I don’t know about you, but there are some nights that I am at a complete loss as to what I will make for dinner. When my husband asks “what’s for dinner tonight?” I can be tempted to give up and get takeout. But choosing easy recipes for dinner doesn’t have to be difficult. Some really delicious dinner options only call for a few ingredients. Take your weeknight meals to a whole new level with these healthy, easy, and delicious 5 ingredient dinners below. These recipes are tried and true, and offer something for every palette.
1. Easy Fajita Chicken Bake
via ThePinningMama
If you are looking for a dinner that is quick and easy, but can feed a crowd, then 5 ingredient dinners are for you. The author promises this meal is as easy as a slow cooker meal but can be ready in less than an hour! With savory seasoned chicken, crunchy peppers and onions, and a generous sprinkle of cheese, this dish has lots of flavor with little effort. The best part? This one-dish meal will be an easy cleanup as well!
Simply trim your chicken breasts, and place them in a baking dish. Top with taco seasoning, then cover generously with peppers and onions. If you want to save time chopping veggies, you can find a pre-cut fresh fajita veggie mix at the grocery store. Definitely opt for fresh vegetables over frozen to get that great texture and taste you are looking for. Drizzle veggies with oil and top with lots of shredded cheese. You can use a classic cheddar or try a Mexican blend. Bake this dish for 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Serve over rice and enjoy this easy, quick dinner recipe.
For all the details, check out the original recipe here.
2. Easy Baked Old Bay Fish
This recipe speaks to my Maryland girl heart with its generous use of Old Bay Seasoning. Not only is this dish full of flavor, but it is also so easy to prepare and is an excellent twist on a classic white fish dish. You can use any white fish to cook this meal, haddock, cod, and tilapia are all popular. I usually buy simple frozen tilapia fillets, and this recipe makes them taste like a million bucks. Prepare this for guests, and no one will believe this joins the ranks of simple 5 ingredient dinners.
via Genius Kitchen
All you need to do is spread the fish fillets of your choice in a baking dish and top with butter. Then sprinkle with Old Bay and garlic salt. If you don’t have Old Bay, or just don’t like it, you can use a variety of seasoning choices. Try a Cajun spice blend, paprika, or cayenne pepper for a kick. There is also this homemade Old Bay Seasoning recipe you can try. Bake your fish at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. I like to serve the fish over rice, and use the pan drippings to add even more flavor to this delicious dish.
Check out the original recipe here for all the particulars.
3. Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs
If you are a meat and potatoes person like my husband, then this is the ultimate meal for you. This steak and potato recipe is loaded with flavor from the herbs, garlic, and butter in this flavorful foil pack meal. Ready in just 30 minutes, you cannot beat the delicious taste with the easiest cleanup ever.
via Le Creme de la Crumb
To create this quick and easy dinner recipe, all you’ll need is a few ingredients and an arsenal of herbs and spices. Combine your steak, potatoes, olive oil, garlic, and a variety of seasonings in a bowl and toss to mix. Using four 12×12 sheets of aluminum foil, divide your steak and potato mixture among them. Wrap the foil around your ingredients tightly to create foil packets. Then you can either grill over high heat for about 10 minutes per side, or bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes. The secret to cooking your steak precisely as you like it is to cut the meat into sizes that match your preferred doneness. So, if you like your steak more charred and cooked through, use 1×1 inches steak pieces. If you want them to be cooked medium, prepare pieces that are about 2×2 inches.
This dish cannot be easier, but the flavors will make it seem like you’ve spent all day preparing it. For more tips and tricks to master this dish, check out the original recipe here.
4. Lemon Chicken with Asparagus
via Pinch of Yum
For a bright, fresh, and healthy meal that tops many 5 ingredient dinners, try this lemon chicken with asparagus. This delicious dish comes together in 20 minutes and packs so much flavor into every bite, you’ll surely be adding it to your dinner repertoire. Try this dish tonight for a recipe that is “lick-the-plate-clean” yummy.
All you need to prepare this 5 ingredient dinner is chicken, lemon, asparagus, lemon pepper, and flour. You need a little butter, salt, and pepper too, but the author is counting on you to have those around. Prepare the chicken by trimming it, then coating it in a flour, salt and pepper mixture. Melt butter in a large skillet, and sauté the chicken over medium-high heat. It should take about 3-5 minutes per side to get them looking golden brown and thoroughly cooked. While they are cooking, add lemon pepper seasoning to give them a delicious depth of flavor. Transfer to a plate when done.
Add in your chopped asparagus and sauté them for just a few minutes. Remove asparagus when they are looking bright green and perfectly tender. Then add in your lemon slices, caramelizing them in the pan. Then remove the lemons from your skillet. Layer all the ingredients back into the pan, starting with the chicken, then asparagus, and topping with the lemon slices.
Not only is this recipe full of protein and vitamins, it’s less than 300 calories per serving! It’s hard to believe this delicious dinner idea can be so healthy and so yummy. Get the details of the original recipe here.
Conclusion
I have tried countless 5 ingredient dinners, and these four are hands-down the best. They pack the most flavor into a dish that is both simple and quick to prepare. You cannot beat these delicious meals when it comes to cooking a dinner the whole family will love. Try one of these tonight and I promise you will be thanking me later.