings

• Paprika
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Soy sauce

Optional Toppings

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add zucchini and broccoli, and cook for another 3-5 minutes until tender.
3. Step 3: Stir in tomatoes, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until tomatoes start to soften.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch, soy sauce, and water. Pour into skillet and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Return chicken to skillet and stir to coat in sauce.
5. Step 5: Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes (optional). Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

• Chef tip: For a quicker cooking time, cut the chicken into smaller pieces.
• Best substitution: Substitute chicken with your favorite protein, such as tofu, shrimp, or beef.
• Make-ahead: Cook the chicken and vegetables separately and store in the fridge. Reheat and combine when ready to serve.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or chicken broth.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken separately for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
• Make ahead: You can prepare the chicken and vegetables ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. Cook as directed when ready to serve.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 12g
• Carbs: 20g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 750mg
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sat. Fat: 2g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Crispy Veggie-Packed Dinners Better Than Takeout FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Veggie-Packed Dinners Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!