Serve Up a Good Meal in No Time: Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less

As a parent, every day of the week is an adventure - and a busy one at that. Work, school, sports practice and so on are just a few obligations you’re navigating. And that means you don’t always have time to prepare an elaborate dinner at the end of the day. You need quick and easy meal options that taste great and provide nutrition for your family - without spending too much time in the kitchen. 

However, if you have 30, 20 or even 15 minutes in the evening to dedicate to cooking, we have some great recipes to share. In fact, you can have each of these seven dishes ready to serve for dinner in 30 minutes or less. Talk about a good meal in no time!

Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less

Grilled Chicken Taco Rice Bowls: 30 Minutes

Our first dinner recipe is proof that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor when choosing a quick and easy dish. Made with Mexican-style rice as the base of the bowls, followed by a delicious combination of beans, corn, tomatoes, salsa and grilled chicken, plus pickled jalapenos and hot sauce as a garnish, these Grilled Chicken Taco Rice Bowls are filling and loaded with flavor. And they only take 30 minutes to make! Serve this recipe as-is or pick up a bag of fresh tortilla chips from your neighborhood Food Lion’s Deli department and dip them in a little extra salsa on the side.

Want to swap the chicken for another protein? Steak or shrimp would both make tasty substitutions!

Baked Buffalo Chicken Sliders: 30 Minutes

It’s true - when you have a family, every day can get pretty busy and you need quick meals that can satisfy each of your loved ones. These Buffalo Chicken Sliders are a great option for school nights or any day when you don’t have a lot of extra time to spend in the kitchen. Plus, they only take 10 minutes of prep time and an additional 20 minutes baking in the oven. Then, these baked sandwiches are ready to enjoy along with your favorite potato chips, like Food Lion brand, and a salad kit for a complete meal that can be on the dinner table in practically a blink of an eye. 

These sandwiches also make a fantastic dish for Game Day or a weekend lunch! So, keep that in mind as the end of the work week approaches. 

Easy Chicken Tacos: 30 Minutes

Taco night is another fantastic option to prepare dinner in 30 minutes or less. But, if you’re wanting to branch out from your typical ground beef, lettuce, tomato and cheese combination, give these Easy Chicken Tacos a try! Here’s what you’ll pack inside your tacos with this recipe:

• Crispy chicken strips
  
• Black beans
• Corn
• Salsa
• Enchilada sauce
• Cilantro lime sauce

Then, for serving, pair your tacos with rice and refried beans for a complete meal your family will absolutely love. And for a better-for-you protein choice, use grilled chicken instead, seasoned with taco seasoning for extra flavor and a little kick.

Dinners in 20 Minutes or Less

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry: 20 Minutes

Let’s face it - there are evenings when you don’t even have 30 minutes to spare. So, the next four recipes are even quicker to prepare! Our first dish, Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry, comes together in just 20 short minutes. With tender, juicy chicken, nutritious peas and carrots, plus slightly sweet baby corn tossed in teriyaki sauce and served over white rice with crunchy chow mein noodles, this meal is wholesome and full of Asian flavors.

However, if you want to make it an even healthier choice for your family, skip the white rice and use brown or wild rice instead.

Quick Meatball Parmesan Soup: 20 Minutes

Now, get your spoons ready for a quick, wholesome and heart-warming soup recipe that can also be made in just 20 minutes. Filled with mini meatballs, macaroni pasta, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and a variety of vegetables, this soup is hearty enough for dinnertime, but also makes a wonderful lunch.

Although you can certainly serve this soup without any sides, you can also toast some garlic bread for dipping or crunch up some crackers on top. Sound like the perfect meal for your family? Check out the full Meatball Parmesan Soup recipe on our portal!

Loaded Mac and Cheese: 17 Minutes

Enjoy an iconic comfort food, macaroni and cheese, as a main dish instead of side! Our recipe for Loaded Mac and Cheese is filled with ground beef, tomatoes, bacon, jalapeno peppers and crispy fried onions. So, as you can see, it’s everything you look for in a dinner. Plus, it’s cheesy, a little zesty and uses boxed macaroni and cheese. And that’s a huge time-saver! In fact, this entree only takes 17 minutes to prep and cook.

Prefer a few more vegetables with your evening meal? Add some sauteed bell pepper and onions, as well as some corn!

Shrimp Fried Rice: 15 Minutes

When you think of your favorite local Asian restaurant, do you picture eating a delicious plate of shrimp fried rice? If so, then this easy dinner recipe is something you should definitely try from the comfort of home! With seven ingredients, plus a little salt and pepper, and 15 minutes of cooking, this simple, flavor-packed dish comes together quickly and is a low-cost meal to serve to your family. Sounds pretty great, right?

Another fantastic thing about our Shrimp Fried Rice recipe is that it has all the key components of any good meal - a protein, vegetables and rice. That means you don’t need to make extra sides, which gives you time back in your day!

With that, you now have seven ideas to help you prep and cook dinner in 30 minutes or less. So, the next time you find yourself feeling a little pressed for time, have this blog saved and handy to help give you a little inspiration. That way, you and your family can enjoy a good meal in no time! And for more recipe ideas, head on over to our portal to find a wide selection of quick and easy dishes.

Additionally, keep an eye out for easy meal solutions with little to no prep time at your local Food Lion. That way, you don’t need to figure every meal out during the week. You can count on us for a quick, affordable and good meal every time you shop!