12 Healthy Dinner Shortcuts

It's about effort, not being perfect. 
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After working a long day, the last thing you want is to put together an elaborate meal that is not only delicious but healthy too.  Well I'm here to spread the good news that you don't have to compromise on the "healthy" part to get a nutritious meal on the table in a hurry.

During the busy work week, I would rather spend more time relaxing and chillin' with the family, than spending an hour in the kitchen preparing a balanced dinner.  If you're like me, and are in desperate need of some "dinner shortcuts," then I hope I can help you out.  

Listed below are my favorite 12 HEALTHY DINNER SHORTCUTS, with meal ideas included, to help you lessen your cooking time and greater your chillin' time :)  

1.  Rotisserie chicken
Meal Ideas: Chicken salad wraps or sandwiches; Chicken over salad greens and dressing, Chicken pasta with spinach; Chicken stir-fry; Chicken with some vegetables and a baked potato

2.  Chicken sausages
Meal Ideas: Chicken sausage with some veggies and tater tots; Sliced chicken sausage on a homemade pizza; Chicken sausage on toasted sourdough with onions, mustard and a side veggie; Sliced chicken sausage in your veggie pasta with some marinara sauce

3.  Eggs
Meal Ideas: Veggie and feta omelet; Fried egg wrap or sandwich with bacon, spinach and tomato; Poached eggs with sauteed spinach and tater tots; Veggie egg scramble; Hard-boiled eggs on salad greens and dressing

4.  Applegate chicken tenders
Meal Ideas: Chicken tenders with baked potato/tater tots and some sauteed veggies; Sliced chicken tenders over salad greens and dressing; Chicken tender wrap with some hot sauce, ranch and spinach
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5.  Applegate deli meat
Meal Ideas: Deli meat sandwich on toasted sourdough with favorite condiments and spinach; Hot sandwich (bake whole sandwich in the oven for 8 minutes at 400 degrees) and add condiments; Deli meat wrap with tomatoes, onions and spinach; Deli meat over salad greens and dressing

6.  Canned tuna 
Meal Ideas:  Tuna salad with celery and mayo and/or mustard; Tuna salad sandwich on toasted bread with spinach; Tuna salad over salad greens and dressing

7.  Prechopped, spiralized or frozen vegetables 
Meal Ideas: Serve as a side dish with your protein of choice; Chicken vegetable stir-fry; Veggie pasta or add to chicken pasta with olive oil and garlic or marinara sauce; Serve steamed with some shredded cheese and a baked potato; Serve spiralized veggie noodles with your favorite marinara sauce

8.  Organic soups  
Meal Ideas: Serve with a grilled cheese, hot sandwich, tuna salad sandwich, deli meat wrap or small salad and dressing

9.  Baked Potatoes (bake + leave it for 1 hour at 400 degrees)
Meal Ideas: Pizza potato by adding your favorite pizza toppings; Taco potato by adding your favorite taco toppings; Serve with butter and a bowl of steamed broccoli, carrots and cauliflower

10. Spinach
Meal Ideas: Spinach salad with chicken or boiled eggs; Saute or microwave until wilted to serve with your choice of protein; Veggie pasta by tossing in spinach at the very end so it wilts perfectly; Spinach, tomato and feta omelet or egg scramble

11. Minute rice or Boil-in-bag rice 
Meal Ideas: Veggie stir-fry with rice, rotisserie chicken and coconut aminos or soy sauce; Serve as a side dish with your choice of protein and veggie; Chicken taco bowl with rice, rotisserie chicken, salsa, chopped spinach, shredded cheese and guacamole 

12. Pasta (Lentil, chickpea, brown rice, black bean or whole grain) 
Meal Ideas: Chicken spaghetti by mixing pasta, marinara sauce, spinach and rotisserie chicken; Veggie pasta by mixing pasta, olive oil, garlic and lots of veggies; Macaroni + cheese by mixing pasta, lots of shredded cheese, chopped spinach, garlic powder and a little almond milk for creaminess 

I hope these healthy shortcuts are able to help reduce your cooking time in the kitchen and increase your play time!  Please comment below to share your favorite dinner shortcuts.  


                        Always craving good food,
                                         Jillian