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11 easy, balanced dinner ideas for every palate

04.29.24

Simple, balanced meals don’t have to be boring. Gone are the days of dry, flavorless chicken breasts, plain white rice and repetition, repetition, repetition. With these easy dinner ideas, you can make meals inspired by cuisine from all over the globe. 

Spicy or mild, plant based or meat forward, these recipes make it easy to be adventurous. Plus, we’ve kept prep to a minimum, so you spend less time chopping and more time enjoying friends and family.

1. Chickpea and Spinach Curry

Take a culinary trip to South Asia with this easy-to-make curry. Cayenne pepper, coriander and curry powder spice up nutty chickpeas and fresh spinach, creating a hearty, nourishing meal. Serve it with warm naan or fluffy basmati rice for a complete meal that’s both satisfying and nourishing.

View the Full Recipe: Chickpea and Spinach Curry

2. 8-Ingredient One Pan Roast Chicken with Seasonal Vegetables

When it comes to comfort food, there’s nothing quite like roast chicken. This simple recipe features built-in side dishes — seasonal squash, sweet potato and cannellini beans. It roasts to golden-brown perfection, making your house smell wonderful and setting the stage for a cozy evening at home. It all cooks in one pan, so cleanup is a breeze.

View the Full Recipe: 8-Ingredient One Pan Roast Chicken with Seasonal Vegetables

3. Black Bean, Sweet Potato and Kale Soup

This veggie-packed black bean soup will leave you feeling warm. The addition of farro, a chewy whole grain, brings a toasty flavor. Fresh chopped kale further bulks up the dish and adds an earthy flavor. You can easily tailor this soup to your whole family’s tastes. Spice it up by topping your soup with hot pepper sauce or keep things fresh with slices of avocado.

View the Full Recipe: Black Bean, Sweet Potato and Kale Soup

4. Air-Fried Chicken Wings with Chipotle Sauce

Transform your chicken wings with this air-fried recipe. The wings come out irresistibly crispy without the added oil of deep frying. Drizzle or dip these golden beauties in a homemade chipotle sauce that balances smokiness with a hint of sweetness. It’s a main dish that’s sure to leave nothing but clean plates.

View the Full Recipe: Air-Fried Chicken Wings with Chipotle Sauce

5. Roasted Cauliflower Bowls w/Creamy Coconut Dressing

Discover the versatility of cauliflower in this delectable roasted bowl. Roasting cauliflower brings out its nutty, sweet flavor. Pair your bowl with a creamy coconut dressing and quinoa. This dish is a testament to how delicious a plant-based eating can be.

View the Full Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Bowls w/Creamy Coconut Dressing

6. Slow Cooker Jackfruit Tacos

Embrace the savory flavor of jackfruit in these Vegan Slow Cooker Jackfruit Tacos. This tropical fruit mimics the texture of shredded meat, standing in for carnitas or barbacoa. Season these with a blend of traditional taco spices, and then use your pressure cooker to cook them to perfection. 

View the Full Recipe: Vegan Instant Pot® Jackfruit Tacos

7. Coconut Cauliflower Tacos

The key to this unique recipe is Pacific organic coconut milk. After marinating your cauliflower in the coconut milk and a blend of seasonings, toss it in the oven to roast until it’s golden brown and tender. 

Fill corn tortillas with coconut cauliflower, quinoa and all the toppings, including a tahini drizzle. Surprisingly simple to make, this tasty plant-based dinner is sure to impress even the most particular of guests.

View the Full Recipe: Coconut Cauliflower Tacos

8. Easy Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Bowl

Did you know you can create a beautiful, satisfying bowl in just 30 minutes? For this easy, balanced dinner, grill marinated shrimp alongside a colorful array of zucchini, bell peppers, red onion and tomatoes. Tuck it all into quinoa- and arugula-filled bowls for a delicious and vibrant meal. And don’t forget the avocado!

View the Full Recipe: Easy Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Bowl

9. Ginger and Turmeric Dal

Nourish your table with this tasty, easy dinner idea. Our Ginger and Turmeric Dal is a unique take on a traditional Indian lentil dish. Serve this scrumptious Dal with rice or flatbread for a simple yet balanced dish.

View the Full Recipe: Ginger and Turmeric Dal

10. Sweet Potato and Lentil Tacos

Redefine taco night with our Sweet Potato and Lentil Tacos. You and your loved ones are sure to enjoy the unique blend of flavors and textures this dish delivers. The sweetness of the roasted sweet potatoes beautifully complements the earthiness of the lentils. Top these crispy tacos with avocado crema, fresh red onions and cilantro.

View the Full Recipe: Sweet Potato and Lentil Tacos

11. Grilled Chicken and Wild Rice Bone Broth Bowl

If you take the flavors from the best chicken wild rice soup, combine it with a fresh salad, and toss it all in one bowl, you’ll be rewarded with this delicious dish. Cooking your wild rice in Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Bone Broth deepens the dish and creates the foundation for the dish. 

Topped with grilled chicken and crisp vegetables, this satisfying bowl is a perfect addition to your dinner rotation.

View the Full Recipe: Grilled Chicken and Wild Rice Bone Broth Bowl

Wrap up your day the effortless way with Pacific Foods.

With soups, broths and plant-based milks from Pacific Foods, you’ve got the building blocks you need to create easy and balanced dinners every day of the week. Explore our products, discover more simple, nourishing dinner ideas and learn where to find our products near you.