Dinner in 20 Minutes? Say Less.
9 recipes to make QUICK.
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Friends, I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. It’s literally my job—I’m developing recipes, filming, testing things several times until they’re right. And yet there are still plenty of nights where I stare at the stove and just can’t bring myself to do anything complicated.
As a matter of fact—that’s most nights and since I really only create recipes I enjoy making and eating, I’ve got plenty of quick and easy recipes for you.
The thing is, 20 minutes is truly enough time to make something really good. Not good enough, but actually good—I promise. These recipes are the reason I’ve gotten a lot better at not defaulting to DoorDash on busy nights. They come together fast, they don’t require a lot of thinking or planning, and every single one of them is worth making.
A large skillet or wok. Almost every recipe on this list uses a pan. A wide, heavy-bottomed skillet that holds heat well is what gets you that caramelized, restaurant-quality result instead of everything just steaming together.
A good pot. For the ramen and the dan dan noodles, you need something big enough to cook the noodles and build the broth without things getting crowded. A heavy-bottomed pot with a lid is ideal.
A mini blender. The satay sauce, the gochujang sauce, the orange chicken sauce — most of the sauces on this list come together in a blender in about 30 seconds. It’s the tool I reach for more than anything else in my kitchen and it makes homemade sauces effortless.
A good pair of tongs. For tossing, flipping, and pulling things off the heat quickly. These recipes move fast and you want to be able to keep up without burning anything.
A smart meat thermometer. Several of these are chicken-based and knowing when it’s cooked through without cutting into it saves you from overcooking it every time.
Meal prep containers. Most of these hold up great in the fridge for days. Having good airtight containers is a must.
You can shop all of my kitchen favorites over on my Amazon Storefront — I keep it updated with exactly what I’m actually using.
If you’ve never cooked with gochujang before, these noodles are a great place to start. The noodles come together in 20 minutes with ground chicken, fresh herbs, and a creamy gochujang sauce that is spicy, savory, and completely addictive. It tastes like something you’d order from a really good takeout spot — except you made it faster than delivery ever could have arrived.
These bowls are one of the newer recipes in my rotation and it has already become one of my most made. Ground chicken is cooked with warm spices and tossed in a rich peanut coconut sauce, then served over jasmine rice with a quick tangy cucumber salad on top. The sauce is amazing — it’s creamy, slightly sweet, and tangy in a way that makes you want to pour it on everything. Fifteen minutes, start to finish.
This is packaged ramen taken seriously. The broth is rich and savory, made with ground beef, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil — a massive upgrade from the seasoning packet — and finished with fresh scallions, sesame seeds, and chili crunch on top. My boys have started making this one themselves, which tells you everything you need to know about how easy it actually is.
Broiled salmon gets coated in a sweet and savory teriyaki marinade, then served over fluffy jasmine rice with a crisp cucumber avocado salad on top. This recipe comes together in fifteen minutes and looks and tastes phenomenal. This is a weeknight dinner you’ll find yourself making all the time.
These Saucy Dan Dan Noodles come together in just 15 minutes and are packed with bold, irresistible flavor. Linguine is tossed in a rich, creamy tahini-sesame sauce with savory ground pork, then topped with crunchy peanuts, fresh green onions, and a drizzle of chili crisp.
It’s time to put the delivery apps aside and run to the kitchen for a simple and easy dinner recipe that comes together faster than you can order takeout. Introducing my 20-Minute Saucy Cashew Chicken & Broccoli, a delicious, nourishing, restaurant-quality stir-fry that comes together in just a matter of minutes. It’s a fantastic recipe to include in your meal-prepping, or to make on those weeknights where you’re craving a dish that’s better than takeout!
This creamy, flavor-packed dish comes together fast but tastes like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen. Tender, spiced chicken simmers in a silky coconut-tomato sauce that’s cozy, mild, and rich without being heavy. Paired with warm, garlicky naan for scooping up every last drop, it’s the kind of dinner that feels restaurant-level but is totally doable on a weeknight.
If you’re looking for a quick and cozy dinner that feels like comfort food but comes together in 20 minutes, then you’re going to love my 20 Minute Dumpling Skillet. It’s a spin on my Viral Dumpling Lasagna — made with savory ground pork, tender napa cabbage, gingery garlic, and soft wonton wrappers that stand in for noodles. Tossed in a rich, umami-packed sauce and topped with chili crunch, it’s perfect for busy nights, picky eaters, and anyone who needs a new dinner in the rotation.
If you’re looking for your new favorite dinner recipe that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for time, then look no further than my 20 Minute Saucy Orange Chicken Bowls. These bowls are filled with tender chunks of juicy chicken that are coated in a zesty orange sauce and cooked to perfection. Serve it alongside some broccoli and fluffy white rice, and you have the perfect better-than-takout dinner on the table in under 20 minutes!
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