The Practical Pantry

Skillet Chicken and Rice

Skillet Ham with Cabbage and Potatoes

Skillet Spaghetti

Skillet meals are good for busy days because most don’t take a lot of time to prepare or cook. But beyond the ease, cooking all parts of the meal together in one pan allows those flavors to combine. This helps make an ordinary dish a little more special. Easier cleanup at the end of the meal is just a bonus.

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Skillet Chicken and Rice

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 10.75-ounce can condensed chicken broth, undiluted

3/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

3/4 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice

2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli flowerets

1/4 teaspoon paprika

Heat oil in skillet. Add chicken; cook until browned. Remove chicken; add broth, water, basil, and garlic powder. Heat to a boil; stir in rice. Cover and cook over low heat 5 minutes. Stir in broccoli. Add chicken; sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook until chicken and rice are done, about 15 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

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Keep an eye on this dish while it simmers and add more water if necessary.

Skillet Ham with Cabbage and Potatoes

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 onion, chopped

1 small head cabbage, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup water

3 large potatoes, sliced

Dash paprika

2 cups cubed cooked ham

In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté onions in the butter. When tender add cabbage and stir. Pour water over; cover and simmer gently on medium low for 10 minutes. Add potatoes and mix. Cover again; simmer 10 minutes longer. Sprinkle with paprika. Simmer, covered, until cabbage and potatoes are tender, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add ham and cook until heated through. Makes 4 servings.

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Skillet Spaghetti

1/2 pound ground beef

1/4 pound Italian sausage

1 15-ounce can tomato sauce

1 14.5-ounce can stewed tomatoes

1 cup water

1 4-ounce can mushroom stems and pieces, drained

2 celery ribs, sliced

4 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken in half

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large skillet, cook beef and sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until spaghetti is tender, about 15 minutes. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

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Pantry Pointers

To avoid overcooking a skillet meal, gather and prepare the ingredients before you start cooking.

A 12-inch skillet is a good general size for meal preparation.

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