Weeknight dinners can feel like a race, and the last thing you want is a recipe that takes too much work. These 37 reader-approved mains are the kind of meals that bring both comfort and flavor without slowing you down. From hearty classics to quick new favorites, they deserve a place at the table tonight and every time you need dinner that works.
Honey Glazed Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Poached Orange Salmon
Tender salmon simmers in a bright orange sauce that keeps it juicy and full of flavor in every bite. The dish is simple to make but looks and tastes like something much fancier. This reader-approved favorite deserves a spot at your table when you want dinner that feels special without the work.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Chicken Paprikash
Juicy chicken cooks in a creamy paprika sauce that brings bold flavor and rich comfort to every forkful. The Instant Pot keeps it simple while still delivering deep and classic taste. This beloved reader-approved dish is always worth making when you want a dinner that warms the table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Canned tuna and fresh tomatoes turn into a pasta dinner that is quick to prepare but still packed with flavor. It comes together in less than half an hour yet leaves you with a meal that feels hearty and complete. This easy reader-approved recipe is one you will want in your rotation for nights when time is short.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Salmon simmers in a creamy garlic sauce with Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes, making every bite rich and satisfying. The recipe is quick to pull together, yet feels like a meal you would order out. This beloved reader-approved dish is one you will want to make whenever you need a dinner that impresses.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Honey Glazed Chicken
Tender chicken gets coated in a sticky honey glaze that is both sweet and savory, giving you flavor in every bite. The recipe comes together fast and proves how simple ingredients can create something worth repeating. This trusted reader-approved favorite is perfect for nights when you want a dinner that always satisfies.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Chicken
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Canned chicken blends with creamy dressing for a dish that works in sandwiches, wraps, or over a bed of greens. It’s quick to make, full of flavor, and always dependable on a busy day. This easy, reader-approved recipe is a favorite because it delivers a light but filling meal with no fuss.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo
Tender chicken, fresh herbs, and orzo come together with feta for a dish that is both hearty and bright. It’s easy to prepare yet gives you balanced flavors that taste like something special. This beloved reader-approved favorite is great when you want a wholesome meal that leaves the table satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken With Orzo
Slow Cooker Pork Chili
Pork simmers until tender in a sauce that is rich with spices and full of comforting flavor. The slow cooker handles the work, so dinner is ready without stress or extra steps. This dependable reader-approved favorite is perfect for nights when you want chili that feels homemade without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chili
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Sheets of pasta get filled, rolled, and baked with cheese and sauce for a dinner that is hearty and easy to serve. The rolls cook faster than traditional lasagna but bring the same comfort to the table. This reader-approved favorite is always a hit when you want lasagna flavor without the long wait.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Chicken and crisp vegetables cook together in one pan with seasonings that make every bite bold and flavorful. The recipe keeps cleanup simple while still giving you the taste of a takeout favorite. This reader-approved dish is perfect for nights when you need something quick, filling, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Chicken soaks in lime juice, keeping it tender while adding a tangy flavor that tastes bright and fresh. It grills quickly, making it perfect for weeknights when time is short. This reader-approved dish proves that simple marinades can make chicken taste special without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Lime Marinated Grilled Chicken
Meatballs and Sauce
Juicy meatballs simmer in a rich tomato sauce until the kitchen fills with a savory smell that feels comforting. The Instant Pot helps cut cooking time while still giving a meal that tastes slow-cooked. This trusted favorite shows why meatballs and sauce will always hold a spot on the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Orange Chicken
Tender chicken gets coated in a sweet and tangy orange sauce that sticks to every bite. It cooks quickly at home but has the same taste as your favorite takeout order. This go-to dinner proves why orange chicken has become one of the most beloved dishes for easy nights.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken
Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Chicken, vegetables, and rice steam together inside foil packets that trap flavor and moisture. The cleanup is quick, making it one of the most practical meals for busy nights. This simple favorite is one readers return to again and again because it never fails to deliver.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Foil Packets
Chicken and Pea Risotto
Creamy risotto blends with chicken and peas for a filling dish that feels both rich and comforting. It uses everyday ingredients but comes together without the constant stirring people expect from risotto. This cozy favorite deserves a place on your list for nights when you want big flavor without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Pea Risotto
Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Crisp vegetables and tender chicken mix with a zesty sauce that keeps the salad bold and refreshing. It comes together in minutes yet tastes like something with plenty of care behind it. This vibrant dish is a trusted favorite for anyone who wants dinner that feels fresh but filling.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken Salad
Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Fresh lemon juice keeps chicken juicy while grilling, giving each skewer a bright and lively flavor. The kebabs cook quickly, which makes them perfect for both weeknights and weekends. This reader-approved dish shows how a simple marinade can create a meal that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Marinated Chicken Kebabs
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Spicy chicken gets tossed with crisp greens and creamy dressing for a salad that is hearty and bold. It takes only a short time to prepare, but it never feels plain. This lively favorite is always worth making when you want something lighter that still works as a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken, noodles, and vegetables simmer into a soup that is warm, filling, and comforting. It cooks fast in the Instant Pot but has the deep flavor of a slow-simmered broth. This timeless dish is a reader favorite because it turns an ordinary night into something cozy.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Tenders
Chicken gets coated in a crunchy cornflake crust that bakes golden and crisp while keeping the inside juicy. The recipe is quick and foolproof, making it perfect for families on busy nights. This beloved favorite has earned its place at the table because kids and adults never turn it down.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tenders
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Tomatoes and creamy ricotta turn simple pasta into a dish that feels rich but not too heavy. It takes only a handful of ingredients and about thirty minutes from start to finish. This trusted favorite is perfect for nights when you need comfort food without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Ricotta
Caprese Panini
Melty cheese, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil stack inside crisp bread for a sandwich that always tastes fresh. It’s quick to prepare but feels a step above an ordinary meal. This easy favorite is proof that simple ingredients can make a dinner you’ll want again and again.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Panini
Chicken Taco Wraps
Juicy chicken wraps up with fresh toppings in a handheld dinner that is fast but flavorful. It works for both lunch and dinner and comes together with little effort. This flexible favorite is one readers count on whenever taco night needs something easy and fun.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Wraps
Asian Glazed Salmon
Salmon cooks in a glaze that is sweet, savory, and full of flavor in every bite. It takes only minutes to prepare, but it looks and tastes like something special. This reader-approved dish is the kind of quick dinner that always feels like a win.
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Salmon
Cashew Chicken
Chicken and cashews simmer in a savory sauce that brings crunch and flavor to the pan. It’s easy to make at home, but it tastes just like a restaurant takeout order. This go-to stir-fry has earned its spot as a trusted weeknight favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken
Chicken and Rice Soup
Chicken, rice, and vegetables simmer in a warm, filling, and satisfying broth. It comes together with basic ingredients that are often already in the kitchen. This timeless dish is one readers rely on when they want dinner that feels comforting and simple.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Soup
Lemon Butter Pasta
Pasta gets coated with lemon and butter, giving it a tangy flavor that feels rich but fresh at the same time. It takes only a few pantry staples and minutes to prepare. This easy favorite is proof that the simplest recipes can become the most dependable.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Butter Pasta
Chicken Curry
Tender chicken cooks in a creamy coconut sauce that is both rich and comforting. Warm spices bring depth while still keeping the dish simple enough for a weeknight. This bold favorite is one that readers keep making because it always delivers flavor without effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry
Thai Chicken Chili
Spiced chicken and vegetables simmer into a chili that has the perfect mix of heat and comfort. It’s fast to prepare but hearty enough to stand alone as dinner. This trusted favorite deserves a spot on your table when you want something bold yet easy.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Chili
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Chicken gets coated in tangy barbecue sauce until it is tender and flavorful. The Instant Pot makes it quick while locking in all the taste. This versatile favorite is a go-to for readers because it works on sandwiches, salads, or baked potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Shredded BBQ Chicken
Honey Habanero Tacos
Ground beef mixes sweet honey with spicy habanero for tacos that feel bold and exciting. The recipe is quick to assemble, but it always makes taco night memorable. This spicy favorite shows how one twist can turn a simple meal into a standout.
Get the Recipe: Honey Habanero Tacos
Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Juicy turkey patties get seasoned with bold flavors that bring new life to a classic burger. They cook up tender and flavorful without much effort at all. This reader-approved dish is one people return to because it works for any quick meal.
Get the Recipe: Asian Inspired Turkey Burgers
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Chicken simmers with garlic and lemon until it is tender, flavorful, and bright. The recipe can be made on the stove or in the Instant Pot, keeping it flexible for busy nights. This simple favorite is one that readers trust for a meal that always works.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Chicken, vegetables, and biscuits bake together for a meal that is hearty and comforting. It’s easy to prepare but has the flavor of something slow-cooked with care. This beloved favorite shows why some dishes never leave the family table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stew with Biscuits
Cacio e Pepe
Pasta gets tossed with cheese and black pepper until it is rich, bold, and satisfying. The dish takes only minutes to make but feels like something much bigger. This classic favorite is proof that a few ingredients can create a meal worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Bacon Egg Salad
Creamy egg salad gets a savory boost from crispy bacon that adds crunch and flavor. It comes together quickly and works well in a sandwich or on its own. This trusted favorite is always worth making when you need something easy but filling.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Salad
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken, beans, and corn simmer into a broth that is hearty, flavorful, and satisfying. It’s fast to cook but makes a complete meal without much effort. This cozy soup is a reader-approved dish that always fits the table on a chilly night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup