Recipe of the Week - One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken & Veggies: The Ultimate Stress-Free Dinner

I talked about this one on the blog this week because Midlife is Already Chaotic Enough—Dinner Shouldn’t Be

Let’s be real: By the time 5 PM rolls around, making dinner is the LAST thing you want to think about.

You’ve already answered a million questions, solved at least three minor crises, and somehow, despite being busy all day, you still feel like you got nothing done. And yet—somehow—you’re expected to put food on the table (again? Didn’t I just do this yesterday?).

That’s why I’m here to introduce you to your new weeknight dinner BFF—this One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken & Veggies.

It’s easy, healthy, packed with flavor, and best of all? Minimal dishes.

Because honestly, if a meal requires more than one pan and too many steps, I’m out.

Why You Need This Recipe in Your Life

✔️ It’s FAST. Just chop, toss, and bake—dinner is ready in 20 minutes.

✔️ It’s HEALTHY. Lean protein, fresh veggies, and good-for-you ingredients.

✔️ It’s EASY. No fancy cooking skills required. (If you can turn on an oven, you can make this.)

✔️ Minimal Cleanup. (Because no one wants to deal with a mountain of dishes after a long day.)

Plus, the lemon-garlic combo makes this meal feel fresh and flavorful—without needing a ton of ingredients. This is weeknight dinner MAGIC.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients:

✅ 2 chicken breasts (or thighs if you prefer)

✅ 1 zucchini, sliced

✅ 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color works—whatever is in your fridge!)

✅ 1 tbsp olive oil (because dry chicken is a crime)

✅ 2 cloves garlic, minced (or more, because let’s be honest, garlic is life)

✅ Juice of 1 lemon (fresh is best, but bottled works too in a pinch)

✅ Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make It in 4 Easy Steps

1️⃣ Toss everything on a baking sheet. (Yes, literally just throw it all on there—no need for extra bowls!).

2️⃣ Drizzle with olive oil & lemon juice. Give it a quick toss to coat everything evenly.

3️⃣ Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. (Use this time to do something for yourself—scroll TikTok, sip wine, stare at the wall in peace.)

4️⃣ Enjoy a stress-free, healthy meal with minimal dishes.

Bonus: No judgment if you eat it straight off the pan to avoid extra plates. I fully support your choices.

Make It Your Own (Easy Swaps & Add-Ons)

The beauty of this meal? You can customize it however you want.

🔥 Vegetarian? Swap the chicken for chickpeas or tofu.

🔥 Need more flavor? Add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning or paprika.

🔥 Want more crunch? Toss in some cherry tomatoes or asparagus.

🔥 Need carbs? Serve it over rice, quinoa, or with a slice of crusty bread.

This recipe is basically a blank canvas—use whatever you have and make it work for YOU.

Why This Meal is Perfect for Midlife Chaos

Let’s be honest, midlife is A LOT. Between work, kids (or grown kids who still ask what’s for dinner), unpredictable hormones, and just trying to survive another day without screaming into the void, dinner shouldn’t be another stressful decision.

That’s why I swear by one-pan meals.

They require ZERO brainpower. (Which, let’s be real, is running low by dinnertime.)
They keep you from grabbing takeout AGAIN. (Goodbye, UberEats guilt.)
They save you TIME. (Which means more minutes for YOU—not just taking care of everyone else.)

If dinner can be easy, healthy, AND delicious, I call that a midlife win.

My Final Thoughts: Dinner Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

If you’re tired of:

🚫 Overcomplicated recipes with 15 ingredients you don’t have

🚫 Spending an hour cooking after an exhausting day

🚫 Washing 500 dishes

Then this One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken & Veggies is about to become your go-to meal.

✔️ Fast.

✔️ Healthy.

✔️ Effortless.

Because let’s be honest—you have enough on your plate already.

Try it this week and let me know what you think!

📌 Join my Facebook group for more easy recipes, midlife survival tips, and support from women who GET IT: Click Here

📌 Need more quick & healthy meal ideas? Check out my website: HERE

Because midlife is chaotic enough—let’s not make dinner harder than it needs to be. ❤️