It’s tough to think about cooking after a packed day. That’s why simple suppers make so much sense. You don’t need a long list of ingredients or tricky steps. Most of these meals are ready in minutes, not hours. They leave you more time to relax while still putting real food on the table. When life feels overwhelming, these recipes help keep things easy.
Buffalo Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Turning tortillas into quick pizzas makes dinner light, crisp, and ready in minutes. The base bakes into a crunchy crust while the cheese melts smoothly, holding any toppings you like. It feels fun without taking much effort, and cleanup stays simple. This is one of those simple meals that shows how easy it can be to enjoy a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
Asian Glazed Salmon
Glazing salmon with a mix of sweet and savory sauce gives the fish a tender texture and bold flavor. The coating cooks glossy and balanced, making each bite rich without being too heavy. It goes well with rice, noodles, or vegetables. This recipe proves how simple suppers can deliver big taste in little time.
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Salmon
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Mixing canned chicken with creamy dressing and seasonings creates a meal that works in sandwiches, wraps, or over greens. It is ready in minutes and filling without being fussy. No cooking is required, which makes it practical for any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Poached Orange Salmon
Baking salmon with an orange glaze gives the dish a fresh taste that is both citrusy and savory. The sauce cooks sticky while keeping the fish moist and tender. It pairs easily with rice, greens, or roasted vegetables for a balanced plate. This is a simple dinner recipe that feels simple to prepare yet complete to serve.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Cooking chicken in the Instant Pot with lemon and garlic creates a tender dish that blends brightness with savory depth. The sauce is smooth, and the process stays short and straightforward. Served with rice, pasta, or vegetables, it makes a well-rounded meal. This is one of those simple meals that proves flavor and speed can go hand in hand.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Pairing spicy chicken with fresh greens and creamy dressing makes a salad that is bold and filling. The heat balances with the cool crunch of vegetables, turning it into a full meal instead of a side. It can be adjusted easily to suit different tastes.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Chicken Curry
Simmering chicken in coconut milk and spices results in a curry that is rich, smooth, and comforting. The sauce feels creamy without using dairy, while the chicken cooks tenderly in the seasoning. It pairs naturally with rice or bread for a satisfying plate. This is one of those simple suppers that brings strong flavor without much work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Vegan Couscous Salad
Preparing couscous with vegetables and herbs gives you a dish that is quick to cook and easy to adapt. The grains soak up flavor and make the meal hearty enough to stand alone or work as a side. It’s colorful, filling, and simple to prepare with what you already have. This is a simple meal that proves grains can make dinner both flexible and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Couscous Salad
Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Baking beef, rice, and cheese together in one pan creates a casserole that is warm, filling, and comforting. The ingredients cook into a dish that feels complete while keeping cleanup minimal. It is hearty enough on its own but pairs well with vegetables or bread.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
Honey Glazed Chicken
Coating chicken in a sweet and sticky glaze makes a dish that cooks fast and stays moist. The balance of flavors keeps it simple but satisfying, with each bite rich but not too heavy. It works well with rice, salad, or potatoes. This is one of those simple dinnerss that feels finished without requiring much effort.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Chicken and Pea Risotto
Creating a creamy risotto without long stirring is possible by using shortcuts with chicken and peas. Rotisserie chicken and Parmesan blend in with rice to make the dish hearty yet simple. The taste is comforting and familiar, while the method keeps the process easy. This is one of those simple meals that saves time but still feels homemade.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Pea Risotto
Tomato Lime Chicken
Bright flavor comes through in tomato lime chicken, which cooks tender and works in tacos, rice bowls, or salads. The dish takes little effort yet has enough versatility to use for more than one meal. Each bite balances tang and savor, making it both practical and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Lime Chicken
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Using grape tomatoes and ricotta with bigoli pasta creates a plate that is creamy, smooth, and balanced with freshness. The tomatoes bring brightness while the ricotta blends into the warm noodles. It is ready in about half an hour with only a few ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Chicken Taco Wraps
Building wraps with rotisserie chicken, tortillas, and toppings makes a meal that comes together fast. No cooking is required, and the flavors are light but filling. Each wrap can be adjusted for different tastes, keeping dinner flexible.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Breakfast Pizza Recipe
Starting the day with breakfast pizza turns eggs, cheese, and toppings into something hearty on a crisp crust. It is simple to change with what you have and it works for small or larger groups. The blend of breakfast favorites and pizza style makes it both fun and filling.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Pizza Recipe
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Shredded chicken coated in barbecue sauce cooks easily in the Instant Pot, making it tender and flavorful. The meat is versatile enough to use in sandwiches, salads, or baked potatoes. It comes together quickly without a lot of steps.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Salmon seared in a skillet with sun-dried tomato sauce, garlic, and Parmesan turns rich and bold. The creamy sauce coats each bite, keeping the fish tender and flavorful. It is ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal when you want something fast but satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Kefta Kebabs
Shaping spiced ground meat into kefta kebabs creates skewers that cook fast yet taste deeply seasoned. They are juicy, simple to pair with rice or salad, and make dinner feel special without extra work. The short cooking time keeps them practical for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Pesto Salmon
Salmon brushed with pesto combines herbal notes with the richness of the fish for a meal that feels balanced. The flavors work together smoothly, making it both fresh and satisfying. It is simple to prepare, yet it looks and tastes like more effort went into it.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon
Chicken Tortilla Soup
A bowl of tortilla soup combines savory broth, chicken, and tomato with toppings like avocado, cheese, and crispy tortilla strips. The mix of textures makes it hearty while still straightforward to prepare. It has comfort in every spoonful without being complicated.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Avocado Tomato Salad
Fresh vegetables mix into avocado tomato salad with romaine and a quick blender-made dressing that blends everything together with ease. The result is crisp, colorful, and light while still being hearty enough to serve as more than just a side dish at the table. The freshness and flavor in every bite make this salad stand out from plain versions and turn it into something you will want to make again and again.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad
Chicken Tortellini Soup
A warm bowl of chicken tortellini soup blends cheesy pasta, broth, and tender chicken into something hearty. The tortellini makes it richer than most soups while still keeping it light enough for busy nights. Using rotisserie chicken saves time while building flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Ground chicken, fresh vegetables, and simple seasonings cook together in one skillet to create a chicken egg roll in a bowl that feels both light and filling. The recipe is packed with flavor and keeps cleanup easy since everything comes together in just one pan. Dinner is ready fast, making this a practical choice for nights when you want a meal that delivers taste without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Rotisserie chicken gets a second life when rolled into tortillas with a cheesy filling that bakes into a warm and hearty meal. The layers of tender chicken, melted cheese, and soft tortillas come together in the oven for a dish that feels both comforting and satisfying. This simple favorite is quick to make, full of flavor, and always a hit when you need dinner on the table without a lot of extra work.
Get the Recipe: Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas
Lemon Butter Pasta
Pasta is tossed in a simple lemon butter sauce that cooks quickly and brings a perfect balance of richness and brightness to the plate. The noodles soak up the smooth sauce, creating a dish that feels comforting without being too heavy or overwhelming. Using just a handful of ingredients, this meal comes together fast and pairs easily with vegetables or protein for a dinner that always satisfies.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Caprese Panini
Toasting a caprese panini brings together tomato, mozzarella, and basil inside golden, crisp bread that feels warm and comforting. The melted cheese pairs with the juicy tomato and fresh basil to create a balanced flavor that is simple but still feels satisfying. This panini looks and tastes like something special, yet it only takes minutes to make, making it an easy favorite for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Honey Bourbon Chicken
Cooking honey bourbon chicken in the Instant Pot makes the meat tender and glazed in a sauce that is sweet and savory. The dish is satisfying without being heavy and works well with rice or vegetables. It comes together quickly, giving you a full plate with little effort.
Get the Recipe: Honey Bourbon Chicken
Bacon Egg Salad
Crispy bacon mixed into creamy egg salad adds a smoky richness that makes every bite more filling and satisfying. Served on soft bread or with crisp greens, the flavor feels classic while still offering a fresh twist that keeps it exciting. The recipe comes together quickly but delivers a balanced taste that makes it a go-to favorite for easy meals.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Kung Pao chicken salad combines crunchy vegetables with bold seasoning and a tangy dressing that ties everything together. The mix of zesty and refreshing flavors balances well with tender chicken, making the dish both light and filling at the same time. The blend of textures and tastes keeps this salad interesting and makes it a favorite to serve for a quick meal.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Chicken Paprikash
Creamy paprika sauce turns Instant Pot chicken paprikash into a meal that tastes traditional but takes less time. The chicken comes tender, and the sauce feels rich without being heavy. Paired with rice or noodles, it makes a full plate fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken tikka masala in the Instant Pot simmers in a spiced tomato cream sauce that tastes full and layered. The dish is hearty yet quick, with the Instant Pot cutting down the usual time. Served with rice or bread, it makes a complete dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala