45 Easy Summer Dinner Recipes

By By the editors of MidwestLiving.com
Relax and enjoy the taste of summer in these easy recipes, including chicken stir-fry, fish tacos, barbecue chicken, pasta, homemade pizza and main-dish salads.
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Chipotle-Maple Chicken Thighs

We won't mince words: This is juicy, spicy, sticky, glorious barbecued chicken. One of the secrets? Chicken thighs. They cook fast, like breasts, but they have richer flavor and don't dry out. And nutritionally speaking, the two are more similar than you'd think.Chipotle-Maple Chicken Thighs 

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Jamaican Pork Tenderloin with Broccoli-Peach Slaw

Broccoli slaw mix is the quick cheat in this colorful, weeknight-simple recipe that's festive enough to serve to friends.Jamaican Pork Tenderloin with Broccoli-Peach Slaw recipe.

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Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry

Garden-fresh veggies and juicy pineapple give classic stir-fry a seasonal refresh. For an easy substitute, switch the chicken for thinly sliced boneless pork or peeled, deveined medium shrimp.Pineapple Chicken Stir-Fry

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Sloppy Joes

Skip the canned stuff and make this childhood favorite from scratch. Our simple recipe is just a starting point; try one of our variations or experiment with seasonings.Sloppy Joes

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Paella-Style Rice with Ham and Shrimp

Ham stands in for sausage in this one-skillet dinner inspired by traditional Spanish paella. Sop up the juices with warm crusty bread.Paella-Style Rice with Ham and Shrimp

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Cajun Pizza

Courtesy of acouplecooks.com

This easy pizza from Alex and Sonja Overhiser of the blog A Couple Cooks isn't overly spicy, but has enough flavor and kick to stand out from a standard pizza. We love how it relies on basic pantry ingredients.Cajun Pizza

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Mustardy Grilled Corn and Sausage Kabobs

With just 5 ingredients and ready in less than 30 minutes, this colorful, family-friendly meal is sure to earn a spot in your summer weeknight dinner rotation.Mustardy Grilled Corn and Sausage Kabobs

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Grilled Eggplant and Mozzarella Hero with Spicy Tomato Sauce and Basil Pesto

This scrumptious mess of a sandwich is every bit as satisfying as a classic Italian sub--and if you prepare the tomato sauce and pesto in advance (or use purchased pesto), the sandwiches come together super fast. The recipe comes from Cara Mangini, of Little Eater in Columbus, Ohio.Grilled Eggplant and Mozzarella Hero with Spicy Tomato Sauce and Basil Pesto 

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Lemon Caper Chicken

Zesty lemon, salty capers and an array of spices flavor these easy chicken breasts.Lemon Caper Chicken

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Tortellini, Spinach and Mushrooms in Wine-Butter Sauce

A simple pan sauce and fresh vegetables dress up family-favorite cheese tortellini for a meal that's ready in 25 minutes.Tortellini, Spinach and Mushrooms in Wine-Butter Sauce

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Caribbean White Fish with Mango-Orange Relish

Lightly pan-fried white fish gets a refreshing lift from a sweet confetti of oranges and chopped mango. Pair with rice or couscous for an easy meal.Caribbean White Fish with Mango-Orange Relish

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Coconut Chicken Noodle Bowl

Ready in 30 minutes, this restaurant-style noodle bowl is a breeze to throw together. Coconut milk and fish sauce-Thai staples available at the supermarket-impart authentic flavor.Coconut Chicken Noodle Bowl

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Chicken Sausage and Peppers

Pair this hearty meat-lovers' dish with quinoa or whole wheat couscous and a crisp lettuce salad for a well-rounded meal. Chicken-apple sausage lends a pleasant sweetness to this dish, but you can take it in a kickier, more savory direction with hot Italian or roasted garlic sausage.Chicken Sausage and Peppers 

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Dilled Shrimp and Orzo Bowl

Dill, shrimp and a hint of vinegar shine in this light, veggie-filled dish.Dilled Shrimp and Orzo Bowl

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Three-in-One Primavera

Our ready-in-minutes recipe starts with pasta and mixed vegetables-then just pick the sauce that suits your mood. Choose among light lemon-basil, creamy Parmesan or peppercorn-ranch dressing for a pasta salad.Three-in-One Primavera

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Mango-Barbecue Fish Tacos

Fresh fruit and bottled barbecue sauce lend sassy sweetness to low-cal, vitamin-rich grilled fish tacos.Mango-Barbecue Fish Tacos

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Simple Salsa Skillet

For a change in routine, substitute green salsa for red in this easy Mexican-inspired meal.Simple Salsa Skillet

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Chimichurri

This classic Argentinian sauce with fresh parsley and cilantro is made for spooning over grilled meats (especially steak), but we also love it with scrambled eggs or roasted potatoes. The recipe comes from chef Michael Ollier of Certified Angus Beef in Wooster, Ohio.Chimichurri

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Chicken Sausage Sandwiches with Watermelon Salsa

Basil and lime juice flavor the fruity salsa on this ready-in-minutes, low-cal grilled sausage sandwich.Chicken Sausage Sandwiches with Watermelon Salsa

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Bean-and-Rice-Stuffed Peppers

With only five ingredients, these hearty stuffed peppers assemble in a snap. Team them with corn bread or whole wheat rolls, and dinner's done.Bean-and-Rice-Stuffed Peppers

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Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Ranch Taco Sauce

Fresh tomatillos and jicama add authentic tartness and crunch to this made-in-minutes dinner. You can find both veggies at large supermarkets or Latin groceries.Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Ranch Taco Sauce

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Super Simple Peachy Barbecue Chicken

Just three ingredients produce a rich-flavored, sweet-tangy barbecue sauce for drumsticks in this easy chicken slow-cooker recipe.Super Simple Peachy Barbecue Chicken

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Garden Veggie Linguine with Cilantro Pesto

You can customize this linguine recipe by substituting other in-season vegetables and herbs, such as asparagus, snap peas, spinach or mustard greens, tarragon and basil.Garden Veggie Linguine with Cilantro Pesto

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Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Bottled black bean and corn salsa spices up these quesadillas, ready in just 20 minutes. Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

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Chilled Tomato Soup with Corn Bread Croutons

Creamy avocado slices give depth to this summer soup, while crumbly corn bread croutons add a nice contrast in texture. For a lighter-colored soup, peel the cucumber.Chilled Tomato Soup with Corn Bread Croutons

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Loaded Greek Chicken Pizza

Frozen spinach-artichoke dip is the secret ingredient in this fabulous pizza that delivers an authentically salty punch of kalamata olives and feta cheese.Loaded Greek Chicken Pizza

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Lemon-Herb Grilled Chicken

Herbed lemon marinade cooks down with honey to a glossy, gorgeous glaze in our Lemon-Herb Grilled Chicken recipe.Lemon-Herb Grilled Chicken

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Ham Florentine Soup

Florentine-style dishes have one thing in common: heart-healthy spinach. In this case, the leafy greens combine with chunks of ham in a chowderlike soup. For best results, remove spinach stems before cooking.Ham Florentine Soup

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Chicken Cobb Salad

Why save this classic for when you're dining out? Rotisserie chicken makes it easy to enjoy a Cobb at home. Just add a whole-grain roll, and you've got a well-rounded meal.Chicken Cobb Salad

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Zucchini and Tomato Frittata

Zucchini gets a flavor boost from mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and chopped walnuts in a colorful frittata. Zucchini and Tomato Frittata

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Spicy Chicken-Peanut Thai Pizza

If you love Thai peanut sauce, you'll go nuts for this simple pizza. We especially love how the veggies go on after the pizza bakes, so they stay fresh, crispy and colorful.Spicy Chicken-Peanut Thai Pizza

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Fresh Herb Tuna Salad

Showers of fresh herbs and the teeniest smidgen of curry powder wake up classic tuna salad.Fresh Herb Tuna Salad

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Potato Chips Meet Fish

How do you get your family to eat fish? By serving them tilapia coated with potato chips, herbs and honey-mustard dressing.Potato Chips Meet Fish

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Skillet Lasagna Toss

Use up those stray lasagna noodles in this speedy, family-friendly pasta dish.Skillet Lasagna Toss

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Mediterranean-Style Snapper

Cook fresh snapper fillets or other firm-flesh white fish with an easy tomato-olive mixture and crumbled feta cheese. Serve with rice, pasta or couscous.Start to finish: 15 minutesMediterranean-Style Snapper

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Chicken and Asparagus Risotto

Don't be afraid to try this Italian classic at home! Our hearty version is made with convenient rotisserie chicken and loaded with asparagus, herbs and lemony flavor.Chicken and Asparagus Risotto

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Gingered Beef & Broccoli Salad Bowl

Use a wok or skillet to stir-fry sirloin steak strips and broccoli. Combine with salad greens, chopped sweet pepper and bottled ginger vinaigrette salad dressing to complete the meal.Start to finish: 20 minutesGingered Beef & Broccoli Salad Bowl

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Maple-Bourbon Ketchup

Just three ingredients yield a surprisingly flavor "quickie" barbecue sauce. Try it as a dipping sauce for purchased roasted chicken or breaded, baked chicken breast. You can also toss shredded chicken meat with the sauce for a simple pulled-chicken sandwich. (Bonus points if you add cheddar cheese and toast the sandwich in a panini press!)Maple-Bourbon Ketchup

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