15 Quick Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

1. One-Pan Garlic Lemon Chicken

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

• • 4 chicken thighs or breasts

• • 4 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 lemon, juiced

• • 2 tbsp olive oil

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat a skillet over medium heat.

1. 1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

1. 1. Add olive oil to the pan and brown the chicken on both sides, about 5-7 minutes.

1. 1. Stir in garlic and lemon juice. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked through, about 10 minutes.

1. 1. Garnish with parsley before serving. Enjoy!

2. 10-Minute Shrimp Tacos

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

• • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

• • 1 tsp chili powder

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • 4 small tortillas

• • 1 cup shredded cabbage

• • 1/2 cup salsa

Instructions:

1. 1. In a skillet, sauté shrimp with chili powder, salt, and pepper over medium-high heat until pink, about 5 minutes.

1. 1. Warm tortillas in a separate pan.

1. 1. Assemble tacos with shrimp, cabbage, and salsa. Serve immediately.

3. Veggie Stir-Fry

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• • 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)

• • 2 tbsp soy sauce

• • 1 tbsp olive oil

• • 1 tsp ginger, grated

• • 1 tsp garlic, minced

• • Cooked rice or quinoa for serving

Instructions:

1. 1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

1. 1. Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute.

1. 1. Add mixed vegetables and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.

1. 1. Stir in soy sauce and cook for another minute.

1. 1. Serve over rice or quinoa.

4. Beef and Broccoli

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

• • 1 lb flank steak, sliced thin

• • 2 cups broccoli florets

• • 1/4 cup soy sauce

• • 2 tbsp sesame oil

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Sauté the beef in sesame oil over medium-high heat until browned, about 5 minutes.

1. 1. Add garlic and broccoli, cooking until the broccoli is tender, about 5-7 minutes.

1. 1. Stir in soy sauce and cook for another 2 minutes. Serve hot.

5. Pasta Primavera

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

• • 8 oz pasta of choice

• • 2 cups mixed vegetables (zucchini, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes)

• • 1/4 cup olive oil

• • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Grated Parmesan for serving

Instructions:

1. 1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.

1. 1. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat, add vegetables and Italian seasoning, and sauté until tender.

1. 1. Drain pasta and mix with vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with Parmesan.

6. Mini Pita Pizzas

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• • 4 mini pitas

• • 1 cup pizza sauce

• • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

• • Assorted toppings (pepperoni, bell peppers, olives)

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

1. 1. Place pitas on a baking tray, spread with pizza sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and add toppings.

1. 1. Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Serve warm.

7. Chickpea Salad

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

• • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• • 1 cucumber, diced

• • 1/4 red onion, diced

• • 2 tbsp olive oil

• • Juice of 1 lemon

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion.

1. 1. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

1. 1. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to enhance flavors.

8. Quesadillas

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• • 4 flour tortillas

• • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)

• • 1 cup cooked chicken or beans (optional)

• • Salsa for serving

Instructions:

1. 1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.

1. 1. Place a tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle with cheese and chicken or beans if using.

1. 1. Top with another tortilla, cook until cheese melts, about 3-4 minutes per side.

1. 1. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa.

9. Baked Salmon with Asparagus

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

• • 2 salmon fillets

• • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed

• • 2 tbsp olive oil

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • 1 lemon, sliced

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

1. 1. On a baking sheet, place salmon and asparagus.

1. 1. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and place lemon slices on top.

1. 1. Bake for 15 minutes or until salmon is cooked through. Serve warm.

10. Instant Pot Chili

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

• • 1 lb ground beef or turkey

• • 1 can kidney beans

• • 1 can diced tomatoes

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 tbsp chili powder

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and brown the meat with onion.

1. 1. Add in beans, tomatoes, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Release pressure and serve.

11. Caprese Chicken

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

• • 2 chicken breasts

• • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• • 1 cup fresh mozzarella, cubed

• • Fresh basil leaves

• • Balsamic vinegar for drizzling

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook on a skillet until golden brown and cooked through.

1. 1. Add tomatoes and mozzarella on top and cover until cheese melts.

1. 1. Serve topped with basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

12. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

• • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

• • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

• • 1/4 cup celery, diced

• • 1/4 cup grapes, halved

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Leafy greens or bread for serving

Instructions:

1. 1. In a bowl, combine chicken, Greek yogurt, celery, grapes, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Serve on a bed of leafy greens or as a sandwich.

13. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

• • 2 sweet potatoes, cubed

• • 1 can black beans, rinsed

• • 1 tsp cumin

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • Corn tortillas

• • Avocado for topping

Instructions:

1. 1. Boil or steam sweet potatoes until tender, about 10 minutes.

1. 1. In a pan, mix sweet potatoes, black beans, cumin, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Serve in corn tortillas and top with avocado.

14. Fried Rice

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• • 3 cups cooked rice

• • 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)

• • 2 eggs, beaten

• • 3 tbsp soy sauce

• • 2 green onions, chopped

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pan, scramble eggs until cooked and set aside.

1. 1. Add vegetables to the pan and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.

1. 1. Add rice and soy sauce, stirring to combine, then fold in the scrambled eggs and green onions.

1. 1. Serve hot.

15. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• • 8 oz spaghetti

• • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• • 1/4 cup olive oil

• • Red pepper flakes to taste

• • Parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. 1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.

1. 1. In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until golden.

1. 1. Add red pepper flakes and cooked spaghetti, tossing to combine.

1. 1. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.