Dinner Recipes With 5 Ingredients or Less

Hassle-free, budget-friendly, and best of all-delicious.

instant pot chicken tacos

As easy as it is to settle for takeout on busy nights, the short-term decision has long-term effects on your health. Opting for the quickest, easiest option on a regular basis will rapidly turn into an unhealthy habit. Not to mention, it’ll do a number on your wallet! Luckily, it’s possible to whip up meals in a flash that’ll satisfy your stomach, boost your health, and put smiles on your family’s faces.

Here at Skinny Ms., we’ve rounded up some super easy dinner recipes that call for 5 ingredients or fewer. With such a short ingredient list, these recipes slash away a chunk of time from meal prep and cleanup, while simplifying the cooking process altogether. Smooth sail your way through these scrumptious, hassle-free recipes the whole family will love! Meanwhile, the ingredients themselves boast incredible nutritional benefits your body will thank you for.

So, instead of speed-dialing that pizza guy or hitting up the nearest Chinese joint, throw together these effortless dishes instead. From macaroni and cheese to chicken parm, we’ve got clean-eating recipes to suit all appetites and taste preferences.

1. Crockpot Balsamic Chicken


With the help of your slow cooker, you can throw this gourmet-tasting meal together in just a few simple steps. With just 3 ingredients, this chicken dish takes the hassle out of dinner prep, and will fill your house with a succulent aroma all day.

2. Slow-Cooker 5 Ingredient Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken


Juicy, fork-tender chicken bathed in a creamy sauce takes the stage in this nutritious recipe! Bursting with vitamins and antioxidants, this meal is an absolute no-brainer for all you clean-eaters out there!

3. 5-Ingredient Baked Egg Mushrooms

We adore portabello mushrooms for their meaty texture and juicy, bold character. This showstopper tops the beloved mushroom cap with a protein-packed egg, delivering a delicious duo of flavors and nutrients that make up a light and healthy meal.

4. Clean Eating Grilled Cheese


Crisp whole-wheat toast cradles gooey cheese in this drool-worthy sandwich! Using just 3 simple ingredients, this recipe swaps out calorie-dense butter and full-fat cheese for lighter alternatives, like nutrient-rich olive oil and low fat cheddar.

5. Instant Pot 5-Ingredient Chicken Tacos


A saucy, succulent recipe with Mexican flair, this finger-lickin chicken dish is guaranteed to please the whole family! Simply toss ingredients in an Instant Pot to cook, and stuff the tasty goodness in tortilla wraps or taco shells afterwards!

6. Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese


At last- you can have your mac & cheese, and eat it too! This skinnified take on the classic comfort dish lets you enjoy all the warm, cheesy deliciousness of macaroni and cheese, without the guilt. Pair with some cooked veggies or a side salad and you have yourself a yummy, well-balanced meal.

7. 5-Ingredient Chicken Parmesan

We’ve lightened up this classic Italian dish, hooking you up with the decadent flavor you crave at a fraction of the calories. To cut down on fat and keep your waistline in check, this recipe uses wheat pasta, sugar-free sauce, and skim milk cheese.

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Ellie Krasner

Ellie is a full-time violinist living in Las Vegas, and a writer with an insatiable appetite for clean eating and fitness! She is a graduate of Binghamton University with degrees in English literature and violin, and loves investigating the world of healthy living.

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