Since I moved out in October, I’ve been living independently for the first time in 7 years. I knew before I moved that the hardest part would be cooking for myself regularly, and while I did some cooking when living with my parents, I didn’t cook most nights. So in advance of moving, I compiled a list of simple healthy recipes for dinner that I made previously and liked. I figured I would share them in case you’re looking for recipes that are delicious, healthy, and easy to make if you’re like me and you have chronic illnesses, especially arthritis in your hands.
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Essential Dishes & Tools
Before we get into recipes, let’s talk about dishes and tools that you might need for these recipes. They make making the recipes easier, for varying reasons.
Rimmed baking sheet – These are super important because many of these dishes are one-dish recipes. Having a rimmed baking sheet means liquids don’t get everywhere, making your clean-up a little bit easier.
Baking sheet liner – Even with a rimmed baking sheet, you want to make sure that your cleanup isn’t too odious. Using a liner in your sheet also helps make sure your food doesn’t stick to the sheet (and also helps it stay nice looking).
Light bowls – Mixing bowls are obviously essential, but you don’t want to have ones that are heavy before you even put the food in it. Trust me on this!
Narrow teaspoons – How many times have you been making something and your round teaspoons don’t fit in the spices? These narrow ones are awesome because they fit in easily. I’m obsessed with them!
Slow cooker – There are a bunch of slow cooker recipes in this post, so you absolutely need one.
Cast iron skillet – I don’t cook with these much because they’re heavy, but they’re super helpful for cooking. So much is better when it’s made in a cast iron skillet!
14 Amazing Simple Healthy Recipes for Dinner
Slow cooker maple dijon slow cooker chicken and broccoli – This is so delicious, oh my goodness. I will say that you should add the broccoli sooner than the recipe says, and I definitely advise mixing it with olive oil, salt, and pepper before you add it.
Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs – This is mouth wateringly good. Lemon and garlic is such a good combination!
Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken – Something you’ll see a lot of in this post is lemon chicken. It’s a flavor combination that I love! This is a sheet pan recipe that, while good, doesn’t have as much of a lemon punch as you would think.
One Pan Chicken and Potatoes – So good! I actually don’t like cooked carrots in any form, but in recent years it’s the only way I can eat them thanks to TMJ arthritis. This is a really good recipe, though, and I actually kind of like them in this recipe. That’s a huge sign of praise from me!
Oven Baked Chicken Breasts – This is such a simple recipe, but it’s really great if you are trying to figure out a delicious but basic way to make chicken. Scroll down to the bottom to check out some great side dishes to go with this!
Seasoned Chicken, Potatoes and Green beans – I love all of the different foods in this recipe individually, and making them together is just as good. I will say that the chicken in this recipe will look very bland when it’s done, but it tastes delicious!
Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Fajitas – As I mentioned, I don’t cook with cast iron skillets much because of the weight. But when I do, I make a recipe like this one. It’s so delicious!
The Best Food Substitutions for Common Intolerances
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes – Okay, so I can’t have the parmesan part of this recipe, but the recipe is so good that it’s super good without it.
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken – This is one of my favorite recipes in this post. It’s so delicious.
Sheet Pan Chili Lime Salmon – Okay, while this is really good, you’ve got to be careful with the spice. If you’re a baby with spice like I am, then treat very carefully, and don’t use as much of the chili as the recipe says. If you love spice, you’re going to love this recipe. It’s absolutely delicious.
One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies – Honey garlic is a surprising flavor combination, and this recipe really showcases how good it is. I love that this is a one-pan recipe because it means that everything is done at the same time and that the flavors can blend together while cooking.
Slow Cooker Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli – This is one of the recipes that my family and I love! The sweet potatoes in particular are outrageously good.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies – This is another incredible dish. It’s amazing and the flavor combination is incredible.
One Skillet Sweet ‘n Salty Chicken Thighs – This is so delicious and has so many incredible ingredients that combine to make amazing chicken.
7 Yummy Crockpot Recipes
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Incredible Side Dishes
Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe – This is absolutely delicious and totally like the real deal. Make this if you want something a little more “elevated” than regular rice or if you want Chipotle at home.
The Perfect Baked Potato – This is the absolute best baked potato instructions. It’s more than how to make a baked potato, which is pretty straightforward. It’s more about getting butter and salt in the potato while it’s still cooking.
Garlic and Paprika Roasted Cauliflower – So so good! Cauliflower exists for flavors to have a place to go. This combination (garlic and paprika) is so good.
What are your favorite easy healthy recipes?
Like this post? Share it! Then check out:
Gluten-Free St. Patrick’s Day Recipes, 56 Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes To Make This Year, A Day in the Life, 7 Healthy Meals I Love + Free Printable for Cooking for Someone with Food Allergies
Kate Mitchell
Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.
