More than 50 quick and easy dinner recipes just about anyone can cook.
And they’re usually under 30 minutes! Check out the guided list below for tonight’s dinner idea.
Get the quick and easy fish taco recipe on Teal Notes
Quick and easy dinner recipes are a great thing to have on hand if you’re in a bit of a hurry and don’t have too much patience. And let’s face it, even on our best days, that can be a lot of us.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t still eat an awesome quick weeknight dinner that’s both good and filling. And hey, you can always eat the leftovers over the weekend and take some much needed ‘you’ time.
How to cook faster at home
The perfect quick recipe isn’t the only thing you need on hand if you’re trying to create a meal in no time. Sometimes investing in a good set of utensils and best practices can definitely help you cook faster. Here are some quick pointers on how.
1.Prep ahead as much as you can
One of the best things you can do to prep for an easier time cooking dinner is making sure you’re prepping ahead as much as possible. This might mean pre-cutting veggies beforehand. Or even organizing the spice mess in your pantry on a lazy susan.
2. Keep a running list of your favorite recipes in a personal cooking journal
One of my favorite things to do is keep a record of as many helpful things as possible. And when I find dinner recipes worth keeping I make sure to quickly write them out and keep them in my printable planner whenever I get the chance. This way I also memorize my very favorites too.
3. Invest in glass Tupperware and sharp utensils
The reason you want to invest in glass Tupperware is that you’ll have an easier time washing dishes. If you’ve ever put away food in plastic Tupperware you probably know how much of a nightmare they are to de-grease. You’ll have a much easier time in the kitchen with glassware and also investing in a decent set of long-lasting sharp knives. They’re a lifesaver when you’re in a hurry.
4. Create a dinner rule
Hey, maybe cooking dinner isn’t your strong suit. But to keep yourself motivated to cook more meals at home which saves you money and keeps you healthier in the long run, reward yourself every time you successfully make a full meal. Have a little fun w it and call it your ‘dinner rule.’
5. Don’t shy away from repurposing leftovers
Lots of different leftovers can come right back to life if you’re just a little creative about how you repurpose them. You can either incorporate them as a side on your dinner plate or blend them in w totally new ingredients for a fresh twist.
6. Separate your meats as soon as you buy them
This is an ABSOLUTE life-saver I only started doing recently. To save you time when you’re in the middle of cooking dinner, make sure you separate your meats as soon as you purchase them and bring them home. For example, I buy chicken breasts in bulk. As soon as I get home I separate them into sets of two onto a sheet of cling wrap and throw them in the fridge. You can do this if you bulk buy ground beef too. It’s an absolute time-saver and the meat thaws faster in case you forgot to take it out beforehand.
Now click on each category to find what you’re craving for tonight!
Table Of Contents
QUICK AND EASY CHICKEN RECIPES
15 min. honey garlic chicken
Prep time: 5 min.
Cook time: 10 min.
Get the recipe on Family Food On The Table
Easy recipes aren’t hard to come by. It’s just that it can be hard to come up with them on the stop. But that’s what this list is exactly for. To inspire you to create awesome quick and easy dinner recipes you don’t have to kill yourself making. Like this honey garlic chicken!
Green chili chicken
Prep time: 10 min.
Cook time: 15 min.
Get the recipe on Teal Notes
Dinner recipes with chicken are a dime a dozen, so how can you choose which recipe to make for tonight? I say go by what your hungry eyeballs dictate, unless of course, you’re on a special diet. This green chicken chili is basically eye candy and begging to be made.
Last-minute chicken recipe
Prep time: 5 min.
Cook time: 10 min.
Get the recipe on I Wash You Dry
There’s literally nothing that looks last minute for this quick chicken dinner recipe. I mean just look at that plate in all it’s chickeny glory! In terms of dinner recipes? This one’s a winner and worthy of going in your personal cookbook.
15 min. chicken pasta
Prep time: 5 min.
Cook time: 10 min.
Get the recipe on Gimme Delicious
You can hardly go wrong with a good old chicken pasta melt. Especially when it only takes all but 15 minutes to make? Top it with your favorite dinner cheese and you’re good to go for the week.
Easy white chicken chili
Prep time: 10 min.
Cook time: 30 min.
Get the recipe on Teal Notes
This white chicken chili recipe could easily be a quick and easy dinner recipe for one. Because you can make a batch and then easily put it away for leftovers later (or for a work lunch). The best part of it is the cheese you get to sprinkle on top. Absolutely delicious!
One sheet pan chicken fried rice
Prep time: 5 min.
Cook time: 15 min.
Get the recipe on Creme De La Crumb
Can you believe this only takes about 20 minutes to put together? And it looks absolutely delicious. Season it with your favorite spices, make a hefty pan of it, and your dinner is ready to be served in no time.
Mozzarella chicken skillet
Cook time: 15 min.
Get the recipe on Kim’s Cravings
You can’t go wrong with dinner recipes like these. If you guessed ‘ones with pasta’ then you’re absolutely right. Add some chicken and cheese and being full will soon be an understatement. It’s a super quick and easy light dinner.
Creamy herb chicken
Prep time: 10 min.
Cook time: 20 min.
Get the recipe on Cafe Delites
Yummy, creamy herby chicken with a delicious sauce (that would go great with some white rice by the way). If you have some chicken breasts sitting around then this might just be your go to dinner for the night.
Chicken curry
Prep time: 20 min.
Cook time: 20 min.
Get the recipe on Cooking Classy
Creamy, full of curry, and oh so good. This dinner idea is sure not to disappoint. Especially when it only takes about 20 minutes to cook fully. Add some delicious garlic naan to the mix and you’re ready to serve a delicious family dinner.
One-pot chicken and rice casserole
Prep time: 10 min.
Cook time: 30 min.
Get the recipe on Kroll’s Corner
Chicken and rice are two basic pantry staples you can’t go wrong with, even if you’re trying to eat healthier. This recipe shows you how to mix the two to get a yummy dinner.
QUICK PASTA RECIPES
Easy pasta carbonara
Prep time: 5 min.
Cook time: 15 min.
Get the recipe on Teal Notes
If you’ve ever heard of a struggle meal then this one is most definitely for you. It’s my version of a cheaper and quick dinner idea when you don’t have much in the pantry. You can modify the ingredients to your liking for the best tasting ‘pasta carbonara’ possible.
One-pot garlic parmesan pasta
Prep time: 10 min.
Cook time: 20 min.
Get the recipe on Damn Delicious
The great thing about one-pot dinners is that, well, they only take one pot to make. And you aren’t left with a pile of dishes to have to clean later. That’s a total dinner recipe win-win and there are TONS of different one-pot dinners out there you can make. You can totally