Amazing Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes Dinner

Oh, I know that feeling! You get home, you’re starving, and the thought of pulling out three different pots and creating mountains of dishes just makes you want to order pizza. We all chase that perfect weeknight meal: something that tastes like you spent hours stirring and seasoning, but honestly, only took minimal effort. That’s where this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner) swoops in to save the day!

Seriously, mark my words, this combination is magic. It’s rich, it’s perfectly seasoned, and the cleanup is ridiculously easy. I actually developed this recipe during a super hectic season in my life. I was juggling a ton of writing deadlines, trying to stick to my wellness goals, but I just didn’t have the energy for big kitchen projects. Having this dinner ready felt like such a small, comforting victory. If you want to learn a little more about my journey in balancing food and wellness, check out my About Me page!

The smell of garlic and parmesan melting over tender chicken and crispy potatoes instantly makes my kitchen feel cozy. It proved to me that healthy cooking, the kind that truly satisfies, doesn’t have to be complicated at all.

Why This Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner) Works for Busy Nights

It’s all about streamlining the process, right? When time zips by and dinner needs to be on the table fast, you need a recipe that champions efficiency without sacrificing that ‘wow’ factor. I found that this dish is the perfect weeknight hero because it seriously cuts down on the kitchen chaos.

You’ll love it because:

• The prep is lightning fast—we’re talking under 15 minutes to get everything seasoned and ready to go.
• It relies on the oven and the air fryer working together, which means less time hovering over a hot stove.
• Cleanup? Oh my gosh, cleanup is minimal! Because it’s mostly contained, you’re not dealing with a sink full of pots. That just makes the whole eating experience better.

If you adore these simple, wholesome shortcuts, you should definitely check out my roundup of Wholesome One-Pan Dinners, and sometimes I even sneak in some Quick Easy Keto Recipes that feel just as hearty!

Gathering Ingredients for Your Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner)

Okay, let’s talk ingredients! This recipe is simple because it relies on pantry staples combined with one key flavor bomb. Remember, for success in any recipe, especially quick ones, having your ingredients ready to go makes all the difference. Since we’re using two cooking methods—air fryer and skillet—we’ll separate the list so you can prep each part without getting mixed up.

I promise, hitting those measurements exactly, especially for the seasonings, is how you get that fantastic depth of flavor we’re aiming for. If you’ve ever made my Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes, you’ll recognize some of the potato prep, but this time we’re kicking it up a notch!

For the Potatoes

For the potatoes, we’re using good old russets because they crisp up so nicely in the air fryer. Make sure you wash them well, but don’t worry too much about peeling them perfectly—I like leaving some skin on for texture!

• 4 small or medium-sized russet potatoes, ready to be cut into small cubes
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil (just enough to get everything coated!)
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to taste for roasting

For the Chicken Seasoning and Sauce

Here’s where the garlicky, cheesy goodness comes from! The cubed chicken gets a quick dry rub before hitting the buttered skillet. And yes, I use **Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce**—it makes this recipe foolproof, so don’t skip it or try to substitute too heavily here!

• 1 pound of chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 tablespoons of butter for cooking
• The seasoning blend: salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning—all needed in teaspoon/half-teaspoon amounts.
• 1 tablespoon of fresh minced garlic (this is crucial, it wakes up the sauce!)
• As needed: Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce to coat the chicken beautifully.
• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to seal the deal.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner)

Alright, let’s actually make this happen! This is what I love about this recipe—it’s not just one thing happening at once; it’s two things happening efficiently! We’re going to multitask like kitchen pros to get this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner) on the table in under an hour total.

Preparing and Cooking the Potatoes

First things first, get those potatoes ready because they take the longest. You need to wash them, peel them (or don’t, totally up to you!), and then chop them into cubes. Try to keep those cubes roughly the same size—this matters if you want them all perfectly *baked chicken* tender at the same time.

Toss those cubes with the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Once they’re looking nicely seasoned, straight into the air fryer they go! Set that air fryer to 400 degrees F and let them run for about 25 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through so they brown evenly. Now, this is key: once the potatoes have cooked for about 12 to 15 minutes, we pivot and start the chicken!

Cooking the Seasoned Chicken in the Skillet

While those potatoes are crunching away, cube up your chicken breasts. We are keeping this simple and flavorful, which is why this fits perfectly in the Chicken Breast Recipes category. Heat those two tablespoons of butter in your skillet over medium-high heat.

Now, season those cubes generously with the salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Get them into that hot butter and let them cook until they’re mostly done. Once they look cooked through, turn the heat down a bit. Add your tablespoon of minced garlic—be generous here, that fresh stuff is potent!—and then pour in that magic Garlic Parmesan sauce until every piece of chicken is coated. Give it a quick stir!

Combining and Finishing the Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner)

Time for the grand finale! Take your crispy potatoes right out of the air fryer and carefully dump them right into the skillet with your saucy chicken. Stir everything together until those potatoes soak up some of that incredible sauce. Next, sprinkle that cup of shredded mozzarella cheese right over the top of the whole mixture.

You have two ways to finish this gorgeous thing off. You can slide the whole skillet under the broiler for just a couple of minutes until that cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Careful with the broiler, it moves fast! Or, if you don’t want to crank up the broiler, just pop a tight lid on your skillet and let it rest on low heat on the stove until the cheese melts perfectly. Dust with parsley for that pretty finish, and you’re done!

Tips for Perfect Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner)

Even though this is a super easy recipe, I’ve learned a couple of little tricks over the past few months that just elevate the whole thing from good to *unforgettable*. Trust me, taking an extra minute or two on these steps prevents that sad “soggy potato” moment we all dread!

Here are my top tips for ensuring your Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner) comes out perfectly every single time:

• Potato Consistency is Everything: Seriously, take the time to cut your potatoes into uniform cubes. If you have some chunks the size of marbles and others that are practically slivers, the small ones will burn while the big ones are still chalky. Aim for pieces about 3/4-inch. That way, they all hit that perfect level of crisp-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside texture in the air fryer at the same time.
• Don’t Skimp on the Initial Chicken Sear: When you put the chicken in the butter, let it sit! Don’t start tossing it around immediately. You want that butter to start browning and that chicken to develop a little bit of color and crust *before* you dump in the sauce. That initial searing step is where a huge amount of flavor develops, which you can read more about in my post on Chicken Piccata with Lemon—it’s the same principle!
• Taste the Sauce *Before* You Mix It In: That bottled Garlic Parmesan sauce can vary wildly in saltiness depending on the brand. Taste a tiny bit of it off a spoon first. Then, season your dry chicken appropriately, but remember you can always add more salt later in the skillet. You *can’t* take it out once it’s overwhelmed by salty sauce! I usually add just three-quarters of the recommended spices to the chicken, then adjust after coating it in the sauce.
• Use High-Quality Parmesan: If you can, please grab a block of actual Parmesan cheese and shred it yourself instead of using the pre-grated, powdery stuff in the plastic shaker. The fresh stuff melts beautifully and integrates into the sauce without becoming grainy. It makes a huge difference when you’re broiling it at the end!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for This Recipe

I know that sometimes you open the fridge and realize you’re missing something, or maybe you just prefer a different cut of meat! Don’t panic; this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner) is wonderfully flexible, but a couple of ingredients are non-negotiables if you want that signature flavor.

The biggest flavor boost comes from using fresh minced garlic instead of just garlic powder, especially when we mix it in at the end with the butter and sauce. Powder is great for the potatoes, but that fresh stuff is pungent and brightens up the rich parmesan.

If you’re looking into different cuts, you absolutely don’t have to stick to breasts! If you have some lovely chicken thighs on hand, go for it! I have tons of tips on cooking those—you can find some pointers in my dedicated Chicken Thigh Recipes guide. Thighs are more forgiving, which is a bonus, but you might need to add about 5 to 7 extra minutes to their skillet cooking time since they are usually thicker and have more fat to render down.

What about the cheese? Mozzarella is essential for that stretchy, melty top layer, but if you want to deepen the flavor profile, you can swap out about half a cup of the mozzarella for freshly grated Parmesan cheese. You’ll get a much saltier, sharper, more authentic Italian flavor. Just be cautious if you do this, as it can make the dish saltier overall!

Storage and Reheating the Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner)

Part of eating healthy and staying on track during busy weeks is loving your leftovers, right? I always make sure to cook just a little extra of this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner) because having lunch ready the next day is such a huge time saver. This meal holds up really well, but you need to treat it right when storing and reheating if you want those potatoes to stay crispy!

When it comes to saving it, keep your leftovers in an airtight container. You want to keep the air out so the chicken stays juicy and the residual sauce doesn’t dry everything out in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for about three, maybe four days max!

Now, for reheating—this is where we say no to the microwave if we can help it! Microwaving this dish turns those perfectly roasted potatoes into soft little mush balls, and nobody wants that. If you have time, the oven or the air fryer is your best friend here. I know that sounds like work for leftovers, but trust me, it takes maybe ten minutes!

Reheating in the Oven or Air Fryer

If you’re reheating a single serving, tossing it back into the air fryer for about 5 to 7 minutes around 350 degrees F works great. It brings back a little bit of that surface crispiness.

For bigger batches, spread the leftovers out onto a baking sheet. Stick it in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. The dry heat keeps the chicken from steaming and allows the residual cheese bits to crisp up again. It honestly tastes almost freshly made this way!

If you absolutely *must* use the microwave—maybe you’re at the office, I get it!—just stick it in for 60 seconds, stir it halfway through, and accept that the potatoes will be softer. To try and salvage things, you can finish it in a tiny non-stick pan on the stove for a minute or two just to evaporate some of that moisture. For more tips on making dishes last, take a peek at my Chicken Zucchini Bake Recipe storage advice!

Serving Suggestions for Your One-Pan Meal

Okay, this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner) is absolutely a complete meal on its own—protein, starch, fat, flavor bomb—check, check, check! But honestly, sometimes I get a little overwhelmed by how rich and savory the parmesan sauce is. When that happens, I always reach for something light, something fresh, just to cut through that beautiful richness with a little bit of bright acidity or simple greenness.

You don’t need any complicated side dishes here; simplicity is the theme of the night! We want something that complements the garlic and cheese without competing with it.

My first go-to is always a quick blast of crisp green vegetables. If I want something fast and slightly crunchy, I whip up some Skillet Green Beans with Almonds. Just a quick sauté with a little oil, salt, and maybe a squeeze of lemon right at the end. That little bit of snap is the perfect textural contrast to the soft potatoes and tender chicken.

If I’m feeling like putting a tiny bit more effort in—maybe I actually *had* 18 minutes, not just 8—I love making a very simple, slightly acidic salad. Something that cleanses the palate between bites of that creamy garlic sauce.

A simple roasted vegetable salad is fantastic, too, if you still have some oven space to spare! I’ve made an amazing Roasted Beets and Carrots Salad that adds an earthy sweetness, though you have to make sure the chicken and potatoes are completely finished before baking the veggies, or you’ll end up with overcooked chicken while you wait for root vegetables to soften.

Honestly, though, even just some fresh steamed broccoli tossed with a tiny bit of olive oil and sea salt does the trick. The key takeaway is: add something green and something slightly acidic or bitter to balance out all that delicious cheesy goodness we smothered on top!

Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner)

Oh, I totally expected questions, because once you see how versatile this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner) is, you start wondering how else you can tweak it! It’s my goal to make sure you feel supported in the kitchen, even when you don’t have every single piece of equipment pulled out.

Let’s dive into what you might be wondering about the cooking methods and substitutions!

Can I use Chicken Breast Recipes or Thigh Recipes for this dish?

Absolutely, you can! I designed the recipe using chicken breasts because they cook fast and cube nicely, but this is where your Chicken Thigh Recipes knowledge comes into play. Chicken thighs, since they have more fat, end up incredibly juicy and flavorful, especially when swimming in that garlic parmesan pool.

The only thing you need to remember is timing. Thighs are sometimes a tiny bit thicker, even cubed, and they definitely release a bit more rendered fat into the skillet. Because of this, you might need to let them cook for an extra 5 to 7 minutes in that butter before you add the sauce and garlic. Taste test often! You want them fully cooked before you mix everything together.

Is this recipe suitable for Air Fryer Chicken only?

That’s a great question for those nights when you just don’t want to pull out the skillet! Yes, you can definitely make this work as an **Air Fryer Chicken** and potato meal, but you need one little adjustment in timing for the potatoes.

Since we use the skillet to toss everything together and melt the cheese, if you skip the skillet, you’ll need to finish the chicken and potatoes *together* in the air fryer. Here’s what you do: Cook the potatoes for about 15 minutes first. Then, toss the seasoned chicken pieces right in with the potatoes.

Cook them together for another 10 to 12 minutes until the chicken hits that safe internal temperature. Then, transfer the whole batch into an oven-safe air fryer basket or container you can put back in—or just move it to a small oven-safe dish. Top with mozzarella and broil on a low setting until the cheese melts. It takes a little more coordination, but you can totally achieve air fryer success without the stove!

If you’re looking for other amazing Skillet Chicken ideas that skip the air fryer entirely, I have a great Chicken Broccoli Skillet recipe you might look at!

Can I use the oven instead of the air fryer for the potatoes?

If your oven is already heating up for whatever reason, or you just don’t have an air fryer, you bet you can use the oven! We’re essentially making a variation of **Baked Chicken** and potatoes here. Toss the potatoes with their oil and seasoning just like the recipe says.

Instead of 400°F in the air fryer, spread the potatoes out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet (use parchment paper for faster cleanup, trust me!). Roast them at 425 degrees F for about 30 to 35 minutes. Since the heat source is wider in the oven, they take a little longer to get those crispy edges we love.

Once the potatoes are done, you can transfer them right onto the already-cooked chicken in your skillet, top with cheese, and finish it off as usual by broiling or covering!

What kind of Parmesan cheese should I use?

This matters more than you think! If you want that truly creamy, decadent cheesiness that makes this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner) so good, please skip the dried shaker stuff entirely. That powdery stuff often has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly.

You want freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ideally the block Parmigiano-Reggiano if you can find it. If you use the pre-shredded bags that *aren’t* the powdery shaker type (the refrigerated section ones), they work fine, but grating it yourself fresh makes the cheese melt into a beautiful, velvety sauce when combined with the butter and the moisture from the chicken.

Share Your Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner) Experience

Wow, we made it! We’ve gone from craving something easy to having a completely packed, flavorful meal ready to serve. That’s the power of good, reliable weeknight cooking, isn’t it? Now that you’ve tried making this Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes (One-Pan Dinner), I would absolutely *love* to hear what you thought!

Did the potatoes get crispy enough in your air fryer? Did you end up using breasts or thighs? I’m always tinkering, and hearing your real-world experiences helps me keep these recipes authentic and easy for everyone else reading!

I’ve poured a lot of love into making sure this recipe delivered on flavor without creating a sink full of dishes. If this meal saved your hectic evening, please consider leaving it a five-star rating right here on the site. It really helps other busy cooks find this solution!

And if you’ve got a trick you want to share—maybe you swapped out the mozzarella, or perhaps you found the perfect veggie side dish—drop a comment below! I love seeing your kitchen adventures. If you want to know more about me and what inspires these simple meals, you can always pop over to my About Us page!

Happy cooking, and I can’t wait to see your cheesy, garlicky creations!