10+ Healthy Recipes Dinner: Delicious Ideas for a Nourishing Meal
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring or time-consuming. You can enjoy delicious meals that are also good for you, making it easier to stay on track with your health goals.
This article shares a variety of healthy dinner recipes that are simple to prepare. You can bring excitement back to your dinner table with these ideas.
Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight meals or something to impress guests, there are many tasty options to choose from.
1) Sazón Chicken Breasts
Sazón chicken breasts are a tasty and simple dinner option. Marinate the chicken in a sazón seasoning blend to add great flavor.
This method keeps the chicken juicy. Use boneless chicken breasts and a marinade with spices like garlic powder and cumin.
Add lime juice for extra zest if you like. Sear the chicken on the stovetop until golden brown.
Cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Serve with rice, vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons sazón seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the sazón seasoning, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the chicken breasts for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, until browned and cooked through.
2) Salmon with Olive Caper Relish
Salmon with olive caper relish is a healthy and tasty dinner. This dish is simple to prepare and packed with flavor.
The relish adds a fresh twist that pairs perfectly with salmon. Combine tomatoes, olives, red onion, parsley, capers, orange zest, salt, and pepper for the topping.
Bake the salmon for about 15-20 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Add the relish right before serving to keep the flavors vibrant.
Ingredients
- Salmon fillets
- Tomatoes
- Olives
- Red onion
- Fresh parsley
- Capers
- Orange zest
- Salt
- Pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the olive caper relish by mixing all the relish ingredients in a bowl.
- Place the salmon in a baking dish.
- Bake the salmon for 15-20 minutes.
- Top with the olive caper relish before serving.
3) Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Stuffed spaghetti squash is a delicious and healthy dinner. You can fill it with meat, vegetables, or a combination of both.
First, roast the spaghetti squash until tender. Let it cool, then scoop out the insides and mix them with your choice of filling.
Ground meat, mushrooms, and spices work well together. After filling the squash, bake it again until everything is heated through.
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken)
- 1 cup mushrooms, diced
- 1 cup spinach or kale
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut the spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
- Place it cut-side down on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 30-40 minutes until tender.
- In a skillet, cook the ground meat and mushrooms until done.
- Mix in spinach and seasonings.
- Scoop the spaghetti squash strands and mix with the filling.
- Fill the squash halves and return to the oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
4) Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili
Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili is a filling and easy meal. Using frozen corn and rotisserie chicken makes it quick to prepare.
Add cream and spices for richness. Customize with your favorite toppings like cheese or cilantro.
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: cheese, cilantro, jalapeños
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pot, combine the corn, chicken, and white beans over medium heat.
- Stir in the heavy cream and cumin, mixing well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat through until hot, about 5-7 minutes.
- Serve immediately, topped with your choice of toppings.
5) Veggie Fajitas
Veggie fajitas are a colorful and quick dinner. They are full of vegetables and flavor.
Use bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms as the main veggies. Add squash or zucchini for extra texture.
Serve the veggies in warm tortillas. Top with salsa, guacamole, or fresh cilantro.
Ingredients
- 1 bell pepper (any color)
- 1 onion
- 1 cup mushrooms
- 1 zucchini (optional)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortillas
Cooking Instructions
- Slice the bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
- Add the vegetables and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve in warm tortillas. Enjoy!
6) Baked Spaghetti Squash & Meatballs
Baked spaghetti squash and meatballs is a healthy meal option. It combines roasted squash, savory meatballs, and marinara sauce.
Roast your spaghetti squash until tender. Mix together meatball ingredients and shape them into balls.
Bake the meatballs until cooked through. Combine the squash strands with marinara sauce and top with the meatballs.
Sprinkle with cheese and bake until golden.
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for a low-carb option)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Italian seasoning to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds.
- Place the squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet.
- Roast for about 30-40 minutes until tender.
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and seasonings.
- Form meatballs and place them on another baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
- Scrape the squash strands with a fork and combine them with marinara sauce.
- Top with meatballs and sprinkle cheese.
- Bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted.
7) Honey Chipotle Shrimp Tacos
Honey chipotle shrimp tacos are an easy dinner. The shrimp cook in a sweet and spicy honey chipotle sauce.
Serve the shrimp in flour tortillas. Top with cotija cheese and crunchy lime slaw for extra texture.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 Tbsp. adobo sauce
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- Salt, to taste
- Flour tortillas
- Cotija cheese
- Lime slaw
Cooking Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the adobo sauce and honey together.
- Add the shrimp and salt, tossing to coat.
- Cook the shrimp in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C) until pink and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes.
- Serve shrimp in flour tortillas, topped with cotija cheese and lime slaw.
8) Smashed Cucumber and Chicken Salad
Smashed Cucumber and Chicken Salad is a refreshing and healthy dinner. It combines crunchy cucumbers with tender shredded chicken.
You’ll need cucumbers, shredded rotisserie chicken, and a flavorful dressing. Make the dressing with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
This recipe requires no cooking. Just chop the ingredients, mix them together, and enjoy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 large cucumbers
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Fresh herbs (like cilantro or mint)
Cooking Instructions
- Smash and peel the cucumbers, then chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
- Combine cucumbers with shredded chicken and the dressing.
- Toss in fresh herbs and serve chilled.
9) Green Goddess Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Green Goddess Chicken Salad Sandwiches are a tasty and healthy meal. They combine tender chicken with a creamy, herb-filled dressing.
Enjoy them on whole grain bread or lettuce leaves. The salad uses Greek yogurt, avocado, and fresh herbs.
It’s easy to make ahead for busy days. This option works well for lunch or a light dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Bread or lettuce leaves for serving
Cooking Instructions
- In a food processor, combine avocado, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, basil, dill, and salt.
- Blend until smooth.
- In a bowl, mix shredded chicken with the creamy dressing.
- Serve on your choice of bread or lettuce leaves.
10) Easy Instant Pot Chicken Juk with Scallion Sauce
Chicken juk is a warm and comforting rice porridge. You can easily make it in your Instant Pot.
Combine rice, chicken, vegetables, broth, and seasonings in the pot. Let the pressure cooker cook everything for you.
While it cooks, prepare a simple scallion sauce. This sauce adds a fresh kick to the dish.
Serve the juk hot. Drizzle the scallion sauce over the top.
Ingredients
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 pound chicken thighs
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 inch ginger, sliced
Cooking Instructions
-
Rinse the jasmine rice until the water runs clear.
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Add rice, chicken, broth, carrot, and ginger to the Instant Pot.
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Close the lid. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 20 minutes.
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Release the pressure. Stir the mixture well.
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Prepare the scallion sauce while the rice cooks.
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Serve the juk hot. Top it with scallions.