50+ Healthy Dinner Ideas

Salads

Sometimes you just need a big salad that’s filled with lots of veggies and protein! I love to eat a hearty salad for dinner, and these recipes fit the bill perfectly. Have fun playing with the ingredients and see what salad makes you feel your best.

• BBQ Chicken Salad. Does it get any better than fresh greens, BBQ chicken, black beans, corn, tortilla strips and a delicious cilantro lime dressing? Nope.
• Taco Salad. Just 20 minutes to a delightfully delicious and flexible salad that tastes just like a taco.
• Asian Chicken Salad. Toppings like shredded chicken, green onions, almonds, cilantro, wonton strips and an easy Asian dressing make this salad a star.
• Cobb Salad. This is the perfect way to use any leftover chicken and comes together in a snap.
• Chicken Taco Salad. Revamp Taco Tuesday with this healthier spin on the classic.
• Chicken Fajita Salad. Pull together this flavorful and hearty salad in less than 20 minutes.
• Steak Salad. Fire up the grill for the ultimate dinner salad in a jiffy.
• Wedge Salad. Add your favorite toppings to turn this traditional side dish into a meal.
• Italian Salad. This is like all of my favorite antipasto flavors in one bite.
• Mediterranean Salad. Chocked full of greens, protein, and flavor, this salad hits all the right notes.
• Greek Chicken Meatballs. These healthy chicken meatballs have loads of Greek flavor and are best served over salad greens!
• Bulgur Salad. Salads don’t have to contain lettuce! This one is full of bulgur wheat, vegetables and a light dressing.

Vegetarian Salads

This list of healthy salads is so versatile…you’re bound to find a recipe that you’d enjoy! You’ll find both sweet and savory salads with delicious toppings like strawberries, avocados, chickpeas, feta, pistachios and more. So flavorful and delicious!

• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad. I can’t get enough of this wholesome salad loaded with fresh veggies, herbs, and lots and lots of flavor.
• Spinach Strawberry Salad. Fresh strawberries, almonds, feta and greens are topped with poppy seed dressing. Yum!
• Spinach Berry Salad. This colorful and sweet salad is at the top of my list when the berries are in season.
• Mandarin Orange Salad. The star of this salad is this homemade orange dressing.
• The Jennifer Aniston Salad. A famous salad that Jen is said to have at every day on Friends!
• Sweet Potato Salad. Kale, roasted sweet potatoes, avocados, pecans, feta, and cranberries all tossed in a homemade balsamic glaze? Yes, please!

Soups

I’m a big fan of soup recipes…they’re easy, comforting, filling and are great easy dinner ideas! There are lots of healthy soups that are so flavorful and don’t taste like ‘skinny’ recipes. Plus I love that you can throw in any veggies and meats that you have on hand and easily whip something up. Be sure to check out this list of soup recipes below…they won’t disappoint!

• Chicken Tortilla Soup. Made in just one pot, this soup comes together in less than 30 minutes.
• Crockpot Cabbage Soup. Dump everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.
• Healthy Turkey Chili. Made with lean ground turkey, chili seasoning and 3 types of bean, this soup is a hearty meal on a chilly night.
• Vegetable Beef Soup. This beef and vegetable soup is a Whole 30 recipe, perfect for when you want to feel a bit better.
• Roasted Cauliflower Soup. Similar to a loaded potato soup, but much lighter.
• Mexican Chicken Soup. Paleo, gluten-free and Whole30 friendly, this easy crockpot soup takes just 5 minutes of prep.
• Sweet Potato Soup. This one-pot meal is so creamy and delicious, perfect for any cold night.
• Minestrone Soup. Packed with fresh vegetables to help you feel your best.
• Chicken Taco Soup. The perfect way to turn leftover chicken into something new.
• Pasta e Fagioli. This Olive Garden copycat rivals the original and can be made right at home.
• Chicken and Rice Soup. I always feel better after a big bowl of this comforting soup.
• Best Taco Soup. Simple pantry ingredients come together to create a favorite dish.
• Chicken Vegetable Soup. Simply put everything in the slow cooker and enjoy your day.
• Creamy Tomato Basil and Cauliflower Soup. Instead of using heavy cream like most tomato soups do, I use Greek yogurt to help make it rich and creamy.

Low Carb Dinners

If you’re following a low carb diet like keto, atkins or paleo, these low carb dinners are great to add to your menu! You won’t even miss the carbs in these healthy dinner recipes…they are packed with flavor and are so delicious. My personal favorite is the Balsamic Chicken and Veggies recipe. It’s made in just one pan and takes only 5 ingredients. So easy!

• Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps. A great and healthy way to use leftover instant pot buffalo chicken.
• Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Another feel good dinner that doesn’t skip on flavor! With lean ground chicken coating in a savory, sweet and spicy sauce, this is so good.
• Balsamic Chicken. This sheet pan dinner comes together quickly and delivers big on flavor.
• Turkey Meatballs. Low in carbs and fat and high in protein, these meatballs have tons of flavor and make the perfect weeknight dinner.
• Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. Swapping the squash for noodles is an easy way to turn a classic Italian dish into a healthier, low carb option.
• Turkey Meatloaf. Lighten up one of your favorite comfort foods with lean ground turkey. 
• Baked Lemon Chicken. Just 7 ingredients to create a flavor-packed dinner.
• Bruschetta Chicken. Fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar roasted over chicken. Need I say more? 
• Pizza Chicken Roll Ups. Stuffed with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and marinara sauce, this tastes just like your favorite without the extra carbs.
• Chicken Club Lettuce Wrap. Just a few ingredients to achieve a low carb, low calorie and grain and gluten-free meal.
• Roasted Pork Tenderloin. Take 5 simple ingredients and 30 minutes to make this delicious dinner, trust me.
• Grilled BBQ Chicken Foil Packets. Fire up the grill and enjoy a dinner with no clean up.
• Burger in a Bowl. Enjoy this healthy gluten-free, low-carb, whole 30 alternative to a traditional hamburger. 
• Grilled Salmon Recipe. It doesn’t get much easier to make a light and healthy dinner quickly and effortlessly
• Pesto Chicken. TWO ingredients to a really flavorful and filling dish.
• Balsamic Glazed Salmon. Made on the stovetop in less than 15 minutes, this is a weeknight dinner dream.
• Stuffed Zucchini Boats. These are filled with seasoned Italian sausage and marinara sauce and topped with cheese. Delicious!
• Lemon butter baked salmon in oven. Simple yet flavorful this is the best way to enjoy salmon!
• Salmon Bites. With a sweet and spicy marinade, these crispy bites are quickly pan-seared and can be added to salmon bowls and more.

Mexican Food

I could eat Mexican food every day! It’s my favorite cuisine and seriously never gets old. And if you give me healthy Mexican food, I love it even more! These healthy dinner ideas don’t skimp on that great Mexican flavor, but have a few healthy swaps that makes these recipes guilt-free. You can’t go wrong with any of these Mexican recipes!

• Chicken Fajita Bowl Recipe. Serve with a few of your favorite toppings or tortilla chips.
• Sweet Potato Bowls. An easy vegetarian meal option that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas. This is one of our favorite sheet pan meals because it is so easy and flavorful.
• Taco Lettuce Wraps. I love these as a healthy, flavorful and delicious alternative to hard shell tacos.
• Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowl. This is a family favorite for a lighter Taco Tuesday.
• Chicken Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy this quick 30-minute meal that only requires 5 simple ingredients.
• Salsa Chicken. Everything you need is in the name.
• Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Bowls. Let the slow cooker do all of the work for you, and then just enjoy assembling with your favorite toppings.
• Salsa Verde Chicken. Just 7 ingredients are needed to create this flavorful dinner.
• Stuffed Sweet Potato. Four different ways to make this easy and delicious meal.
• Mexican Salad. Layered with crispy romaine, sweet corn, black beans, tomatoes, red onion and sliced avocado, this salad is a delight any week night.
• Southwest Quinoa Salad. This is my healthier version of a traditional taco salad.

Chinese Food

I love Chinese food, but ordering take out is usually not the healthiest. That’s why I love to make healthy Chinese food at home, where I can make simple swaps and know exactly what I’m putting into my dishes. Still so much flavor, but on the lighter side!

• PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps. Make this easy takeout recipe in just 20 minutes in the comfort of your own home. 
• Egg Roll in a Bowl. You’re going to love this healthy, low carb dinner idea that’s loaded with flavor. 
• Teriyaki Chicken Bowl. This is so much better (and better for you) than the take-out version!
• Chicken Stir Fry. Serve over rice or noodles for the ultimate take-out style dish.
• Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps. This one-pot dish comes together in less than 20 minutes.
• Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Big on flavor but not the time it takes to prep, this dish is a staple in my house.
• Beef Ramen. Filled with tender steak, crisp vegetables and a flavorful sauce, this ramen is just as good as take out.
• Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken. Serve with steamed veggies for a healthier take on the dining out option.
• Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry. Everyone loves this easy better than takeout stir fry!

Sheet Pans and Side Dishes

There are all types of sheet pan dinners and healthy side dishes that can be easily whipped up to serve as a meal. My favorite is baked veggies on their own or included as a meal…they get perfectly crispy and caramelized in the oven.

You can bake all types of healthy side dishes with vegetables…like baked zucchini fries, sweet potato fries, parmesan broccoli, roasted carrots and more. Delicious!

• Baked Sweet Potato Fries. These are a great Whole 30 recipe and can be served with just about any main dish. 
• Roasted Vegetables. Toss your favorite veggies in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and flavorful spices.
• Baked Zucchini Fries. I adapted this recipe from my baked parmesan fries and they turned out so yummy.
• Roasted Parmesan Broccoli. If you aren’t a broccoli fan, you need to try roasting it. 
• Roasted Asparagus. You can keep the seasoning as simple or as fancy as you’d like.
• Roasted Cauliflower. The cauliflower is tender on the inside, while crispy and golden on the outside. Plus the parmesan cheese adds the best flavor.
• Roasted Red Potatoes. Try to look for the baby red potatoes if you can find them, because they roast more evenly and get super crispy. 
• Oven Roasted Butternut Squash. You really don’t even need to season it with much more than a little olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Roasted Root Vegetables. Beets, parsnips, carrots and sweet potatoes are carmelized with the best seasonings. The best way to try something new!
• Glazed Carrots. These require only 3 simple ingredients and can be made on the stove, in the oven or crockpot.
• Green Beans. Make them two ways: sauteed or roasted.
• Parmesan Roasted Carrots. You can turn any carrot-haters into carrot-lovers with this recipe.
• Baked Sweet Potato. Loaded with fiber and antioxidants and are a great source of healthy carbs, sweet potatoes are a fantastic alternative to a potato. 
• Grilled Vegetables. The flavor of the grill adds such a wonderful flavor to any veggie.
• Sheet Pan Gnocchi. You can buy gnocchi in the pasta section of your store and save a ton of time.
• Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Potatoes. This one pan meal has it all, protein, fat and carbs. The whole family loves this one!
• Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes. Another one pan meal that is a family favorite! This sheet pan dinner saves time and is delicious!
• Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies. Feel free to customize this to your liking, from the chicken, the veggies, and the seasonings!
• Sheet Pan Salmon Dinner. The entire meal comes together in less than 1 hour and only requires one pan to do it.
• Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables. Made in just 30 minutes and and Whole 30 approved.