17 Lazy 1-Hour Or Less Dinners For When You Still Have A Holiday Hangover But Need To Feed Your Family
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Holiday brain fog is real when you are tired, the house is a mess, and everyone still expects dinner. These lazy 1-hour-or-less meals, give you simple recipes that skip fussy steps, use basic ingredients, and keep cleanup light. They help you get dinner done faster, ease the what’s-for-dinner stress, and give you a little more time to actually relax.
Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach
Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach makes regular chicken feel more special without demanding much from you. The breasts bake around a creamy mixture of spinach, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, plus herbs, so each slice feels rich and comforting. Round it out with instant mashed potatoes or a bag of steamed veggies for a plate that looks like far more effort.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach
Honey Glazed Pork Chops
Honey glazed pork chops come through on nights when you want real flavor but barely have the energy to think. The chops sear up golden, then get coated in a sticky honey glaze with a hint of garlic and spice. Pair with quick rice or steamed veggies for a dinner that feels special without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Pork Chops
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken Pot Pie with frozen crust is the shortcut that still brings real comfort to the table. You stir together a creamy chicken and veggie filling, tuck it under a ready-made crust, then let the oven handle the rest in under an hour. Pull it from the oven, scoop generous squares onto plates for an easy comfort dinner everyone appreciates.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie
Honey Mustard Salmon
Honey Mustard Salmon looks like a restaurant entree but still fits easily into a tired weeknight. The fillets bake up flaky under a glossy mix of honey, mustard, garlic, plus a touch of smoke. Add microwave rice or a simple green salad on the side for a fast dinner that still feels thoughtful.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Parmesan Crusted Chicken brings back excitement when plain chicken has been on repeat for too long. A quick coating of breadcrumbs, parmesan, spices turns the outside crisp while the inside stays tender. Serve with buttered noodles or frozen veggies for a no stress meal the whole crew recognizes.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Baked Shrimp
Baked Shrimp is perfect for evenings when you are hungry but not in the mood to fuss. You toss shrimp with butter, garlic, lemon, slide the pan into the oven while you take a breather. Add a side of bread or microwave rice so dinner lands on the table with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Baked Shrimp
Herb Crusted Chicken
Herb crusted chicken is a quick win you throw together when everyone is hungry but you are still wiped from the holidays. In about 15 minutes, you get golden, herb-speckled chicken that is crunchy on the outside and still juicy in the middle. Pair it with a bagged salad or leftover potatoes for a low-effort dinner that still feels put together.
Get the Recipe: Herb Crusted Chicken
Garlic Butter Steak Bites
Garlic Butter Steak Bites bring steakhouse vibes without the stress of a full spread. Little cubes of steak sear up quickly, then soak in garlicky butter so every bite tastes rich and indulgent. Serve over rice or next to a quick salad for steak night that fits even your most tired evenings.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Steak Bites
One Pan Chicken Thighs
One Pan Chicken Thighs is that no-brainer dinner you can throw together even in a post-holiday haze. Chicken roasts alongside broccoli and onions so everything picks up flavor plus those caramelized edges everyone loves. Bring the hot pan straight to the table so everyone can dig in with minimal dishes waiting later.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Chicken Thighs
Instant Pot Taco Meat
Instant Pot Taco Meat jumps in on nights when your brain is fried but dinner still has to happen. Ground beef cooks under pressure with spices and minced mushrooms so the mixture turns out juicy, flavorful, nicely stretched. Use the leftovers for tacos, bowls, nachos so weeknights feel easier on your wallet while your energy stays intact.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Taco Meat
Sheet Pan Chicken
Sheet Pan Chicken is a hero recipe for nights when you want everything to cook in one go. Chunks of chicken roast alongside colorful vegetables, so you get juicy bites plus browned edges with hardly any effort. Carry the pan straight from the oven to the table for dinner with almost no cleanup waiting afterward.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken
Pork Chops and Applesauce
Pork Chops and Applesauce keeps things classic with a sweet meets savory combo that never really goes out of style. The chops sizzle in butter until golden while the warm applesauce brings gentle spice and a little comfort. Serve with simple green beans or a side salad for a dinner that feels old-school yet weeknight easy.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce
Chicken Quesadillas
Chicken Quesadillas are the laid-back answer when you have leftover chicken and zero brain power. Tortillas crisp in the pan while cheese melts around the filling, so each wedge feels cozy and fun to eat. Stack wedges on a plate with salsa or sour cream for an easy meal that always gets a happy yes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas
Marry Me Chicken Skillet
Marry Me Chicken Skillet turns a regular night into something that feels a little date-worthy. Golden chicken pieces simmer in a creamy garlic sauce dotted with sun-dried tomatoes so the pan smells like a cozy restaurant kitchen. Pair with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread for a cozy meal that feels more special than the effort behind it.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Skillet
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Air Fryer Pork Chops are what you make when you need dinner on the table almost immediately. They cook in minutes to a juicy center with a lightly crisp crust, no babysitting or guesswork required. Keep a pack of chops in the freezer so a hot meal is always close.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops
Baked Chicken Wings
Baked Chicken Wings step up when everyone wants something fun to snack on for dinner. They roast until the skin turns crisp, then get tossed with parmesan, melted butter, fresh parsley for big flavor with little effort. Set them out with a few dipping sauces so everyone can grab, munch, relax.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Wings
Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
Salsa Chicken in the Slow Cooker is what you throw together when even chopping feels like too much. Chicken breasts simmer low and slow in salsa until they fall apart into tender, zesty shreds you can use all week. Pile the tender shreds into tacos, over rice, or onto salads so mealtimes feel handled for days.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
