We’ve all been there: it gets to 5pm, your stomach rumbles and you need dinner ASAP. But, sometimes, it can be a struggle to combine healthy dinners that are also quick and, most importantly, delicious. These days, it’s easy to chuck something in from the freezer or order a takeaway, but let’s face it – both of these things can leave us feeling unsatisfied and a little low.
Healthy dinners – despite what you might think – don’t need to take hours and hours, or involve lots of unusual ingredients and spices. One-pot meals or roasting tin dinners (where you just chuck everything into one dish and let the oven do the work) are quick and easy solutions for anyone who wants to eat nutritious food made from scratch with minimal effort.
And remember, good food = good mood (or so the experts say), and making a healthy dinner doesn’t mean you have to miss out on flavour. Healthy meals can come in the form of burgers, hot steaming stews, tacos and curries – basically anything that takes your fancy
TIP: Plan out your dinners at the start of the week and shop for exactly what you need. This will save you time, money and a whole lot of stress (and makes healthy eating much easier).
Lacking inspiration? Keep scrolling for balanced meals that are good for our taste buds, mood and macros (and even have the bonus of lots of plant points)...
Best healthy dinner recipes to try tonight
Garlic chicken with giant couscous
Surprisingly, giant couscous is an unexpected source of protein, providing just over 3g per serving. Pair it with chicken breast, a protein powerhouse with around 30g per portion, and you’ve got a brilliant macro-meeting dish. This healthy dinner is not only quick to make but also delicious.
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Healthy salmon en croûte
A salmon en croûte is often only enjoyed at a dinner party, but we think it's ideal for meal prepping to eat throughout the week. Our healthy version swaps out puff pastry for filo and uses low-fat cream cheese and kale making it a top-tier easy dinner.
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Smoky chicken quinoa soup
This delicious smoky chicken quinoa soup recipe packs in 42g of protein and 12g of fibre per serving for a healthy and quick lunch or dinner.
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Healthy fish stew
This Mediterranean-style fish stew is really easy, really flavourful, and most of all – super healthy. We left out traditional ingredients like saffron to make it more affordable, so your purse will thank you!
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Jalapeño roast chicken with wedges and watercress
A glow-up on a roast, this dish not only makes the perfect Sunday lunch, it's even great for your meal prep! Quick and easy, it's high in nutritional benefits and protein.
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Protein-packed salmon burger
Give burgers a boost by using salmon for the patty and piling the crunchy greens high. A tangy, lemony yoghurt sauce makes each bite sing.
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Chicken soba ramen
This chicken noodle broth is heavenly on cold days and gives you an immediate feel-good feeling. This recipe uses a lot of specialised Japanese ingredients, but we think they're worth the investment to use again and again.
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Crunchy sesame chicken and bulgar bowl
If you want dinner ready in 10 minutes and fancy a Pad Thai, this is one for you. All the basics of the classic noodle dish are in here: there's chicken for a protein punch, savoury peanuts and fresh, crunchy carrots, spinach, and spring onion, all doused in a sesame and soy dressing.
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Coconut fish curry
This fish curry is full of gorgeous spices like fenugreek powder, cumin and red chillies. Use whatever white fish you want, but we opted for cod. We all use whole coconut milk as we love the flavour, but swap for reduced fat if you prefer.
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Salmon and tomato traybake
Ready in 30 minutes, this tray bake makes the perfect speedy dinner. We recommend serving alongside steamed rice or a hearty salad.
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Chipotle-glazed portobello tostadas
Ready in under 25 minutes, this recipe brushes mushrooms in tangy barbecue and smoky chipotle, building lingering heat, while creamy guacamole cools things down. Dinner (with heaps of flavour) is done.
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Pan seared salmon with pomegranate, fennel and tahini dressing
If you've grown bored of salads, soups, and stews then this healthy and fresh dinner will freshen up your taste buds – pair it with some rice or potatoes and you've got yourself a yummy mid-week meal.
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Satay chicken chopped salad
This recipe combines satay chicken, coriander, chilli and a load of crunchy veg that gets coated in a speedy satay sauce. You can swap out the chicken for your favourite protein but don't skip the yummy sauce – it's packed full of nutty peanut butter, fragrant garlic, ginger, lime and sweet chilli sauce.
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Vegan pulled jackfruit burger
This jackfruit burger is 100% vegan and 100% tasty. Made with pulled jackfruit, we've layered up a brioche bun with all the burger fillings, plus a tasty guac.
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Cauliflower steak burger
Scouring for nutritious midweek meals you can make in a hurry? This cauliflower steak burger could be just the ticket.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or emotions, but I have been trained on a wide range of topics and have access to a vast amount of information. I can provide you with information related to the concepts used in this article.
This article discusses the challenge of finding healthy dinner options that are both quick and delicious. It suggests that one-pot meals or roasting tin dinners can be quick and easy solutions for preparing nutritious food with minimal effort. The article also emphasizes that healthy meals can include a variety of dishes such as burgers, stews, tacos, and curries.
One-Pot Meals and Roasting Tin Dinners One-pot meals and roasting tin dinners are cooking methods that involve preparing a complete meal by combining all the ingredients in a single pot or roasting tin and letting them cook together. These methods offer convenience and ease of preparation as they require minimal effort and reduce the need for multiple cooking utensils. They are often used for dishes like stews, casseroles, and roasted vegetables.
Meal Planning The article suggests planning out your dinners at the start of the week and shopping for the exact ingredients you need. This approach can save time, money, and reduce stress when it comes to preparing healthy meals. Meal planning involves deciding on the meals you want to prepare for the week, creating a shopping list based on the ingredients required for those meals, and then purchasing those ingredients in one go.
Healthy Dinner Recipe Ideas The article provides a list of healthy dinner recipes that are quick to make and delicious. Here are some of the recipes mentioned:
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Garlic chicken with giant couscous: This dish combines chicken breast, a good source of protein, with giant couscous, which provides additional protein per serving. It is a macro-meeting dish that is both nutritious and tasty.
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Healthy salmon en croûte: This recipe swaps out puff pastry for filo and uses low-fat cream cheese and kale to create a healthier version of a classic salmon en croûte. It can be prepared in advance for meal prepping and enjoyed throughout the week.
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Smoky chicken quinoa soup: This soup recipe is packed with protein and fiber, making it a healthy and quick lunch or dinner option. It combines smoky flavors with chicken and quinoa for a satisfying meal.
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Healthy fish stew: This Mediterranean-style fish stew is easy to prepare and flavorful. It includes fish and other ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and herbs to create a nutritious and delicious dish.
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Jalapeño roast chicken with wedges and watercress: This dish is a twist on a traditional roast chicken, featuring jalapeño for added flavor. It can be enjoyed as a Sunday lunch or used for meal prep.
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Protein-packed salmon burger: This recipe uses salmon as the patty for a healthier twist on a classic burger. It is topped with crunchy greens and a tangy, lemony yogurt sauce.
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Chicken soba ramen: This recipe combines chicken, noodles, and a flavorful broth to create a comforting and satisfying meal. It uses specialized Japanese ingredients to achieve authentic flavors.
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Coconut fish curry: This fish curry is made with a variety of spices and coconut milk for a rich and flavorful dish. It can be paired with white fish like cod and served with rice or other side dishes.
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Salmon and tomato traybake: This tray bake recipe is quick to prepare and makes for a speedy dinner option. It can be served with steamed rice or a hearty salad.
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Chipotle-glazed portobello tostadas: This recipe features portobello mushrooms glazed with tangy barbecue and smoky chipotle flavors. It is served on tostadas and topped with creamy guacamole.
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Pan-seared salmon with pomegranate, fennel, and tahini dressing: This fresh and healthy dinner option combines pan-seared salmon with a flavorful salad featuring pomegranate, fennel, and a tahini dressing.
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Satay chicken chopped salad: This recipe combines satay chicken with crunchy vegetables coated in a tasty satay sauce. It can be customized with your favorite protein and offers a nutty and flavorful taste.
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Vegan pulled jackfruit burger: This burger is made with pulled jackfruit, offering a vegan twist on a classic burger. It is layered with burger fillings and topped with a tasty guacamole.
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Cauliflower steak burger: This nutritious burger option features a cauliflower steak as the patty. It is a quick and easy meal that can be prepared in a hurry.
These recipes provide a range of options for healthy and delicious dinners that can be prepared quickly and easily.
