In a fast-paced world where time slips away faster than ever, balancing nutrition and convenience is challenging. Fortunately, you can quickly whip up a few healthy dinner ideas in minutes to satisfy your desire for nutritious meals. Here are five ways you can afford to create healthy food amidst your busy schedule.

1. Grilled Pesto Chicken Wraps 

These wraps are your perfect choice if you’re looking for a light yet flavorful dinner. This easy recipe requires shredded rotisserie chicken and pesto, which can be store-bought or homemade. Grilling the wraps not only adds crispness, but it also keeps the wrap intact.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup grated mozzarella
• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
• ⅓ cup basil pesto
• 1 avocado, pitted and sliced
• ½ cup canned artichoke hearts
• 2 large flour tortillas
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Oil for grilling
• Optional: fresh basil or arugula

Instructions:

1. Place mozzarella, basil pesto, chicken, artichoke hearts and sliced avocadoes. Add Italian seasoning and add a handful of fresh basil or arugula.
2. Preheat a grill pan. Fold the sides of the tortilla and roll as you would a burrito. Brush sides with oil.
3. Grill them for four to six minutes until they appear golden brown.
   

2. Miso Noodles

If you’re craving a Japanese-style dish but haven’t got much time, this healthy dinner idea is the perfect choice. It’s easy to put together and only requires essential ingredients. Even better, it only requires less than 30 minutes to put it together.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon groundnut oil
• 1 free-range egg
• 50 grams of chestnut mushrooms
• 1-inch ginger
• Chili flakes
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• ½ small and grated garlic clove
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• 1 handful beansprouts
• 1 teaspoon brown miso paste
• 100 grams egg noodles, cooked
• Ground black pepper and sea salt

Instructions:

1. In a small pan, boil water and gently put the egg in. Set a timer for six minutes.
2. On the side, heat the groundnut oil in a wok over medium to high heat. Add the mushrooms and stir-fry for two minutes. Put the garlic, ginger, chili flakes, beansprouts and spring onions, then stir-fry for another minute.
3. Add soy, miso and cooked noodles. Mix well and cook for a minute or two.
4. Once the six-minute timer for the egg is through, pour the hot water away. Add cold water to the pan.
5. Season the noodles and serve in a bowl. Peel the egg and put it on the top of your meal. Sprinkle chili flakes and spring onions.
   

3. Vegetable Stir-Fry

This catch-all dish is one of the few healthy dinner ideas that is good for the body and your environment. It uses any scraps or veggies that might otherwise go to waste. It saves you a trip to the grocery store and time to prepare dinner after a tiring day at work. This low-carbohydrate meal is perfect after you hit the gym or want a veggie-filled plate to amp up your day.

Ingredients:

• 4 spring onions, cut into 4 centimeters in length
• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 carrot, cut into matchsticks
• 1 piece fresh root ginger, about 1 centimeter long, peeled and grated
• 100 grams baby corn
• 1 courgette, cut into matchsticks
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons low-salt soy sauce
• 150 grams sugar snap peas

Instructions:

1. Heat a wok on high heat, then add sunflower oil. Add garlic, spring onions, stir-fry and ginger for a minute, then reduce heat to medium. Take care not to brown the vegetables.
2. Add red pepper, carrot and baby corn, then stir-fry for two minutes. Put sugar snap peas and courgette inside the wok, then stir it for three minutes. Afterward, move the ingredients from the center to the side of the wok using a spatula. Keep stirring.
3. Add hoisin, soy sauce and one tablespoon of water in the center, then mix with the other ingredients. Cook everything over high heat for two minutes. 
4. Optional step: Sprinkle your meal with flaxseeds, which can help balance out gastrointestinal bacteria and improve hormonal balance.
5. Serve with rice or noodles.
   

4. Cauliflower Fried Rice

Unlike rice, cauliflower possesses some veggie flavor, which is why others use it as a low-carb alternative. This dish helps decrease the glycemic index, making it paleo-friendly. Feel free to add other vegetables to boost its nutritional value. Create a delicious cauliflower fried rice in your kitchen using the following:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cauliflower florets
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 celery stalks, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 inch fresh ginger, minced
• 1 garlic clove
• ½ cup frozen green peas
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 eggs

Instructions:

1. Use a shredding blade on your food processor to transform cauliflower florets into rice-like bits.
2. In a large, deep skillet, heat olive oil. Saute onions, carrots and celery until soft, about five to eight minutes. Add garlic and ginger, then stir for a minute until fragrant.
3. Add riced cauliflower, salt, frozen peas and soy sauce. Stir until combined well, then cover with a lid to cook for about three to five minutes. Mix and stir occasionally to prevent from sticking. Add water splashes to remove vegetables sticking to the pan’s bottom.
4. Move ingredients to the pan’s edge. Put some oil in the center, then crack the eggs in it. Use a spatula to scramble them and stir until cooked.
5. Mix the scrambled eggs with the rest of the ingredients. Add seasoning if desired. Serve warm and feel free to sprinkle your favorite garnish, such as green onions or sesame seeds.
   

5. Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup

Are you looking for something filling and delicious to prepare in 10 minutes? Look no further than this low-carb dish. It only includes ingredients you usually have at home, making it one of the easiest healthy dinner ideas to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 can condensed low-sodium chicken noodle soup
• ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 ½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• ½ cup grated carrot
• 2 soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs, halved
• ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions
• ½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
• ½ teaspoon Sriracha

Instructions: 

1. Prepare soup as stated in package instructions. Add ginger and heat until it simmers.
2. Pour your soup into two wide, shallow bowls. Top each with carrot, cilantro, scallions and an egg. Add Sriracha and sesame seeds.

Prepare These Healthy Dinner Ideas Today!

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be a chore. Create these delicious recipes in your home to make your healthy eating journey more enjoyable. Which one are you most excited to try out?

Updated on March 1, 2024