Family-Friendly Weeknight Dinners

The best part about weeknight dinners is that they can be simple, yet just as enjoyable as a full-blown dinner party. When you’re committed to cooking dinner on weeknights and you need an instant, family-friendly meal that will provide leftovers for other nights, these are your go-to recipes. Although the recipes state it’s for four people, smaller portions can easily be scaled down or increased to suit your needs.

Start with the recipes below. From there, get creative! Create your own colorful weekly menu of simple dishes that satisfy and nourish. The best part about having a stocked weekly dinner rota is that you know you have time-tested meals in your back pocket when you need ’em!

Grilled Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato and Spinach Pasta

Serve Italian-Pan-seared chicken served over a bed of spinach and pasta tossed in a delicious cream sauce. You can’t go wrong with this Tuscan style pasta.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 1 hr 10 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 servings

Calories 472 kcal

Ingredients

  

• ¼ cup sun-dried tomato oil packed
• 1 pound  boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
• 2 tbsp salted butter
• 4 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 pound short cut pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1½ cup spinach
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp pepper flakes
• salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Pour 3 tablespoons of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar into a large pot. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes and set aside.
• Place the saucepan on a medium-high heat setting. Add the chicken, 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Add 1/4 cup parmesan and cook for another minute, then remove the chicken from the saucepan.
• Add the butter, shallot, garlic, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning to the same pot. Cook for 3 minutes, or until aromatic. Add 3 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then add the pasta and simmer for 8 minutes, tossing often, until al dente. Stir in the cream, parmesan, spinach, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate.
• 4. Serve the pasta topped with fresh herbs and grated parmesan.

Keyword chicken, dinner recipe, grilled chicken, italian recipe, pasta

Breaded Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Turn your chicken into a golden, crispy treat with this speedy breading recipe. The touch of Parmesan gives this chicken a nice little zing!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 55 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 4 pcs. Chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
• ¼ cup Olive oil
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
• ¼ cup Bread crumbs seasoned
• 4 cloves Garlic

Instructions

 

• 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220 degrees C).

  2. In a small saucepan, heat olive oil and garlic over low heat until warmed through, about 1 to 2 minutes. In a small dish, combine the garlic and oil.

  3. In a small shallow dish, combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.

  4. Tongs are used to dip chicken breasts in the olive oil-garlic combination, then transfer to the bread crumb mixture and flip to coat evenly. Transfer the coated chicken to a baking dish that is shallow.

  5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until no longer pink and the juices flow clear in the oven. At least 165 degrees F should be read by an instant-read thermometer put into the middle (74 degrees C).

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

300 calories; protein 30.3g; carbohydrates 5.7g; fat 16.8g; cholesterol 72.8mg; sodium 261.2mg.

Keyword baked chicken, breaded chicken, chicken, dinner, main course, meat