You are going to want to bookmark these Easy Healthy Dinner Ideas. This collection features quick and easy meals that all come together in under 30 minutes, making them the perfect recipes to turn to when you are short on time but still want to deliver a healthy dinner to your family.
When you are struggling with the age-old dinner dilemma of What to make for Dinner, I have you covered with the ultimate list of quick and healthy dinner recipes. While I have a lot of recipes for 30-minute meals, these are healthy, simple, family-approved recipes you can feel good about serving to your family.
And not only are these easy dinner ideas delicious and healthy, but they also are made with simple, pantry ingredients and don't require any fancy cooking skills, expensive kitchen tools, or exotic ingredients.
So let's skip the drive-thru and sit down together as a family and enjoy an easy, home-cooked meal that doesn't require hours of work!
Healthy Dinner Ideas for Families
No matter what you are in the mood for, you will find an easy healthy meal that will satisfy your craving below AND be on the table in under 30 minutes. Use the list below to search according to the protein you have on hand and you will be well on your way to sitting down to a wholesome dinner.
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Quick Dinner Ideas Using Chicken
Chicken breasts are a staple in many homes. They are economical, lean, and cook up fast, and the ways to use them are endless! But quick dinners don't just need to be limited to chicken breast. Chicken legs, chicken thighs, or ground chicken all can be used to whip up a stress-free weeknight meal. And one of my favorite proteins to utilize when making quick dinners is leftover rotisserie chicken. So let's get cooking!
Baked Pesto Chicken: With just a few ingredients and minutes of hands-on prep-work chicken breast is transformed into something spectacular!
Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken: This easy dinner recipe can be made with either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. It also happens to be a huge favorite with the kids--that sweet and tangy sauce wins them over every time!
Chicken Katsu: This recipe uses chicken breasts and is baked with a crispy, light breading and served with a sweet and tangy sauce. It is like a grown-up version of chicken nuggets dipped in ketchup--yet even the kids love it.
Easy Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu: This is the EASIEST way to make Chicken Cordon Bleu--simply layer and bake. No breading, no egg wash, just simple deliciousness and low-carb too.
Chicken Asparagus Stir fry: Stir fries are notoriously fast meals and this one can be whipped up in just 15 minutes. Made with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs, fresh asparagus, and a light and tangy sauce, this is a flavorful, healthy dinner recipe.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken: What would normally take hours to prepare, comes together quickly with the magic of the Instant Pot. This recipe may not be authentic, but the flavors are spot on!
Buffalo Chicken Salad: If you like Buffalo Chicken, you will FLIP for this take on salad. From the perfectly spiced chicken to the creamy dressing to the freshness of the greens, this salad is irresistibly good.
Orange Chicken: Bright, flavorful, and perfectly balanced, this Orange Chicken is a great way to add flavor to family meals. Have an Instant Pot? You may instead want to make Instant Pot Orange Chicken. Both options are easy and delicious--and much better for you than any take-out version.
Chicken Marsala: Who says, restaurant-quality dishes are time-consuming and hard to make? This recipe proves that theory wrong!
Buffalo Chicken Tacos: Add a little spice to dinner with this easy spin on tacos. This recipe uses leftover rotisserie chicken to create a flavorful, easy dinner in under 15 minutes.
Mediterranean Chicken and Rice Skillet: This is not a boring chicken and rice dish! Made with garlic, white wine, fresh thyme, spinach, tomatoes, and feta cheese, this chicken and rice skillet is full of flavor.
Honey Lemon Chicken Skillet: This one-pan chicken recipe is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! With just a handful of ingredients and in less than 20 minutes, chicken breasts cook up beautifully in a delicious honey lemon sauce.
Stir-Fried Chicken and Bok Choy: Full of veggies and a sweet and spicy sauce, this is another healthy chicken stir fry that comes together in under 15 minutes. It is full of flavor, yet light on the waistline!
Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes: Made with tender chicken breasts, crisp-tender green beans, sweet tomatoes, and an easy lemon-garlic pan sauce, this one-pan easy dinner recipe is ready in under 20 minutes!
Instant Pot Chicken Breasts: This recipe becomes a staple for anyone that gives it a try. The secret ingredient will knock your socks off!
Mexican Chicken Skillet: This is one of our all-time favorites. Sweet potatoes, black beans, and chicken breasts or chicken thighs are sauteed with taco seasonings to create a simple, yet flavorful dinner recipe.
Homemade Chicken Tenders: These chicken tenders are my kids' absolute favorite meal! They are baked to perfection and just as crispy as if they were fried. And so simple to make.
Instant Pot Chicken Tacos: These 4-ingredient Tacos are my go-to for busy nights! It is a dump-and-go recipe that delivers tremendous flavor in record time!
Chicken Orzo Soup: Yes! It is possible to make a delicious soup in under 30 minutes. This recipe for Chicken Orzo Soup is light, bright, and incredibly easy to make.
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup: This is another quick and easy soup recipe perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. It is made with pantry staples and fresh or frozen chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Flavorful and fast!
Air Fryer Chicken Breast: Made with a delicious dry rub this recipe results in juicy, flavorful, tender chicken breasts that are ready in less than 20 minutes.
Easy Family Meals Using Beef
Whether using ground beef or a lean cut of beef like flank steak or sirloin steak, these simple, wholesome recipes are a dream come true on busy weeknights.
Homemade Hamburger Helper: This hamburger helper tastes a MILLION times better than any boxed mix, but is just as easy to make. Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is just as good as well!
Healthy Sloppy Joes: Made with lean ground beef and a homemade sauce that is lower in sodium and better tasting than any jarred or canned sauce, these Sloppy Joes are a family favorite. I often sub half the meat for pinto beans for a cheaper, healthier version that still delivers incredible taste.
Taco Pasta: All the flavors of tacos in a delicious one-pot pasta meal. If you have an Instant Pot, you may prefer to make Instant Pot Taco Pasta--it is just as fast and delicious.
Hunan Beef: Made with tender flank steak, fresh vegetables, and a tangy Hunan sauce, you can enjoy a healthier, homemade version of a take-out favorite in just 30 minutes.
Beef Stroganoff: Classic beef stroganoff is lightened up but elevated in flavor. You will be blown away by just how good, yet light, this stroganoff recipe is. Or maybe you want to give Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff a try. In that recipe, the noodles and homemade sauce cook together for a one-pot meal that spells comfort.
Perfect Taco Meat: You just can't go wrong with tacos! And this recipe for taco meat uses a homemade blend of spices for the best taco meat that is low in fat and sodium.
Taco Salad: All the flavors of tacos in salad form, this recipe for Taco Salad is easy, healthy, and can be adapted for any dietary need! It is always a hit!
Instant Pot Spaghetti: This is the easiest version of spaghetti! Made with or without meat in a richly seasoned tomato sauce, this one-pot meal couldn't be an easier meal.
Easy Meals Using Pork
Pork tenderloin and pork loin chops are perfect for healthy weeknight meals. Both proteins are extremely lean and cook up super fast.
Instant Pot Pork Chops: No canned soups in this recipe! Instead, these lean pork chops cook up in a from-scratch, rich, yet light mushroom gravy, for a fast and easy family dinner.
Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin: Perfectly cooked pork tenderloin is paired with a delicious apple and sweet potato mash that is cooked all at the same time for an easy 30-minute meal.
Air Fryer Pork Chops: Lean pork loin chops are flavored with a simple rub and then air fried until slightly crispy, yet juicy. This simple dinner recipe comes together in under 20 minutes.
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin: Bacon and maple syrup make this pork tenderloin show-stopping! But it still is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Pork and Cabbage Skillet: Made with pork tenderloin and cabbages, it is the tangy mustard sauce really makes this simple, healthy meal memorable.
Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes Using Seafood
Fish is such an important staple in a healthy diet. You will love these easy recipes featuring seafood. They come together quickly to deliver a healthy, fresh, and flavorful easy dinner.
Baked Salmon: Made with a simple rub and baked quickly, this salmon recipe is not only tasty and healthy, but it is also easy to make.
Blackened Mahi Mahi: Talk about a flavorful and fast family meal! Made with homemade cajun seasoning and quickly pan-seared, you can use any fish you have on hand and have dinner ready in about 15 minutes.
Baked Fish Sticks: It is surprisingly easy to make fish sticks at home. And this easy recipe delivers crispy, flaky, baked fish sticks in just over 20 minutes.
Baked Coconut Shrimp: Classically heavy, this recipe for Coconut Shrimp is baked not fried, significantly reducing the fat and calories. It makes a fabulous quick dinner recipe, especially when paired with Pineapple Rice.
Quick & Easy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes
I turn to vegetarian dinners often during the week. Not only are meatless meals budget-friendly and typically healthier, but they are also often extremely quick to put together. These vegetarian dinners shine with flavor and make busy weeknights less stressful.
Pasta Primavera: This quick and easy pasta dinner is filled with crisp, tender vegetables and a light parmesan sauce. So simple and so good!
Thai Noodles: Such a healthy spin on a classic dish! This recipe comes together in just 15 minutes and is filled with tons of vegetables and a delicious peanut sauce.
Pasta with White Beans and Tomatoes: One of my favorite pasta recipes! This recipe only uses a few simple ingredients, but they really shine when combined together.
Kale Pasta: Such a simple meal that is surprising in taste! Made with pantry staples, this recipe is perfect for nights when you find yourself in need of something quick and tasty.
Skinny Fettucine Alfredo: Yes, you can have healthy fettuccine alfredo! This recipe is made with a lightened-up sauce, yet still creamy and comforting.
Tikka Masala: Made with cauliflower, chickpeas, and a flavorful spiced tomato sauce, this recipe can be prepared in under 30 minutes using either the stovetop or an Instant Pot.
Lentil Tacos: Dig out those dried lentils in your pantry and use them to whip up delicious tacos full of nutrients and tacos. This meal is cheap, easy, and healthy.
Baked Potato Soup: Most people think Potato Soup is super heavy, yet this recipe proves otherwise. It is light, healthy, hearty, and comes together quickly. It is the perfect easy dinner on a cold winter's night.
Black Bean Tacos: This recipe is ALMOST too easy to share. But that is exactly what we all need--easy, cheap meals. It is made with a can of beans, some seasonings, and taco shells. Who knew a can of beans and some spices could taste so flavorful?
Homemade Ramen: Made with rich mushroom broth and ramen noodles, this easy soup is better than any packet out there. Not to mention it is significantly lower in sodium and filled with fresh vegetables.
Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup: Save money and calories by making a copycat version of Panera's Broccoli Soup. Filled with broccoli and a creamy, cheesy broth, this Broccoli soup hits the spot on a cold day--and like all these recipes, it comes together in under 30 minutes.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Burritos: Sweet Potatoes and black beans pair PERFECTLY together, especially when seasoned with Southwestern spices. These easy burritos are filling and tasty!
Need More Ideas? Check out all my 30-Minute Dinner Recipes. Happy Cooking!