What’s for Dinner? 5 Stress-Free Meals Ready in Under 30 Minutes

If the 6 pm question is always, “What is for dinner?”, you are in the right place. These five easy chicken forward dinners are big on flavor, light on effort, and perfect for busy weeknights. Try one tonight, then grab the PDF eBook after Recipe 3 for a whole library of weeknight ideas.

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Black Pepper Chicken with Mushrooms

A savory and flavorful dish featuring juicy chicken breasts or thighs smothered in a rich black pepper sauce with tender mushrooms. This quick and easy meal is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and 1/2 tablespoon black pepper on both sides.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add mushrooms and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and browned. Add garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
4. Add chicken broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of black pepper. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. If desired, mix cornstarch with a small amount of water and stir into the sauce to thicken it.
5. Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce and mushrooms over the top. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, adjusting seasoning to taste.
6. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables for a complete meal.

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Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken

Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken is a sweet and savory dish that combines tender chicken with juicy pineapple and a caramelized brown sugar glaze. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a flavorful meal any time.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions, for garnish
• Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
2. Season chicken breasts with black pepper and a pinch of salt.
3. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in pineapple chunks, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Bring mixture to a simmer.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
7. Stir slurry into the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens.
8. Return chicken to the skillet and coat with sauce. Garnish with green onions and serve over rice.

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Butter Chicken

Say hello to your new favorite comfort food. Butter Chicken is creamy, warmly spiced, and perfect for busy weeknights or special dinners.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Cooked rice or naan, for serving
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup cashews (optional, blended for creaminess)

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent.
3. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add cubed chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides.
5. Sprinkle garam masala, cumin, turmeric, paprika, and chili powder over the chicken. Stir to coat evenly.
6. Pour in crushed tomatoes and water. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Stir in heavy cream, yogurt, lemon juice, and sugar (if using). Simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or naan.

Before You Continue

Want 158 More Easy Dinner Recipes Like These?

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These 3 recipes are just a taste. Get the full 158 recipe PDF eBook (540+ pages) you can open on any phone, tablet, or computer, so dinner inspiration is always one click away.

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Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet

This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is a quick weeknight dinner with creamy comfort and a zesty kick.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Chicken Breasts
• 8 ounces Rotini Pasta
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
• to taste Salt
• to taste Pepper
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 1 cup Chicken Broth
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
• 1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese
• 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley

Instructions

1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
2. Once boiling, add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
3. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
4. Meanwhile, cut the chicken breasts into bite sized pieces for even cooking.
5. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.
6. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and season them with cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
7. Cook the chicken for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and cooked through.
8. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
9. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
10. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
11. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well to combine.
12. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken slightly.
13. Add the mozzarella, parmesan, and cheddar cheeses to the skillet, stirring continuously until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth.
14. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the creamy cheese sauce.
15. Add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined.
16. Reduce the heat to low and let the skillet simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
17. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

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Healthy Chicken Salad With Greek Yogurt

This Healthy Chicken Salad With Greek Yogurt is a light and creamy twist on the classic. It is packed with protein, made with simple ingredients, and perfect for quick lunches, sandwiches, or meal prep.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup celery, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup grapes, halved (optional)
• 1/4 cup walnuts or almonds, chopped (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (optional)
• Lettuce leaves or whole grain bread, for serving

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard. Stir until smooth.
2. Add cooked chicken, celery, red onion, grapes, and nuts (if using). Mix well to combine.
3. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve on lettuce leaves, in sandwiches, or as a wrap. Garnish with fresh parsley or dill if desired.

Love these recipes? Imagine having 158 more like these in one place, ready whenever you need dinner inspiration.

Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights (PDF eBook)

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Make weeknight dinner feel simple again with a 540+ page PDF packed with 158 satisfying, easy dinner recipes. From sheet pan and skillet dinners to one pot meals, pastas, soups, slow cooker, Instant Pot, and air fryer favorites, you will always have a plan. Download instantly and cook from any device.

This eBook is also available in English and other languages in our shop at everydayrecipelibrary.com

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Save yourself the daily dinner debate. Download the 158 recipe PDF and keep a ready to cook list of weeknight dinners, from skillet meals to air fryer favorites, whenever you need it.

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