Whip up a fancy, full-course dinner in less time than it takes to have it delivered—with all of the flavor.
Carving out a little time to make a from-scratch dinner may seem intimidating after a long day. But with some creativity and a bit of planning, it's perfectly feasible to eat a delicious, balanced meal that doesn't take hours to prepare. Here are three fast and delicious recipes to prove you can have both taste and satisfaction on speed.
1. Spicy Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients: Shrimp, corn tortillas, spicy seasoning, avocado, lime, cilantro
Instructions:
- Stir shrimp in spicy seasoning.
- Sauté on a hot skillet for 3-4 minutes or until browned all over and cooked through.
- Heat the corn tortillas on another pan or in the microwave.
- Make tacos: place shrimp on tortilla and add avocado, a squirt of lime, and cilantro.
Quick Tip: Purchase pre-peeled shrimp to reduce prep time.
2. Veggie Stir-Fry Noodles
Ingredients: Instant noodles, mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli), soy sauce, garlic
Instructions:
- Prepare instant ramen according to package directions.
- In another skillet, sauté garlic until tender.
- Stir-fry for 5 minutes then add mixed vegetables.
- Drain noodles and toss with vegetables and soy sauce.
Cool Tip: Use frozen packaged mixed vegetables for super quick prep.
3. Caprese-Inspired Salad with Grilled Chicken
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts (sliced), mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, balsamic glaze
Instructions:
- Flatten chicken breasts to make them even thickness.
- Grill chicken sprinkled with salt and pepper for about 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
- Cut cherry tomatoes in half and combine with mozzarella balls and basil leaves.
- Cut grilled chicken into pieces and add to the salad.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over the salad before serving.
Quick Tip: Get pre-grilled chicken strips from the store to avoid cooking from scratch.
These recipes prove that no matter how crazy your days are, flavor and nutrition don’t need to be sacrificed to save time. Add these speedy meals to your cooking repertoire and you’ll always have tasty dinner ideas close at hand.
