The hardest thing about cooking dinner is figuring out what meal you will make. Especially when you have a family that you are cooking for, as some people can be picky. We went to a popular internet forum to compile this list of ten go-to dinners that are sure to impress the whole family.
Photo Credit: Karen Kelly
1. Marry Me Chicken
I had personally never heard of Marry Me Chicken until reading this thread. However, many foodies agree it is a delicious and easy dinner option. It is creamy, juicy, and full of flavor. It is chicken sautéed in heavy cream with garlic and Parmesan cheese. It can be served alone or over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
2. Arroz con Pollo
Arroz con Pollo translates to "rice with chicken" from Spanish to English. It is a classic dish that typically consists of chicken cooked with rice, onions, saffron, and a potential plethora of other grains or vegetables. However, there are many different ways to prepare it. Simply cook chicken with your favorite flavorings and serve over the rice of your choosing.
3. Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes is easy on the wallet and a big crowd-pleaser. Not to mention it is extremely easy to make. It is best when prepared with chicken thighs versus chicken breasts. Coat them with lemon juice, olive oil, and your favorite spice before placing them in a pan with potatoes tossed in the same mixture. Brown before baking, and you have a dinner the whole family will love.
4. Chicken Parmesan
Another easy and delicious dinner is Chicken Parmesan. While most commenters discuss the best way to fry a chicken breast, some claim it is just as good and even easier to use a frozen chicken patty. Cover in your favorite sauce and some cheese, then serve with pasta and a side salad.
5. Lasagna
Lasagna might be a bit time-consuming to prepare, but seeing the looks on your family's faces will be worth it. There is a lot of variety when it comes to lasagna, meaning that you can choose the vegetables and sauce you prefer to eat when cooking it.
6. Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's Pie is another dish that takes longer to cook but is worth it. Many responders claim that while Shepherd's Pie is good no matter what, Alton Brown's recipe is the best one out there. He mixes corn, peas, and carrots with the meat before baking and suggests using ground lamb instead of beef.
7. Chicken Cacciatore
Someone describes Chicken Cacciatore as "good ingredients + a little prep time = crowd pleaser every time." Cacciatore means "hunter" in Italian. In cuisine, alla cacciatora is a " hunter-style " meal with onions, herbs, usually tomatoes, bell peppers, and sometimes wine. Cacciatore is a stew that is often made with braised chicken or rabbit, but the consensus of the thread is that chicken is the way to go.
8. Pulled Pork
Pulled Pork is one of those meals that sounds like it is a lot of work, but it isn't. Several people commented that it was simpler than expected and a dish the whole family enjoyed. An easy way to prepare it is to rub and sear the pork shoulder before putting it in the crockpot in the morning. It can be served over pasta or rice or made into sandwiches with your favorite sauce.
9. Apricot Chicken
Apricot Chicken is a go-to meal that many commenters raved over, while others that haven't tried it said they would be making it soon because it sounds so delicious. All you need to do is combine chicken, French dressing, apricot preserves, and onion soup mix. Pour them into a casserole dish and cook until it browns on top. If you want to live on the wild side, add pineapples in. Serve over rice to make a more well-rounded meal.
10. Tacos
Who doesn't love a taco Tuesday?! This is an extremely easy meal; the best part is that the family all make their own dinner. All you have to do is cook up the ground beef, place it out with shells and toppings such as cheese, lettuce, salsa, and tomatoes, and let everyone put together their tacos the way they enjoy them. You simply cannot go wrong with a taco bar for dinner!
This thread inspired this post.
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