22 weeknight meals that will make you forget all about ordering in

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When it comes to weeknight dinners, finding meals that are quick, easy, and satisfying is key. These recipes are designed to help you whip up a delicious dinner without the hassle, so you can skip takeout and enjoy a homemade meal. Each dish is packed with flavor and simple to prepare, making them perfect for busy evenings. Say goodbye to the stress of meal planning and hello to effortless weeknight cooking.

Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Dairy Free Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

white bowl with chicken pasta with sundried tomatoes and peas and garlic and a light linen around the bowl.
Dairy Free Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

This Dairy-Free Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo is a comforting meal that takes about 4 hours to cook in a slow cooker. Made with tender chicken and a rich, creamy sauce using dairy-free ingredients, this dish offers a satisfying and light alternative to traditional Alfredo. The garlic and nutritional yeast create a deep, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with pasta. Perfect for a cozy weeknight when you want something easy and hearty without ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Dairy Free Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Overhead shot of grilled maple mustard chicken.
Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken is a quick and tasty meal that takes just 30 minutes to prepare. The chicken is marinated in a sweet and tangy mixture of maple syrup and mustard, giving it a unique balance of flavors. Grilling adds a smoky touch, making it juicy and full of flavor. This dish is great for a simple yet flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken

Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops on a plate with oranges and limes.
Citrus Glazed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Citrus Glazed Pork Chops bring a bright, tangy flavor to your dinner in just 25 minutes. The pork chops are seared and then coated with a citrus glaze made from fresh orange and lemon juice, adding a refreshing zing. The result is a tender, juicy chop with a sweet and tangy finish. Perfect for a quick, flavor-packed meal.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops

Chicken Shawarma Plate

Chicken Shawarma Plate. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

The Chicken Shawarma Plate offers a deliciously seasoned chicken dish ready in just 40 minutes. Marinated with a blend of Middle Eastern spices, the chicken is juicy and full of flavor, served alongside rice or pita. The addition of a fresh, tangy sauce and crisp vegetables completes the plate. It’s a great choice for a quick and healthy dinner that feels like a restaurant meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Shawarma Plate

Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Chicken skewers on skewers with lemon wedges.
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebabs are a quick 20-minute meal, full of rich, spiced flavors. Ground chicken is mixed with herbs and spices, shaped into skewers, and grilled to perfection, offering a juicy and flavorful bite. Served with a side of fresh salad or pita, these kebabs are light yet satisfying. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that’s both easy and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab

Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet

A serving of creamy balsamic chicken skillet next to a serving of green salad.
Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

The Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet is a rich and tangy dish ready in just 30 minutes. The chicken is cooked in a creamy balsamic sauce that balances sweetness and acidity, making it tender and flavorful. Mushrooms and spinach add depth and texture to the dish, making it a satisfying meal. It’s perfect for a quick, delicious dinner without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet

Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan

Close-up of roasted meatballs with a mix of colorful, chopped bell peppers and zucchini slices.
Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan meal is a simple and healthy option that takes about 30 minutes to cook. Loaded with colorful vegetables and savory chicken sausage, it’s a nutritious and balanced meal. The roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the veggies, while the sausage adds a robust flavor. It’s an easy, all-in-one dinner that makes cleanup a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan

Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Roasted chicken and vegetables in a skillet on a cutting board.
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Chicken and Vegetables is a hearty one-pan meal that takes about 45 minutes to prepare. The chicken is seasoned with garlic and herbs, roasted alongside a medley of vegetables, making it both flavorful and nutritious. The vegetables caramelize in the oven, adding a sweet and savory taste to the dish. It’s perfect for a wholesome, no-fuss dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Bone in pork chop topped with hollandaise sauce and shrimp, on a white plate next to green beans.
Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf is a satisfying meal ready in 30 minutes, combining juicy pork chops with tender shrimp. The pork chops are grilled to perfection, while the shrimp adds a touch of elegance and a burst of flavor. Served with a side of vegetables, this dish is filling and flavorful. It’s a great choice for a quick, protein-packed dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf

Bomb Meatloaf

Meatloaf on a white plate cut into slices with fresh parsley garnish.
Bomb Meatloaf. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bomb Meatloaf is a flavorful and hearty dish that takes about 1 hour to cook. Made with a mixture of ground beef and pork, it’s packed with savory seasonings and topped with a tangy glaze. The meatloaf is juicy and tender, making it a satisfying comfort food meal. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf

Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy

Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy is a quick and flavorful meal ready in 25 minutes. The pork chops are seared to perfection and served with a rich gravy made from mustard and shallots, adding a savory and slightly tangy flavor. The gravy is smooth and complements the juicy pork chops beautifully. It’s an easy way to elevate a simple weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Mustard Shallot Gravy

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce is a tender, flavorful dish that takes 8 hours to cook in a slow cooker. The pork shoulder is slow-cooked until it’s fall-apart tender and then coated with a tangy mustard BBQ sauce. The result is juicy, flavorful meat that’s perfect for sandwiches or on its own. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that’s worth the wait.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce

Easy Beef Stew

Beef stew in yellow bowls.
Easy Beef Stew. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Easy Beef Stew is a comforting dish that takes about 2 hours to make, with minimal hands-on time. The stew is filled with tender beef, potatoes, and carrots, all simmered in a rich, savory broth. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, creating a hearty, satisfying meal. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner when you want something warm and filling.
Get the Recipe: Easy Beef Stew

Curry Chicken with Onion

Curry Chicken with Onion inside golden pan.
Curry Chicken with Onion. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Curry Chicken with Onion is a quick and flavorful meal that takes just 30 minutes to prepare. The chicken is simmered in a rich curry sauce, made with onions and aromatic spices, creating a dish that’s both spicy and savory. The onions add sweetness, balancing the heat of the curry. It’s a great choice for a simple yet exotic weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Curry Chicken with Onion

One Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner

One Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

One Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner is a simple and tasty dish that takes just 35 minutes to prepare. The pork is seasoned with garlic and pepper, then roasted alongside potatoes and green beans, making it a complete meal in one pan. The garlic adds a rich, savory flavor, while the pepper gives it a bit of heat. It’s perfect for a quick and easy dinner that satisfies.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Garlic Pepper Pork Dinner

Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice

Cilantro lime chicken on a plate next to avocado and cilantro garnish.
Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice is a bright and flavorful dish that takes about 40 minutes to make. The chicken is marinated in a tangy cilantro lime sauce, then cooked until juicy and tender, and served over fluffy rice. The lime adds a refreshing citrus note, while the cilantro brings a fresh, herbal flavor. It’s a delicious and easy weeknight meal that’s full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice

Pork Chops and Applesauce with Blackberries

Pork chops with blackberry applesauce on a gray plate.
Pork Chops and Applesauce with Blackberries. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Pork Chops and Applesauce with Blackberries is a sweet and savory meal ready in 30 minutes. The pork chops are seared to perfection and served with a homemade applesauce mixed with fresh blackberries, adding a fruity twist to the dish. The combination of the savory pork and the sweet-tart sauce is both refreshing and satisfying. It’s a quick and elegant dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce with Blackberries

Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy

Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy is a comforting and flavorful dish that takes about 1 hour to prepare. The pie is filled with tender chicken and vegetables, all coated in a rich, creamy tarragon gravy and baked in a flaky crust. The tarragon adds a unique, slightly sweet flavor that enhances the dish. It’s a hearty, homemade meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Tarragon Gravy

Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Beef bulgogi in a bowl with rice and cucumbers.
Beef Bulgogi Bowls. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Beef Bulgogi Bowls are a quick and delicious meal that takes about 30 minutes to prepare. The beef is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then cooked until tender and served over rice with fresh vegetables. The flavors are a perfect balance of sweetness and umami, making it a satisfying and flavorful dish. It’s a great option for a quick and easy dinner that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes

Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes is a simple, flavorful dish that takes about 35 minutes to cook. The pork is seasoned with a blend of garlic and herbs, then roasted alongside potatoes for a complete, hearty meal. The garlic and herbs create a rich, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the tender pork and crispy potatoes. It’s a no-fuss dinner that delivers big on taste.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Herb Pork and Potatoes

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

Buttermilk chicken and potatoes on a plate.
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes is a comforting dish that takes about 1 hour to cook. The chicken is marinated in buttermilk, making it tender and juicy, and then baked alongside seasoned potatoes. The result is a crispy, flavorful chicken with tender, flavorful potatoes. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes

Chicken Biryani

Chicken biryani on a plate with raita.
Chicken Biryani. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Biryani is a flavorful, aromatic dish that takes about 1 hour to prepare. The chicken is cooked with fragrant spices and basmati rice, creating a dish that’s both rich and satisfying. The layers of spices and tender chicken make it a comforting, flavorful meal. It’s a great option for a weeknight dinner that feels a little special.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Biryani

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