Easy Weeknight Dinners for Family

Spicy Chicken Thighs with Cucumber Avocado Salsa

Photo: Dara Michalski

The "Yes, It Cooks That Fast" Chicken

The most difficult part of this recipe, says Dara Michalski of Cookin' Canuck, is resisting the urge to toss every other piece of avocado into your mouth while speedily chopping the three main ingredients. If you can get past that, all you have to do is season boneless, skinless chicken thighs with a simple spice mixture and chop up some fresh vegetables for the salsa. Line the baking sheet with foil before you cook the meat (10 minutes, tops, under the broiler) so cleanup will be just as easy.

Get the recipe: Spicy Chicken Thighs with Cucumber Avocado Salsa

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet Dinner with Bacon

Photo: Jenny Flake

An Ovenless Casserole

Picky Palate's Jenny Flake makes this dish—which is a kind of American take on fried rice—in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop, which makes it perfect for nights when you don't feel like turning on the oven (or waiting for it to preheat). The star ingredients: bacon, Cheddar and shredded rotisserie chicken.

Get the recipe: Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet Dinner with Bacon

Pasta with Corn, Mushrooms, Crispy Shallots and Creme Fraiche

Photo: Phyllis Grant

A Pasta with the Secret Ingredient That Will Be Your New Best Friend

Who knew that a slightly less-sour sour cream would be the key to whipping up the most decadent but ridiculously easy pasta dish? Crème fraîche, which you can make yourself with heavy cream and buttermilk or buy at specialty food stores and some supermarkets, tastes a bit like sour cream's fancy cousin. It's great as a dip with fruit or swirled into pureed soups, and it's also a vital element in Dash and Bella blogger Phyllis Grant's pasta with corn and mushrooms. She uses "gobs and gobs" of the stuff; if you'd rather measure, stir in a cupful.

Get the recipe: Pasta with Corn, Mushrooms, Crispy Shallots and Crème Fraîche

Vitamin-Boosted Salad with Black Quinoa, Fennel, Avocado and Grapefruit

Photo: Béa Peltre

The Gluten-Free, Vegetarian Salad That Hits Every Note

This substantial supper salad from Béa Peltre of La Tartine Gourmande not only tastes delicious but also is beautiful to look at (and as scientists have learned, color is a crucial part of the eating experience). Black quinoa, which is a bit crunchier than white, is a nice contrast to smooth avocado, tangy grapefruit and slightly sweet fennel.

Get the recipe: Vitamin-Boosted Salad with Black Quinoa, Fennel, Avocado and Grapefruit

Photo: Tara O'Brady

Comfort Food Without the Cream of Mushroom Soup

Tara O'Brady, who writes the blog Seven Spoons, has a trick for keeping this tumble of stewy leeks and chickpeas from getting too mushy: She just barely cooks the vegetables and legumes so they're still firm and springy. They make for a fine dinner on their own or are even better with some wilted bitter greens or steamed broccoli rabe (you can swirl them into the dish's herbed, lemony, garlic-infused olive oil). Sprinkle some grated Parmesan on top and serve with hunks of crusty bread.

Get the recipe: Chickpeas with Leeks and Lemon

Photo: Jaden Hair

The 15-Minute Curry

Jaden Hair, who writes the blog Steamy Kitchen, promises that this entire meal comes together in a flash. She cooks jasmine rice in the microwave while a coconut Thai curry—which you can make with shrimp, chicken or tofu—simmers on the stove.

Get the recipe: Thai Shrimp Curry and Rice

Photo: Caroline Lubbers

What People Eat on Tuesday Nights in Corfu

This recipe for oregano-and-lemon-scented chicken wrapped in pita and drizzled with cucumber-yogurt sauce from Caroline Lubbers, who writes the blog Whipped, is super easy—and authentic (as Lubbers' Greek family can attest to). Use pita bread, not pita pockets; they're thicker and will sop up the meat's juices and cool sauce.

Get the recipe: Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Dip

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