Getting back into a weekday routine can feel overwhelming, especially when school, activities, and busy schedules all start picking up. During these times, deciding what to cook can feel like the hardest part of the day.
We wanted to bring you four easy weekday meals are meant to simplify dinner without sacrificing comfort or flavor. Each recipe is quick, uses minimal ingredients, and is kid-friendly (and approved)! The kind of meals you can keep in your back pocket for those nights when you just need dinner to be checked off the list.
We love building simple weekday plans like this because they take the pressure off. Fewer decisions, less stress, and more time around the table.
4 of Our Favorite Easy Weekday Meals
Abuela’s Counter is here to take a few decisions off your plate. These 4 meals can be done in any order, or substituted for a recipe you have in your arsenal already. These are tried and true recipes that we have used from the trenches. The kids will love them, it will not take a lot of time to make, and they don’t require too many ingredients or thoughts. We know thoughts are precious!
Another thing we wanted to do in this post, is highlight the importance of doing a little extra food each night. We love to do this, especially on a week where we know time is tight. When you make a little extra food, it leaves room for a leftover night. Have we ever told you how much we love leftovers?! These recipes are all great ones to make, because they are great as is but can also be transformed into something new to keep it fresh. We know kids don’t always love leftovers, but we promise they will like this take!
Let’s jump right in.
If you love our Meal Plans Check out Our Back to School Meal Plan complete with 3 weeks of Meal Ideas
Cristy’s Easy Weeknight Chicken
This is a recipe that is made every week in Cristy’s house. In a world where Cristy could not get her kids to agree on one meal that they all loved, came this simple chicken that they beg her for. It’s almost too easy. The first time you make this recipe, you will ask yourself if you did it wrong. It can’t be as easy as putting seasoning on the chicken and baking. Can it?!
The answer is YES! We highly suggest using bone in chicken thighs with skin. We aren’t scientists, but after much experimentation, these chicken thighs will cook to juicy perfection. With that said, you can use any cut of chicken you have, and can adjust the time based on what you use. For example, a simple chicken breast will only need around 30 minutes, and a bigger quarter leg may need an hour and a half. We have tips and notes in the recipe! You can find it HERE!
When I make it, I usually make 10-12 pieces of chicken. We are a family of 5, and that leaves us with 5-6 extra pieces to use again later in the week or for lunches. – Cristy
A little tip, add other seasonings as you see fit. We love mixing in a little paprika, or sazon from time to time. Don’t be afraid to play with it.
What to serve it with: Make this with The Perfect White Rice, (always with a little extra), Easy Weeknight Black Beans, Roasted Vegetables, Spaghetti Squash, or Chopped Salad
Leftover Ideas: If you make enough chicken, you can take it out on a Thursday and serve it with pasta, or more rice and beans and we promise no one will complain! You can also use the chicken to make quesadillas, throw into a pasta bake or over a salad!
Instant Pot Skirt Steak and Vegetables
This has become one of our most popular recipes and we know why. It’s very easy to do, and the kids go crazy for it. We always love a good Instant Pot Recipe and this is no exception.
The best thing about this recipe (besides how delicious it is) is how easy it is to do. It’s one of those toss it all in, and let the pot do it’s magic recipes. When you get home from work, activities, etc it’s done and ready to go. It’s a pretty substantial dish, it has the meat, potatoes and a ton of veggies so it doesn’t need to much. Leftover rice from Monday’s meal, and you could be good to go! You can find the recipe HERE!
What to serve it with: This goes well with almost anything! Of course there is the White Rice, but also perfect with Mashed Potatoes, Zoodles or Quinoa or a Spring Salad!
Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
This Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies is a great recipe to have in your back pocket. We love Sheet Pans because you can get home, throw everything on the pan and move on. Whether that means helping with homework, cleaning up, or whatever else needs your attention.
This Sheet Pan Meal is great because it gives you a little of everything you need a protein, carb, and plenty of veggies. This means that you don’t have to worry so much about side dishes because it’s all there for you. The kids love this because the chicken looks like big tenders, but they stay nice and juicy. Find the recipe HERE
What to Serve it With: Again, like we mentioned, this is already a full meal for itself. But we would say to use whatever leftovers you have from the night before, or make some fresh White Rice.
Sheet Pan Substitutions:
Cuban Pork Chops OR Make it a Leftover Night and do the Pork Chops next week!
What we love most about these three meals is that it leaves room for a fun easy leftover night. A night where cooking is not required. Take your favorite item from the week and transform it into something new or just eat it over salad and rice and call Thursday a win. We love this because it keeps it very simple (obviously) but also budget friendly and helps make sure everything gets used.
BUT if you want to cook, because your house isn’t a leftover house, or you have the time on a Thursday we bring you Cuban Pork Chops. A recipe like Cuban Pork Chops is great because it doesn’t take a lot of prep, is packed with flavor, and is ready in 20 minutes. We love this recipe the way we love Palomilla or Polla a la Plancha, because it showcases the meat with minimal ingredients and time yet always delivers such a great meal! Find the recipe HERE
What to Serve it With: Quick Weeknight Congri, Avocado Salad, or any leftover Zoodles and Quinoa from earlier in the week!
Leftover Ideas:
- Quesadillas with the Steak, or chicken from earlier in the week!
- Simple Pasta served with the steak and chicken
- Make an Arroz Chino with the Steak and Chicken!
