A nutritious dinner can be easy to make, and these recipes are proof. In just 25 minutes or less, you can prepare a delicious meal that’s low in carbs (at most 14 grams per serving) and high in protein (at least 15 grams per serving). These dishes are balanced with ample produce, lean proteins and healthy fats so you can enjoy a light yet satisfying dish that aligns with your nutritional goals. Recipes like our Sheet-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus or our Pork Chops with White Wine & Capers are healthy, tasty and quick to whip up.
Loaded Chicken Cutlets
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
These loaded chicken cutlets are an easy, all-in-one sheet-pan meal. Chopped broccoli is mixed with a creamy blend of cream cheese, shredded cheese and bacon for a savory topping that’s piled onto the chicken for a satisfying, veggie-packed twist on classic loaded cutlets. The dish comes together with minimal cleanup and is perfect for busy weeknights. A dollop of sour cream, more bacon and sliced scallions on top makes it even more delicious.
Bang Bang Chicken Salad
Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Julia Levy.
This bang bang chicken salad is a delicious dish that combines tender chicken with crisp chopped bell pepper, carrots and scallions. The star of the salad is the creamy, sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce, made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce and a hint of Sriracha for heat. It’s easy to prepare and makes a satisfying lunch, light dinner or appetizer served with crudités and crackers.
Spicy Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This shrimp gets its kick from Cajun seasoning—a zesty blend of paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Refrigerated cauliflower rice helps cut down on prep time, but if you can spare a few extra minutes, it’s easy to make your own. Pulse 1 pound fresh cauliflower florets in a food processor until chopped into rice-size pieces.
Pork Chops with White Wine & Capers
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Enjoy a restaurant-worthy dinner without leaving the house with these pork chops with white wine and caper sauce. Boneless pork chops are perfect for busy weeknights—they cook quickly and pair well with just about anything. Got extra capers on hand? They add a briny punch to tomato sauce, lemony seafood dishes or creamy dips mixed with fresh chopped herbs.
Sheet-Pan Balsamic Chicken & Asparagus
Ali Redmond
This chicken-and-asparagus recipe is a simple one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Chicken cutlets are coated in a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze, roasting right alongside tender asparagus for an easy, well-balanced dinner. If you don’t have chicken cutlets on hand, you can easily make your own by slicing two 8-ounce chicken breasts in half horizontally. The thin cut ensures quicker, more even cooking, so everything on the sheet pan finishes at the same time—perfect for a fuss-free, delicious dinner!
Skillet Bruschetta Chicken
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This flavorful skillet chicken bruschetta puts a tasty spin on a traditional dish. Drawing inspiration from the Italian appetizer, we replace the usual toasted bread with protein-packed chicken cutlets. The vibrant and juicy chopped tomato topping remains a constant, complemented by a drizzle of sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. For an added layer of flavor, serve topped with shaved Parmesan cheese or add some chopped olives to the tomato mixture for a briny kick.
Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken
Greg DuPree
Add this super-bright and citrusy lemon-herb roasted chicken to your weeknight routine, and you won’t be disappointed. The lemon slices in the bottom of the pan release their juice, shaping the base for the buttery, tangy sauce that’s drizzled on top. The light anise flavor of tarragon pairs well with chicken, but feel free to swap it out for another fresh herb like chives or parsley.
Easy Chicken Tenders with Lemon & Garlic
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
The secret to this easy chicken tenders recipe lies in the tangy lemon-and-garlic drizzle that picks up the savory flavors left in the pan from pan-searing. Pan-searing chicken tenders locks in moisture while crisping up the outside. If you’ve got extra time, let the chicken marinate in the dry rub for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. Feel free to experiment with other citrus flavors like oranges, mandarins or limes by swapping out the lemon zest and juice.
5-Ingredient Miso-Glazed Salmon
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This miso-glazed salmon is quick but jam-packed with flavor thanks to red miso, which has a stronger, more distinct flavor than sweet miso. You can easily double the recipe when serving guests without tacking on additional time. Serve with steamed broccolini and a side of brown rice.
15-Minute Pesto Shrimp
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This versatile and quick pesto shrimp can be served alongside a hunk of crusty bread, over pasta or rice, or even used as a topping for pizza. Look for shrimp that are free from preservatives, which can alter the texture and add sodium to the dish. We like the brightness and fresh flavor of refrigerated pesto, but a homemade classic basil pesto will make the dish extra special.
Skillet Lemon Chicken with Spinach
Diana Chistruga
This simple, ultra-quick chicken dinner—packed with spinach and peppers—is delicious on its own or served over brown rice or your favorite pasta.
Lemon-Balsamic Chicken Thighs
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
These quick lemon-balsamic chicken thighs are perfect for busy weeknights. The sweet and tangy onions complement the chicken that’s slathered in a buttery sauce.
Beef Stir-Fry with Baby Bok Choy & Ginger
Blaine Moats
All the ingredients for this easy beef stir-fry recipe are cooked in one wok (or skillet), so not only is the meal prep fast for this healthy dinner, but cleanup is quick too.
Homemade Chicken Tenders with Everything Bagel Seasoning over Salad
Using everything bagel spice is a quick way to season and add extra crunch to breadcrumbs for chicken tenders. If you can’t find any premixed, it’s easy to make your own to have on hand for quick and easy recipes like this chicken tender-topped salad that’s ready in just 25 minutes.
Creamy Maple-Dijon Chicken Cutlets
Brie Passano
These creamy maple-Dijon cutlets are the perfect combination of sweet and savory from the mustard and maple syrup. Pull together a simple side dish and you’ll have a satisfying dinner in 20 minutes or less.
Frittata with Asparagus, Leek & Ricotta
Serve this spring-vegetable-loaded frittata with an arugula salad and a hunk of crusty bread. Tip: This recipe cooks quickly, so be sure to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.
Skillet Lemon-Pepper Salmon
Simple ingredients like lemon, cracked black pepper and paprika completely awaken this fall-apart-tender salmon with a crispy exterior. Use this salmon to add protein to a grain bowl or salad, or enjoy alongside roasted veggies.
Grilled Flank Steak with Tomato Salad
Cutting the steak immediately after cooking breaks all the rules on meat cookery, but in this recipe we do it intentionally in order to capture the juices and incorporate them into the dressing. Serve this grilled flank steak recipe with crusty bread to soak up the deliciousness.
Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Quick-cooking chicken cutlets are coated in a garlic cream sauce, while spinach adds a boost of color and nutrition to this easy one-skillet recipe.
