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Welcome! Here are the kitchen tools, pantry staples, and meal prep/storage items I recommend for making my recipes faster, easier, and more consistent. These are reliable favorites I suggest often across the site.
Jump to: Kitchen Tools | Pantry Staples | Meal Prep/Storage
Kitchen Tools
Top Kitchen Essentials (Start Here)
These are the tools I recommend most for the recipes on this site.
Tip: Start with the thermometer + slow cooker—those are the biggest time-savers for chicken recipes.
Instant-read meat thermometer
The fastest way to cook chicken perfectly (juicy, not dry) every single time.
Slow cooker / Crockpot
Makes tender, flavorful chicken with almost no effort—perfect for busy days.
Large sheet pan
Great for easy baked chicken dinners and simple cleanup on one pan.
Wire rack for sheet pan
Helps chicken bake more evenly and stay crisp instead of sitting in juices.
12-inch skillet
Ideal for searing chicken and making creamy garlic-butter and parmesan sauces.
Chef’s knife
A sharp, comfortable knife makes prep faster and safer for everyday cooking.
Large cutting board
Gives you space to prep ingredients quickly without making a mess.
Measuring spoons + cups
Keeps seasonings and sauces consistent so your recipes turn out right every time.
Tongs
Makes flipping and handling chicken easy without tearing it apart.
Whisk
Helps sauces turn smooth and creamy (no lumps), especially for pan sauces.
Pantry Staples
Pantry Staples for My Chicken Recipes (Start Here)
These are the staples I use most in my top chicken recipes and sauces.
Olive oil
A reliable everyday cooking oil for sautéing, roasting, and marinades.
Salt + black pepper
Adds the right amount of heat and flavor to almost every savory recipe
Garlic powder
A quick flavor booster that works in rubs, soups, and creamy sauces.
Onion powder
Adds depth fast—especially great for chicken seasoning blends.
Paprika
Gives chicken great color and a mild smoky-sweet flavor.
Italian seasoning
An easy all-in-one blend for baked chicken and creamy skillet meals.
Chicken broth / stock
Key for white chicken chili and for making sauces taste homemade.
Cornstarch
Perfect for thickening sauces and helping coatings turn lightly crispy.
All-purpose flour
Useful for light dredging and for thickening sauces (great for chicken dishes).
Unsalted Butter
Essential for rich garlic-butter chicken and creamy pan sauces.
Parmesan cheese (for parmesan sauce)
Adds salty, savory flavor to creamy parmesan-style sauces.
Kosher Salt
The easiest way to boost flavor in chicken, soups, and sauces.
Meal Prep / Storage
Meal Prep & Storage Favorites (Start Here)
These help store chicken safely, prep lunches, and freeze leftovers without leaks or freezer burn.
Containers (Start Here)
Glass Meal Prep Containers (with lids)
Durable, reheat-friendly containers that are perfect for chicken meal prep and leftovers.
Soup Containers (leakproof)
Ideal for storing and transporting soups like white chicken chili without spills.
Freezer & Organization
Freezer Bags (or Reusable Freezer Bags)
Great for freezing cooked chicken or raw marinades while saving space in the freezer.
Label Stickers
Helps you date and organize meals so nothing gets forgotten in the fridge or freezer.
Permanent Marker
Makes labeling fast and readable—especially for freezer meals.
Large Food Storage Containers
Perfect for storing bigger batches from slow cooker recipes and meal-prep portions.
Batch Cooking Helpers
Reusable Parchment Paper or Foil
Speeds up prep and makes cleanup easier when batch cooking chicken.
Cooling Rack (for batch cooking)
Helps chicken cool quickly and evenly before storing so it stays fresh and not soggy.