Try these quick 30-minute Christmas recipes perfect for last-minute cooks—easy chicken, ham, pasta, stuffing, and dessert ideas.

If you’re running behind on Christmas Day (we all do), these 30-minute Christmas recipes will save your entire holiday meal. Each recipe is quick, festive, and full of flavor—perfect for last-minute cooks who still want a beautiful, homemade feast without stress.

These dishes are easy enough for beginners, budget-friendly, and designed to taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. With only five ingredients in some cases and short cooking times, you’ll have Christmas dinner on the table before the carols finish playing.

1. 30-Minute Garlic Butter Christmas Chicken Skillet

A juicy, buttery chicken dish with festive herbs—perfect if you don’t have time for a full roast turkey.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp butter
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt & pepper
• Optional: ½ cup chicken broth or cream

Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.
2. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden.
4. Lower heat, add garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds.
5. Add broth or cream (optional) and simmer 3–4 minutes until thickened.
6. Spoon garlic butter over the chicken and serve.

Time-Saving Tips

• Pound chicken slightly to ensure fast, even cooking.
• Use pre-minced garlic to cut prep time.

Serve With

Mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed veggies.

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⭐ 2. 30-Minute Cranberry Orange Glazed Christmas Ham Slices

A quicker version of holiday ham—no oven needed and huge flavor.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 8–10 pre-cooked ham slices
• ½ cup cranberry sauce (fresh or canned)
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Add ham slices to a non-stick pan; warm for 2–3 minutes.
2. In a bowl, mix cranberry sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, and mustard.
3. Pour glaze over ham and cook 5–7 minutes until sticky and glossy.
4. Flip ham slices once so both sides glaze evenly.

Flavor Variations

• Add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth.
• Use maple syrup instead of sugar.

Why It Works

Ham is already cooked—you’re just glazing it!

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⭐ 3. Christmas Stuffing Cups (Baked in 20 Minutes)

Cute, crispy stuffing bites baked in a muffin tray for easy serving.

Ingredients (Makes 12 cups)

• 4 cups cubed bread (any kind)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Sauté onion and celery in butter for 3–4 minutes.
3. In a bowl, mix bread cubes, herbs, veggies, and broth.
4. Scoop mixture into a greased muffin tray.
5. Bake 15–18 minutes until tops are golden and crispy.

Pro Tips

• Use stale bread for best texture.
• Add cooked sausage for more flavor.

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⭐ 4. 30-Minute Creamy Christmas Alfredo Pasta

A rich, comforting pasta with a festive twist of garlic, nutmeg, and parmesan.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 300g fettuccine or spaghetti
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup cream
• ¾ cup grated parmesan
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Boil pasta (8–10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
2. In a pan, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
3. Add cream and simmer 2–3 minutes.
4. Stir in parmesan and nutmeg until smooth.
5. Toss pasta with sauce; add pasta water if needed.

Add-Ons

• Rotisserie chicken
• Spinach
• Mushrooms

Perfect For

A quick Christmas Eve or post-gift-opening meal.

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⭐ 5. 10-Minute Christmas Chocolate Peppermint Bark

A quick dessert that looks impressive and makes a great edible gift.

Ingredients

• 300g dark or milk chocolate
• 100g white chocolate
• ½ cup crushed candy canes
• ½ tsp peppermint extract (optional)

Instructions

1. Melt dark/milk chocolate in the microwave (stir every 20 seconds).
2. Spread on a parchment-lined tray.
3. Melt white chocolate; drizzle over the top.
4. Swirl with a spoon.
5. Sprinkle crushed candy canes.
6. Freeze 10 minutes and break into pieces.

Tips

• Use good-quality chocolate for best results.
• Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Read more Christmas Dinner Ideas

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Quick Menu: What You Can Make in 30 Minutes

Dish	Time	Difficulty
Garlic Butter Christmas Chicken	25 mins	Easy
Cranberry-Glazed Ham Slices	15 mins	Very easy
Stuffing Cups	20 mins	Easy
Creamy Christmas Alfredo	25 mins	Easy
Peppermint Bark	10 mins	Very easy

FAQs About 30-Minute Christmas Recipes

1. What can I cook last-minute for Christmas dinner?

Quick dishes like garlic butter chicken, glazed ham slices, stuffing cups, and fast pasta dishes are perfect for last-minute holiday meals.

2. Can Christmas dinner really be made in 30 minutes?

Yes! Using shortcuts like pre-cooked ham, boneless chicken, and fast-cooking pasta can deliver a full meal in under 30 minutes.

3. What dessert can I make quickly for Christmas?

Peppermint chocolate bark is the easiest—it takes only 10 minutes and looks festive.

4. What if I don’t have turkey for Christmas?

Chicken, ham slices, or even pasta dishes make excellent, faster alternatives.

5. What’s the fastest Christmas side dish?

Stuffing cups, garlic green beans, and mashed potatoes are all fast and holiday-friendly.

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