Bonus Recipe Card Collection Info

"3-Ingredient Weeknight Winners" Total Collection Time: Under 1 hour for all three recipes Perfect For: Busy weeknights, beginner cooks, meal prep Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate Equipment Needed: Basic pots, pans, and baking dish Meal Planning Suggestions: Monday: Prep chicken thighs to marinate overnight Tuesday: Bake honey soy chicken, serve with rice Wednesday: Quick garlic pasta with side salad Thursday: Fresh Caprese avocado as light dinner Friday: Leftover chicken in wraps or over greens Shopping List for All Three: Pasta (8 oz) Chicken thighs (6 pieces) Fresh garlic (1 bulb) Heavy cream (1/2 cup) Soy sauce (1 bottle) Honey (1 jar) Avocados (2 large) Fresh mozzarella (8 oz) Cherry tomatoes (1 container) Olive oil, salt, pepper (pantry staples)

What can I cook with three ingredients?

You can make plenty of delicious dishes with just three items! Start with easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners like honey soy chicken, garlic butter pasta, or mozzarella-stuffed avocado. These easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners save time and are perfect after a long day. Even if you're new to cooking, easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners are simple, quick, and satisfying. With a few pantry staples, you can turn almost anything into easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners that taste amazing.

What’s a good lazy dinner?

A good lazy dinner is something fast, filling, and stress-free—like easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners . Dishes such as creamy garlic pasta, baked chicken with honey soy sauce, or stuffed avocado are perfect easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners . They require minimal prep, almost no cleanup, and taste amazing. When you're tired or short on time, easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners are your go-to solution. Keep a few staples on hand and you’ll always be ready for an easy 3-ingredient meal for beginners , no effort required!

What is the easiest food item to make?

One of the easiest food items to make is anything from a list of easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners . Think scrambled eggs with cheese, peanut butter banana toast, or garlic butter pasta. These easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners require almost no cooking skills, minimal time, and deliver great flavor. Whether you're just learning to cook or want something fast, easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners are perfect. Start with pantry basics, and you’ll be surprised how many easy 3-ingredient meals for beginners you can make in minutes!

Q: Can I use coconut milk instead of heavy cream in the pasta?

A: Absolutely! Use canned coconut milk (the thick part) for the creamiest results. It adds a subtle tropical flavor that's surprisingly delicious with garlic. I've also tried cashew cream and oat milk – both work well, though the texture is slightly different.

Q: What if my avocados aren't ripe enough?

A: Place them in a paper bag with a banana overnight. The banana releases ethylene gas that speeds up ripening naturally. For super quick ripening, wrap them in newspaper and put them in a warm spot like on top of your refrigerator.

Q: Can I make the chicken thighs ahead of time?

A: Yes! They actually taste better the next day. Store in the fridge and reheat at 350°F for 10 minutes. The flavors really develop overnight. I often make a big batch on Sunday for easy weekday meals.

Q: Are these meals kid-friendly?

A: The pasta and chicken are huge hits with kids in my extended family. For picky eaters, you can serve the avocado components separately as a "build-your-own" plate. My niece loves assembling her own version.

Q: What about gluten-free options?

A: Use gluten-free pasta for the first recipe – chickpea or rice pasta work great. The texture is slightly different but just as delicious. The other two recipes are naturally gluten-free.

Q: Can I substitute ingredients for dietary restrictions?

A: Absolutely! For dairy-free pasta, use coconut cream. For the chicken, maple syrup works instead of honey for vegans (though you'd need a protein substitute). The avocado recipe is naturally vegan and can be made dairy-free with vegan mozzarella.

Q: How do I know when the chicken is properly cooked?

A: Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). The juices should run clear, and the meat should no longer be pink. If you don't have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part – no pink should remain.

Q: What's the shelf life of these prepared meals?

A: The pasta keeps 3-4 days in the fridge and reheats well. Chicken lasts 4-5 days refrigerated. The avocado dish should be eaten immediately or within a few hours to prevent browning.

Easy 3-Ingredient Meals for Beginners: No More Weeknight Kitchen Stress!

Description

These chicken thighs prove that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most impressive. The honey caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating a sticky, glossy glaze that looks like it came from an expensive restaurant. Bone-in thighs stay incredibly juicy and flavorful, making this a foolproof dinner that always delivers.

Ingredients

Scale

6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2–2.5 lbs)
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons honey

Salt and pepper for seasoning

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce and honey until well combined.
Place chicken thighs skin-side up in the prepared baking dish. Pour honey-soy mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is golden and caramelized.

Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with any pan juices.

Notes

Don’t skip drying the chicken – it helps achieve crispy skin
For extra flavor, marinate chicken in the sauce for 2-4 hours or overnight
Pan juices make an excellent sauce for rice or vegetables

Double the recipe easily for meal prep – keeps 4-5 days in fridge