Introduction

As busy schedules dictate our daily lives, having quick and easy dinner ideas can save both time and energy. With a little creativity, you can whip up a delicious meal in no time. The following easy dinner recipes are perfect for those nights when you’re short on time but still want to provide your family with a nutritious and satisfying meal.

1. Skillet Chicken with Lemon Garlic Sauce

This is a simple yet flavorful dish that cooks up quickly in just one pan. This delicious skillet chicken combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with a zesty lemon garlic sauce.

Ingredients:

– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

– Salt and pepper

– 2 tbsp olive oil

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 1/2 cup chicken broth

– 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

– 2 tbsp butter

– Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions:

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side or until fully cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.

Lower the heat to medium-low, adding the minced garlic to the pan. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Add the chicken broth and lemon juice, cooking for another 3 minutes until it slightly thickens. Stir in the butter until fully combined.

Return chicken to the pan and cook for an additional minute to warm through. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

2. Shrimp Stir-Fry

This shrimp stir-fry is loaded with colorful veggies and succulent shrimp cooked in a savory sauce.

Ingredients:

– 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

– 2 tbsp vegetable oil

– 1 small yellow onion, sliced

– 1 bell pepper, sliced

– 2 cups broccoli florets

– 1/4 cup soy sauce

– 1/4 cup water

– 2 tbsp honey

– 1 tbsp cornstarch

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– Salt and pepper

Instructions:

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, honey, and cornstarch. Set aside.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp for 2 minutes on each side until pink; remove from pan and set aside.

Add more oil to the skillet if needed, and then sauté the onion, bell pepper, and broccoli for about 4 minutes until tender. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.

Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and cook until it thickens. Add in shrimp, cooking for another 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

3. Vegetarian Quesadillas

These tasty veggie quesadillas are loaded with flavorful veggies like black beans and avocado in gooey melted cheese.

Ingredients:

– 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas

– 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed

– 1 avocado, diced

– 1 cup corn kernels

– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

– Salsa, sour cream or guacamole for serving

Instructions:

Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Lay a tortilla flat into the pan.

Sprinkle approximately half of the tortilla with shredded cheese, followed by black beans, avocado cubes, and corn kernels.

Fold the tortilla over to cover the filling and press down gently with a spatula. Cook for about 2 minutes or until bottom is golden brown. Carefully flip quesadilla over to cook the other side for another minute or two.