20 Quick & Healthy Dinner Recipes for Busy Nights

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Stir-Fry

This vibrant dish combines tender shrimp with fresh vegetables for a meal that's ready in minutes and packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Stir in the shrimp and cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Add bell pepper and broccoli, continue to stir-fry for 5 minutes.
5. Drizzle with lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

Quinoa and Black Bean Tacos

These tacos are a protein-packed, vegetarian delight that can be on your table in no time.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 8 corn tortillas
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
2. Mix quinoa with black beans, cumin, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Warm tortillas on a skillet or in the microwave.
4. Fill each tortilla with the quinoa mixture and top with diced avocado.

Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast

This hearty, Mediterranean-inspired dish is both simple and satisfying for a busy evening.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Slice a pocket into each chicken breast.
3. Stuff with spinach and feta cheese, secure with toothpicks.
4. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe pan and sear chicken on both sides until golden.
5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

This low-carb, Italian-inspired meal comes together with a fresh, homemade pesto.

Ingredients:

• 4 zucchini, spiralized
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Blend basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor to make pesto.
2. Toss spiralized zucchini with pesto.
3. Season with salt and pepper, serve immediately.

Chickpea and Tomato Stew

This heartwarming stew is rich in plant-based protein and perfect for a quick dinner option.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
3. Add chickpeas, diced tomatoes, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa

A deliciously light and refreshing meal, this grilled salmon is paired with a zesty avocado salsa.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush salmon with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Grill salmon for about 4 minutes per side.
4. Combine avocado, red onion, and lime juice to make the salsa.
5. Serve salmon topped with avocado salsa.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas

These enchiladas are a satisfying and flavorful vegetarian option packed with nutrients.

Ingredients:

• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 cup enchilada sauce
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roast sweet potatoes on a baking sheet for 20 minutes.
3. Mix sweet potatoes with black beans, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill tortillas with the mixture, roll up, and place in a baking dish.
5. Pour enchilada sauce over and top with cheese.
6. Bake for 15 minutes.

One-Pan Mediterranean Baked Cod

This is a hassle-free dish that brings the flavors of the Mediterranean straight to your table.

Ingredients:

• 4 cod fillets
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place cod, cherry tomatoes, and olives in a baking dish.
3. Drizzle with olive oil, top with lemon slices, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry

This quick and healthy stir-fry swaps out rice for cauliflower for a low-carb meal full of vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, riced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add bell pepper and carrots, sauté until soft.
3. Stir in cauliflower rice and soy sauce, cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add green onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Bursting with flavor, these Thai chicken lettuce wraps are a healthy and refreshing dinner option.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 head butter lettuce

Cooking method:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute.
3. Stir in ground chicken, cook until browned.
4. Add soy sauce and lime juice, simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Spoon mixture into lettuce leaves and serve immediately.