17 Fresh & Vibrant Dinner Recipes to Kick Off April
April brings longer days, warmer weather, and the perfect excuse to transition to lighter, fresher, and more vibrant foods. Whether you’re craving salads, smoothies, or nutritious dinners, we’ve got the recipes you need to welcome in Spring!
Blackened Cod
Experience a burst of bold flavors with this blackened cod recipe. The tender, flaky cod is generously seasoned with a blend of spices and then seared to perfection, creating a smoky, spicy crust that’s simply irresistible. Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod.
Best Chicken Salad
The best part of this rotisserie chicken salad recipe? The TEXTURE! Instead of big chunks of chicken and celery, everything is processed together into a pate-like texture that is absolutely perfect. It’s perfect scooped up with crackers and fresh vegetables, stuffed into tomatoes, or in between two slices of good bread for a classic sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Best Chicken Salad.
Lemon Baked Halibut
Savor the delicate flavors of this lemon baked halibut. The fresh halibut fillets are seasoned simply with butter, salt, and a generous squeeze of lemon and then baked to perfection. This light and healthy dish pairs wonderfully with steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad for a balanced meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Baked Halibut Recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla
If you like buffalo chicken this recipe is for you! This buffalo chicken quesadilla is incredibly easy to make, and it has so much flavor with layers of buffalo chicken, sautéed veggies, and plenty of cheese. Serve with plenty of fresh toppings for a delicious and nutritious meal.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla.
Cheesy Boursin Pasta
This is the best cheesy pasta and it’s made with just a few ingredients. Creamy Boursin cheese is the base of this simple sauce and has the smoothest creamy texture. Simply cook the pasta, and whip up the sauce with some sliced garlic, Boursin, and pasta water. Serve with a simple green salad and breadsticks for an utterly delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Boursin Cheese Pasta.
Salmon Caesar Salad
In this easy recipe, a classic Caesar salad is topped with succulent and flaky salmon. Crisp romaine lettuce is tossed with creamy Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and Parmesan cheese, then finished with a piece of perfectly cooked salmon. It’s a hearty and nutritious meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Caesar Salad.
Healthy Orange Chicken
This orange chicken is a flavorful and takeout-inspired meal. Bright citrus flavor and a tangy sauce make this chicken dinner a meal that everyone will enjoy and ask to have again and again. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, made with everyday ingredients, and contains all the components I look for in a healthy meal – protein, produce, carbs, and flavor!
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken.
Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
Bring a taste of the tropics to your table with fish tacos topped with fresh mango salsa. Crispy fish fillets are nestled in warm tortillas and crowned with a vibrant salsa made from juicy mangoes, zesty lime, and a hint of cilantro. It’s perfect for a light lunch or a festive dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa Recipe.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
This creamy Tuscan chicken orzo makes an incredible one-pot meal with major flavor you’d expect from a restaurant. Everything comes together in about 45 minutes, making it surprisingly quick and easy too. Serve with some crusty bread or garlic bread to ensure you don’t let any of that sauce go to waste.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo.
Shrimp Fajitas
Not only is this meal nutritious and delicious, but it’s also totally easy to make, making it a great option for weeknight dinners. Shrimp is seasoned with a homemade fajita seasoning blend and cooks with bell peppers, onions, and garlic for maximum flavor. Put out a bunch of fresh toppings like lettuce, pico de Gallo, and sour cream and let everyone build their own fajita.
Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp Fajitas.
Chili-Spiced Chicken Tostadas
There is a lot to love about these chicken tostadas! It’s a quick and easy meal; made with simple ingredients; and served up DIY-style which is helpful if you’re serving this meal to kids. Just put out all of the toppings and let everyone build their own perfect tostada.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chili-Spiced Chicken Tostadas.
Vegetable Pesto Pasta
This meatless pasta meal is so easy you’ll want to make it every week! Pesto-coated noodles are tossed with zucchini and tomatoes for a delicious and nutritious meal. Add a protein or make it ahead and serve chilled as a pasta salad!
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Pesto Pasta.
Old Bay Shrimp Boil
This easy Old Bay shrimp boil is a classic for a reason and it’s so much fun to eat. Boil up a big pot of seasoned water (with Old Bay of course, lemon, beer, and onion) and let the tender shrimp, baby potatoes, smoky sausage, and sweet corn all cook together for a meal that is great for a large group and full of delicious flavor. Serve with melted butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a cold beverage, and plenty of napkins.
Get the Recipe: Old Bay Shrimp Boil Recipe.
Southwest Salad
The classic southwest salad gets a modern makeover! Greens are topped with spiced chickpeas, tomatoes, grilled chicken, sharp cheddar, guacamole, and tortilla chips so that each bite is full of flavor. You can make a few of the components ahead for an even quicker meal.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Salad.
Steamed Mediterranean Fish Packets
Experience the flavors of the Mediterranean with these steamed fish parcels. Fresh fish fillets are combined with tomatoes, olives, capers, and a splash of white wine, then sealed in parchment paper and baked to perfection. This method locks in moisture and infuses the fish with vibrant flavors.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Mediterranean Fish Parcels.
Penne Pomodoro
If you have 25 minutes, you can make this incredibly easy and tasty homemade pomodoro sauce. This quick and easy dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and it has so much flavor that it’s hard to believe that it’s ready in just 30 minutes. This sauce uses high-quality ingredients and lets the classic Italian flavors shine in the best way possible.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro.
Lemon Pepper Shrimp
This juicy lemon pepper shrimp recipe is sure to become a weeknight dinner fave and there’s a lot to love. It’s full of butter-y, lemon-y, pepper-y flavor (YUM!); it’s ready in about 10 minutes; and it’s made with a handful of ingredients. The bright and delicious lemon flavors enhance the shrimp in this delicious recipe. We love it over rice, but it would also be great on pasta.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Shrimp.
