25 Entrée Recipes- Under 15 Minutes Prep Time

Be a quick dinner ninja.

skinny soup recipe

Whether you’re on kiddo taxi duty this afternoon, or stuck running a dozen errands, you know the value of healthy, easy dinner entrées. After all, the alternative is often an unhealthy (and expensive!) takeout meal or perhaps a boxed or canned dinner from the pantry, which usually contains ingredients never seen in nature. That’s why it’s helpful to have these quick-prep recipes in your meal planning tool kit. Introducing 25 entrée recipes, each under 15 minutes prep time.

Plenty of strategies can take the hassle out of mealtime. The first step is planning. Take time before your regular grocery trip to figure out what you’re serving that week, so all the ingredients will be ready when you are. Another way to make dinnertime easier is to identify meal prep tasks that can be done ahead of time. For example, if you’re making a chicken dish one night, cook a few extra breasts to use in a recipe the following night.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili

1. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
Quick-prep recipes don’t need to be bland. This spicy dish is easy to prepare. Simply chop the veggies while the ground chicken cooks, and then add it all to the slow cooker. Not a spice fan? Feel free to cut back to suit your taste.

2. Slow Cooker Sizzling Chicken Fajitas
Cut chicken into strips, slice veggies, and toss it all into the crockpot. Easy peasy!

3. Old-Fashioned Vegetable Soup
The veggies in this classic recipe can be prepared in about 10 minutes. It’s made with whole foods, too, so you’ll avoid processed ingredients.

4. Spicy Potato and Chickpea Stew
This nutritious dish, which incorporates turmeric and curry powder, tastes as good as it looks. Prepare the veggies, add them to the slow cooker, and you’re good to go for a yummy meal.

5. Pesto White Bean Soup
Prepared pesto and slow cooker convenience make this a winner for busy weeknights.  The crockpot brings out an amazing Italian flavor that’s perfect for pairing with Garden Salad with Lemon & Oil Dressing.

RELEVANT: 21 Clean Lunches That Can Be Prepared in Under 10 Minutes

Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Rice Soup

6. Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Rice Soup
Heavy on veggies and lean protein, this is a filling soup that satisfies any hungry family. This is one of those quick-prep recipes we love!

7. Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Beef
Calling all meat lovers! This hearty meal, from Amy’s Cooking Adventures, is a good option for crazy-busy days. It’s easy to prepare, and it’s versatile because you can serve it with the toppings your family enjoys, from salsa to avocados.

8. Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
This recipe is an easy entrées favorite. It comes together in about 10 minutes and is ready in around 4 hours. Try it this week to find out why this recipe is so popular!

9. Flush Away the Fat Vegetable Soup
Whether you use the stovetop or crockpot option, meal prep is as simple as slicing the veggies and combining them with the other ingredients. It’s delicious on its own or as part of the 3-Day Cleanse & Detox.  

10. Quick & Easy Veggie Chili
It’s simple to mix the ingredients before simmering for about 30 minutes, giving you time to help the kids with homework or to squeeze in a few chores.  

11. Skinny Chicken Nuggets
Preparing homemade, healthy chicken nuggets is easier than you think. This recipe is a family-friendly alternative to processed, cardboard-tasting frozen varieties. Prep is super simple, and they bake in about 30 minutes.  

12. Creamy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Cook chicken the day before to cut prep time on this easy casserole dish. You can also save time by assembling this in the morning and then popping it into the oven at dinnertime.

RELEVANT: 10 Easy and Delicious Chicken Recipes

Grilled Chicken and Blueberry Salad

13. Grilled Chicken and Blueberry Salad
You’ll love this healthy recipe, which is a great light dinner choice as warmer weather approaches. Use leftover cooked chicken to prepare this dish in no time at all.    

 14. Tamale Casserole
Traditional tamale recipes take lots of time to prepare—but not this version. Cook ground chicken or turkey, then add spices and cornbread topping. Yum!

15. Panzanella Salad with Arugula
This Italian classic is one of those quick-prep recipes that’s a refreshing light dinner. Lay out bread cubes the night before so they’re ready to soak up the juices from the tomatoes and the dressing. Add a lean protein boost by mixing in leftover chicken breast.

16. Strawberry and Avocado Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
Refreshing strawberries…yummy avocados…yes, please!

17. Taco Salad
Preparing this recipe is as easy as browning ground turkey and warming non-fat refried beans. Layer with your favorite healthy toppings for one of those easy entrées the whole family will enjoy.

RELEVANT: 7 Grab-N-Go Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Clean Eating Cobb Salad

18. Clean-Eating Cobb Salad
Our quick-prep salad boosts the body with healthy fats from avocado, chicken, and olive oil. We love it as a light dinner.

19. Paleo-Friendly Meaty Veggie Roll-Ups
This meal is so simple the kids can help prepare it. Serve the roll-ups with a green salad for a nutritious dinner option.

20. Apricot and Almond Chicken Salad
Another light entrée favorite, this sweet, crunchy recipe is a smart alternative to the fat-loaded chicken salad from the deli counter. This salad is a tasty way to enjoy leftover chicken breasts.

21. Slow Cooker Barbequed Beans and Chicken Joes
A classic recipe, this version is skinnied up with healthy ingredients so you’ll feel great about eating it—and serving it to the family.   

22. Spinach & Bean Burrito Wrap
Cook rice the day before so you can prepare this easy meal fast. This recipe is a superfood fiesta, offering spinach, black beans, and Greek yogurt. Enjoy!

23. Soft Chicken Tacos
Tacos are always a winner when it comes to a dinner that doesn’t take loads of time to prepare. Our version, which uses Skinny Ms. Taco Seasoning (which can be prepared in advance), is clean eating and delicious.  

24. Zucchini and Bell Pepper Pizza
A healthy prepared crust (like Boboli Thin Crust) makes this one of the quick-prep recipes you’ll love. Slice and sauté the veggies and you’re ready to bake.  

25. Blackened Sockeye Salmon
Preparing fish doesn’t need to be complicated, as this recipe shows. Combine the spices, and then cook the salmon for about 5-6 minutes on each side. Voila—healthy, yummy, and quick.

These easy entrées will take the hassle out of weeknights—okay, they’ll take the hassle out of meal prep, anyway. Sorry, we can’t do anything about uncooperative toddlers or late work meetings!

Have you tried any of our recipes? We’d love to know what you think. Leave us a comment in the section below.

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SkinnyMs.

The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

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