Chop-Chop Chow: 17 Speedy Dinners For When Hangry Strikes

Feeling hangry and need dinner fast? These 17 quick recipes are your perfect solution, providing a satisfying and delicious end to your day. Each meal is designed to be whipped up in no time, so say goodbye to hunger tantrums with these speedy and delicious dinners. With these delicious recipes, you’ll turn those hangry moments into happy ones effortlessly.

Close-up of a hand holding a fork with a bite of copycat Alice spring chicken.
Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

A grilled steak with cowboy butter on a white plate.
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

For those craving a hearty meal, Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter offers a quick solution. This dish combines the rich, juicy flavors of perfectly grilled steaks with the added punch of homemade cowboy butter, which melts beautifully over the hot surface, infusing each bite with a unique blend of herbs and spices. Ready in minutes, it’s a go-to for a fulfilling dinner that doesn’t keep you waiting. It’s ideal for turning a regular evening into a special occasion without the wait. Ensuring a flavorful meal, this recipe is a top pick for meat lovers everywhere.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Cranberries in a bowl.
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When you’re looking for a lighter option without compromising on flavor, Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts hits the mark. This refreshing dish brings together the tender chunks of chicken with the sweet tang of cranberries and the crunch of walnuts, offering a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or a side at dinner, coming together in no time. Keeping you full without the heaviness, this salad promises to be a refreshing part of any meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce in a black skillet.
Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

For fans of rich and creamy pasta, Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce provides a quick way to recreate a restaurant favorite at home. This sauce pairs perfectly with your choice of pasta, offering a homemade version of the beloved classic that comes together with just a few ingredients. It’s ideal for those evenings when you crave the comfort of creamy pasta but want it fast and without fuss. This recipe effortlessly brings a slice of Italian dining into your kitchen, allowing for a delicious dinner ready in the time it takes to boil pasta.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer chicken cordon bleu on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

If you’re after a culinary twist on a traditional favorite, Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu combines ease with sophistication. Using an air fryer, this recipe results in a chicken that’s crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, stuffed with a delectable combination of cheese and ham. Not only does it cut down on cooking time, but it also offers a healthier version of the classic dish without compromising on taste. Perfect for a family dinner or a special weekday treat, it’s a straightforward recipe with impressive results.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo

A bowl of olive garden creamy shrimp alfredo pasta served in a black bowl with a spoon.
Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Recreating a restaurant classic has never been easier with Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo. This dish combines succulent shrimp with the creamy, rich Alfredo sauce you know and love, all over your favorite pasta. It’s a simple way to bring a touch of Italian elegance to any dinner table, ready in the time it takes to cook pasta and sauté shrimp. Whether for a romantic dinner or to treat the family, it’s a fulfilling dish that’s sure to impress. Get the taste of dining out right in the comfort of your own home with this foolproof recipe.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo

Chicken Tinga

Chicken tinga in a blue bowl.
Chicken Tinga. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When you need a flavor-packed dinner, Chicken Tinga offers a beautifully spicy option. This dish, with its roots in Mexican cuisine, features chicken that’s slowly simmered in a tomato and chipotle sauce, creating layers of flavor with every bite. It’s versatile enough to serve on tacos, tostadas, or even over rice, ensuring it can fit any meal preference. Quick to prepare, especially with pre-cooked chicken, it’s a fantastic last-minute dinner solution. Invite the vibrant flavors of Mexico to your table with this straightforward yet flavorful recipe.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga

Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

A plate of Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp served on a white rectangular dish.
Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Bringing the sweet and flavorful combo to your kitchen, Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp mimics the popular restaurant dish with amazing accuracy. Crispy shrimp are tossed in a honey sauce and topped with candied walnuts, creating a contrast of flavors and textures that are irresistible. This dish is perfect for those who love a quick, yet exotic taste experience. It’s surprisingly easy to make, ensuring a crowd-pleaser meal is just minutes away.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

Diner Style Salisbury Steak

A white plate with Salisbury steak topped with mushroom gravy on mashed potatoes, accompanied by a side of green peas.
Diner Style Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

For a taste of classic comfort food, Diner Style Salisbury Steak brings simplicity and flavor to the dinner table. This recipe channels the essence of nostalgic diner cuisine, featuring seasoned ground beef patties cooked to perfection and smothered in a delicious mushroom gravy. It comes together quickly, making it a solid choice for a no-fuss weeknight meal that feels like a throwback to simpler times. Serve it with mashed potatoes or your favorite side for a complete, hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak

Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken in a bowl with a bowl of rice in the background.
Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Spice lovers will rejoice over Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken, a recipe that captures the essence of the well-loved dish with a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and delicious flavors. This stir-fry combines tender chicken pieces, crunchy peanuts, and vegetables in a vibrant sauce for an easy dinner solution. It’s an ideal dish for whipping up a quick and fulfilling meal that packs a punch. Prepped and cooked in no time, it’s a convenient way to enjoy a restaurant favorite without leaving the house.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

Cuban Sandwich Casserole

A piece of Cuban sandwich casserole on a plate with potato chips.
Cuban Sandwich Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Taking a classic and turning it into an easy bake, Cuban Sandwich Casserole is a creative twist on the traditional Cuban sandwich. Layered with all the essential ingredients of ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles, this dish is then topped with a mustard sauce and baked until melty and delicious. It’s a comfort food dish that’s easy to assemble and serves as a hearty meal for the entire family. Getting dinner ready is a breeze with this recipe, especially on busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Cuban Sandwich Casserole

Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

A white bowl of rigatoni pasta with creamy sauce, garnished with cheese and green herbs, is placed on a wooden surface. A hand is holding a fork with a piece of pasta.
Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Enjoy Italian dining at its simplest with Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka. This recipe recreates the creamy, rich flavor of a classic vodka sauce that clings to every bite of rigatoni. It’s the perfect blend of tomato, cream, and a hint of vodka, transforming into a restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly simple to make at home. Ideal for when you want to impress guests or treat the family to something special, it’s a luxurious meal without the complexity.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Il Fornaio Rigatoni Alla Vodka

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp skewers on a white plate with lemon wedges.
Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Embrace the flavors of the Mediterranean with Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp, a recipe that’s as nutritious as it is flavorful. Marinated in herbs and spices, the shrimp are grilled to perfection, offering a light yet fulfilling dish. It’s a wonderful choice for a healthy dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste, marrying simplicity with the bold flavors typical of Mediterranean cuisine. Whether served on a bed of greens or alongside a quinoa salad, it’s a quick and delicious way to bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your weeknight routine.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes

Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Croquettes on a white plate with tomatoes and broccoli.
Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

You can replicate a gourmet meal right in your kitchen with Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes. This dish is a celebration of flavors and textures, featuring juicy pork encased in a crispy, golden shallot breadcrumb coating. It’s a hands-on recipe that delivers on the promise of a delicious, comforting meal. Perfect for when you want to try something new, these croquettes bring a touch of sophistication to the dinner table. Discover the joy of cooking with a recipe that’s both fun to make and eat.
Get the Recipe: Copycat HelloFresh Crispy Shallot Pork Croquettes

Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

2 Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwiches on a black plate.
Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich takes the beloved caprese salad and transitions it into a hearty sandwich. Thick, grilled chicken breasts are paired with fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil leaves, then drizzled with balsamic glaze between slices of crusty bread. It’s a fusion of flavors that embodies the essence of Italian cuisine, perfect for a quick yet extravagant lunch. Easy to assemble and grill, this sandwich is ideal for those looking to enjoy a touch of Italy in a casual, yet sophisticated meal. Enjoy a moment of indulgence with this effortlessly flavorful sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Caprese Sandwich

Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

A bowl of pasta with cherry tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, and garlic.
Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Whip up Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce for a dish that celebrates the simplicity and freshness of Italian cooking. This recipe lets the natural sweetness of cherry tomatoes shine through, enhanced with garlic, basil, and olive oil, clinging to your favorite pasta. It’s a vibrant, light dish perfect for any day of the year, especially when you crave a touch of summer. Moreover, it’s incredibly quick to prepare, providing a satisfying meal in the time it takes to cook pasta.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Close-up of a hand holding a fork with a bite of copycat Alice spring chicken.
Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken is your shortcut to recreating a beloved restaurant dish at home. This recipe combines honey-mustard marinated chicken, sautéed mushrooms, and melted cheese for a mouth-watering finish. It’s particularly good for those evenings when you want something a bit special but without too much effort. Quick to prepare and packed with flavor, it’s a rewarding way to bring a piece of the restaurant experience home. Serve this up for a comforting meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Spring’s Chicken

Wild Rice Salad

Wild rice salad served on a white rectangular plate.
Wild Rice Salad. Photo credit: Dinner By Heather.

For a side that’s as nutritious as it is delicious, turn to Wild Rice Salad. This dish mixes the nutty flavors of wild rice with a variety of fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing, creating a salad that’s both satisfying and healthy. It’s versatile, pairing well with both meat and vegetarian main courses, and it’s just as suitable for a dinner party as it is for weekday meals. Plus, it’s a breeze to make ahead of time, allowing flavors to meld together beautifully. Incorporate this salad into your meal planning for a refreshing change of pace.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Salad

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