Artificial intelligence has moved far beyond the classroom: it’s now stepping into the kitchen. From curating step-by-step recipes to generating ingredient lists for those recipes or even lists based on what is already in your fridge, AI is positioning itself as the modern chef. This technology promises convenience and creativity for those days you have absolutely no idea what to cook. However, are these recipes going to satisfy your cravings, or fall flat?

The Rise of AI in Everyday Life

We’ve all heard how artificial intelligence is being used to help with homework, writing essays and generating artwork. The kitchen, on the other hand, has traditionally been a space for creativity, intuition and community. Yet here we are, asking a chatbot for dinner ideas instead of our loved ones.

AI recipe tools work in fascinating but straightforward ways. You can input what you are craving or list the ingredients you have in your kitchen, and within seconds, a recipe is made. Step-by-step instructions, ingredient lists and even wine pairings — all neatly organized and ready to start. It’s kind of like having a digital chef right in your back pocket.

Not everyone sees this as revolutionary.

John Redman, a junior at the University of Miami, said, “AI is a useful tool, but it can be used to hurt your critical thinking skills for those who become too dependent on it.”

Putting AI to the Test

To discover whether AI has earned its chef’s hat, I decided to give ChatGPT full control over a dinner recipe for two. My only requirements were that it had to be simple enough for a weeknight meal but polished enough that I would feel good serving it to someone else.

The suggestion that it gave me was “Creamy Garlic Chicken with Rice.”

Here is the list of ingredients that ChatGPT calls for:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup uncooked jasmine or basmati rice
  2 cups chicken broth (or water)
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup heavy cream (or half & half)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

And here is the step-by-step guide provided by ChatGPT:

• Cook the rice
  • In a small pot, add rice and broth.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce to low, cover, and cook for ~15 minutes until tender.
• Cook the chicken
  • While rice cooks, season chicken with salt & pepper.
  • Heat olive oil/butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Cook chicken ~6–7 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Make the creamy garlic sauce
  • In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
  • Stir in cream and Parmesan, letting it simmer for ~3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Return chicken to the skillet and coat with sauce.
• Serve
  • Plate chicken with rice. Spoon extra sauce on top.
  • Garnish with parsley if desired

Dr. Kent Lancaster, a UM professor specializing in advertising, media planning and AI in communication, said that this kind of output is where AI can excel..

“AI can produce amazing results and do it quickly,” said Dr. Lancaster. “But whether the product is fully useful depends in large measure on the quality of the prompts.”

Flavor Check

Shopping for the ingredients was very straightforward. I was able to quickly buy everything that I didn’t already have at home, which made the process easy from the start.

Taste-wise, the results were impressive. The chicken was juicy, and the sauce had that classic garlicky parmesan flavor that you would expect from more well-known comfort food. At the same time, the flavors leaned more heavy. I found myself craving something lighter or fresher to balance out the intensity.

I ended up cooking extra chicken and decided to make more sauce to go with it. That’s when I noticed that the sauce thickened a lot as it sat, making it less saucy and harder to “spoon extra sauce on top” as the recipe had suggested. It was still very tasty, but it required a little improvisation to keep it from turning clumpy.

Something that was very new to me as a cook was making rice in chicken broth rather than seasoned water. This was something I thoroughly enjoyed, as it gave the rice a unique flavor that paired very well with the chicken’s flavors. This is definitely something that I am going to take with me moving forward.

Overall, the dish was satisfying and flavorful, but it underscored the fact that AI can give you a good framework. It doesn’t anticipate the small adjustments that humans can naturally make during the process.

Pros and Cons of AI Cooking

Cooking an AI-generated meal revealed both the strengths and limitations of the technology.

Pros:

• Convenience: All you need to do is share your ingredients, and you have a recipe. This is perfect for busy nights or when you lack inspiration.
• Clarity: Instructions are concise, organized and detailed.
• Reliability: It is always there if needed, and it provides simple flavors that are tasty.

Cons:

• Creativity: AI tends to rely on familiar flavor pairings rather than pushing boundaries.
• Personal Touch: A human might adapt the recipe based on their culture, local produce or tradition. AI can lean toward what it feels is the safest bet.
• Memory: A human tends to remember how a dish tastes and can modify it to add what is missing. AI cannot eat what it suggests and thus can’t learn from flavor the way we do.

Beyond the Dinner

There is still something exciting about the potential of AI. Imagine coming home after a long day, opening your fridge and letting AI transform the loose ends into a cohesive, delicious meal. No wasted food, mindless Googling or stress.

For beginner chefs, AI can serve as a training wheel, providing the confidence needed in the kitchen until you are ready to cook on your own. For experienced chefs, AI could act as an idea machine, suggesting combinations you might not think of when you are uninspired.

All things considered, it’s safe to say that a recipe by AI is worth trying. This is true especially if you prioritize convenience and success. However, it won’t replace cookbooks, chefs or the excitement of being in the kitchen.

Cooking is about more than following steps. It is about love, creativity and the memories and meaning we connect to meals. While AI can provide structure, it cannot replace the personal stories behind a family recipe or the uniqueness that comes with it.

words_alexandra yessios. design_charlotte deangelis & leah bahamonde.

This article was published in Distraction’s Fall 2025 print issue.

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