These 19 dinners will have you wondering why you ever thought takeout was the easier option. From dishes that look like they belong in a restaurant to ones that feel comforting yet elevated, these recipes will have you questioning your home-cooking skills. They’re not complicated, just full of bold flavors and easy techniques that’ll make you feel like a pro. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can make something this impressive. After these, you might just give up on ordering altogether.
Chicken 65
Chicken 65 is a bold, crispy dish that will make you question how you ever got by without it. The chicken is fried until golden brown, then tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce that hits all the right notes. It’s simple to make but feels like you’re dining at a restaurant. Once you try it, takeout will feel like a distant memory. This dish is packed with flavor and sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Chicken 65
Chicken Hot and Sour Soup
Chicken Hot and Sour Soup is the perfect blend of spicy and tangy, giving you a comforting and flavorful meal. The chicken is tender and soaking in a savory broth that’s filled with heat and the right amount of acidity. This dish is ideal for a quick, satisfying dinner that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. It’s a healthier, homemade version of your favorite takeout soup. After you try it, you’ll never order it again.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hot and Sour Soup
Chicken Curry Laksa
Chicken Curry Laksa is the spicy, creamy soup you didn’t know you needed. The chicken is simmered in a coconut curry broth with noodles, making it a comforting and hearty meal. The rich flavors of the broth paired with the heat from the curry will keep you hooked. It’s quick to prepare, yet so satisfying. Once you’ve tasted this, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry Laksa
Chicken Biryani
Chicken Biryani is a fragrant, spiced rice dish that will leave you questioning why you haven’t been making it all along. The chicken is marinated in a blend of spices and cooked with aromatic rice, making it both flavorful and filling. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a celebration, but it’s surprisingly easy to prepare. Once you serve this, everyone will be asking for seconds. After trying it, takeout will feel like a waste of time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Biryani
Shrimp and Chorizo Tacos
Shrimp and Chorizo Tacos are the perfect combination of smoky and spicy with a fresh twist. The shrimp is tender and paired with flavorful chorizo, creating a filling taco that’ll leave you wanting more. It’s easy to assemble and loaded with flavor, making it ideal for a quick dinner. These tacos will quickly become your new go-to for taco night. Once you try them, you won’t want to order out for tacos again.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Chorizo Tacos
Char Siu
Char Siu is a flavorful Chinese BBQ pork that’s so good, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t made it sooner. The pork is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then roasted until perfectly caramelized. It’s tender, juicy, and packed with bold flavors, making it the perfect dish for a weeknight dinner. Once you try it, you’ll never need to order takeout again. This recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu
Pad See Ew with Chicken
Pad See Ew with Chicken is a Thai stir-fry that’s as satisfying as it is easy to make. The tender chicken is stir-fried with wide rice noodles and vegetables, all coated in a savory sauce that hits all the right notes. It’s simple but loaded with flavor, making it a go-to for busy nights. Once you try it, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t been making this dish more often. This one will quickly replace your usual takeout order.
Get the Recipe: Pad See Ew with Chicken
Chicken Pakora
Chicken Pakora is the crispy, spicy snack that you’ll be making all the time once you try it. The chicken is marinated in spices, then deep-fried until crispy and golden. It’s the perfect appetizer or snack, but hearty enough for a full meal. You’ll be hooked after the first bite, and takeout won’t seem worth it anymore. The combination of spices and crunch will have you coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pakora
Dan Dan Noodles
Dan Dan Noodles are the spicy, savory noodles you’ll be craving every week. The noodles are tossed in a rich, chili-spiked sauce with ground pork and vegetables, creating a balance of heat and umami. It’s quick, easy, and satisfies your cravings for something hearty and flavorful. Once you make it at home, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with takeout. This dish is a total winner, and you won’t want to stop eating it.
Get the Recipe: Dan Dan Noodles
Gochujang Chicken
Gochujang Chicken is a savory, spicy dish that you won’t be able to resist. The chicken is marinated in gochujang, a Korean chili paste, and then cooked to crispy perfection. It’s bold, flavorful, and just spicy enough to keep you coming back for more. Once you make it, takeout will seem like a distant memory. This dish brings bold flavors and is sure to become a staple in your cooking.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken
Creamy Gochujang Pasta
Creamy Gochujang Pasta is a perfect balance of creamy and spicy, giving you an unforgettable dish. The gochujang adds just the right amount of heat, while the creamy sauce tones it down, making it a great combination. It’s quick and easy to make, but tastes like something from a high-end restaurant. Once you taste it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make this sooner. This pasta will have you craving it every week.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Gochujang Pasta
Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema
Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema are a fresh, flavorful take on taco night. The crispy fish is topped with a tangy cilantro lime crema that balances the heat of the dish. They’re light, fresh, and perfect for any night of the week. Once you try these tacos, you’ll be ditching takeout for good. You won’t believe how simple it is to create something so flavorful and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema
Quesabirria Tacos
Quesabirria Tacos are a delicious twist on the classic taco, stuffed with tender beef and melted cheese. The beef is braised in a flavorful, spicy broth that infuses each taco with savory goodness. These tacos are crispy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor—definitely not your usual taco. Once you make these, you’ll be ditching takeout for good. The deep flavors and crispy edges will have you hooked.
Get the Recipe: Quesabirria Tacos
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Air Fryer Orange Chicken gives you the crispy, tangy orange chicken you love, but without all the grease. The chicken is air fried to perfection and coated in a sweet and sour orange sauce that’s just the right balance of flavors. It’s easy to make, and the air fryer makes it healthier than the takeout version. Once you taste it, you won’t be ordering it from your favorite restaurant anymore. This dish is just as crispy, just as flavorful, and a lot less greasy.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Drunken Noodles
Drunken Noodles is a fiery stir-fry that brings all the bold flavors you want. The noodles are stir-fried with chicken, vegetables, and a spicy sauce that gives you a kick without overwhelming the dish. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor, making it a great option for any weeknight. Once you make it, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with takeout. The heat and savory sauce will have you craving more.
Get the Recipe: Drunken Noodles
Sopa de Camarones
Sopa de Camarones is a shrimp soup that will have you rethinking your usual dinner routine. The shrimp is cooked in a rich, flavorful broth with tomatoes, spices, and a touch of heat. It’s perfect for those nights when you want something hearty but still light. Once you taste it, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t been making this dish more often. It’s simple, satisfying, and brings tons of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sopa de Camarones
Air Fryer Pork Belly
Air Fryer Pork Belly gives you that crispy, tender pork belly you love without the hassle of deep frying. The pork is seasoned and cooked in the air fryer, creating a perfect balance of crispy skin and juicy meat. It’s easy to make and results in the perfect bite every time. Once you make this, you’ll be ditching takeout for good. This pork belly will quickly become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly
Chicken Karaage
Chicken Karaage is crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. The chicken is marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before being fried to golden perfection. It’s the perfect comfort food and so easy to make at home. Once you taste it, you’ll be wondering why you ever ordered fried chicken out. This dish is crispy, juicy, and absolutely addictive.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Karaage
Crispy Beef
Crispy Beef is the dish that will have you ditching takeout for good. The beef is coated in a crispy batter and stir-fried with vegetables in a sweet, savory sauce. It’s crunchy, flavorful, and packed with texture. This recipe is so simple but will have you feeling like a pro chef. Once you make this at home, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it all along.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Beef