20 Healthy Easy Dinner Recipes (2024)

It’s that time of year when many people decide to either lose weight or clean up their diet.

Replacing Christmas cookies with more vegetables and cleaner food choices doesn’t have to be torture, boring, or bland. Nor does it have to be time-consuming or involve running to specialty grocery stores in search of the latest green magic powder that costs a bazillion dollars per serving.

20 Healthy Easy Dinner Recipes (1)

Enter these recipes. They’re easy, no specialty ingredients involved, most are ready in 30 minutes or less, and they’re healthy.

My definition of healthy means lots of vegetables, lean or plant-based protein (and eating vegetarian a few times per week if possible) a sauce that’s not thick or heavy, hold the pasta, and starchy carbs in moderation. It boils down to food that makes you feel great after you’ve eaten it.

If you’re the type of person who has to know the macro counts on everything you eat, there are online calculators that you can plug my recipe ingredients into and get the data you want.

Twelve Superfoods Salad – Trying to eat healthier? Make this easy, flavorful salad! Loaded with everything healthy and it tastes awesome! Kale, quinoa, edamame, blueberries, grapes, seeds, nuts, and more!

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Better-Than-Takeout Cashew Chicken–Juicy chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and crunchy cashews coated with the best garlicky soy sauce!! Skip takeout and make your own restaurant-quality meal that’s easy, ready in 20 minutes, and healthier!

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Weight Loss Vegetable Soup–Trying to shed some pounds or get healthier? Try this easy, flavorful soup that’s ready in 30 minutes and loaded with veggies! Very filling and hearty! Zero WW Smart Points!

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One-Skillet Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables – A tangy-sweet balsamic glaze coats juicy chicken and crisp-tender veggies! Healthy, easy, ready in 15 minutes, and perfect for busy weeknights!

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Lemon, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Almond Quinoa Salad–Fast, easy, and fresh! Bright flavors and loads of texture! This clean-eating salad keeps you full and satisfied! Healthy never tasted so good!

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Balsamic Chicken Caprese Salad–Juicy chicken coated in balsamic along with plump tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and basil! Easy, healthy, ready in 15 minutes!

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Loaded Chicken Enchilada Zucchini Boats–Skip enchilada wraps and use zucchini instead! Easy, healthier and there’s so much flavor between juicy chicken drenched in enchilada sauce, corn, and peppers!

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Easy Salmon and Potato Foil Packets–Juicy, moist salmon that’s loaded with flavor! Ready in 30 minutes, zero cleanup, and a foolproof way to cook salmon and look like a gourmet cook!

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Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Quinoa Salad (GF) – Trying to keep meals healthier and lighter? Make this easy, refreshing, and satisfying salad!

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Chicken Tortilla Lettuce Wraps–Filled with Mexican flavors, there’s taco-seasoned chicken, tomatoes, corn, peppers, cilantro, and cheese! Easy, healthy, ready in 10 minutes, and a family favorite!

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Easy 15-Minute Ranch Chicken and Vegetable Skillet – When you need a fast and easy dinner, this recipe is a keeper! Bold ranch flavor, adaptable to be made with your favorite veggies, and it’s healthy!

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Maple Barbeque-Glazed Salmon–The glaze is smoky and sweet with a bit of heat and makes this 15 minute recipe just pop!

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Chicken Orzo Salad – Juicy chicken tossed with orzo, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, and a super flavorful lemon vinaigrette!! Easy, healthy, ready in 30 minutes, and a perfect way to use your garden fresh veggies!

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Lime Cilantro Chicken with Mixed Rice and Black Beans–Easy, one skillet, 15-minute meal! Tons of textures and bold flavors in every bite! The lime makes this dish justpop!

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Skinny Broccoli and Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry–Skip takeout and make your own fast, easy, and healthy stir fry! Think of all the money and calories you’ll save!

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Honey Lemon-Glazed Salmon Salad–Coated with a tangy-sweet glaze that doubles as a light and bright salad vinaigrette! Fast, easy, fresh and healthy! An awesome 15-minute meal!

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Cheese, Black Beans, and Corn-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Crema (vegan, GF) – A healthy meal or hearty side that’s easy, ready in 15 minutes, satisfying, and doesn’t taste like health food!

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Buffalo Chicken Burrito Bowls–Juicy chicken along with your favorite burrito ingredients served in a bowl! Pile the toppings sky high and not worry about a wrap breaking, plus it’s a little healthier!! Easy and ready in 15 minutes!

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15-Minute Skinny Vegetable Soba Noodles–Comforting noodles in an Asian-flavored broth with crisp-tender veggies! An easy and filling recipe that’ll help you fit into your skinny jeans without sacrificing flavor!

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Easy Lemon Chicken with Caramelized Lemons –If you like lemons you’re going to love this very lemony LEMON chicken! Easy, healthy, ready in 20 minutes, and bursting with bold lemon flavor!

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20 Healthy Easy Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 healthiest dinners? ›

10 Simple Dinner Ideas for Healthy Eating in Real Life
  1. Stuffed sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beneficial nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber ( 1 ). ...
  2. Grain bowls. ...
  3. Veggie loaded frittatas. ...
  4. Dinner salad. ...
  5. Loaded brown rice pasta. ...
  6. One-pot soups. ...
  7. Curry. ...
  8. Burgers.
Jun 30, 2021

What is the easiest healthiest meal? ›

Sarah Brealey presents 25 simple suggestions for healthy meals.
  • Tuna and sweetcorn pasta.
  • Beans and greens.
  • Gazpacho.
  • Green beans with garlic and ginger.
  • Home-made tomato salsa.
  • White bean bruschetta.
  • Avocados with tuna.
  • Sweetcorn, tomato and avocado wrap.

What to eat at night for dinner healthy? ›

Limited fat and protein

At night, that could lead to uncomfortable symptoms like reflux or bloating, so you're better off eating carbs and a little protein, she says. For example, scrambled eggs with a side of fruit, a small salad with nuts and chickpeas, or a piece of chicken and steamed veggies.

What is a healthy food when you don't have time to cook? ›

Ways to Eat Healthy Without Having to Cook
  • Precooked Whole Grains. 1/13. ...
  • Frozen Veggies. 2/13. ...
  • Precooked Chicken Strips. 3/13. ...
  • That's a Wrap. 4/13. ...
  • Deli Chicken. 5/13. ...
  • Lower-Sodium Soups. 6/13. ...
  • Canned Salmon. 7/13. ...
  • Ready-to-Eat Boiled Eggs. 8/13.
Aug 28, 2023

What is the #1 healthiest food in the world? ›

Top 10 Foods for Health
  • Whole grains. ...
  • Beans and lentils. ...
  • Fish. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Winter squash. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Flaxseed, nuts and seeds. ...
  • Organic yogurt. Men and women between 19 and 50 years of age need 1000 milligrams of calcium a day and 1200 milligrams if 50 or older.

What are the 20 foods you should eat everyday? ›

20 healthy foods you should be eating
  • Leafy greens. Dark, leafy, green vegetables are nutrient-dense, containing a wide range of vitamins and minerals while being very low in calories. ...
  • Root vegetables. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Avocados. ...
  • Citrus fruits. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Apples. ...
  • Bananas.

What is the one food you should eat every day? ›

The healthiest foods and diets out there focus on real, whole foods: lots of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, healthy proteins and fats, and limited added sugar and sodium.

Which meal we should never skip? ›

Cause weight gain

But here's the deal, skipping breakfast will not make you skinny, rather it may contribute to your weight gain. Here's why: Regularly skipping breakfast can lead to overeating throughout the day, as we may compensate by grazing or consuming larger portions later on.

Which meal to skip for fat loss? ›

“It's possible that skipping dinner can result in weight loss. It's all about calories,” says Beal. “Eat less than you burn and you will lose weight.” And skipping a meal will shave between 252 calories and 350 calories off a person's daily energy intake on average, according to USDA data.

What is something easy to make for dinner? ›

Our Best Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes
  • Instant Pot Chicken Marinara With Polenta. ...
  • Broccoli Pesto Pasta. ...
  • Lemon Chicken. ...
  • Ratatouille Sheet Pan Dinner With Sausage. ...
  • Garlic Ginger Salmon en Papillote. ...
  • Baked Salmon with Grapefruit Salad.
Jun 10, 2024

What is the healthiest thing to eat in the middle of the night? ›

A nutritious late night snack, such as fruit, eggs, or edamame, may provide health benefits. Some foods contain compounds that might even help you sleep better. There is growing scientific evidence that eating too late at night could make it harder to manage your weight.

How to eat healthy cheaply? ›

19 Clever Ways to Eat Healthy on a Tight Budget
  1. Plan your meals. ...
  2. Stick to your grocery list. ...
  3. Cook at home. ...
  4. Cook large portions and use your leftovers. ...
  5. Don't shop when you're hungry. ...
  6. Buy whole foods. ...
  7. Buy generic brands. ...
  8. Avoid buying highly processed food.
May 24, 2021

What is the best meal for everyday? ›

What foods are healthy to eat every day? According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 , each day you should aim to eat a variety of fruit, vegetables, dairy, grains, and foods containing protein (either plant-based or from lean meats or fish).

What type of dinner is healthy? ›

Make half your meal vegetables or salad. Include a mix of types and colours over the week as different coloured vegetables have different nutrients. Extra vegetables can easily be added to sauces, stews and casseroles. Eat some wholemeal breads, pasta, rice or potatoes.

What is the unhealthiest dinner? ›

Worst Restaurant Meals
  • Ham and Cheese Omelet. 1/15. The Count: Approximately 512 calories, 37 grams of fat, 1,277 milligrams of sodium. ...
  • Chicken and Waffles. 2/15. ...
  • Bacon Double Cheeseburger. 3/15. ...
  • Baby Back Ribs (Full Rack) 4/15. ...
  • Chicken Alfredo. 5/15. ...
  • Pepperoni Stromboli. 6/15. ...
  • General Tso's Chicken. 7/15. ...
  • Beef Chimichangas. 8/15.
Mar 16, 2024

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