15 Quick and Easy Dinners for Busy Weeknights

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When the clock’s ticking and your stomach’s growling, it’s time to whip up some easy but indulgent dishes like Chicken Limone or Tex Mex Sloppy Joes. If you’re in the mood for something crispy and comforting, you can’t go wrong with Chicken-Fried Chicken with Creamy Country Gravy or Beer-Battered Fish with French Fries & Tartar Sauce. Craving something cozy? Try Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole or Skillet Turkey Meatloaves with Mushroom Gravy—they’ll hit the spot. For a quick family dinner, Taco Pizza and Instant Pot Hamburger Helper are total lifesavers. Whether you’re craving a light bite like Portobello Mushroom Parmesan or a hearty Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks, Potatoes & Green Beans, these recipes have you covered for the busiest of nights!

Chicken Limone (Lemon Chicken)

A cast iron skillet holds lemon-topped chicken fillets garnished with parsley, with a fresh baguette cooling in the background.
Image Credit: Art of Natural Living

Chicken Limone (Lemon Chicken) is a zesty, tangy delight that’ll have your taste buds dancing. With the perfect balance of citrus and savory goodness, it’s a simple yet elegant dish that’s perfect for any occasion!

To learn more: Chicken Limone (Lemon Chicken)

Easy Beer-Battered Fish With French Fries & Tartar Sauce

Golden fried fish fillets served on a blue plate with crispy fries and a bowl of creamy dill sauce on the side.
Image Credit: Chef’s Pencil

Easy Beer-Battered Fish With French Fries & Tartar Sauce is the ultimate comfort food combo. Crispy, golden fish paired with perfectly fried fries and creamy tartar sauce—what’s not to love?

To learn more: Easy Beer-Battered Fish With French Fries & Tartar Sauce

Portobello Mushroom Parmesan

A plate of spaghetti with marinara sauce, topped with a baked portobello mushroom cap covered in melted cheese and sprinkled with herbs.
Image Credit: Next Level Baker

Portobello Mushroom Parmesan brings all the cheesy, crispy goodness you crave without the meat. These hearty mushrooms take on a delicious twist, making for a satisfying and savory bite!

To learn more: Portobello Mushroom Parmesan

Easy Chicken Thigh Marinade

Plated lemon herb chicken thighs garnished with chopped cilantro, surrounded by fresh lemon and herbs, with salt shakers in the background.
Image Credit: My Rad Kitchen

Easy Chicken Thigh Marinade takes your chicken to the next level with just a few simple ingredients. This marinade packs in flavor, making every bite juicy and irresistible!

To learn more: Easy Chicken Thigh Marinade

Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

Two bowls of macaroni with ground meat, topped with chopped herbs, sit in front of an electric pressure cooker.
Image Credit: Peters Food Adventure

Instant Pot Hamburger Helper takes a nostalgic classic and gives it a glow-up—faster, cheesier, and sassier, all in one pot with way less cleanup.

To learn more: Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

Salsa Chicken

A spatula holds a cheesy chicken breast above a white casserole dish filled with melted cheese and sauce. Fresh herbs and a lime rest in the background.
Image Credit: Living Chirpy

Salsa Chicken dives headfirst into bold, saucy territory—because tender chicken swimming in spicy salsa was never meant to be subtle.

To learn more: Salsa Chicken

Scallion Oil Chicken

Cooked chicken pieces topped with chopped green onions and red chili flakes, accompanied by sliced cucumbers on a white plate.
Image Credit: Unique Cooks

Scallion Oil Chicken sizzles its way to stardom with juicy bites bathed in fragrant green onion goodness—because sometimes simplicity slaps the hardest.

To learn more: Scallion Oil Chicken

Chicken-Fried Chicken with Creamy Country Gravy

A plate featuring crispy fried fish topped with creamy white sauce, accompanied by smooth mashed potatoes garnished with chives.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Chicken-Fried Chicken With Creamy Country Gravy doubles down on comfort, bringing crispy golden crust and rich, peppery gravy that says, “Yes, I did just outdo myself.”

To learn more: Chicken-Fried Chicken with Creamy Country Gravy

Taco Pizza

A colorful taco pizza topped with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, onions, ground beef, and drizzled with sour cream, served with diced tomatoes.
Image Credit: Cheerful Cook

Taco Pizza crashes dinner like a delicious identity crisis—where zesty tacos and cheesy pizza join forces in one unapologetically messy masterpiece.

To learn more: Taco Pizza

Skillet Turkey Meatloaves With Mushroom Gravy

A plate with braised meat covered in gravy and herbs, accompanied by roasted carrots and assorted vegetables.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Skillet Turkey Meatloaves With Mushroom Gravy bring the cozy vibes, with lean turkey meatloaf topped in rich, earthy mushroom gravy that makes your tastebuds feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

To learn more: Skillet Turkey Meatloaves With Mushroom Gravy

Tex Mex Sloppy Joes

An open-faced sandwich topped with ground meat, diced avocado, jalapeño slices, chopped onions, tomatoes, and melted cheese, with tortilla chips on the side.
Image Credit: Chew Out Loud

Tex Mex Sloppy Joes kick the classic up a notch, blending bold Tex-Mex flavors with that saucy, messy goodness we all crave—tacos meet sloppy joes in the best way possible.

To learn more: Tex Mex Sloppy Joes

Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks, Potatoes & Green Beans

A metal sheet pan with chicken drumsticks, halved roasted potatoes in various colors, and green beans arranged evenly across the tray.
Image Credit: Flavorful Eats

Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks, Potatoes & Green Beans makes dinner effortless, roasting juicy chicken, crispy potatoes, and vibrant green beans all in one pan—because simple never tasted so good.

To learn more: Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks, Potatoes & Green Beans

Chicken Cordon Bleu Roll Ups

A close-up image of sliced chicken cordon bleu featuring layers of breaded chicken, melted cheese, and ham, garnished with herbs on a white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Roll Ups take the classic dish for a spin, rolling up melty cheese and savory ham in tender chicken for a bite-sized version of comfort food perfection.

To learn more: Chicken Cordon Bleu Roll Ups

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

A baked casserole topped with melted cheese, garnished with chopped tomatoes and cilantro in the top left corner.
Image Credit: Right At Home

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole layers up all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors, packing spicy chicken, gooey cheese, and tortillas into one comforting, cheesy casserole that’ll make you swoon.

To learn more: Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken Parm Panini

Four grilled chicken sandwiches surround a glass bowl filled with barbecue sauce, all placed on a wooden cutting board.
Image Credit: Chef Denise

Chicken Parm Panini takes your classic chicken parm and gives it a crispy, melty makeover, sandwiched between golden, buttery bread that’s nothing short of crave-worthy.

To learn more: Chicken Parm Panini

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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