27 Main and side dishes to get on the table quickly

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Too busy to make a full, healthy meal tonight? Don’t settle for takeout or processed snacks — whip up one of these delicious quick main and side dishes instead! You can have a nutritious home-cooked dinner on the table in no time.

Quick Mains and Sides

Korean Beef and Broccoli over rice.
Ground Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipe

Don’t have the time to dedicate to an elaborate meal tonight? Check out this list of easy-to-make main and side dishes for a quick, delicious meal. You’ll leave the table feeling satisfied without spending hours in the kitchen.

Honey Butter Fried Chicken

Serving of honey butter chicken garnished with parsley on plate.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Indulge in the sweet and savory taste of honey butter fried chicken. Each crispy piece is cooked to perfection and finger-licking good.
Get The Recipe: Honey Butter Fried Chicken

Beef Quesadillas

Stack of beef quesadillas on a plate.
Beef Quesadillas. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

These carne asada beef quesadillas combine tender steak with melty cheese inside a toasted tortilla shell. It’s a flavorful Mexican-style dish that can be served as an appetizer or meal.
Get The Recipe: Beef Quesadillas

Panko Pork Chops

Panko pork chop on plate with greens.
Panko Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Tender and juicy, these panko pork chops are a delicious dinner idea. The crunchy coating made with Japanese bread crumbs is sure to please.
Get The Recipe: Panko Pork Chops

Ground Beef and Broccoli

Korean Beef and Broccoli over rice.
Ground Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipe

Looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner idea? This delicious Korean beef and broccoli dish only takes 30 minutes or less.
Get The Recipe: Ground Beef and Broccoli

Santa Fe Salad

Santa Fe Salad with creamy dressing.
Santa Fe Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

This salad is the perfect option for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. It’s also a great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey.
Get The Recipe: Santa Fe Salad

Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Cabbage and bacon in white serving bowl.
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Treat yourself to this easy recipe for Southern fried cabbage. It is perfectly spiced and cooked with bacon, making it hard to resist.
Get The Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables

Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus on a white plate.
Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Indulge in the sweet and savory taste of honey butter fried chicken. Each crispy piece is cooked to perfection and finger-licking good.
Get The Recipe: Sheet Pan Salmon and Vegetables

Panko Chicken Breast

Panko chicken on a white plate.
Baked Panko Chicken Breast. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Try this delicious panko chicken recipe! With crunchy breadcrumbs and juicy chicken, it’s sure to be a hit for a quick weeknight dinner.
Get The Recipe: Panko Chicken Breast

Green Bean Tomato Salad

Green beans and tomatoes on a white plate.
Green bean tomato salad. Photo Credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Salads are a great way to enjoy a healthy, light meal. This green bean tomato salad is no exception! It’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
Get The Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Grilled BBQ Boneless Chicken

Grilled chicken thigh on white plate with green beans.
BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs. Photo Credit: Little Bit Recipes

These juicy BBQ boneless chicken thighs will take your grill to the next level! They are perfectly seasoned and grilled to perfection.
Get The Recipe: Grilled BBQ Boneless Chicken

Panko Crusted Cod

Panko crusted cod fish.
Panko Crusted Cod Fish Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

An easy dinner idea for busy weeknights is delicious panko crusted cod. Enjoy the crunchy texture and flavor of this easy-to-make baked fish!
Get The Recipe: Panko Crusted Cod

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Air fryer chicken nuggets on plate with ketchup.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Crispy, golden air fryer chicken nuggets are a delicious snack or meal. They are healthier than deep-fried chicken as they use little oil.
Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Broccoli Salad with bacon on a plate.
Broccoli salad with bacon. Photo Credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Packed full of crunchy vegetables and savory bacon, this broccoli salad with bacon is sure to be a hit. It is an easy, delicious side dish.
Get The Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Navy Bean and Ham Soup in a serving crock.
Navy Bean and Ham Soup. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Treat yourself to a delicious and comforting bowl of Navy bean and ham soup! This easy-to-make dish is sure to leave you feeling satisfied.
Get The Recipe: Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Chicken Curry

Chicken curry with rice.
Creamy Chicken Curry. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes

Ready to try a simple yet flavorful dish? If you love the taste of Asian spices, this easy creamy coconut chicken curry recipe is for you!
Get The Recipe: Chicken Curry

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Creamy spinach chicken bake in a glass baking dish.
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake recipe includes chicken thighs marinated and refrigerated in avocado oil and flavorful Italian spices. Cream cheese and mozzarella give this recipe a smooth, creamy texture, while the spinach adds a beautiful pop of color and nutrients. In only 30 minutes, you’ll have a dinner that the whole family will love!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Tuna Pesto Pasta

tuna pesto pasta on a white plate with a copper fork.
Tuna Pesto Pasta. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This easy tuna pesto pasta recipe with burst cherry tomatoes, spinach, and garlic is a weeknight meal you’ll love.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pesto Pasta

Stir Fry Chicken

Stir Fry Chicken with cauli rice in a bowl with chopsticks.
Keto Stir Fry Chicken. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Our Best Stir Fry Recipe, filled with veggies and minimum carbs, will make your dinner special. This low carb chicken and vegetable stir fry is a perfect idea you should take advantage of.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fry Chicken

Sausage And Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage And Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage And Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner is so flavorful and easy to make! In just 30 minutes, you can whip together this filling meal with perfectly roasted sausage and vegetables to have as part of your meal prep menu or make it to serve for an easy family dinner. Only one pan is required and everything is cooked at the same time, which means fewer dishes, easy clean-up, and less time spent in the kitchen!
Get the Recipe: Sausage And Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken 

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs on a platter.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Big meaty thighs cook so quickly, and this recipe is delish! With a honey-garlic glaze that’s simply too good to miss, this recipe is a dinner winner!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken

Baked Salmon with Pesto

Baked Pesto Salmon on a white plate with pesto sauce.
Baked Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins

Ready in under 30, this easy and delish dish features quick-cooking salmon and a pesto sauce that’s rich, creamy, and delish!
Get the Recipe: Baked Salmon with Pesto 

Easy Crunchy Taco Cups Recipe

Easy Crunchy Keto Taco Cups on a white board with cilantro.
Easy Crunchy Keto Taco Cups Recipe. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Those hard shell easy crunchy Taco Cups recipe filled with Mexican flavors and taco ground beef is a perfect low-carb appetizer for your next party or get-together. Entirely gluten-free, low carb, grain-free and perfect for diabetics, those low-carb taco cups are an ideal keto replacement for your taco tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, or Tex-Mex ground beef tacos for that matter.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crunchy Taco Cups Recipe

Vegetable Yaki Udon

Vegetable Yaki Udon in bowl with two wooden chop sticks
Vegetable Yaki Udon. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This vegetable yaki udon recipe is a stir-fried Japanese udon noodle dish that’s savory, sweet, and just a bit spicy.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Yaki Udon

Lazy Man’s Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer chicken cordon bleu on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Crispy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, making Chicken Cordon Bleu in your air fryer is super easy, especially when you take a few shortcuts! Plus, it’s ready in under 15 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Lazy Man’s Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Cheesy Beef Casserole With Cauliflower Rice And Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole in a dish.
Cheesy beef casserole in a dish. Photo credit: Sara Nelson.

This Cheesy Beef Casserole With Cauliflower Rice And Spinach is a perfect choice for weeknight dinners and is made in only 30 minutes! Featuring ingredients like ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese, this casserole is both filling and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole With Cauliflower Rice And Spinach

Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta

Baked palmini with feta in a light blue casserole.
Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Enjoy this super quick and easy TikTok Viral Baked Feta Pasta with palmini noodles made in a few minutes. Fully low carb, gluten-free, and grain-free keto dinner made with pasta alternative you are going to love.
Get the Recipe: Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta

Italian Chicken Cutlets

Italian Chicken Cutlets with lemon slices on black plate with fork
Italian Chicken Cutlets. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These undemanding, quick, versatile Italian Chicken Cutlets may be exactly the salty, crispy, savory treat you need!
Get the Recipe: Italian Chicken Cutlets

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