When it comes to weeknight dinners, we all want something that feels like we put in some effort—without actually having to, you know, put in any effort. That’s where these recipes come in. They’re the kind of meals that’ll make you look like a kitchen pro, even if your biggest culinary achievement so far is microwaving leftovers. From slow cooker wonders to one-pan miracles, these dishes do the heavy lifting so you can kick back and enjoy the compliments.
![Thai red curry noodle soup with chickpeas in a pot with a wooden serving spoon.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Thai-red-curry-noodle-soup-1-1024x576.jpg)
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
![Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/slow-cooker-honey-garlic-chicken-landscape-1.jpg)
Skip the takeout and make this honey garlic chicken at home with ease. The sweet, sticky sauce and pineapple chunks turn this into a go-to family meal, all cooked effortlessly in your slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Chicken Lime Soup
![Spicy chicken lime soup in bowls.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/chicken-lime-soup-1.jpg)
This chicken lime soup blends the best of chicken noodle and chicken tortilla, bringing a spicy, hearty option to the table. Perfect for warming up on a chilly day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Lime Soup
Burger Bowls
![Burger bowl with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and special sauce.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/burger-in-a-bowl-landscape-1.jpg)
All the taste of your favorite burger, minus the bun. This bowl packs in the toppings and flavors you love, with a homemade burger sauce that brings it all together for a lighter, yet satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls
Jalapeño Chicken
![](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/jalapeno-chicken-10.jpg)
Bring the bold flavors of takeout home with this easy jalapeño chicken. Crispy chicken bites and spicy jalapeños are coated in a sweet and salty sauce, making this a quick, crowd-pleasing meal served over rice.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Chicken
Thai Red Curry Soup
![](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Thai-red-curry-noodle-soup-1.jpg)
Packed with flavor and ready in just 25 minutes, this Thai red curry soup is a weeknight wonder. Customize it with whatever you have on hand and skip the takeout.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Soup
Pesto Salmon
![](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pesto-salmon-MSN-1-1.jpg)
This five-ingredient pesto salmon makes weeknight cooking a breeze. Oven-baked and ready in under 25 minutes, it’s a quick and healthy choice that doesn’t skimp on taste.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Salsa Chicken
![A white dish with chicken in a tomato sauce.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/salsa-chicken-MSN-1.jpg)
Salsa chicken is your new weeknight lifesaver. With juicy chicken, salsa, corn, and melted cheddar, this one-pan dish is ready in less than 30 minutes and destined to become a family staple.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken
Brussels Sprouts Pasta
![A bowl of pasta with bacon and brussels sprouts.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/brussels-sprouts-pasta-msn-1.jpg)
This Brussels sprouts pasta combines quick prep with indulgent flavors. Ready in 25 minutes and packed with bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes, it’s a perfect mix of easy and impressive.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Pasta
Pecan Crusted Chicken
![Pecan crusted chicken cut into slices on a plate with honey dijon sauce and green beans.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pecan-crusted-chicken-7.jpg)
Crunchy, flavorful, and topped with a honey dijon yogurt sauce, this pecan-crusted chicken makes for a quick weeknight dinner that everyone will keep asking for. Simple but packed with taste.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken
Cod Piccata
![Cod piccata on a plate with asparagus and rice.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cod-piccata-1.jpg)
A seafood spin on the classic piccata, this dish features tender cod filets pan-fried to perfection. With lemon juice, capers, and shallots, it’s a bright, tangy meal that comes together effortlessly.
Get the Recipe: Cod Piccata
Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
![Maple mustard chicken breasts with brussels sprouts, squash and cranberries.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sheet-pan-maple-mustard-chicken-landscape-1.jpeg)
Maple mustard chicken paired with Brussels sprouts, squash, and cranberries, all baked on one pan for an easy dinner with minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
Honey Orange Sesame Chicken
![Honey orange chicken with sesame seeds and green beans in a white bowl.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/honey-orange-sesame-chicken-landscape-1.jpg)
This honey orange sesame chicken brings sticky, sweet flavors to your plate in no time. It’s a healthier take on a takeout favorite that you can whip up at home with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Honey Orange Sesame Chicken
Kung Pao Chickpeas
![Kung pao chickpea dish in a bowl with rice and skillet off to the left.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kung-pao-chickpeas-landscape-1.jpg)
Enjoy the bold, familiar flavors of Kung Pao in this vegan-friendly chickpea dish. It’s a simple swap that delivers the taste of takeout with a plant-based twist.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chickpeas
Ground Beef Stir Fry
![Ground beef stir fry in a skillet.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ground-beef-stir-fry-landscape-1.jpg)
This ground beef stir fry is a one-pan wonder that’s quicker and better than takeout. Loaded with fresh vegetables and a homemade garlic ginger sauce, it’s a fast and flavorful dinner choice.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
![Roasted chicken thighs with sweet potatoes and pecans.](https://fooddrinklife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/chicken-sweet-potatoes-landscape-1.jpg)
This sheet pan meal combines chicken, sweet potatoes, and caramelized pecans for a dinner that’s both easy and satisfying. Everything cooks together on one pan, saving you time and effort.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes