If you need quick dinner ideas in a pinch, try these delicious options! They’re much quicker than expected and sure to please the whole family!
This delicious and healthy orange chicken asparagus stir fry is packed with amazing flavors! Packed full of crispy light chicken pieces and crisp fresh asparagus in a tart naturally sweet sauce, you won’t believe all the delicious combinations!
Chicken Taco Bowls
Create this delicious dinner in no time using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, such as chicken, rice and vegetables – it will feel effortless. Plus it is an effective way to use up leftover chicken!
These healthy taco bowls will keep the whole family satisfied! Simply customize each protein and topping so everyone finds their ideal bowl. Try slow-cooker shredded chicken topped with salsa and taco seasoning or switch out brown rice for quinoa for low-carb options.
This is the ideal week night dinner. In less than half the time it would take you to order Mexican takeout, this easy mash-up will satisfy all your tastebuds in no time at all! Plus it makes an ideal recipe to keep in your freezer and have handy when life gets busy!
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
If you own an air fryer at home, try this quick and simple last-minute dinner recipe using just three ingredients for maximum convenience during busy weeknights.
These chicken legs will amaze you! Perfectly crunchy on the outside and juicy inside. Plus, their baking powder seasoning adds even more crunchiness! You won’t believe how irresistibly delicious these are!
This quick and delicious dinner is the perfect solution for busy families. Packed full of sweet and savory flavors, this quick meal will satisfy everyone in your household. Plus, leftover chicken from another recipe can be used in this dish by using a meat thermometer to ensure its completion before pairing it with rice and healthy slaw!
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This veggie-packed chicken tortilla soup is the ideal meal to keep on hand during busy days, easy to prepare either on the stove or crock pot and full of protein, veggies, beans and classic Mexican-inspired flavors to please everyone in your family.
For maximum flavor, combine regular or low-sodium chicken broth with fire roasted tomatoes, corn, and canned black beans as the basis of this delectable soup. Cook and shred chicken breasts before stirring in all other ingredients.
Serve the soup with homemade or store-bought tortilla strips (either homemade or store-bought will work), garnishing each serving with some sour cream or guacamole to add an extra special touch. Enjoy! This recipe can easily be doubled and frozen later; simply increase the chicken broth amount accordingly for proper liquid balance in your soup.
Pork Chops with Pineapple Chicken Salad
Meal planners sometimes look up at the clock and realize it’s nearly dinner time without an outline for their menu, which is when last-minute dinner ideas come in handy – these recipes require minimal ingredients so can easily fit into their schedules.
This pork chop recipe makes a quick and delicious meal in less than an hour, using sweet and sour sauce to transform an ordinary pork chop into something truly delightful. Serve it over rice with a side salad for a complete meal.
Upgrade your classic grilled cheese sandwiches by including crunchy vegetables, delicious deli meats and different cheeses – the kids will love this fun and creative option for quick dinner. Additionally, it makes for great lunchbox fuel; offering an appealing blend of flavors for every sandwich lover!
Pizza Quesadillas
When time is of the essence and dinner needs to get on the table quickly, these fast recipes that use pantry staples such as beans, eggs, rotisserie chicken and canned food are sure to save the day! From creamy and savory toast to spicy chili maple lime salmon bowls – these ideas help get dinner on the table without too much hassle.
For these pizza quesadillas (sometimes known as pizzadillas), spread one tortilla with cheese, add pepperoni slices and finish off by placing another sauce-side down tortilla on top. Cook on medium heat until the bottom tortilla turns golden-brown before flipping and cooking a few more minutes to ensure that all cheese has melted completely before turning over and flipping back on until both are golden brown and the cheese has fully melted.
Take the liberty of customizing these pizza quesadillas according to your family’s tastes! Choose your desired shredded cheese – mozzarella, pepper-jack, monterey jack, American cheddar or provolone are great choices.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken tortilla soup is an easy last-minute dinner recipe that can be prepared quickly – the hearty soup makes a heartwarming treat on cold winter nights!
Saute onions and jalapeno peppers (if adding) until tender before stirring in tomatoes, black beans, corn kernels and any additional seasonings. Bring to a boil before serving!
Cook the mixture until heated through, adding the shredded chicken and garnishing it with cilantro before serving.
Serve this delicious family-style meal with tortilla strips, sour cream, cheese, and avocado for a memorable family-style feast that is sure to please! Adding canned roasted red pepper will give it an extra punch of flavor; alternatively use rotisserie chicken as it cuts down cooking time!
Chicken and Vegetables
When dinner time rolls around and you find yourself without an idea for dinner, these easy chicken and vegetable recipes may provide a solution. With most using ingredients already present in your pantry or freezer, this quick dinner solution could take only 30 minutes to prepare!
Make this Mediterranean cauliflower “couscous” from To Her Core for an easy and low-cal vegetarian meal that is satisfying yet filling. Everything cooks together on one pan so clean-up time is minimal.
If you need something quick to eat, look no further than this delicious orange chicken asparagus stir fry recipe! With its light and refreshing sauce made of naturally sweet ingredients, it will please everyone in just 30 minutes. Plus, this makes an excellent freezer meal option! Simply prepare one batch ahead of time and store in your freezer ready for any busy night that comes along!
Sheet Pan Nachos
This quick and easy recipe features natural gluten-free ingredients for an unforgettable taste experience! Great for sharing with family members.
Oven-baked loaded sheet pan nachos make an easy weeknight dinner or game day appetizer. Simply layer tortilla chips, seasoned ground beef, beans, corn, sliced black olives and cheese onto a baking sheet before popping it in the oven until the cheese has melted – then finish it off with pico de gallo, scallions and jalapeno slices to finish it off and enjoy your tasty dish!
These healthy recipes are so quick and simple to make that they will become staples in your weekly meal plan! When it comes to last minute dinner planning during a hectic workday, last-minute dinner options like these can make life much simpler! Additionally, many pantry and freezer staples will ensure you always have most ingredients readily available.
Ground Beef Stroganoff
Make yourself cozy, satisfying and homemade ground beef stroganoff on any weeknight to have something hearty and comforting ready in no time. Begin by browning lean ground beef, onions, and garlic over medium heat before adding sliced mushrooms for 5 more minutes until softened and brown spots appear on them.
Add in some sour cream, chopped parsley and smoked paprika for an earthy and flavorful kick, before serving over golden egg noodles for an easy meal that will become one of your weekly favorites! Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to three to four days or reheat in the microwave if you can! Enjoy! – Emma of The Healthy Foodie.
Chicken and Vegetables
If you find yourself struggling for dinner ideas, look to your fridge. This one-pan chicken and vegetable dish uses pantry staples to create an enticing and tasty dinner option that is sure to please the entire family.
While your sweet potatoes roast, add several handfuls of vegetables and poultry to a skillet and quickly stir fry everything. This simple dinner can come together quickly for busy nights when cooking doesn’t sound appealing or takeout is too pricey to be considered an option.
Add some shredded chicken to this classic recipe for an unforgettable, hearty meal. Double the batch for lunches throughout the week if desired and use any excess vegetables that may be turning stale, while any extra tahini from homemade hummus lends its distinctive, rich, nutty taste to this entree.
