30 Healthy Dinner Recipes
These are our top 30 fan-favorite healthy dinner recipes!
What does a healthy dinner look like? Just about everybody has a different definition. So rather than focus on low-carb, vegan, keto, no-sugar, Whole 30, low sodium, low fat–or a dozen other categories of nutrition–let’s pay attention to the recipes that are generally healthy overall. They’ve got plenty of fresh veggies, simple meats, and pure ingredients. If you follow one of the many nutrition plans (like I just mentioned), you may have to skip a few of these–and if you’re on any of the keto/low carb/low sodium/vegan approaches, you’re probably very accustomed to scrutinizing ingredient lists already. The recipe collection below focuses on healthy dinner recipes that include seafood, chicken, soups, and vegetarian options. That’s a great starting point for healthy meal choices! Read on and you’ll see what I mean.
Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes
Eating healthy meals doesn’t have to be complicated! After all, veggies and meats are pretty healthy, so why add fussy, unhealthy things to them? Keep them simple and you’ll keep them healthy. We have sheet pan recipes, as well as some of your favorites using chicken, turkey, and quinoa. These healthy dinner recipes have received five-star reviews on our site–try them and see what everyone’s raving about!
1. One-Pan Italian Sausage and Veggies
One–Pan Italian Sausage and Veggies is loaded with nutritious and good-for-you ingredients. This dish makes for a filling, simple, and nutritious meal.
One reader said: “This was so delicious!! I made it on Sunday for my meal-prepped lunches for the week and added some veggie pasta with it instead of rice. So so yummy, I loved it every day and kept me so full!”
This Turkey Meatloaf recipe is made with ground turkey, plenty of veggies, and a delicious tangy glaze. These mini meatloaves are so easy to make and packed with good-for-you healthy ingredients.
One reader said: “Just tried these tonight–very tasty! I put zucchini in there as well!”
Quick Chicken Curry is ready in a hurry — we’re using all the shortcuts to keep things as simple as possible while still delivering loads of flavor.
One reader said: “This is one of my all-time favorite recipes! I kid you not, we make it at least once a week! It’s so yummy and so dang easy! Keep up the good work with these recipes! We’ve never had something from your site we haven’t loved!”
Quinoa Fried Rice can be ready in about 30 minutes. It’s such a nutritious and easy meal for any night.
One reader said: “The best fried rice dish ever! And so easy to make. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner”
Chopped Chicken Salad employs all kinds of shortcuts to have a nutritious and hearty salad on the dinner table in a hurry!
One reader said: “So healthy, quick, easy, and delicious!!”
Healthy Recipes For Two
Cooking for two presents challenges, especially if you don’t want lots and lots of leftovers. These healthy dinner recipes for two give delicious results that are sized for just two people.
You won’t miss the meat in these Vegetarian Gyros! This easy, weeknight meal can be ready in about 30 minutes or less if you’ve got an air fryer!
One reader said: “Thank you for the awesome recipe. Made a lovely lunch!”
7. One-Pan Healthy Chicken and Veggies
A sheet pan dinner with chicken, tons of veggies, an easy seasoning mix, and cheese! Healthy, hearty, easy to make, and so delicious!
One reader said: “I made this last week, and couldn’t wait to make it again tonight. It may be the tastiest meal I’ve ever cooked!”
8. Honey Mustard Chicken Sausage and Veggies
We’re pulling out the air fryer to make this ridiculously easy Honey Mustard Chicken Sausage and Veggies! Chicken sausage, carrots, and broccoli are tossed with herbs, and air fried.
One reader said: “Made this for my husband and I. I used our local Lupo’s chicken Italian sausage and also added some asparagus to the vegetable mix. We absolutely loved this recipe!! Definitely a keeper.”
This crunchy, flavor-packed Thai Quinoa Salad is loaded with good-for-you ingredients: crisp veggies, sweet mango, fresh herbs, and a medley of greens. This simple salad is tossed with a peanut dressing that takes minutes to whip together in the blender.
One reader said: “Took for a birthday potluck at work. Everybody loved it and wanted the recipe.”
This Chickpea Salad Sandwich is loaded with a creamy chickpea filling that includes lots of fresh veggies and herbs. Pile it on some toasted bread with lettuce, tomato, and onion for a hearty, flavorful, and nutritious meal.
One reader said: “I could hug you! This recipe was amazing! I’ve been a vegetarian for a year & a half & have been looking for a recipe to replace my traditional chicken salad sandwich. This does the trick for me. The combination of flavors & textures was perfect. It was easy to put together too. Thank you.”
Healthy Chicken Dinner Recipes
Most of us consider chicken to be a healthy ingredient. It’s what you add WITH the chicken that can turn the recipe into an unhealthy one. These healthy dinner recipes use nutritious and tasty ingredients to create chicken dinners you can be proud to serve. Lettuce wraps, stir-fries, chicken salad, fajitas, and burrito bowls: who could ask for more?
11. Rotisserie Chicken Stir-Fry
This simple Rotisserie Chicken Stir-Fry uses a few store-bought shortcuts to minimize chopping and prep time. Add a simple, but flavor-packed stir-fry sauce and enjoy dinner on the table in about 20 minutes!
One reader said: “Tastes great and it was the fastest dish yet that I have made out of all. Thanks again!“
Flavorful Chicken Lettuce Wraps with ground chicken, tons of veggies, and a delicious sauce to coat it all!
One reader said: “Love these! Such a delicious, easy and healthy option for dinner or lunch!“
The BEST fajita marinade for grilled chicken breasts or thighs. Serve grilled chicken with your favorite fajita toppings!
One reader said: “Chelsea, thank you so much for this fajita recipe, I made it last night for dinner and it was outstanding! The flavors in the marinade are fantastic. I will be making this again soon!“
With over 100 rave reviews, Healthy Chicken Salad is made with shredded chicken, crisp celery, dried sweet cranberries, juicy grapes, and crunchy sliced almonds. It’s coated in a mayo-less three-ingredient dressing.
One reader said: “A new favorite and perfect way to get my pregnancy craving fix of chicken salad! And double plus for quick lunches!“
Chicken Burrito Bowls made with taco-seasoned chicken, cilantro-lime rice, salsa, guacamole, corn, beans, and a delicious creamy cilantro sauce.
One reader said: “I made it for a meal, not individual meal prep. It was delicious– especially the dressing!!“
Healthy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes
Just because a recipe is vegetarian doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthy. These ones are, though! They combine familiar favorite flavors with healthy cooking techniques, and you end up with delicious healthy dinner recipes that are meat-free and full of flavor.
Quell your sushi cravings without any meat! Vegetarian Sushi Bowls start with sushi rice and are topped with ripe avocado, shelled edamame, carrot ribbons, chopped mangoes, and crisp cucumbers. Add in some seaweed sheets and a creamy sriracha mayo as the perfect finishing touch!
One reader said: “This is honestly my go-to dish! It’s a total crowd pleaser and fits everyone’s dietary needs! It’s so yummy and delicious! Thanks for sharing!“
These easy Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps are brimming with coconut rice and roasted veggies, then are topped with a green onion vinaigrette.
One reader said: “So, so, so good!! We enjoyed it so much we are making it again this week!“
18. Lentil Curry
Lentil Curry is packed with protein, lentils, and seasoned veggies that have been simmered in fire-roasted crushed tomatoes and creamy coconut milk.
One reader said: “I’m usually just a lurker on food blogs but I have to say THANK YOU so much for this recipe. I’ve made it three times since you posted it, and it’s the first healthy meal I cook that I find myself craving. The zing of the lemon zest is delightful.“
19. Hummus Wraps (With Chickpeas!)
These Hummus Wraps can be ready in under 30 minutes and start with tasty, crisp chickpeas, loads of fresh veggies, and smooth hummus-topped tortillas.
One reader said: “Hi I can’t wait to try this recipe. I am looking for healthy lunch ideas!“
This nourishing Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl is served over quinoa with black beans and an herby cilantro and parsley sauce.
One reader said: “This was amazing! My husband, who thinks every meal is better with meat, raved about it. The chimichurri made the entire dish pop!! Will definitely make it again.“
Healthy Soup Recipes
Serve up some soup and enjoy warm, comforting meals. Might as well make them healthy as well! Make them vegetarian or meaty, brimming with vegetables and delicious broth. We have Chicken Tortilla, Cauliflower, Curry, White Bean and Kale, and Chicken Vegetable Soup. What does that old commercial say? Soup is good food! And soup makes the best comforting healthy dinner recipes!
21. Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup
This Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup has loads of hidden veggies, tender shredded chicken, and plenty of plant-based protein in the form of quinoa and beans!
One reader said: “GOODNESS! This is delish and so simple, my whole family loved this (including 3- and 5- year-old boys!). I just threw the jalapeño in whole and removed it once it was finished cooking to avoid any spice bites for the kiddos. Thanks for a new favorite!“
22. Cauliflower Soup
This hearty, vegetable-loaded Cauliflower Soup is rich, thick, and creamy! With tender bites of cauliflower and a luxuriously flavorful soup base, even your kids will be hooked on veggies!
One reader said: “This is a new family favorite! It’s just starting to get cold here and this soup will be on regular rotation!“
23. Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Soup
This creamy, comforting, hearty, and nutritious Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Soup is loaded with good-for-you ingredients like chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and kale. It’s also dairy-free and vegan!
One reader said: “This soup is to die for!!! The cilantro and lime on top are a must in my opinion. I made it for Thanksgiving and I’m going to make it again today! The leftovers were even better than the day of.“
This vegetarian White Bean and Kale Soup is hearty and packed with plant-based protein. You can also add in some shredded, cooked chicken if desired.
One reader said: “This is the first recipe of yours that I made, Chelsea, and it’s the one that inspired my current love of healthy cooking. I had never even tried quinoa or kale before making this recipe, nor had I made a soup (or really anything) from scratch. We make this recipe constantly for guests now and love how easy it is. Thank you for inspiring my obsession with healthy recipes!“
Chicken Vegetable Soup is a healthy meal loaded with shredded chicken, butternut squash, carrots, onion, garlic, and potatoes.
One reader said: “I made this yesterday and it was delicious!! Thank you so much for the healthy and flavorful recipe! I’m excited to try some more recipes from your site.“
Healthy Seafood Recipes
Seafood is a perfect beginning to healthy dinner recipes because it’s naturally healthy. Jazz it up with some great seasonings and you’ll be swimming in compliments, so to speak. Tilapia, shrimp, or tuna: take your pick!
26. Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Bowls
Spicy shrimp with cilantro-lime rice, black beans, avocado, and a creamy cilantro lime sauce. These Cilantro-Lime Shrimp bowls are bound to be a family favorite!
One reader said: “This is one of the top 5 recipes I’ve tried of yours. SO good and SO easy. Perfect amount of spice and flavor.”
27. Blackened Tilapia with a Pineapple Salsa
Pan-seared Blackened Tilapia with delicious and simple pineapple salsa.
One reader said: “I don’t like fish but decided I’d try a fish recipe once a week to try new food. I LOVED this! I’ll definitely be making it again!”
This easy Lemon Garlic Shrimp is made with fresh lemon, garlic, and butter in about 20 minutes or less! This simple meal is packed with flavor and is sure to become a family favorite.
One reader said: “This was very tasty! My 12-year-old son commented how much he enjoyed this meal. The flavors are excellent! Super delicious! Thanks!”
29. Tuna Stack
These simple Tuna Stacks are an explosion of flavor! We use some simple tricks to make these stacks come together so nicely!
One reader said: “I made this last night and it was delicious. My husband hates mango with a passion and said he wouldn’t eat it. I made him take a bite and he instantly changed his mind. It’s his new favorite. This is going on our weekly menu. Thanks for the recipe!”
30. Tuna Salad Wrap
A quick, easy, and nutritious Tuna Salad Wrap with creamy-sriracha tuna and lots of crunchy veggies all wrapped in a tortilla!
One reader said: “Made these and they were wonderful! My husband says that they are definitely a “make-again” meal as they were fun, tasty, and healthy. I used half the amount of suggested sriracha, afraid that it would be too spicy for us, but I think next time I will try the full suggested amount, as halving it didn’t make it spicy at all.”
Bonus Recipes!
Healthy desserts to go with your dinners:
- Chocolate Healthy Ice Cream made with sweet potatoes–not bananas!
- Gluten and Dairy Free Chocolate Zucchini Cake (from our friends over at A Couple Cooks)
- Peanut Butter Banana Bars made with oats instead of flour
- Healthy Brownies made with Greek yogurt and oats
- Healthy Banana Muffins made without any refined sugar!
Healthy breakfasts to start your day:
- Overnight Oats with four different and unique recipes
- Avocado Toast with five different ways to prepare it!
- Healthy Zucchini Muffins made with Greek yogurt and sweetened with banana
- Microwave Oatmeal with lots of ideas for how to top your oatmeal
- Acai Bowl with four different and unique recipes
Thank you for these great ideas!