No matter the season, the week, or the mood, whether life feels hectic or calm, easy dinner options are always my goal. Do I love cooking? Not exactly. Am I a natural in the kitchen? Ummm. But do I prefer home-cooked meals during the week? Absolutely!
Welcome to the era of ChatGPT and Instagram recipes. Suddenly, dinner feels less stressful. I love the ease of being told exactly what to cook and what ingredients to grab. For a moment, I even feel like a chef. The best part? Hearing my family say how good a meal tastes. That’s when it officially gets added to the rotation—making both weeknight meals and grocery shopping easier.
These recipes aren’t fancy, gourmet, or complicated, but that’s the beauty of them. How will you add your own twist?
Lemon Chicken Asparagus Pasta
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (penne, bowtie, or linguine work well)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through (6–8 minutes). Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and asparagus. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, until tender-crisp. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Add cooked pasta, butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss everything together over low heat until coated and warmed through.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese. Add more pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Garnish with more Parmesan, lemon zest, and optional red pepper flakes or parsley.
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
Ingredients:
- 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup of your favorite salsa (mild, medium, or spicy)
- 1 tsp cumin (optional, for added flavor)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- (Optional) 1/2 cup shredded cheese or cream cheese for a creamy version
Instructions:
- Lay the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle with cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper (if using).
- Cover the chicken completely with salsa.
- Cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2.5–3.5 hours
Until chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork. - Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the Crock Pot. Stir to coat in the salsa.
- Add shredded cheese or a few spoonfuls of cream cheese and let it melt in for a creamy finish.
Sesame Salmon Bites
Ingredients:
1. 1lb salmon fillet, skin removed + cut into cubes
2. Season with 1/2 tsp garlic powder + 1/4 tsp ground ginger + kosher salt + black pepper
3. Air fry salmon bites at 390F 6-8 mins or bake in oven at 415F 10-12 mins
Marinade / Sauce:
1. 1/4 cup coconut aminos (can also sub with gf tamari or low-sodium sauce if not gf)
2. 3 tbsp honey, maple syrup or preferred sticky liquid sweetener
3. 1 tsp sesame oil
4. 1-2 tsp Sriracha , or preferred hot sauce, to taste or omit if sensitive to spice
5. 1 tsp rice wine vinegar or 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
Serve With:
1. cooked Jasmine rice, cauliflower rice or preferred rice of choice
2. sliced avocado
3. shelled edamame
4. chopped cucumber
5. shredded / grated carrots
6. garnish: green onions + sesame seeds
Bon appétit!