10 Quick and Easy Healthy Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Are you tired of relying on takeout or fast food for dinner during busy weeknights? Eating healthy can be a challenge when you’re short on time, but with a little planning and preparation, you can have delicious and nutritious meals on the table in no time. Here are 10 healthy easy recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights:

1. One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
2. Healthy Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies
3. Easy One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
4. Quick and Easy Turkey Meatballs
5. Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
6. Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus
7. One-Pot Veggie and Chickpea Curry
8. Quick and Easy Broiled Salmon with Mango Salsa
9. Healthy One-Pot Mushroom Stroganoff
10. Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

These recipes are not only healthy and delicious, but they are also quick and easy to make. They use simple ingredients and require minimal prep work, making them perfect for busy weeknights.

1. One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies

This is one of the healthy easy recipes that is packed with protein and veggies. The balsamic vinegar adds a tangy sweetness to the dish, and the roasted vegetables are full of flavour and nutrients.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the chicken, bell peppers, onion, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl and toss until everything is evenly coated.
4. Transfer the chicken and veggies to a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

2. Healthy Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies

Sheet pan meals are perfect for busy weeknights because they are so easy to make and clean up. This recipe combines salmon with roasted veggies like asparagus, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. In a large bowl, toss the asparagus, bell peppers, onion, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the veggies out on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes.
4. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the salmon fillets to the pan. Season the salmon with salt and pepper.
5. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.

3. Easy One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

This recipe is a healthier twist on traditional fajitas, combining chicken, peppers, and onions with whole wheat pasta.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 can dice tomatoes
• 1/2 pound whole wheat pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the bell peppers and onion to the pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, whole wheat pasta, chilli powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the pot.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened.

4. Quick and Easy Turkey Meatballs

These turkey meatballs are quick and easy to make and can be served over whole wheat pasta or on their own.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Shape the mixture into meatballs.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side

5. Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This slow cooker healthy easy recipe is full of flavour and perfect for a busy weeknight. The chicken cooks in a creamy tomato sauce with spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can dice tomatoes
• 1 cup plain Greek yoghurt
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish
• Cooked rice for serving

Directions:

1. In a slow cooker, add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Greek yoghurt, and all the spices.
2. Stir everything together until well combined.
3. Add the chicken pieces to the slow cooker and stir until they are coated with the sauce.
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
5. Serve the chicken tikka masala over a bed of cooked rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

6. Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus

This recipe is perfect for seafood lovers and requires only one sheet pan. The lemon garlic shrimp pairs perfectly with roasted asparagus.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. In a mixing bowl, toss the shrimp and asparagus with olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, salt, and pepper until well-coated.
3. Arrange the shrimp and asparagus in a single layer on a sheet pan.
4. Roast for 10-12 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque and the asparagus is tender and lightly browned.
5. Serve hot as a main dish or with a side of your choice.

7. One-Pot Veggie and Chickpea Curry

This recipe is a vegetarian option that is loaded with protein and flavour. It’s made with chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and a variety of spices like curry powder and cumin.

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups chopped vegetables (e.g. carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, etc.)
• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can dice tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish
• Cooked rice or naan for serving

Directions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic over medium-high heat until softened.
2. Add the chopped vegetables to the pot and continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they start to soften.
3. Add the chickpeas, diced tomatoes (with juice), vegetable broth, and spices to the pot, and stir everything together until well combined.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavours have melded together.
5. Serve the curry hot over a bed of cooked rice or with a side of naan, and garnish with fresh cilantro.

8. Quick and Easy Broiled Salmon with Mango Salsa

This recipe combines broiled salmon with fresh mango salsa, making for a healthy and flavorful meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 mango, peeled and diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the broiler and line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Season the salmon fillets with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
3. Arrange the seasoned salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and broil for 8-10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and lightly browned on top.
4. While the salmon is cooking, prepare the mango salsa by combining the diced mango, red onion, red bell pepper, lime juice, and cilantro in a mixing bowl.
5. Serve the broiled salmon hot with a generous scoop of mango salsa on top.

9. Healthy One-Pot Mushroom Stroganoff

This is one of the healthy easy recipes twists on classic comfort food. It’s made with mushrooms, whole wheat pasta, and a creamy sauce that’s lightened up with Greek yoghurt.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. whole wheat egg noodles
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yoghurt
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the diced onion and sliced mushrooms to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until they start to soften and brown.
4. Add the minced garlic to the pot and continue to sauté for another minute or until fragrant.
5. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir everything together until well combined.
6. Pour the vegetable broth into the pot and stir everything together again, making sure to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot.
7. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the vegetables are tender.
8. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the Greek yoghurt and Dijon mustard until well combined.
9. Season the stroganoff with salt and pepper to taste, and serve it hot over a bed of cooked egg noodles.
10. Garnish the dish with fresh parsley before serving.

10. Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

This recipe is another sheet pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The chicken and sweet potatoes are roasted together with a variety of spices, making for a flavorful and healthy meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, seeded and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminium foil for easy cleanup.
3. In a large bowl, combine the diced sweet potatoes, chopped red onion, and chopped bell peppers.
4. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, and sprinkle them with minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with the seasonings.
5. Arrange the seasoned vegetables on the baking sheet in a single layer, leaving enough space for the chicken breasts.
6. Place the chicken breasts on the baking sheet, and season them with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Bake the sheet pan chicken and sweet potatoes for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
8. Garnish the dish with fresh parsley before serving.

Healthy Easy Recipes Conclusion

These 10 quick and healthy easy recipes for busy weeknights are a great way to stay on track with your health goals without sacrificing taste or convenience. By incorporating a variety of ingredients and flavours, you can keep your meals interesting and satisfying while still keeping them healthy. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent on the go, or just looking for some easy and delicious meal ideas, these healthy easy recipes are sure to please. So give them a try and enjoy a healthier, happier you! Remember, making healthy choices doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming, and with these recipes, you can enjoy delicious and nutritious meals in no time.