10+ Easy Food Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

Easy food recipes can really save you time and cut down on kitchen stress. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding your family, finding dishes that don’t take forever or require fancy skills makes mealtime a lot more enjoyable.

You can whip up tasty, satisfying meals without hunting for rare ingredients or mastering complicated techniques.

Cooking doesn’t have to be a big deal. With a few straightforward recipes, you can throw together meals that fit your busy life and still taste great.

These recipes are meant to make cooking feel easy and even a little fun.

1) Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers

Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers are a breeze to make. The chicken gets marinated in honey and chipotle, so you end up with sweet, smoky flavors.

You can grill them, bake them, or even toss them in the air fryer. The marinade usually mixes honey, chipotle chili powder, and some vinegar or lime juice for a bit of tang.

Garlic and cumin add extra depth. After marinating, just thread the chicken (and maybe some veggies) onto skewers and cook until they’re juicy and a little charred.

Perfect for a quick dinner or a summer barbecue. Bell peppers or onions are great to add if you want more color and crunch.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Honey
• Chipotle chili powder or chipotle in adobo sauce
• Apple cider vinegar or lime juice
• Garlic (minced or powder)
• Cumin
• Salt and pepper
• Cooking oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix honey, chipotle powder or sauce, vinegar or lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper for the marinade.
2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss them in the marinade. Let it sit at least 30 minutes.
3. Thread chicken and any veggies onto skewers.
4. Grill or air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway, or bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.
5. Check that the chicken’s cooked through before serving.

Try this Honey Chipotle Chicken Skewers recipe for a no-fuss meal with big flavor from Closet Cooking.

2) Ridiculously Good Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Air fryer chicken breast is honestly one of the easiest things you can make. Just season the chicken with your spices, toss in some brown sugar and cornstarch, and let the air fryer do its magic.

Cornstarch gives the chicken a nice texture, while brown sugar brings a little sweetness. The best part? It’s quick and you don’t have to babysit it.

You’ll get juicy, flavorful chicken that works for salads, sandwiches, or just eating on its own.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix brown sugar, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Coat chicken breasts with the spice mix.
3. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
4. Place chicken in the basket in a single layer.
5. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
6. Make sure the internal temp hits 165°F (74°C).
7. Let chicken rest a few minutes before slicing.

For more details, see this ridiculously good air fryer chicken breast recipe.

3) Gochujang Chicken Burgers with Kimchi Bacon Jam

If you want a burger with a little kick, try adding gochujang sauce to ground chicken. It gives a mild heat and deep flavor.

Top it off with kimchi bacon jam—crispy bacon, tangy kimchi, and brown sugar cooked down together. It’s sweet, smoky, and a little funky in the best way.

Just mix your burger ingredients, form the patties, and cook them through. The jam cooks on the side until it’s thick and sticky.

These burgers are easy enough for a weeknight but interesting enough to impress friends.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons gochujang sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1/4 cup kimchi, chopped
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook bacon in a pan until crispy.
2. Add kimchi and brown sugar, simmer until thick.
3. Mix chicken, panko, gochujang, garlic powder, and salt.
4. Form into patties.
5. Cook patties in a skillet over medium heat until 165°F (74°C) inside, about 5-6 minutes per side.
6. Serve with kimchi bacon jam.

4) Classic Roast Chicken

Roast chicken is a go-to dish that’s surprisingly easy. You only need a handful of ingredients for juicy meat and crispy skin.

Pat the chicken dry and rub it with butter or oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and maybe some rosemary or thyme if you have it.

Roast at 375°F (190°C) for about an hour or so. You’ll end up with a golden, crispy outside and tender inside.

Serve it with veggies or a simple salad. No need to overthink it.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh herbs (optional), like rosemary or thyme

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pat chicken dry and rub with butter or oil.
3. Season inside and out with salt, pepper, and herbs.
4. Put chicken breast-side up in a roasting pan.
5. Roast for 1 to 1 hour 15 minutes, until juices run clear.
6. Rest 10 minutes before carving.

For more tips, see this Super Easy Roast Chicken recipe.

5) Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup

Grilled cheese and tomato soup is the ultimate comfort food. You get a crispy, gooey sandwich and a warm, creamy soup—what’s not to love?

Add fresh basil to the soup or use smoked cheese for a twist. Roasting the tomatoes brings out their sweetness, and slow-toasting the bread gets you that perfect melt.

Making both from scratch is faster than you’d think. It’s a great way to turn a regular lunch into something special.

Ingredients:

• Ripe tomatoes
• Onion
• Garlic
• Vegetable broth
• Heavy cream
• Bread slices
• Butter
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or smoked cheese)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Roast tomatoes, onion, and garlic at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes.
2. Blend roasted veggies with vegetable broth until smooth.
3. Heat soup in a pot, stir in heavy cream.
4. Butter bread, add cheese, and grill on medium heat until golden.
5. Serve sandwich with hot tomato soup.

For more tips, check this grilled cheese and tomato soup recipe.

6) Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken fried rice is fast, filling, and uses up leftovers. You just need cooked rice, chicken, and whatever veggies you have.

Start by stir-frying the chicken. Then toss in veggies and rice, season with soy sauce and sesame oil, and crack in a couple eggs.

It comes together in about 20 minutes. It’s honestly as good as takeout—maybe better since you made it.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked long-grain white rice, cooled
• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Cook chicken until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Push chicken to the side, scramble eggs in the pan.
4. Add vegetables and stir-fry 2-3 minutes.
5. Stir in rice, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
6. Mix in green onions before serving.

7) Cheesy Ramen Noodles

Cheesy ramen noodles are a quick fix when you want something warm and filling. Just cook the noodles and toss in a slice of cheese—it melts right into the broth and makes everything creamy.

You only need a few ingredients. Feel free to throw in extra veggies or a dash of hot sauce if you’re feeling adventurous.

It’s ready in five to ten minutes, which is perfect for late nights or lazy days.

Ingredients

• 1 package ramen noodles
• 1 slice of cheese (American or any melting cheese)
• 1 1/2 cups water
• Optional: salt, pepper, or toppings you like

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil 1 1/2 cups water in a pot.
2. Add ramen noodles and cook 3 minutes.
3. Remove the seasoning packet (optional).
4. Break cheese into pieces and stir into noodles and broth until melted.
5. Add salt or pepper if needed.
6. Serve warm.

Try this easy recipe for a cheesy meal! For more tips, check out this Cheesy Ramen Noodles Recipe.

8) One-Pot Pasta with Garlic and Spinach

One-pot pasta with garlic and spinach is about as easy as it gets. You cook everything in one pot, which means less mess and more flavor.

Garlic gives the dish a nice punch, and the spinach stays bright and fresh. It comes together in about 20 minutes.

You only need a few pantry staples and fresh spinach. If you’re in the mood, toss in some tomatoes or a sprinkle of cheese. Why not?

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 ½ cups water or broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Toss in the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until it smells amazing.
3. Add pasta, water or broth, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring everything to a boil.
5. Turn the heat down and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, giving it a stir now and then.
6. Toss in the spinach for the last 2 minutes. Cook until it wilts down.
7. Give it a good stir and serve hot.

9) Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal

This oatmeal is about as cozy as it gets. You get the sweetness from maple syrup and brown sugar, all ready in a flash.

You can cook it on the stove or just toss it in the microwave if you’re in a hurry. Quick oats make the whole thing even faster.

Maple syrup gives a natural, mellow sweetness. Brown sugar brings in that deep, caramel-like flavor.

If you feel like mixing things up, go ahead and add cinnamon, nuts, or maybe some fruit. It’s creamy, warm, and honestly, just makes mornings better.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quick oats
• 1 1/2 cups water or milk
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• A pinch of salt
• Optional: cinnamon, nuts, or fruit

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine oats, water or milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, and salt in a pot.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until it thickens—should take about 5 minutes.
3. For the microwave, mix everything in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1–2 minutes, checking that it’s thick enough.
4. Stir well. Add any toppings you like.
5. Serve warm.

10) Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Air fryer hot dogs are the definition of easy comfort food. They’re ready in minutes, with a crispy outside and juicy middle.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Pop in the hot dogs and cook for about 4 minutes.

Flip them halfway through so they get that even crisp. If you’re into toasted buns, just stick the hot dogs in their buns and air fry for another 1-2 minutes at the same temp.

Pile on your favorite toppings. That’s it—simple, quick, and always hits the spot.

Ingredients

• Hot dogs
• Hot dog buns
• Optional: ketchup, mustard, relish, or other toppings

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

2. Place the hot dogs right in the fryer basket.

3. Cook them for 4 minutes. Flip them over halfway through.

4. Once they’re done, put the hot dogs in buns.

5. Toast the buns with the hot dogs inside for 1-2 minutes at 400°F (200°C).

6. Add your favorite toppings and dig in.

For more details, check out this easy air fryer hot dogs recipe.