As the weather begins to gradually warm, there’s no denying that spring is on its way. And what better way to celebrate the change in season than by whipping up a delicious dinner? Made lower in calories, carb, sodium and saturated fat, these dinner recipes align with our diabetes-friendly parameters. Each dish is ready to devour in no more than thirty minutes, making them perfect for busy evenings. Try options like our Farro Salad with Arugula, Artichokes & Pistachios or our Citrus Poached Salmon with Asparagus for a tasty blood sugar-friendly meal to get you in the mood for spring.
Chicken Puttanesca
Serve over pasta or with crusty whole-grain bread so you can enjoy every bit of this olive- and caper-studded sauce.
Farro Salad with Arugula, Artichokes & Pistachios
Precooked farro makes this dish come together in no time. And you can make it in the same bowl you serve it in, minimizing cleanup!
Salmon with Lemon-Herb Orzo & Broccoli
This healthy salmon dish is as balanced as it is delicious. You add broccoli right into the pot along with the pasta during its last minute of cooking to save time here. One less thing to wash, too!
Pork & Green Bean Stir-Fry
Apricot jam adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the spicy, salty and umami flavors without turning the sauce into a sugar bomb. Serve with cooked rice to round out the meal.
Citrus Poached Salmon with Asparagus
Photographer: Diana Chistruga
This quick and healthy fish-and-veggies dinner is highlighted by an easy fresh citrus sauce.
20-Minute Chicken Cutlets with Garlic Tomato Sauce
This quick-cooking, high-protein chicken dish is perfect for any weeknight. Here, we cook down cherry tomatoes with a little wine until they burst and become jammy—making a luscious sauce to pair with chicken. A pinch of sugar at the end balances the sauce’s acidity.
Shredded Chicken & Avocado Nacho Salad
Dinner doesn’t get any easier than this five-ingredient salad that’s bursting with delicious flavor.
Tandoori Grilled Tofu with Red Peppers & Broccolini
Spiced yogurt does two jobs here as both the marinade and the sauce for this grilled tofu recipe.
Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole
Cooking herbs in the pan with the steak releases their aroma, infusing it into the meat while creating a crispy garnish. After the steaks and herbs are pan-seared, the escarole is cooked in the same skillet, so this healthy dinner requires minimal cleanup too.
Chicken Curry Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Use convenience ingredients, like cooked chicken (leftover or purchased) and store-bought curry sauce to whip up these easy loaded baked potatoes. We call for cauliflower in this recipe, but feel free to sub in whatever veggies you have on hand for a quick and easy dinner. You can also swap the sweet potatoes for russets.
Salmon-Stuffed Avocados
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Canned salmon is a valuable pantry staple and a practical way to include heart-healthy, omega-3-rich fish in your diet. Here, we combine it with avocados in an easy no-cook meal.
Mushroom & Tofu Stir-Fry
This tofu veggie stir-fry is quick and easy, making it a great go-to weeknight meal. Baked tofu has a firm, toothsome texture that crisps well in a hot pan. You can find it in flavors like teriyaki and sesame, both of which are delicious here.
Lemon Shrimp & Orzo Salad
Consider making a double batch of this easy pasta salad—it’s delicious the next day. The orzo will absorb the dressing as it sits, so add a little more olive oil and lemon juice if you’d like.
Crispy Cod with Charred Snow Peas & Creamy Herb Sauce
This crispy cod is paired with snow peas that have a lovely char to them. A bright and creamy herb sauce ties everything together.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This scrumptious and healthy salad combines elements of Caesar salad, pasta salad and chicken salad for an easy weeknight dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes. Use your blender to whip together the tangy buttermilk-based dressing, which would also be great on a salmon or chickpea salad.
Grilled Salmon with Cilantro-Ginger Sauce
Ginger, fish sauce and honey combine to create a delicious basting sauce in this easy grilled salmon recipe. Not only is this salmon dish delicious, it also takes just 25 minutes to prepare, making it the ideal centerpiece for a healthy weeknight dinner.
Kung Pao Chicken with Bell Peppers
Here’s an easy chicken recipe you’ll definitely want to add to your dinner repertoire. A quick marinade tenderizes the chicken and infuses flavor in this stir-fry. Adding a little oil to finish the marinade coats the chicken and helps keep it from sticking to the pan.
Kale Salad with Quinoa & Chicken
Toss the cooked chicken into this healthy salad recipe while it’s still warm to lightly wilt the kale, making it softer and easier to eat. Using store-bought salad dressing saves time, but you could also make your own tangy vinaigrette.
Honey Mustard Salmon with Mango Quinoa
In this 30-minute dinner recipe, grilled, honey mustard-coated salmon is served with a tasty grain salad made with quinoa, mango, jalapeño and almonds.
Mushroom & Shrimp Quinoa Risotto
Quinoa, the super-grain of Peru, has a creamy and supple texture that lends itself to recipes that are typically made with rice, like this risotto. It’s high in protein and fiber, gluten-free and very filling. For a vegetarian version of this easy healthy recipe, double the mushrooms and skip the shrimp.
Chipotle-Orange Broccoli & Tofu
Chipotle peppers add kick to this tofu and broccoli stir-fry recipe. If you’re shy about spice, cut back on the amount or leave them out completely. Serve over brown basmati rice.
Salmon with Curried Yogurt & Cucumber Salad
Three ingredients you probably already have on hand–curry powder, yogurt and lemon juice–meld into a mouthwatering sauce that transforms simple salmon.
Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl
Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.
Grilled Chicken Breasts with Tomato-Caper Sauce
This healthy grilled chicken breast recipe–a twist on chicken piccata–features a creamy white-wine-and-caper pan sauce that gets a burst of flavor from juicy grape tomatoes and basil.
Salmon with Cilantro-Pineapple Salsa
Serve this island-inspired salmon with fruity salsa for dinner and your guests may just think you’re in the tropics. Not in the mood for fish? The salsa also works well with chicken and pork.
Grilled Blackened Shrimp Tacos
Give juicy shrimp tacos a Cajun flavor spin with spices and a quick sear on a hot grill. An easy avocado mash adds creaminess to cool off the spicy kick.
Garlic-Lime Pork with Farro & Spinach
In this easy main dish recipe, pork chops are paired with farro and spinach in a zesty peanut butter-lime sauce. This one-skillet meal will be on the table in under 30 minutes and requires minimal cleanup.
Herby Cod with Roasted Tomatoes
Oregano, thyme and paprika flavor the cod in this 15-minute, Mediterranean-inspired meal. Olives, capers and roasted cherry tomatoes add color and zest to each bite.
