5 Easy and Quick Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

5 Easy and Quick Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

Make dinnertime a breeze with these 5 time-saving recipes.  From chicken stir fry to garlic butter shrimp and asparagus and sheet-pan chicken fajitas, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner.  They require minimal prep and cooking time, so you can enjoy a homemade meal without the hassle.  

1. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Sheet pan meals are a lifesaver on busy nights. This chicken fajita recipe is full of flavor and can be on the table in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Tortillas and your favorite toppings (cheese, salsa, sour cream, etc.)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. On a large baking sheet, toss the chicken, bell peppers, and onion with olive oil and spices.
  3. Spread everything out in an even layer.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
  5. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.

2. One-Pot Spaghetti Carbonara

This creamy pasta dish is comforting and super quick to make. Plus, it only uses one pot, which means less cleanup!

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • 4 slices bacon, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions in a large pot. Drain and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
  3. Add garlic to the pot and sauté for about 1 minute.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmesan cheese, and cream.
  5. Return pasta to the pot. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the egg mixture until the pasta is well-coated.
  6. Add bacon, salt, and pepper, and toss to combine.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

3. Garlic Butter Shrimp and Asparagus

Shrimp cooks incredibly fast, making it perfect for a quick dinner. This garlic butter shrimp and asparagus dish is light, healthy, and ready in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add shrimp and asparagus to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until shrimp is pink and opaque and asparagus is tender.
  5. Squeeze lemon juice over the dish and garnish with parsley if desired.

4. Chicken Stir-Fry

Stir-fries are a great way to use up leftover vegetables. This chicken stir-fry is quick, versatile, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 carrot, julienned
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp grated ginger

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add garlic and ginger and sauté for about 1 minute.
  5. Add broccoli, bell peppers, and carrot. Cook for about 5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  6. Return chicken to the skillet. Add soy sauce and hoisin sauce and stir to combine.
  7. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well-coated and heated through.

5. Quick Beef Tacos

Tacos are always a hit and can be customized with your favorite toppings. This recipe is simple, flavorful, and perfect for a quick dinner.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef, chicken or turkey
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Taco shells or tortillas
  • Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, etc.

Instructions:

  1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Add taco seasoning and water to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  3. Warm taco shells or tortillas according to package instructions.
  4. Fill taco shells with the seasoned beef and your favorite toppings.
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