Chicken, beef, and pork dinner recipes

Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
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Ingredients

  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 3 tbs butter
  • 1 pound skinless chicken breasts Ideally, 4 breasts that are 4 oz each
  • 1 cup sweet marsala wine
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 16 large asparagus spears ends trimmed off, and cut into 2 inch segments.
  • 1 cup orzo pasta

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees
  • To flatten the chicken. put the chicken breasts side by side on a cutting board and lay a piece of plastic wrap over them; pound with a flat meat mallet (or the palm of your hand) until they are about 1/4-inch thick.
  • Coat chicken pieces in flour. Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a large frying pan, melt the 3 tbs butter with 1 tbs olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add to the frying pan the chicken, and cook both sides until golden (about 5 minutes for each side).Do this in batches if the pieces don’t comfortably fit in the pan. Remove the chicken to a platter and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
  • Add the mushrooms to the frying pan and cook on medium until the mushrooms are golden brown and the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the marsala wine and bring to a boil, scraping the pan to pick up all of the tasty browned bits. Add the chicken stock and Reduce heat to medium, allowing the sauce to thicken (reduce in volume by about half). Salt and pepper to taste. While the sauce is cooking down, cook the asparagus.
  • On a baking sheet, spray the asparagus with cooking spray and arrange in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Place the asparagus in the pre-heated oven. Roast for 5 minutes, shake the pan, then roast until tender about 5 minutes more.
  • Divide the pasta and asparagus equally between serving plates. Then the plate the chicken and top with marsala sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 560 kcal | Carbohydrates: 54 g

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Tomatillos papery skin removed, and tomatillos cut in half
  • 1 each jalapeno chopped
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro chopped
  • 12 each corn tortillas
  • 1 pound Chicken Breast Boneless and Skinless
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable Oil

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Bring a pan of salted water (add enough salt to the water to make it taste like the sea) to a simmer. (the water will be steaming and may have occasional bubbles, but should not be boiling).
  • Add the chicken to the simmering water. Poach the chicken over low heat until just cooked through, about 9 minutes. Remove to a bowl and allow to cool. With your fingers, finely shred the chicken. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the chopped onion and jalapeño, cook until the onion is softened (about 3-5 minutes). Add the tomatillos, season with salt and continue cooking until wilted.
  • Pour the tomatillos into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Add the cilantro. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Lubricate a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray and spread a little sauce on the bottom.
  • Heat the tortillas (you need to do this or else they will break while you fill them) Working with 1 tortilla at a time, place in a dry, hot pan for about 8 seconds per side. Remove the tortila from the pan, then add 1/3 cup of chicken to the tortilla and roll into a cylinder. Repeat, lining up tortillas tightly in the baking dish.
  • Spread the rest of the sauce over the tortillas and cover with cheese. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in the oven. Bake until heated through, about 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 10 minutes longer, until the cheese is melted.

Nutrition

Serving: 3 enchilada | Calories: 610 kcal | Carbohydrates: 50 g

Servings: 4 people
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons red curry paste
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1/3 cup English cucumber chopped
  • 1/4 cup shallots minced
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (juice of 1 lime = 2 tablespoons)
  • 8 each cabbage leaves or bibb lettuce leaves
  • 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice

Instructions

  • Boil a pot of water and cook jasmine rice per package instructions (typically, for ½
    cup dry rice, you use ¾ cup water. Add water and rice to pot, trun heat to high
    to bring to boil. Once boiling, stir the rice and turn heat to low. Cover pot
    with lid and let cook for 15 minutes.
  • Combine curry paste, chicken, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix until incorporated.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan. Once shimmering, add the chicken to pan and cook (stirring) for 6 minutes or until done. Remove pan from heat.
  • To the pan now off the heat, mix in the cucumber, shallots, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt to taste.
  • Place 2 cabbage leaves on each serving plate. Divide chicken mixture evenly among leaves and serve

Nutrition

Serving: 2 wraps | Calories: 360 kcal | Carbohydrates: 47 g

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
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Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 large russet potato peeled and chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 2 medium carrots chopped
  • 1 large onion diced
  • ¾ cup frozen green peas
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 rotisserie chicken skin removed, bones removed, and meat diced
  • 1/2 package Pillsbury pie crust a 14 oz package has 2 crusts, you are using just one.

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.

Make the pot pie sauce

  • First, make the roux. Melt 4 tbs butter over medium-low heat in a large saucepan, until foaming. Mix in flour. Cook 2–5 minutes, constantly mixing. (You are just trying to cook this long enough to get rid of the raw flour taste. The texture will be similar to wet sand. The mixture may take on a light tan color, that is fine.)
  • To the roux, add the 2 cups of chicken broth, mixing constantly until mixture is smooth. Add the cup of milk and again mix until smooth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Remove pan from heat, add chicken and vinegar, and stir to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour out the mixture into a separate bowl, and wipe out the pan.

Cook the veggies

  • In the cleaned pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add onions and sage, cook for about 2 minutes (until the sage is fragrant)
  • Add potato, celery, carrots. Cook for another 6 minutes.
  • Turn the heat off, then Stir in the peas, parsley, and the chicken mixture. Season again with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the pot pie and bake

  • Pour filling into the casserole dish.
  • Using a roller, roll out the dough so that it will fit over the baking dish.
  • Place dough over the baking dish, tucking dough into the edges of the dish. Cut 10 slits in the dough to allow for venting.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, until crust is golden and mixture is bubbling.

Nutrition

Calories: 525 kcal | Carbohydrates: 39 g

Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6
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Equipment

  • 12-well muffin pan

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup panko for the topping
  • 1/2 cup panko for the meat mixture
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 egg
  • 2 pounds ground chicken ground dark meat is best for making this dish.
  • 1/2 medium medium yellow onion diced
  • 1/4 cup basil leaves finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves grated on a microplane
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces whole-milk mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 3 cups Marinara Sauce Recommend Trader Joes "Trader Giotto's" Traditional Marinara Sauce.
  • 6 cups frozen green beans Recommend. Birds Eye Steamfresh Premium Whole Green Beans. Each 10.8 oz bag has 3.5 cups.

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 400°F. Place a 12-well muffin pan on the baking sheet and coat the wells and the top of the pan with cooking spray. set aside.
  • Combine 1/3 cup of the panko, 1/3 cup of the Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a bowl . Set aside.
  • Place the egg in a large bowl and beat it with a fork. Add the remaining 1/2 cup panko, 2/3 cup Parmesan, chicken, onion, basil, garlic, salt, oregano, and pepper. Using clean hands, mix everything until combined. Don’t squeeze or overwork the mixture.
  • Divide the mixture among the wells of the muffin pan. Evenly divide the mozzarella among the muffins. Push the cheese into the center of the chicken mixture, making sure to enclose the cheese in the chicken mixture. Smooth out the tops of the muffins.
  • Sprinkle the panko-parmesan mixture over the tops of the muffins, gently pressing to adhere.
  • Place the baking sheet with the muffin pan on it in the oven and bake until the meatloaf muffins are cooked through, about 25 minutes.
  • While the muffins cook, heat the marinara sauce and keep it warm.
  • While the muffins cook, heat the frozen green beans according to package instructions.
  • When the muffins are done cooking, set the oven to broil and broil until the panko topping is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the baking sheet to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Run a small knife around the perimeter of each well to loosen and remove the meatloaf muffins. Serve immediately with the marinara sauce and green beans.

Nutrition

Calories: 530 kcal | Carbohydrates: 18 g

Chicken scaloppine

Servings: 2
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Ingredients

  • 12 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 ounces sliced white mushrooms
  • 1 red bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and cut into thin strips
  • 1 shallot sliced thin
  • 2 tablespoons capers rinsed
  • 1 garlic clove grates with a microplane
  • ¾ cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 2 tablespoons butter cut into 2 pieces
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

pasta

  • 4 ounces penne pasta

Instructions

  • Heat a pot of salted water (the water should taste like seawater) to boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, to al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Working with 1 breast at a time, cut breasts in half horizontally. Using meat pounder (or the heel of your hand), gently pound each cutlet into even 1/4-inch thickness between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Pat dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
  • Spread flour in shallow dish. Working with 1 cutlet at a time, dredge cutlets in flour, shaking off excess, and return to plate.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add cutlets and cook until lightly golden and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to clean plate.
  • Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, shallot, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until liquid has evaporated and vegetables begin to brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add capers and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add broth and wine and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Cook until slightly thickened and mixture is reduced, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low and mix in butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Return chicken and pasta to pan to heat through, about 1 minute. Transfer chicken to platter and top with vegetables, pasta, and sauce. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 780 kcal | Carbohydrates: 55 g

Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 3
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Ingredients

  • 4 ounces dried wide egg noodles typically ½ of the bag
  • 1/2 cup frozen green peas
  • 2.5 tablespoons butter divided
  • 6 ounces fully cooked smoked sausage such as kielbasa, cut into 1/2-inch rounds (typically 1/2 of the package)
  • 1 medium yellow onion halved and thinly sliced (about 1.5 cups)
  • 1 small red bell pepper cored and thinly sliced (about 1 cups)
  • 1 medium cabbage about 1 pounds, cored, quartered, and shredded (Or, you can buy pre-shredded cabbage)
  • 20 each asparagus spears fibrous ends chopped off and discarded, then cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

Instructions

  • Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Stir in the noodles and cook for 2 minutes less than the minimum time stated on the package.
  • Into the pot of boiling water with egg noodles, stir in the frozen peas and asparagus and cook for 2 minutes more. Drain well, then transfer into a large bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon of the butter. Cover to keep warm.
  • Wipe out the pot used to cook the noodles. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat, then add the sausage. Cook, (stirring occasionalluntil browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage into the bowl of pasta (reserving the drippings in the pot).
  • Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of butter to the now-empty pot. When melted, stir in the onion, bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the vinegar and stir to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the cabbage in batches, stirring until each batch is starting to wilt before adding more. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender, 5- 10 minutes. Stir in the noodles, sausage, and veggies. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 370 kcal | Carbohydrates: 42 g

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri

Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Butterflying and pounding flat the pork tenderloins allows them to cook incredibly quick. I typically make this on my grill (and you can too), but decided to give instructions for broiling the pork instead so that people without a grill can enjoy this quick, healthy, and delicious recipe.
For the salad, I wanted to leave the ingredients open-ended so you can decide to put whatever in it you like. This means the calories/carbs will be less exact, but since raw veggies are incredibly low carb and low calorie the estimate will still be pretty close. If you eat salad dressing, be sure to keep it to 2 tablespoons or less and choose one that is without added sugar.
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Equipment

  • mini food processor (optional)

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1.5 lbs pork tenderloins This will typically be 2 loins
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

Rice

  • 1 1/3 cup jasmine rice
  • 2 cups water

Salad

  • 10 ounces romaine lettuce
  • 4 servings salad veggies whatever you want in your salad (onion, tomato, cucumber, carrots, etc)

Instructions

  • Preheat the broiler to its highest setting. Arrange a rack about 6 inches under the broiler.

Prepare the rice

  • In a medium pot, add the water and rice with a large pinch of salt. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir, cover pot with lid, and turn heat down to low. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove from eye. Do not remove lid, to allow rice to continue to steam.

Make the chimichurri

  • Combine ¼ cup oil, parsley, cilantro, vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a mini food processor. Process until the cilantro, parsley, and garlic are minced. Set aside. (If you don't have a food processor, you can mince the parsley, cilantro, and garlic by hand, and combine all of the ingredients into a bowl)

Prepare the salad

  • Chop the romaine lettuce into bite size pieces. Chop the salad veggies. Toss together in a large bowl, and season with salt and pepper.

Prepare the pork

  • Trim excess fat off the pork tenderloin(s), Then butterfly the tenderloins by slicing them lengthwise about 3/4 of the way through and opening the pieces like a book. I(f you're not sure how to butterfly, check the video link in the notes section). Now pound the tenderloins to a ½ inch thickness- You can do this by placing the loins between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pounding them with the heel of your hand, a small pan, or with a meat mallet if you have one.
  • Sprinkle pork with the brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Place pork on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Place on the top rack in the preheated oven. Broil the pork until it is lightly browned and registers 140 degrees, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer pork to carving board, tent with foil, and let rest for 3-5 min.
  • Slice pork on bias ½ inch thick and transfer to platter. Top with chimichurri and serve with rice and salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 580 kcal | Carbohydrates: 49 g

Chili-garlic Pork stir fry

Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
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Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp Sriracha or another chili-garlic sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp canola oil
  • 8 ounces pork tenderloin halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
  • 4 ounce sliced mushrooms
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 2 green onion
  • 1 cup snow peas

Rice

  • 2/3 cup jasmine rice
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • In a small pot, add the water and rice with a large pinch of salt. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir, cover pot with lid, and turn heat down to low. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove from eye. Do not remove lid, to allow rice to continue to steam.
  • Prepare the veggies. Cut the celery on an angle into 1/2 inch pieces. Cut the green onion into 1 inch pieces.
  • In a small bowl, mix the Sriracha with soy sauce, vinegar, honey and cornstarch
  • Heat the oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the pork and mushrooms. Cook, stirring often, until meat starts to brown, about 7 to 9 minutes.
  • Stir in celery and cook until bright green, about 2 min. Stir in green onions, snow peas, Chili sauce mixture, and 1/4 cup water. Cook until sauce is thickened, about 1 min.
  • Plate the stir fry over the rice and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 410 kcal | Carbohydrates: 48 g

Simple Beef Rigatoni Casserole

Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Beef rigatoni can be a very carb heavy and high calorie dish, but this recipe will satisfy your cravings for pasta with a meaty tomato sauce for only 600 calories and 60gm of carbohydrate. It can be put together in 45 minutes, and will still taste great as leftovers.
For the salad, I wanted to leave the ingredients open-ended so you can decide to put whatever in it you like. This means the calories/carbs will be less exact, but since raw veggies are incredibly low carb and low calorie the estimate will still be pretty close. If you eat salad dressing, be sure to keep it to 2 tablespoons or less and choose one that is without added sugar.
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Ingredients

  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 large large carrots chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt divided
  • 1.5 pound extra-lean ground sirloin
  • 3 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 6 tablespoons sliced fresh basil fresh is much better, but you can substitute 2 tablespoons of dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 12 ounces rigatoni
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 4 ounces grated mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salad

  • 10 ounces romaine lettuce
  • 4 servings salad veggies whatever you want in your salad (onion, tomato, cucumber, etc)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Prepare vegetables (onions and carrots)
  • Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Add olive oil to pan. Add onion and carrots, cook for about 5 minutes (or until onion is translucent), stirring occasionally.
  • Add garlic, cook another 30 seconds or until garlic is fragrant.
  • Add ground beef, Italian seasoning, red pepper. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes
  • Add chicken stock, 4 Tbs basil (save 2 Tbs for garnish), vred wine vinegar, pasta, and crushed tomatoes. Bring mixture to a boil. Cook 13 mnutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper to taste
  • Transfer contents of pan to a casserole dish, and top with the mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 for 15 minutes to melt the cheese.

Prepare the salad

  • Chop the romaine into bite-sized pieces. Chop the salad veggies. Tosss together in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper.
  • Once the casserole is done cooking, remove from oven and allow to cook briefly. Plate , garnish with remaining basil, and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 600 kcal | Carbohydrates: 61 g

My wife and I both work full time. For awhile I struggled to be consistent with cooking after work because I was “too busy”. However,  I believe in the importance of home cooking for my health, so I worked on compiling a repertoire of quick meals that were also carbohydrate-restricted. These meals are:

 

  • Low carb and low cal: My target in putting together dinner recipes is 65 grams of net carb or less. I also target 500 calories (though some will go over this!). I am a large male, and the portions satisfy me (so they can satisfy you too!)
  • Quick: Nearly all of these meals take 25-45 minutes to make, and the few that take longer are casseroles that make multiple meals.
  • Approachable: These recipes use common ingredients you can find in any supermarket, nothing fancy. Most of the meals are vegetarian or seafood (since that’s what my wife eats), but I try to slowly add a few meats recipes in there as well. 
  • Complete: I have written the recipes to be complete meals (including sides and veggies), in order to make it easier for meal planning and during cooking. 
  • Easy to plan: This page gives you the option to create shopping lists, which greatly simplifies shopping for the week. On each recipe card, you will see a button that says “Add to Mealplan“. Click the button to add the meal to your meal plan. 

Meal plan and recipe organizer

Creating a mealplan will create a shopping list for you and allow you to quickly print out all of the recipes for that week. It’s easy to do.

  1. On each recipe card, you will see a button that says “Add to Mealplan”. Click the button to add the meal to your meal plan. 
  2. Click “inbox” to see your meal plan. From the inbox, you can view and print a shopping list, as well as print all of the recipes.