Looking for some healthy dinner recipes? We have plenty of ideas for healthy curries, nourishing fish suppers, high-protein recipes and even gut-friendly meals.
Sometimes after a long, busy day, deciding what well-balanced, nutritious meal to make can seem like an impossible task. Worry no more – we’ve compiled a list of our favourite healthy dinners that are simple, straightforward and full of flavour. All you have to do is pick which to make first.
What makes a nutritious, healthy dinner?
Like most meals, balance is important, as this will help you to feel satisfied and give your body the nutrients it requires. On a basic level, simply ask: does my plate have at least one source of protein, healthy fat and carbohydrate? Remember, vegetables are carbohydrates too – not just bread, rice and pasta. In fact, dinnertime is a great time to load up on less starchy, fibre-rich vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower, peppers and mushrooms. Variety is important, as different foods offer different types of nutrients and fibres, so try to aim for at least three or four different ingredients on your plate – if you can make it 10, even better!
Best healthy dinner recipes
Cumin-crusted chicken with kale salad and hummus dressing
A clever way to make chicken more exciting, the meat is rubbed in cumin and paprika before frying. There’s 38.5g of lean protein per serving, plus plenty of nutrients and fibre. It’s light, flavour-packed and ready in 40 minutes.
Salmon traybake
Traybakes, the midweek saviour. This vibrant, curried salmon dish is full of healthy omega-3 fats and antioxidants – great for healthy skin and mind. Serve as is or add a nutritious grain like brown rice or spelt when you’re extra hungry.
Not a salmon person? Check out more healthy fish recipes.
Vegan chilli non carne
This sweet and smoky chilli is the epitome of healthy comfort food, providing plenty of satisfying plant protein and fibre from the beans. The tomato sauce is rich in skin-healthy antioxidants and potassium – important for replenishing your salt balance after a workout. It also freezes well, perfect for busier days.
Mexican-style prawn soup
This easy one-pot is packed with flavour, despite each serving being under 300 calories. Avocado offers a great source of healthy fats, while the generous helping of fresh coriander is rich in antioxidants.
Discover even more healthy soup recipes.
Korean-style fried cauli rice
This punchy recipe is gluten-free and low in calories (314 per serving) and carbs – a great healthy alternative to fried rice. Its variety of vegetables make it rich in fibre and antioxidants, as well as offering 21.1g of protein per serving.
Check out some of our other fried rice recipes.
Moroccan veggie soup
This colourful soup is packed with nutritious veggies, pulses and spices for a vegan winter warmer at just 202 calories per portion. Spinach, potatoes and chickpeas offer plenty of soluble and insoluble fibre to keep you feeling fuller for longer. Plus, the spices and rich tomato broth provide antioxidants.
Peri-peri chicken mozzarella stacks with ‘macho’ peas
Check out this easy chicken recipe with creamy mozzarella, roasted red peppers and punchy ‘macho’ peas. Nando’s fans will love this lighter version of the restaurant classic, which packs 47.7g of protein per serving alongside plenty of nutrient-dense green veggies.
Squash and coconut dahl with jammy eggs and crispy onions
Liven up lentils with lightly toasted spices, coconut milk and crispy onions in this vibrant, veggie dahl. Red lentils are a brilliant, inexpensive source of plant protein. As well as providing more protein, eggs offer healthy fat and vitamins A, D, B12, zinc and iron. Buy omega-3 rich eggs for added healthy fats.
Try even more of our delicious dahl recipes.
Cajun tofu tacos
Tofu doesn’t have to be boring. These flavourful, tacos are low in calories, yet full of protein (24.6g per portion) and fresh fruit and veg. Added bonus? They’re ready in just 30 minutes.
Discover even more taco recipes.
Turkey ramen
Use up leftover turkey in this nourishing and restorative ramen that offers 53.3g protein per serving. Broccoli, onions and mushrooms provide a variety of soluble and insoluble fibre, which feed your beneficial gut bacteria and support healthy bowel movements. The turkey bone broth provides several important amino acids and gut supportive nutrients such as vitamin A, zinc and magnesium.
Try even more of our gut-supportive recipes.
Chickpea fritters with yogurt, green chilli and cucumber salad
Turn chickpeas into lightly-spiced fritters, served with a zesty cucumber salad, for a low-calorie meal ready in just 30 minutes. Gram flour is a great storecupboard staple, offering protein, fibre, magnesium and iron. Turmeric adds antioxidants, while Greek yogurt provides bone-supportive calcium.
Kimchi-baked tofu
A traditional Korean fermented food, kimchi adds more than just flavour. It’s a natural source of probiotics and fibre, essentially the gut’s favourite things. Studies suggest that regularly eating kimchi has a positive effect on the gut, immune system, brain function and skin health.
Make our red cabbage kimchi.
Griddled chicken with mustardy lentil salad
This vibrant chicken salad with crunchy green beans, mangetout and lentils is super-simple and quick to make. With just 6.2g of fat and 238 calories per portion, this is a lovely, light midweek meal.
Love healthy salads? Discover even more recipes.
Wild rice and mushroom risotto with roast garlic
Try this moreish take on risotto using wild rice and creamy roasted garlic for a simple, low-fat vegetarian dinner that’s under 500 calories per portion. Wild rice is incredibly nutritious, offering magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium and selenium. Low-fat crème fraîché provides a lovely creaminess, as well as calcium.
Try even more delicious vegetarian risotto recipes.
Vegan fajita bowl with cauliflower rice
Our vegan fajita bowl manages to deliver on flavour despite being low in fat and 5:2 friendly. This simple, quick supper has just 4.4g fat and 0.7g of saturates, great for those watching their fat intake.
Do you love Mexican food? Check out our best-ever Mexican-style recipes.
Japanese-style chicken, broccoli and mushroom curry
Add white miso and soy sauce to your curry for an umami-rich midweek meal full of chicken and veggies. Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins such as vitamin K, C and folate, as well as fibre and antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important for eye health.
Love broccoli as much as we do? Try our best-ever broccoli dishes.
Light paneer curry
Cook this fragrant, veg-heavy curry for a healthy vegetarian meal on the table in 30 minutes. Paneer offers 14g of protein per 100g, while peas are also uniquely rich in plant protein, as well as offering fibre, iron, folate and vitamin K.
Thai green tofu curry
Looking for a quick and easy vegan curry? Our Thai green curry with smoked tofu and veg is low in calories and ready in 25 minutes. Tofu is not only a great source of vegan protein, but provides magnesium, zinc and calcium. It also contains natural plant compounds called isoflavones, which function as phytoestrogens in the body, offering a variety of health benefits.
Try our favourite tofu recipes.
Spiced-yogurt roast chicken
Looking for a healthier roast dinner? Our super-simple, yogurt-marinated roast chicken is full of flavour without loads of calories and fat. Serve with a veggie-rich side dish for a nutritious, satisfying meal.
Hasselback harissa roast squash
Everybody should have a foolproof, vegetarian roast up their sleeves. With sweet, moreish squash, spicy harissa and salty feta, everyone will love this stunning Middle Eastern-style centrepiece. Serve with one of our veg-rich sides for a balanced meal.
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