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    Category Home » Healthy Recipes » 20+ Wholesome, Low-Effort Dinners to Kick Off the New Year!

    20+ Wholesome, Low-Effort Dinners to Kick Off the New Year!

    Published: Dec 20, 2021 · Modified: Dec 14, 2022 by Leigh Anderson · This post may contain affiliate links

    Close that delivery app—you’ve got this! If you’re the kind of person that likes to start the new year with healthy meals that are big on flavor and not too complicated then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve rounded up 20 of my favorite quick and nutritious dinner recipes that will guarantee you start this year feeling your best inside and out.

    1. Za’atar Chicken and Hummus Bowls

    one bowl of za'atar grilled chicken with hummus and cucumber, red onion, feta and herbs

    Za’atar Chicken and Hummus Bowls with cucumber and herb salad makes a great quick and healthy lunch or dinner option!

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    2. Superfood Salmon Salad

    a close up of a plate of brown rice, salmon and kale salad with a small side bowl of miso dressing topped with toasted sesame seeds

    This hearty salmon salad with brown rice, edamame, and ginger-miso dressing is packed with flavor! Savor this well-seasoned combination because it is *sure* to become a go-to recipe.

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    3. Quinoa Fried “Rice”

    a pink plate filled with quinoa fried rice with a dish of chili oil and a bowl of sesame seeds

    This warm bowl of crispy fried quinoa, ginger, garlic and shallot will warm you up and awaken your senses!

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    4 & 5. Cauliflower Gnocchi & Chicken Thighs with Citrus-Cilantro Salsa Verde

    • cauliflower gnocchi on with corn, tomatoes and basil on a white plate
    • a white plate of chicken thighs with green sauce

    There’s been a lot of buzz around Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi! I finally tried it out and to my surprise, it’s so good and incredibly versatile. Toss it with corn, tomatoes and zesty basil vinaigrette for a delicious, low-carb dinner!

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    Crispy, charred Chicken Thighs with Citrus Cilantro Salsa Verde pack a powerful punch of fresh, herby citrus flavor that will brighten up your January! Serve with cauliflower rice on the side.

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    6. Prosciutto Wrapped Halibut

    a sheet pan with Prosciutto Wrapped Halibut with Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

    Who doesn’t love a healthy sheet pan dinner? This prosciutto wrapped halibut with slow-roasted tomatoes is a wholesome meal that’s sure to satisfy!

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    7. Warm Kale and Quinoa Salad with Roasted Mushrooms

    a pink plate on a blue background with kale, roasted mushrooms, sesame seeds and scallions

    When the weather is cold and dreary this warm Kale and Quinoa Salad with Roasted Mushrooms with keep you nourished and satisfied.

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    8. Tomato and White Bean Soup with Sausage, Swiss Chard and Parmesan Broth

    a bowl of soup with two hands holding it and spoons on the side

    Hearty, healthy and satisfying this Tomato and White Bean Soup soup pairs very well with a glass of white wine and it’ll transport you straight to Italy. No passport needed!

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    9 & 10. Five Spice Blackened Salmon & Grilled Shrimp Caesar

    • a white oval platter with apple slaw and flaked, blackened salmon, with a pink cloth napkin and a blue water pitcher
    • a plate with homemade caesar salad topped with grilled shrimp and shaved parmesan cheese

    Packed with hearty cabbage, sliced apple and creamy dressing this Chinese 5-Spice Blackened Salmon salad can do no wrong!

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    This Caesar Salad recipe is the real deal! Made from scratch with anchovies, garlic, lemon juice and parmesan cheese, just like your favorite steak house. Add grilled shrimp on top for added protein!

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    11. Citrus and Fennel Roasted Chicken Thighs

    a sheet pan with roasted chicken thighs, citrus slices, olive oil and fennel

    Something about this combo of crispy golden brown roasted chicken thighs, fennel and citrus keeps me coming back for more! Pair it with Whipped Japanese Sweet Potatoes or Herby Salad.

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    12. Smokey Paprika Chicken

    a plate of smokey paprika chicken with dollops of cucumber tzatziki, fresh mint and cucumber slices on a blue background with a white linen napkin

    The richness of these smoked paprika marinated chicken thighs is unbeatable when paired with cool and creamy cucumber tzatziki! Serve with fluffy quinoa on the side.

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    13. 5-Ingredient Crispy Skin Branzino with Watercress Salad

    two white plates with branzino filets and watercress salad

    A complete meal with only five-ingredients…need I say more? This Crispy Skin Branzino is light, healthy and oh so easy to make!

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    14. Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

    a large white bowl filled with Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup, fresh herb and egg noodles

    I love a rotisserie chicken dinner hack and this one is my all-time favorite. Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup is easy to make and super-nourishing!

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    15 & 16. Farro Salad with Steak and Feta & Dairy-Free Wild Mushroom Soup

    • a white bowl filled with farro, arugula, feta cheese, and grilled steak on a blue background with a pink cloth napkin
    • four bowls of Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup (Dairy-Free)

    Another 5-Ingredient wonder: Steak and Farro Salad with Feta and Arugula. This one’s perfect for meal prep. Make a double batch for dinner then pack up the leftovers for lunch throughout the week!

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    This warming mushroom and wild rice soup is oh so rich and creamy––without the cream! That’s right, this dairy-free soup is enriched with coconut milk, chicken stock, garlic and thyme.

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    17. Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup

    If you’ve ever been sick, you know that soup has healing super powers. This Vegan Tomato Soup is no exception.

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    18. Creamy Coconut Salmon Curry

    a white bowl filled with coconut curry braised salmon with limes, rice and cilantro

    Loaded with anti-inflammatory rich turmeric and fresh ginger this Coconut Curry Braised Salmon will have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes and the leftovers are just as delicious the next day!

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    19. Miso-Ginger Chicken Salad

    This salad is all about the dressing! Pro tip: make a double batch of this Miso-Ginger Dressing and keep in the fridge for salads all week long!

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    20. Slow-Roasted Salmon with Green Olive Salsa Verde

    a large white platter of salmon topped with a fresh green sauce of crushed olives, parsley and green onion

    A Craving California classic, Slow-Roasted Salmon with Green Olive Salsa Verde is the perfect meal to brighten up your January. Serve with Caramelized Root Vegetable Mash for a compete meal packed with healthy ingredients!

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    21. Sautéed Cabbage with Garlic, Ginger and Chili

    A blue and white platter filled with chopped, sautéed cabbage, bits of ginger and sesame seeds as well as two large silver serving utensils.

    Once you have your mise en place assembled and your pan hot, this dish is ready in no time! With help from flavor-forward ingredients like; ginger, garlic, scallion and chili oil, an ordinary head of cabbage transforms into something spectacularly flavorful. As an added bonus, leftovers are fantastic for the next day’s breakfast served over steamed rice and topped a poached egg!

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    Looking for more cold-weather recipes? Check out this round up of 15 Warm and Cozy Fall Dinners.

    « Creamy Green Bean Casserole
    Pork Tenderloin au Poivre »

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    Welcome to Craving California!

    I'm so glad you're here. My name is Leigh and this is my food blog where I share California inspired recipes and tons of tips and tricks for better home cooking!

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