Fast Dinner Ideas for Every Weekday
Pictured: Grilled Honey-Dijon Chicken
Life can get crazy around here as a full-time working mama and wife! I like to keep it simple during the week and opt for quick and easy dinner options. 80% of the time, these meals are on the healthier side, but the other 20% of the time, we have a pasta or pizza night. ;)
As I was typing all of this out, I realized we use a ton of bell peppers through the week. Our favorite ways to prepare them are roasting them in the oven or grilling them. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of raw bell peppers, but roasting/grilling takes them to a whole new level. This versatile veggie has three times more vitamin C than an orange per 1 cup serving. A small amount of vitamin C is lost when bell peppers are cooked, especially after steaming or boiling, but it’s still a nutritious (& very yummy) side.
Just a disclaimer: some of these meal ideas have more specific ingredients and instructions than others.This is to simply serve as a guide if you also live a busy life but want have more nutrient-dense dinners throughout the week. Feel free to modify the meals by adding or removing ingredients.
Meal 1
Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowl
honey-ginger teriyaki chicken, jasmine rice, and veggies
This teriyaki chicken rice bowl is a weekly ritual at our household. This mouthwatering dish never fails to satisfy our cravings, especially after a long day of hustling at work. The blend of succulent chicken marinated in a sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce, paired with a bed of fluffy white rice and a colorful array of crisp vegetables, creates a tantalizing fusion of tastes and textures. What makes it even more appealing is its simplicity. With just a few key ingredients and minimal effort, this dish comes together effortlessly, leaving us with more time to unwind and savor every delicious bite. It's no wonder this teriyaki chicken rice bowl has become our go-to comfort meal and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser week after week.
you will need
1lb chicken tenderloins or chicken breasts
1 cup + 1 tablespoon reduced sodium teriyaki sauce
2-3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon ground ginger
microwave-ready jasmine rice
Asian-style chopped salad kit
fruit to add to salad kit (clementine slices, Asian pear, or dragon fruit pair well)
½ English cucumber, diced
½ cup cashews
instructions
Prepare chicken and add to gallon-sized plastic bag. Pour 1 cup teriyaki sauce over chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes (I recommend doing this step the night before to save time and to let chicken thoroughly absorb marinade.)
Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side. In a small bowl, mix together additional teriyaki sauce, honey, and ginger. Drizzle honey-ginger sauce over chicken between flips. Once chicken is done (internal temp 165°), remove from grill and set aside.
Prepare salad kit as instructed. Add fruit, cucumber, and cashews (and any other fruits/vegetables you like to give it that extra razzle & dazzle). Toss.
Prepare rice as instructed.
Add rice, teriyaki chicken, & salad to a serving bowl. Enjoy!
Meal 2
Sheet Pan Dinner
beef kielbasa, baby carrots, Yukon gold potatoes, and green beans
Sheet pan meals are an absolute lifesaver when it comes to saving time in the kitchen. In our busy household, where everyone seems to be pulled in a million different directions, having a go-to sheet pan meal that we can rely on every week has been a game-changer. Not only does it simplify the cooking process, but it also minimizes the clean-up, which is a huge bonus. Our favorite sheet pan meal consists of a medley of seasoned vegetables and flavorful beef kielbasa cooked together to perfection on a single pan. With just a little prep and a brief stint in the oven, we have a delicious and well-balanced meal on the table in no time. It's a time-saving wonder that never fails to impress and satisfy our hungry family.
you will need
1 (12 oz) package beef polska kielbasa
2 cups baby carrots
1lb Yukon gold potatoes (about 2 medium-sized potatoes)
2 tablespoons olive oil
microwave steamer green beans
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons parsley
salt and pepper, to taste
instructions
Preheat oven to 375𝇈F.
Halve baby carrots and cut potatoes into 1” cubes. Line sheet pan with aluminum foil and add veggies. Drizzle olive oil, toss to coat, and evenly spread veggies on sheet pan. Sprinkle garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper to season.
Roast carrots and potatoes in oven for 20 minutes. Remove, flip, add sliced kielbasa, and roast for another 20-25 minutes until veggies are tender and golden brown.
Prepare green bean steamer as instructed on package. Prepare plate & enjoy!
Meal 3
Pasta Night
chicken florentine fettuccine and green beans
We have pasta night once a week in our home. One reason is that every balanced diet should include pasta ;) and the other is because it is super fast and easy! Lately, we have been enjoying RANA pasta kits. However, any pasta kit will work. I like to add a green side item, such as green beans or broccoli, for color and extra nutrients.
you will need
RANA chicken florentine fettuccine meal kit (or any other pasta meal kit)
green beans steamer
instructions
Prepare pasta as instructed on package.
Prepare green beans steamer as instructed on package.
Plate & enjoy!
Meal 4
Breakfast Bowl
eggs, rice, avocado, and tomato with fresh basil
I used to get SO excited as a child when my mom would tell me we were having breakfast for dinner. And I’m here to confirm that I still get just as excited in my adulthood.
Eggs and rice, a classic duo that takes me back to my college days when finances were tight, and time was a precious commodity. It was during those lean years that I discovered the beauty of this simple yet satisfying meal. With just a handful of inexpensive ingredients, I could whip up a plate of comfort and nostalgia in no time. The creamy yolk oozing onto a bed of fluffy rice never failed to bring me comfort and a sense of resourcefulness. Those humble evenings spent in the kitchen, concocting this tried and tested combination, served as a reminder of my determination and resilience during those formative years.
you will need
1 cup cooked minute rice or microwave-ready rice
eggs (number will vary depending on how many you want)
1 tomato
½ avocado
salt and pepper
optional: chopped basil for tomato
instructions
Preheat oven to 375𝇈F.
Slice bell peppers. Line sheet pan with aluminum foil. Drizzle olive oil, toss pepper slices to coat, and season with salt and pepper.
Roast peppers for 25 minutes. Flip halfway through cooking.
While bell peppers are roasting, prepare eggs however you like.
Prepare rice as instructed on package. Plate and enjoy!
Meal 5
Grilled Chicken + Veggie with Rice
honey-dijon grilled chicken, charred bell pepper, and rice
As the temperatures rise and the sun shines brightly, firing up the grill becomes a natural choice for outdoor cooking. One of the biggest advantages of grilling during this season is the reduced cook time. The direct heat of the grill quickly sears and cooks the food, resulting in deliciously juicy meats and perfectly charred vegetables in no time. Moreover, the minimal clean-up required is a bonus. Unlike indoor cooking, grilling doesn't leave behind a pile of pots and pans to scrub. Instead, a simple brush of the grill grates and a wipe down of the cooking surface is often all that's needed. With its shortened cook time and easy clean-up, grilling in the summer truly allows us to savor the flavors of the season without being tied down by lengthy preparations and extensive cleaning afterwards.
you will need
1lb chicken breasts
2 red/yellow/orange bell peppers, cut into quarters
1 tablespoon olive oil
rice side
instructions
Marinate chicken breasts for 1-2 days.
Grill chicken breasts for 7-8 minutes on each side or until an internal temperature of 165𝇈F is reached.
Drizzle olive oil over peppers, season with salt and pepper. Grill until lightly charred.
Prepare rice side as instructed. Plate & enjoy!
As a busy mom, quick and easy meals have become an essential part of my daily routine. With a whirlwind of responsibilities and limited time, I often find myself relying on these meals to keep my family nourished and satisfied. Whether it's a simple stir-fry, a hearty one-pot pasta, or a delicious sheet pan dinner, these quick meals allow me to balance my roles as a caregiver, homemaker, and professional. I hope these meals were able to serve as some inspo to help you do the same!