10+ Easy Dinner Recipes Healthy for a Quick and Delicious Meal

Finding easy dinner recipes that are healthy can be a challenge, especially after a long day.

You want meals that are quick to prepare but still packed with nutrition to fuel your body.

Luckily, there are plenty of options that can fit into your busy schedule and support your health goals.

Embracing simple recipes can make your weeknights less stressful and more enjoyable. You’ll discover that healthy meals can be just as satisfying and delicious as any takeout.

With a little creativity and the right ingredients, you can create dinner that your whole family will love.

1) Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken is a delicious and healthy option for dinner. The bright flavors of lemon and fresh herbs make it a favorite.

This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a quick meal.

To start, marinate chicken in a mix of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and your choice of herbs like thyme and rosemary.

Let it sit for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor.

Grill the chicken over medium heat, around 350°F (175°C), for about 6-7 minutes on each side. The chicken should be cooked through and juicy.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the chicken breasts and coat well.
3. Marinate for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the grill to medium heat (350°F/175°C).
5. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side or until cooked through.

2) Quinoa & Avocado Salad

Quinoa and avocado salad is a refreshing and healthy meal option. It is packed with nutrients and flavors that you will enjoy.

This dish is not only easy to make, but it’s also perfect for a quick dinner or a light lunch.

To make this salad, you will need cooked quinoa, ripe avocado, fresh vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers, and a simple dressing.

The flavors blend well, making each bite delicious.

You can customize your salad by adding ingredients like chopped herbs or nuts. This gives it an extra crunch and taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of one lime
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, avocado, tomatoes, and cucumber.
2. In a separate small bowl, mix olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss.
4. Serve immediately or chill for a bit before serving.

3) Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry

Spicy shrimp stir fry is a quick and healthy dinner option. You can prepare it in about 20 minutes. It’s packed with flavor and full of colorful vegetables.

Start by heating some oil in a large skillet. Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink.

Toss in your favorite veggies, like bell peppers and snap peas, for extra crunch.

To add spice, mix in a sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, and a bit of chili paste. Stir everything together until the shrimp and veggies are well coated.

Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, snap peas, etc.)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili paste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
2. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink.
3. Toss in mixed vegetables and stir for another 3-4 minutes.
4. Add soy sauce, garlic, and chili paste. Stir to combine.
5. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

4) Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

Zucchini noodles, also known as zoodles, are a fantastic way to enjoy a healthy meal. They are light, fresh, and easy to make. Toss them with pesto for a quick dinner that’s packed with flavor.

To make this dish, spiralize fresh zucchini into noodle shapes. You can use a spiralizer or a vegetable peeler for this. Then, mix the zoodles with your favorite basil pesto.

Add cherry tomatoes for extra color and taste. This meal is low in calories and carbs, making it a great choice for anyone. You can serve it warm or cold!

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchinis
• 1 cup basil pesto
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Spiralize the zucchinis into noodles.
2. In a large bowl, combine zoodles and basil pesto.
3. Toss in cherry tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve immediately, either cold or warmed through.

5) Baked Salmon with Asparagus

Baked salmon with asparagus is a quick and healthy dinner option. This dish is flavorful and perfect for busy weeknights. You can have a nutritious meal ready in about 20-30 minutes.

To make this meal, you will need fresh salmon fillets and asparagus spears. The natural flavors come out beautifully with a bit of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

You can bake it all together on a sheet pan at 400°F (200°C) until the salmon is tender and flaky. The asparagus cooks to a nice crunch, complementing the fish.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 bunch of asparagus
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon and asparagus on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over them.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through.

6) Vegan Chickpea Curry

Vegan Chickpea Curry is a delicious and healthy dinner option. It’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. You can whip it up in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy weeknight.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need chickpeas, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, and various spices for flavor. This dish is warm and comforting, perfect for any time.

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft.
3. Stir in curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add chickpeas, coconut milk, and tomatoes.
5. Simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then serve hot.

7) Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are a tasty and healthy dinner option. You can fill them with a mix of lean meat, rice, or veggies for a balanced meal. They’re easy to customize based on what you have at home.

You can use ground turkey, chicken, or beef as your protein. Add in some tomatoes, onions, and spices for extra flavor.

These peppers cook quickly in the oven, making them perfect for a busy night. Baking them at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes will give you delicious results.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• Spices (like oregano and garlic powder)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
3. In a pan, cook the ground meat and onions until browned.
4. Mix in rice and tomatoes with spices.
5. Stuff the mixture into the peppers.
6. Place stuffed peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!

8) Lentil Soup with Vegetables

Lentil soup with vegetables is a tasty and healthy dinner option. It’s packed with fiber and nutrients, making it a great choice for any day. You can prepare it quickly with common ingredients.

To make this soup, gather lentils, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, and your favorite herbs. You might also want to add some greens like spinach or kale for extra nutrients.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup fresh spinach or kale
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (like thyme or parsley)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the lentils under cold water.
2. In a large pot, sauté the onions, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Stir in the lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes.
6. Add greens in the last 5 minutes.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs before serving.

9) Spinach & Feta Frittata

A Spinach and Feta Frittata is a quick and tasty dinner option. It’s perfect for busy nights and can be made in about 20 minutes. Using fresh spinach and creamy feta gives it a delicious flavor.

You can enjoy this dish warm or cold. It works well for any meal, even breakfast or brunch. Just mix your ingredients and bake until set.

Ingredients

• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
4. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Pour the egg mixture over the spinach, then sprinkle with feta cheese.
6. Cook for 2-3 minutes until edges firm up.
7. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until set.
8. Slice and serve warm or chilled. Enjoy!

10) Turkey & Black Bean Chili

This Turkey & Black Bean Chili is a simple dish that’s both healthy and delicious. It’s packed with protein and fiber, making it a great dinner choice. You can whip it up in one pot, which saves time on cleanup.

Start by cooking some ground turkey until it’s no longer pink. Then, add chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Sauté them until they soften.

Next, mix in chili powder, cumin, and oregano for flavor. Stir in black beans and crushed tomatoes. Add some stock or water to achieve the desired consistency.

Let it simmer so the flavors meld together. Serve this chili hot, topped with your favorite toppings like cheese or avocado.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup chicken stock or water

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, cook the ground turkey over medium heat until no longer pink.
2. Add chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté until softened.
3. Mix in chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in black beans and crushed tomatoes.
5. Add chicken stock or water to your desired consistency.
6. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes.
7. Serve hot with toppings if desired.