10 Easy Meals That Give Lazy Days A Purpose

There is a specific kind of magic in a day with zero plans, but the inevitable "what’s for dinner" question can really ruin the mood. Instead of letting the evening meal become a chore, these recipes are here to keep things light and simple. They require very little prep and even less cleanup, making them the ultimate companion for your most relaxed days. You get to enjoy a home-cooked bite without the heavy lifting usually required to get there!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic 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

Juicy Leftover Steak Pasta

White bowl with gluten-free noodles, steak, leeks, and carrots with more in a pan behind it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Maple candied carrots, juicy bites of beef, and savory sundried tomatoes all make up this leftover steak pasta! A tasty way to use up leftovers from the fridge, this gluten-free steak pasta is thrown together in under thirty minutes to make for an easy, healthy dinner.

Get the recipe: Leftover Steak Pasta

Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

Roasted chicken, potatoes, and asparagus with lemons on a baking tray on a checkered red linen. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Baked until juicy this gluten-free lemon chicken is made all on one pan for simple clean up! Mixed with a tangy lemon garlic flavor and paired with roasted potatoes and asparagus, this dairy and gluten-free chicken dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. To learn more: Lemon Chicken

Korean-Style Beef and Broccoli

a skillet of cooked korean ground beet and broccoli — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A savory dinner that comes together in 25 minutes, this Korean ground beef and broccoli recipe is great for busy weeknights. A budget-friendly twist on the traditional recipe, this ground beef version has the same comforting flavor but with a great price cut.

Get the recipe: Korean Ground Beef and Broccoli

Crockpot Dry Rub Chicken Legs

White plate with dry rub chicken drumsticks on it and green onions on and around the plate and text on top of the image. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A delicious and simple meal that requires minimal effort on your part. These slow cooker chicken legs are made with just a few ingredients and come out with juicy, tender chicken that falls off the bone. Seasoned in a simple dry rub, these chicken drumsticks are the perfect easy weeknight dinner! To learn more: Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Inside Out Egg Roll Skillet

Inside out egg roll in a skillet with green onions on top and a wooden spoon and white plates behind it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A delicious blend of savory and umami flavors these inside out egg rolls are a 25-minute variation on the classic recipe. It’s lighter, faster, and made in just one skillet to make busy weeknights easier. You’ll fall in love with his unstuffed egg roll recipe in no time.

Get the recipe: Inside Out Egg Rolls

BBQ Chicken Thighs

Tender, juicy, and simmered in a gluten-free, homemade BBQ sauce! Skip the grill and save your oven space, these slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs make the easiest weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

Chicken Teriyaki with Broccoli

White bowl with teriyaki chicken pieces and broccoli with chopsticks beside it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A 15 minute dinner perfect for busy weeknights. This chicken teriyaki broccoli skillet combines bite-sized, tender chicken cooked in a homemade, gluten-free teriyaki sauce. A dinner recipe perfect for busy moms. To learn more: Teriyaki Chicken Skillet

Air Fryer Steak Bites

Cooked in just 10 minutes these air fryer steak bites come out tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned! With a blend of cumin and garlic, these steak cubes work just as well as a game-day appetizer as they do as part of a busy weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Steak Bites

Gluten-Free Chicken Taco Skillet

Cooked chicken skillet, with cheese, pepper, avocado and cilantro on it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Juicy pieces of chicken coated in a homemade seasoning before being sauteed sticky in your favorite barbeque sauce. This chicken taco skillet hits the dinner table in just 30 minutes and makes for a delicious, simple weeknight meal.

Get the recipe: Easy Chicken Taco Skillet