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Summertime Made Simple: 17 Easy Recipes To Rescue Dinner

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Summertime Made Simple: 17 Easy Recipes To Rescue Dinner

Beat the summer heat and avoid a kitchen meltdown with these easy recipes to rescue dinner. Focused on fresh ingredients, fast preparation, and minimal cleanup, these dishes will keep dinner delicious without turning your kitchen into a furnace. From light and refreshing salads to a hearty slow cooker meal, this collection offers solutions for any summer meal.

Two small roast beef sliders are stacked on a wooden board, secured with a toothpick. Another slider is in the background. The sliders have sesame seed buns and appear to be served in a rustic setting.
Oven baked French dip sliders. Photo credit: Kelly Stilwell

Honey Garlic Chicken

Chicken and mango slices in a pan.
Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

This honey garlic chicken is a summertime crowd-pleaser . The chicken gets coated in a sweet and savory glaze that’s finger-licking good. Plus, it cooks up in under 30 minutes, leaving you more time to soak up the sunshine.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken

Mexican Pork Carnitas for the Slow Cooker

Pork carnitas in taco shells with lime, guacamole, onion, and tomato on white plate on wood table.
Mexican Pork Carnitas for the Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

Ditch the takeout menus and let your slow cooker do the work! These pork carnitas are simmered to perfection with a blend of Mexican spices. They’re perfect for tacos, burritos, or just enjoying on their own.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Pork Carnitas for the Slow Cooker

Tuna Nicoise Salad

A bowl of salad containing tuna, boiled eggs, asparagus, tomato, olives, diced potatoes, and sliced onions, served on a wooden board. Forks, a napkin, and small bowls of olives and onion slices are nearby.
Tuna Nicoise Salad. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

Ditch the heavy meals! This salad with fresh summer veggies like green beans and tomatoes is light, refreshing, and perfect for a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Nicoise Salad

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Spinach with strawberries, goat cheese, pecans, and red wine vinaigrette in a white bowl on a white napkin with bottle of red wine vinegar and bronze serving set.
Spinach and Strawberry Salad. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

This spinach and strawberry salad with a homemade vinaigrette is a great side dish or light lunch. Fresh strawberries add a sweet twist!
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Cioppino with Clams and Mussels

A bowl of seafood stew with visible clams, mussels, and chopped parsley, served with slices of bread on a wooden board.
Cioppino with Clams and Mussels. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

This cioppino is a seafood lover’s dream come true. Clams, mussels, and other fresh seafood are cooked in a rich tomato broth, making for a hearty and flavorful meal that’s sure to impress your guests. It’s perfect for a special summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cioppino with Clams and Mussels

Baked Feta Pasta

Cooked feta, tomatoes, and pasta in white dish with basil, tomatoes, and seasonings on the side.
Baked Feta Pasta. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

This creamy and cheesy pasta dish is sure to become a family favorite. It’s easy to make and perfect for a comforting summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta

Beet and Feta Salad

Beets, lettuce, orange sections, feta, and pecans in a white bowl on a white marble counter with cruet of salad dressing on side.
Beet and Feta Salad. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

Salads don’t have to be boring! This one with roasted beets and salty feta cheese is a delicious and easy side dish for any summer gathering.
Get the Recipe: Beet and Feta Salad

BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

Quesadillas with cheese and chicken stacked on a plate.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

Craving something quick and easy? These BBQ chicken quesadillas with gooey cheese and sweet pineapple are perfect for a summer lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Grilled chicken breast topped with a slice of mozzarella, a tomato slice, balsamic glaze, and chopped basil, served on a white plate with a fork and knife nearby.
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

Craving some Italian comfort food? Look no further than this grilled bruschetta chicken. Marinated chicken is cooked to juicy perfection and topped with a classic bruschetta mixture for a burst of fresh flavor.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Oven Baked Greek Chicken Thighs

A cast iron skillet with six cooked chicken thighs garnished with parsley and halved lemons.
Oven Baked Greek Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

Skip the takeout and make these easy Greek chicken thighs at home. They’re packed with flavorful spices like lemon and oregano, making for a delicious and satisfying weeknight dinner that’s easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Greek Chicken Thighs

Oven Baked French Dip Sliders

Oven Baked French Dip Sliders. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

Game day, brunch, or just a casual weeknight dinner – these French dip sliders are guaranteed to be a hit! They’re easy to prepare with simple ingredients and everyone loves the melty cheese and savory dip.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked French Dip Sliders

Kale and Sweet Potato Power Bowl

A bowl of mixed vegetables including roasted sweet potatoes, kale, beets, microgreens, and hummus, garnished with an edible flower, placed next to a fork and a small bottle on a cloth surface.
Kale and Sweet Potato Power Bowl. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

This vegan bowl is packed with nutrients and flavor. It’s a great way to get your daily dose of veggies and is perfect for a quick and easy summer lunch.
Get the Recipe: Kale and Sweet Potato Power Bowl

Old Bay Crab Cakes recipe

Three crab cakes garnished with lemon wedges and parsley are arranged on a wooden board, accompanied by a small bowl of dipping sauce with a spoon.
Old Bay Crab Cakes recipe. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

These crab cakes are made with very little filler and tons of delicious lump crab meat. They’re perfect for a summer seafood feast.
Get the Recipe: Old Bay Crab Cakes recipe

Easy Margherita Pasta

Two bowls of penne pasta with cherry tomatoes, basil, and grated cheese, drizzled with balsamic reduction. A hand holding a fork is reaching into one of the bowls. Fresh tomatoes and basil are nearby.
Easy Margherita Pasta. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

This vibrant Margherita pasta is a burst of fresh summer flavors. Made with tomatoes, basil, and cheese, it’s a light and delicious meal that’s easy on your wallet and perfect for a warm summer night.
Get the Recipe: Easy Margherita Pasta

Best Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas in a casserole dish with diced jalapeno and green onion.
Best Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

These homemade chicken enchiladas are bursting with real Mexican flavors, without the restaurant price tag. Soft tortillas are filled with savory chicken, melty cheese, and a zesty enchilada sauce, making for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Best Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken and Steak Stir Fry

Chicken and steak stir fry with vegetables and sauce.
Chicken and Steak Stir Fry. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

This chicken and steak stir fry is a protein and veggie powerhouse. It’s a quick and easy meal that comes together in minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to cook.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Steak Stir Fry

Thai Chicken Curry Crock Pot

Thai chicken curry in a white bamboo bowl with a coconut and other fresh ingredients around it on a slate table.
Thai Chicken Curry Crock Pot. Photo credit: Food Fun & Faraway Places.

This flavorful and healthy Thai curry is perfect for a hands-off summer dinner. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work! When it comes to easy recipes, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Curry Crock Pot

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