Easy and Delicious Weeknight Dinners

After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. Here are some easy and delicious weeknight dinner recipes that will save you time and keep your family satisfied. These meals are not only quick to prepare but also nutritious and flavorful.

1. One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side.
4. Add the garlic and lemon slices to the skillet, cooking for another minute.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
6. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with your favorite side dish.

2. Veggie-Packed Stir Fry

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup snap peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Cooked rice or noodles

Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, snap peas, and garlic. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil.
4. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and toss to coat.
5. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.

3. Baked Salmon with Herbs

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon and season with salt and pepper.
4. Sprinkle the fresh dill and parsley over the fillets.
5. Top each fillet with lemon slices.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
7. Serve with your favorite side dish.

4. Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients

• 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• Cooked rice

Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the flank steak and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Add the broccoli and garlic to the skillet, cooking for 5-7 minutes until tender.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and water.
5. Return the steak to the skillet and pour the sauce over the beef and broccoli. Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
6. Serve over cooked rice.

5. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until the garlic is golden and fragrant.
4. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to coat in the garlic oil.
5. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in the fresh parsley.
6. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

These easy and delicious weeknight dinners will help you get a nutritious meal on the table in no time. Enjoy these recipes and make your weeknights less stressful and more enjoyable.