Because you’re real busy – read on for my favourite 20-minute healthy dinner recipes to help you eat well, even on your busiest days.
Best 20-Minute Healthy Dinner Recipes
1. 20-Minute Lentil Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce
This Lentil Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce recipe from Lentils.org has the familiar flavour and texture of tacos, but with a plant-based twist. I love that lentils are packed with heart healthy fibre, and you’ll love how quickly they cook!
2. 20-Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp
It’s hard to believe such a quick and simple recipe could be so tasty! This 20-Minute HoneyGarlic Shrimp recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction is a truly delicious 20 minute dinner. Don’t forget to include a side of steamed broccoli for a balanced meal.
3. 20-Minute Crispy Chicken Thighs with Peppers and Salsa Verde
Because salsa verde is everywhere right now. I love this quick and easy 20-minute [almost] one-dish Crispy Chicken Thighs with Peppers and SalsaVerde recipe from Country Living. Using couscous as your grain helps to keep cooking time down, and salsa verde adds a delicious flavour that you’ll love.
4. Spicy Kale and Coconut Stir Fry
This Spicy Kale and Coconut Stir Fry recipe from Cookie and Kate is one of my favourite 20-minute healthy dinner recipes. Using eggs as a protein source speeds up cooking time, and I love that it’s loaded with kale, a nutritious leafy green that keeps this stir fry balanced. I used pre-washed and cut kale for added convenience.
5. 7-Minute Chickpea Spinach Salad
This 7-Minute Chickpea Salad recipe from Hurry The Food Up is as simple as it gets. It’s quick (only 7 minutes!!) and uses only a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand. Using canned chickpeas as a quick and simple protein source helps to speed up this recipe, just give them a good rinse to reduce the sodium content.
6. 15-Minute Spicy Chicken Avocado Wraps
Need a quick and easy dinner ready in 15 minutes? Then try this Spicy Chicken Avocado Wraps recipe from BBC Good Food. I love the balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates in this recipe. For added convenience and to reduce waste, I used lime juice and herb paste instead of fresh, and whipped this dinner up in no time.
7. Shrimp Tomato Spinach Pasta
Who says pasta dinner can’t be balanced? ThisShrimp Tomato Spinach Pasta recipe from EatWell101 is loaded with spinach and uses shrimp as a quick cooking protein source for dinner in 20 minutes!
8. 20-Minute Tofu Tostadas
This Tofu Tostadas recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod is a great addition to your weeknight meal routine. I love that this dish is loaded with veggies and uses tofu as a heart healthy vegetarian protein choice. You’ll love that It’s ready in 20 minutes and family friendly.
9. Rice Bowl with Fried Egg and Avocado
Eggs aren’t just for breakfast. This Rice Bowl with Fried Egg and Avocado recipe from Bon Appetite takes advantage of eggs as a quick cooking protein source for a meal in minutes! Add stir fried veggies, such as peppers, asparagus, or kale, to the bowls for a balanced meal.
10. 20-Minute Seared Tilapia with Watercress-Mango Salad
This Seared Tilapia with Watercress Mango Salad recipe from Real Simple is unbelievably quick to throw together. The flavours of this salad blend together deliciously, and the combination of ingredients makes for a very colourful meal. I love that this recipe uses watercress, a dark leafy green and rich source of beta-carotene which our body uses to create vitamin A, an important vitamin for eye and skin health.
11. 15-Minute Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry
Dinner in 15 minutes? Yes, please! This Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry recipe from Chatelaine uses red pepper jelly to add a punch of flavour to this quick weeknight stir fry. Add additional veggies to keep this stir fry balanced, try ½ cup of peppers or snap peas per person.
12. Hummus and Grilled Veggie Wrap
I love that this Hummus and Grilled Vegetable Wrap recipe from Food Network is packed with vegetables. The combination of cooked and raw veggies gives you a variety of flavours and textures, and the addition of hummus, pine nuts, and whole grains will leave you feeling satisfied.
13. Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This Chickpea Salad Sandwich recipe from The Simple Veganistais a simple vegetarian twist on a traditional tuna salad recipe. I added some extra veggies for more fibre, used pre-made hummus for convenience, and topped with microgreens for some added nutritional boost.
14. Cilantro Lime Shrimp and Cauliflower “Rice” Foil Packs
For when you don’t want to do dishes – try this Cilantro Lime Shrimp and Cauliflower Foil Packet recipe from Cooking Classy. Your entire meal cooks in a foil pack which cuts down on dishes, and using shrimp as a protein source makes for a quick cooking meal. I used pre-riced cauliflower for added convenience, making this the perfect weeknight meal for grilling season.
15. Quick and Easy Vegetarian Salad
This Quick and Easy Vegetarian Salad Recipe is perfect for nights when you haven’t planned ahead. I love the use of simple, vegetarian ingredients to make up this high fibre salad. But don’t let all those veggies deceive you. The balance of vegetarian protein, healthy fats, and whole grains make this salad surprisingly satisfying. Throw this salad together this week for a tasty dinner for one (or more) in minutes!
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About Brittany
Hi there! I am a registered dietitian and I ? food! I am passionate about making it easier for busy people to eat well by sharing quick and healthy recipes. Healthy cooking at home can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. I love helping people uncomplicate weeknight dinners and reduce stress around meal time, so I’m so glad you’re here!
