19 Gourmet Meals That’ll Have You Saying, “Wait, I Made This?”

Ever made a meal so good you had to double-check that you actually cooked it? These 19 gourmet recipes are here to make that moment happen—without the stress, sweat, or a dozen failed attempts. Get ready to impress yourself (and everyone else) with dishes that look five-star but are secretly foolproof.

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice in Instant Pot. — Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Why cook chicken and rice separately when your Instant Pot does both at once? Get tender, flavorful chicken and fluffy rice in one go—with barely any effort. Set it, forget it, and have dinner on the table in 40 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Instant Pot Baby Back Rib dipped in barbeque sauce in a glass bowl — Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Skip the long smoke times—your Instant Pot makes insanely tender, flavor-packed baby back ribs in under an hour! Juicy, saucy, and BBQ-joint-level delicious, minus the wait.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Cast Iron Chicken Thigh in Creamy Tomato Sauce with a spoon in a cast iron skillet. — Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Tender chicken thighs simmered in a creamy tomato sauce—without the dairy! Made with simple ingredients, this one-skillet wonder is keto-friendly, gluten-free, and straight-up delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Air Fryer T-bone Steak

Think the grill is the only way to cook a T-bone? Think again! Your air fryer delivers a perfectly juicy, tender steak with zero guesswork. Once you try it, you might never go back!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer T-bone Steak

Easy Garlic Broiled Chicken Thighs

Broiling locks in all the flavor! In less than 25 minutes, you’ll have perfectly juicy chicken thighs with hints of lemon and garlic. Low-carb, easy, and a total weeknight win!
Get the Recipe: Easy Garlic Broiled Chicken Thighs

Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

This sheet pan chicken and veggies recipe is as easy as it gets. Toss, bake, and let the oven do the work—dinner is served!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

Keto Broccoli Cheese Casserole

This rich and creamy keto broccoli cheese casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Perfect for family dinners or potlucks—no one will even miss the carbs.
Get the Recipe: Keto Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Instant Pot Green Chicken Curry (Thai Green Curry Recipe)

This Thai Green Curry is rich, aromatic, and ready in no time thanks to the Instant Pot! Packed with tender chicken and bold flavors, it's a low-carb meal you’ll want on repeat. Slow cooker option included!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Green Chicken Curry (Thai Green Curry Recipe)

Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Honey Lemon Pepper Thighs with parsley on a white plate. — Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

These Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs are packed with flavor! A perfect balance of sweet honey, zesty lemon, and a touch of peppery heat—ideal for an easy, no-fuss dinner.
Get the Recipe: Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Skillet Chicken Thighs, Bacon, and Green Beans

This one-skillet chicken, bacon, and green beans recipe is the perfect balance of delicious and effortless. A healthy, satisfying meal in under 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Skillet Chicken Thighs, Bacon, and Green Beans

Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops

A spoonful of creamy vegetable stew with visible carrots, herbs, and a rich sauce highlights the simplicity of 10 skillet meals enjoyed any night of the week. — Easy Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

These Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops take juicy, brined chops and coat them in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and spinach. One bite, and you'll want this on repeat!
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables

A plate of cooked steak garnished with herbs, served with roasted potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, onions, and covered in a brown sauce. A fork is placed on the right side of the plate. — Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

These slow cooker pork chops come out fork-tender, juicy, and packed with flavor! Smothered in a rich mushroom and onion gravy, this no-fuss meal is pure comfort food.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables

Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

A dish of braised chicken, enhanced with 12 onion pieces, served with various small potatoes and garnished with herbs in a white bowl. — Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

This Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken is the ultimate comfort food! Juicy chicken thighs, caramelized onions, baby potatoes, and melty Gruyere cheese—all in one easy, hands-off meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos

Three tacos filled with shredded meat, slices of avocado, radishes, and other vegetables on a wooden board, garnished with lime wedges and served alongside a bowl of corn salsa. — Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Make the best carnitas tacos in a fraction of the time with your Instant Pot! Tender, citrusy pulled pork with crispy edges—perfect for Taco Tuesday (or any day!).
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos

Chicken Tikka Masala

In this delectable recipe, a black bowl contains rice topped with chunks of meat in a creamy orange curry sauce, garnished with cilantro. A piece of naan bread sits on the side, all presented on a dark surface. — Chicken Tikka Masala. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Why order takeout when you can make this easy Chicken Tikka Masala at home? Tender, yogurt-marinated chicken and a rich, creamy sauce—it’s an instant comfort food classic!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala

Tender Marinated London Broil Recipe

Slices of medium-rare beef steak being drizzled with a dark sauce, displayed on a wooden cutting board with a knife in the background. — Tender Marinated London Broil Recipe. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

The secret to this perfectly tender London Broil? A day of soaking in a balsamic-wine marinade! Simple, flavorful, and ready in no time—this is a dinner your taste buds will thank you for.
Get the Recipe: Tender Marinated London Broil Recipe

Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo

A picture of cabbage sausage white plate wooden fork. — Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Skip the pasta but keep all the creamy goodness! Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo is a 30-minute dinner that’s rich, hearty, and family-friendly—perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage Alfredo

Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with a cheesy, golden-brown lasagna garnished with fresh parsley leaves, just one of the 21 addictive casseroles you need to try. — Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole with broccoli, bacon, and ranch is a creamy, flavorful dish that comes together in minutes. The perfect meal for busy nights and picky eaters!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole

Shrimp and rice in a skillet. — Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

This Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole is the ultimate dish for those craving a little heat and a lot of flavor. Hearty, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying, it’s perfect for dinner!
Get the Recipe: Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole