18 Shortcut Dinners for When You (Really) Need to Relax

You deserve it.

You deserve easy dinners that actually taste delicious.

This is your chance to have minimal prep time, have amazing smells wafting throughout your home, and relax.

These are the kind of recipes you keep in your back pocket for those lazy nights when you want good food.

And whether you’re busy or just want simpler evenings, this list is for you.

1. 4 Ingredient Oven Baked Pork Chops

Photo Credit: Crayons and Cravings

With just 4 ingredients, you get complete creamy comfort food for dinner. Honestly, a great way to wind down a long day.

Get the Recipe: 4 Ingredient Oven Baked Pork Chops

2. Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs Dinner

Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester

I love sheet pan dinners; super simple and almost always full of flavor.

Also with some good spices and veggies, it’s probably a healthy dinner that’s gonna taste and feel pretty good.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs Dinner

3. Orange Chicken with Chicken Nuggets

Photo Credit: She’s Not Cookin

This is a pretty genius shortcut. Instead of breading the chicken yourself, you just use chicken nuggets with a tasty sauce. Pretty simple!

Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken with Chicken Nuggets

4. Cheater’s Chicken Parmesan

Photo Credit: Sift and Simmer

Another great hack for making a fancy-looking dinner fast.

Just use breaded chicken tenders and you’re all set!

Get the Recipe: Cheater’s Chicken Parmesan

5. Crispy Refried Bean Tacos

Photo Credit: Megan Vs. Kitchen

Super simple, but crispy and delicious.

Pair with your favorite salsa (I personally recommend the Herdez brand), and you have a nice meal in.

Get the Recipe: Crispy Refried Bean Tacos

6. Italian Herb Chicken

Photo Credit: Through the Fibro Fog

If you love herby flavorful chicken (like me), then this is the recipe for you. Pair with some quickly made rice and you’re all set for the evening.

Get the Recipe: Italian Herb Chicken

7. One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Photo Credit: From Valerie’s Kitchen

It’s a classic and it’s done all in one pot.

This just means that you’re getting a short prep time, but also a shorter clean up time as well.

Get the Recipe: One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

8. Air Fryer Juicy Steak Bites

Photo Credit: A Southern Soul

I love steak bites! And these ones made with a garlic butter sauce and done in an air fryer look incredible!

Also, I think they’d go great with some mashed potatoes!

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Juicy Steak Bites

9. Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza

Photo Credit: She Wants to Be Good

An easy and cheesy option for when you’re craving pizza, but don’t really have the time to make the dough.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza

10. Melt in Your Mouth Chicken Bake

Photo Credit: The Cookin Chicks

I love creamy chicken bakes when they’re done right, and this one looks amazing!

It’s creamy, cheesy, and looks like it’d be completely satisfying to sit down to and eat.

Get the Recipe: Melt in Your Mouth Chicken Bake

11. 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp

Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud

Shrimp is so ridiculously easy to make, it cooks so fast!

And when you have the right kind of spices, you have a leveled-up dinner that tastes and looks so good!

Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp

12. Easy Air Fryer Salmon with Vegetables

Photo Credit: Bless this Meal

Another more healthy option for these quick dinners.

I love salmon and veggies when they’re done right. And this recipe made with a nice sauce looks like it would hit the spot.

Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Salmon with Vegetables

13. Ground Chicken Stir Fry

Photo Credit: Love from the Table

I love fragrant and flavorful stir fries! And this simple one looks like it would go great with some hot freshly made steamed rice.

Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Stir Fry

14. Crock Pot Cranberry BBQ Drumsticks

Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah

I feel like this one sounds and looks too good not to make. Also, being made in a slow cooker just makes your life so much easier!

Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Cranberry BBQ Drumsticks

15. Roasted Gnocchi With Veggies And Sausage

Photo Credit: Love from the Table

Gnocchi is such an easy pasta to make (cooks within a few short minutes) and has such a satisfying texture.

Paired with some tasty herby veggies and sausage and I think it’ll make a great simple dinner!

Get the Recipe: Roasted Gnocchi With Veggies And Sausage

16. Creamy Chicken And Gnocchi

Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen

Another gnocchi recipe because it looks good.

But I also went through the ingredient list and it was actually pretty easy! A great shortcut recipe for when you want tasty but simple!

Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken And Gnocchi

17. Cilantro Lime Salmon

Photo Credit: Dash for Dinner

Another sheet pan dinner because they’re so simple to make and taste oh so good! Also, cilantro and lime are such a good combination; you’re getting such fresh flavors!

Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Salmon

18. Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas

Photo Credit: Coconuts and Kettlebells

I love a good fajita recipe and this one doesn’t look very hard to do at all!

The majority of the ingredients list are spices and that basically takes no time to pull out of the cupboard and use.

Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas

Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.

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