Looking for the most delicious dinner recipes? Here are 45 insanely good and easy summer dinner ideas the whole family will enjoy!
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I am so excited for summer to be finally here! I’ve spent most of winter bundled up in 10 blankets and with a cup of hot cocoa in my hand. I just cannot stand the cold weather. I envy those who can stay outside in the freezing weather for hours without so much as shivering. I mean, I would love to build a snowman, have snowball fights, and go skiing. But unfortunately, those things just aren’t for me.
No matter, summer is almost here. Which means it’s time to put the winter woes behind us and start thinking about all the delicious recipes you want to try out. I normally go for something light, fresh, and easy to make during the summertime, like a salad or pasta. Because who wants to stand in the kitchen for hours cooking? Not me! I love recipes that are easy to make, take little effort, and are ready in under an hour.
Seafood is a very popular choice of food in the summer. Along with chicken breast recipes, pasta salads, and sandwiches, of course. If you are looking for some delicious recipes to try out this summer, keep on reading. I’ve gathered 45 insanely good and easy summer dinner ideas that are sure to make it on your weekly dinner rotation.
From delicious sheet pan shrimp boil to southwest chicken salad and tasty chicken breast recipes, there is something in here for every kind of taste bud.
SUMMER DINNER IDEAS
1. One-skillet salmon with lemon orzo
Who wants to spend hours in the kitchen when it’s literally 90 degrees outside? I certainly don’t. This salmon and lemon orzo recipe takes only 30 minutes to make, and calls for only one skillet.
Making cleaning up and doing the dishes super easy.
2. Quick Southwest Chicken Salad
Ok, you cannot tell me this doesn’t look amazing! If you want a chicken salad but with a lot more flavor, then you should definitely try out this recipe.
It has lots of spices, veggies, and protein. You can eat this on its own or make it into a chicken salad wrap with lettuce.
3. strawberry chicken salad
Summer is the season for all things salads. This recipe is great for when you are craving something fresh, easy, and insanely flavorful.
It is made with romaine lettuce, obviously, chicken, shredded mozzarella cheese, and a few other ingredients.
4. taco chicken salad
Salads are my go-to for summer. They are insanely easy to make, taste amazing, and require very little effort.
This taco chicken salad is made with lots of veggies, chicken, black beans, cheddar cheese, and tortilla chips.
5. Rainbow orzo salad
Am I the only one who thought orzo was some kind of fancy rice? I mean, it looks like rice, so I just assumed it was, haha! But it is actually pasta, and it makes for a great summer salad.
Just mix in some colorful veggies, herbs, and drizzle it with some tasty dressing.
6. Buffalo chicken rice bowls
Rice bowls are another super-easy summer dinner recipe. Plus, you can meal prep this for work and busy weeknights.
It is made with chicken breast, black beans, cheese, and lots of hot sauce for a bit of kick.
7. creamy street corn pasta recipe
If you love Mexican street corn, then you have to try out this recipe. It is beyond delicious and will become a new family favorite.
It is made with lots of charred sweet corn, pasta, lime-spiked dressing, and lots of spices.
8. pesto chicken tortellini and veggies
This pan just screams summer. This pesto chicken tortellini and veggies recipe is healthy and super flavorful. Made with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, basil pesto, and tortellini.
You seriously won’t get enough.
9. Hawaiian chicken sheet pan
Who wants to deal with doing a bunch of dishes? Especially after you eat, and all you want to do is relax. Well, don’t worry because this Hawaiian chicken recipe is made using only one sheet pan.
Yes, you read that right! Enjoy this colorful dinner and don’t worry about the cleanup.
10. spring roll salad with peanut sauce
Do you love Vietnamese summer rolls? If so, this spring roll salad with peanut sauce is calling your name. Enjoy noodles, healthy veggies, fresh herbs, and tasty peanut sauce in under 30 minutes.
11. Mexican rotisserie chicken tostados
How delicious does this look? These tostadas make for the perfect weeknight dinner when you want something that is quick and packed with flavor.
They are made with corn, shredded chicken, fresh toppings, and a squeeze of lemon.
12. Chicken Parmesan Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a classic that you can never go wrong with. Take it a step further with this chicken parmesan mac and cheese recipe. It still has all the flavors you know and love, but even better.
13. Chili Mac
Tired of eating the same old Mac and Cheese and are craving something with a little oomph? Well, look no further because this chili mac is everything you’ve ever wanted.
Combine creamy mac and cheese with flavorful homemade chili and enjoy a delicious weeknight dinner.
14. sheet pan shrimp boil
You just gotta have a shrimp boil at least once in the summertime. The experience is unmatched, lol! But seriously, it is so good, and this recipe will show you how to make it using only one pan.
Which is great because that means no extra dishes for you to do.
15. BBQ chicken grilled cheese
For those days when you don’t want a full-on dinner and want something that is flavorful, delicious, and easy to make, BBQ chicken grilled cheese sandwiches are the way to go.
The garlicky bread, savory flavors, and the gooey cheese are incredible.
16. BBQ chicken sliders
These BBQ chicken sliders are perfect for both lunch and dinner. They are easy to make, taste amazing, and are great for meal prepping too.
They are made with Hawaiian rolls, BBQ sauce, and cheese.
17. street corn chicken rice bowl
I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word corn, I immediately think of summer. In my opinion, corn is a summer food.
It goes with practically every meal. Recreate this street corn chicken rice bowl for dinner and watch how all of your family come back for seconds.
18. Copycat Applebee’s honey pepper chicken mac and cheese
Are you a fan of Applebee’s mac and cheese with honey pepper chicken? If so, instead of ordering out, make it yourself at home. I’m telling you, this recipe tastes even better than Applebee’s.
19. tomato zucchini pasta
I’m not the biggest fan of zucchini, but if it is mixed in with delicious pasta, then I’ll definitely be eating it. This is a great weeknight dinner recipe that you will love.
Plus, you can also swap out the zucchini for other veggies and make it as spicy as you want.
20. Mini Baked Chicken Tacos
Tacos are insanely good and make for an amazing weeknight dinner. But baked tacos are on another level. This recipe requires only 20 minutes of your time.
Which is great for when you are super busy and need dinner on the table ASAP.
21. chicken fried steak with white gravy
Chicken and gravy are a match made in heaven, and you cannot tell me otherwise. It is beyond delicious and is super easy to make.
Enjoy this fried chicken and steak with white gravy in only 20 minutes.
22. crescent roll taco pizza
Enjoy your two favorite foods with this recipe. Tacos and pizza are a great combo; put them on buttery crescent rolls, and you’ve got yourself a dinner recipe that you won’t get enough of.
23. loaded ground beef and potatoes skillet
You cannot tell me this doesn’t look good. This ground beef and potatoes recipe is made using only one skillet, making cleanup a breeze. You can eat this by itself or serve it with some rice.
24. Cheesy broccoli chicken and rice casserole
If you’ve never had broccoli chicken and rice, what are you doing? It is the perfect busy weeknight dinner recipe that the entire family will love.
It is also loaded with cheddar cheese and is ready in less than an hour.
25. Easy Baked Chicken Chimichangas
This is one of the easiest recipes on this list. All you have to do is mix up the ingredients, roll them up, and bake.
It is made with chicken, tortillas, beans, cheese, salsa, jalapeños, green onions, butter, chili powder, and coriander.
26. burger bowls
Do you know what’s even better than a burger? A burger bowl! It has all the same flavors and ingredients you know and love, but is so much more filling.
Make some fries to go along with it and enjoy!
27. bang bang shrimp pasta
Shrimp and summer go hand in hand. It just hits different during the warm weather. If you love sweet, spicy, and creamy dishes, you will absolutely devour this Bang Bang shrimp pasta.
Set aside 20 minutes and get cooking, haha!
28. chicken mashed potato bowls
Sometimes, after a long, tiring day, we just want a comforting meal that tastes delicious and makes us feel good. This chicken mashed potato bowl is the comfort meal you’re looking for.
It is layered with corn, chicken, turkey gravy, cheese, and lots of mashed potatoes.
29. 30-minute chicken pomodoro
My mouth is watering just by looking at the image, lol! This chicken pomodoro is made in only 30 minutes, is seasoned to perfection, and uses only one pan.
It tastes amazing by itself, but you can also pair it with some pasta or rice.
30. easy stuffed bell peppers
If you guys have never tried stuffed bell peppers, you are seriously missing out. It is the perfect dinner idea for busy weeknights. It is stuffed with ground beef, brown rice, and cheddar cheese.
31. Chinese lemon chicken
Enjoy this crispy battered chicken with a sweet and sour lemon sauce in under 30 minutes. This recipe will quickly make its way to your weekly dinner rotation. Serve on a bed of rice and enjoy!
32. spicy shrimp tacos with cilantro lime slaw
Tacos are for Tuesdays, and on Tuesdays, we have shrimp tacos! I mean, seriously, how can you not love tacos?
This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, and you will be coming back for seconds and thirds. That’s how good it is.
33. Mushroom chicken
I know mushrooms aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, but if you love them as much as I do, then this mushroom chicken is going to become your new favorite dinner recipe.
Serve it with some mashed potatoes and roasted veggies for a filling weeknight dinner.
34. Easy stuffed shells
As the name says, stuffed shells are an extremely easy dinner recipe that everyone will love. The filling for these shells is creamy, smooth, and cheesy.
The great thing about this recipe is that it requires only 10 minutes of prep time.
35. The best meatball subs
I haven’t had a meatball sub in ages. I will definitely be making this recipe this week.
If you are a fan of Italian meatballs, marinara sauce, and ooey-gooey melted mozzarella cheese, then you have to try out this meatball sub recipe.
It is great for lunches, dinners, and when you have company over.
36. instant pot marry me chicken pasta
This pasta is so good that whoever eats it will want to marry you, hence the name, lol! It is made in an Instant Pot and takes only 30 minutes to make. It is creamy, rich, and incredibly tasty.
37. sheet pan pizza
Pizza is such a comfort food for me. It requires very little effort to make and is a great dinner idea. Set aside 30 minutes and enjoy fresh, homemade pizza for dinner.
38. best roasted potato salad
I used to not like potato salad for the longest time. I just could not get into the texture. But I’ve recently come to really like it, and now I can’t get enough.
If you also are not the biggest fan of potato salad, give it another chance and make this roasted potato salad. I promise you’ll love it!
39. Cantonese chow mein
Enjoy crispy chow mein in under 15 minutes. This is one of the best recipes I’ve tried recently. Not only is it super easy to make, but the flavor is out of this world. I highly recommend you try it.
40. thai peanut chicken
Are you looking for a summer dinner recipe that takes little time to make and is insanely delicious? Look no further because this Thai peanut chicken is exactly what you’re searching for.
The peanut sauce is addictive. Serve over a bowl of rice for the perfect weeknight meal.
41. spinach stuffed chicken
Stuffed chicken is one of my go to’s for dinner. It is low-carb and so easy to make. You can also meal prep this for the week. Serve with some pasta, rice, or eat it by itself.
42. creamy lemon chicken with asparagus
This looks way too good not to try. If you’re like me and hate doing the dishes, worry not, because this recipe calls for only one pan.
The lemon garlic cream sauce is absolutely delicious and will have you coming back for seconds.
43. Easy lasagna recipe
Lasagna is a classic dinner recipe that you just cannot go wrong with. You don’t need to boil the pasta for this lasagna recipe. Just layer the noodles as you would normally and bake.
44. crockpot beef and broccoli recipe
Who wants to stand in the kitchen for hours and cook, especially when it’s like 90 degrees? I definitely don’t.
This beef and broccoli recipe is amazing because the crockpot does all the hard work for you. Just dump the ingredients and go about your day.
45. southwest chicken wrap recipe
Last but definitely not least, we have this amazing Southwest chicken wrap recipe that is insanely good. It is made with chicken, veggies, black beans, and a tasty southwest dressing that is to die for.
THIS POST SHOWED YOU THE BEST SUMMER DINNER IDEAS
