10 Cozy Dinners That Make Winter Nights Warmer

There's something magical about winter evenings and the way a warm meal can transform a cold night into something special. These cozy dinner ideas embrace the season's comfort-food cravings while effortlessly bringing warmth to your table. From slow-simmered stews to bubbling casseroles, here are the dishes that make winter nights worth looking forward to!

Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas

Beef fajitas in tomato sauce with peppers in a black slow cooker. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

The perfect recipe to come home to! These slow cooker beef fajitas are delicious no matter how you serve them. Made with homemade, healthy fajita seasoning and simmered all day in a savory blend, these steak fajitas are a recipe you’ll want to keep on hand!

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas

Juicy Chipotle Chicken

White bowl with shredded chipotle chicken in it and a slow cooker behind it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

The meal prep recipe you didn’t know you needed. This slow cooker chipotle chicken is sweetened with honey, super juicy has just the right amount of heat. Use it for quesadillas, bowls, or a new taco night, it’s a shredded chicken recipe you’ll soon rely on. To learn more: Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken

Dairy-Free Beef Casserole

Beef and zucchini casserole topped with zucchinis in a baking dish. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Weeknight dinners just got better with this veggie-packed, high-protein, beef and zucchini casserole. Lean ground beef coated in a rich and creamy tomato sauce spread of zucchini and sweet potato noodles. You can make this dairy-free casserole in advance as well making busy weeknights that much easier. To learn more: Beef and Zucchini Casserole

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup with carrots in a white mug with lemon and a spoon beside it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Made from scratch in the slow cooker this gluten-free chicken noodle soup is a comforting blend of ingredients perfect for chilly nights. To learn more: Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Wooden spoon scooping our dairy-free chicken pot pie from a slow cooker. — Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Thick, creamy, comfort food made all in just one slow cooker. This dairy-free chicken pot pie has all the traditional pot pie flavors but with a healthy gluten-free twist. And because it’s made in a slow cooker, it’s a great option for chilly, busy weeknights.

Get the recipe: Chicken Pot Pie In The Slow Cooker

Protein-Packed Venison Chili

Spoonful of chili pulled out of a white bowl of chili. — Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A protein-loaded, comfort meal perfect for Sunday night dinner. This venison chili (also known as deer chili!) is full of classic flavor. Naturally gluten-free and easy to make, cozy up with a big bowl and warm up from head to toe.

Get the recipe: Stovetop Venison Chili Recipe

Gluten-Free Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Cooked teriyaki chicken thighs in sauce in a glass baking tray with green onions on top and a spoon holding one chicken thigh up from the tray — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Super tender, this baked teriyaki chicken is coated in a sweet, gluten-free teriyaki sauce. This gluten-free dinner recipe uses boneless chicken thighs to make for easy weeknights! To learn more: Teriyaki Baked Thighs

One Pot Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo

Black pot with chicken alfredo with sundried tomatoes in it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

An easy pasta recipe made in under thirty minutes. This creamy, dairy-free chicken one pot alfredo pasta is the perfect weeknight meal. Whipped up with a blend of coconut milk and gut-healing broth, this recipe makes an easy weeknight dinner. To learn more: Dairy-Free Alfredo

Chicken and Veggie Soup

Chicken and cauliflower rice soup with carrots in a white bowl on a wooden cutting board. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Embrace the cool weather and cozy up with a bowl of this gluten-free chicken and rice soup! Loaded with vegetables, warming broth, and fueling chicken this fall soup recipe is made in just half an hour and warms you up from the inside out. To learn more: Gluten-Free Chicken and Rice Soup

Honey Garlic Crockpot Chicken

Paleo honey garlic chicken shredded on white rice in a bowl. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Tender, juicy bites of shredded chicken simmered in a paleo honey garlic sauce. This 5 ingredient crockpot chicken makes for the perfect weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken