22 Healthy Dinner Recipes To Start The New Year Off Right
As we head into the new year, many of us find ourselves yearning for healthier habits after the holiday indulgences.
But before you start picturing a future filled with flavorless salads and bland, uninspiring meals, take a deep breath. We’re here to show you that eating well doesn’t have to mean sacrificing taste or enjoyment!
No matter your dietary preferences or culinary skill, there’s something here for everyone—mouthwatering, wholesome and satisfying dishes that will set the tone for a year filled with delicious and health-conscious dining.
Because whether you’re a seasoned home chef looking for healthy dinner recipe ideas or someone just dipping their toes into the world of nutritious eating, these 22 dishes will provide you with a delicious array of options to kick-start your journey toward a healthier you.
Hungry for more? Explore our recipe library for ideas & inspo for your next gathering.
Hawker-Inspired One Pan Chicken and Orzo
Experience the flavor of Southeast Asian street food with this savory soy-glazed chicken with orzo.
Marinated chicken thighs are seared to perfection in a cast iron pan, then combined with fragrant aromatics and orzo pasta, creating a one-pan dish that’s bursting with taste.
Finish it off with fresh cucumber slices and a zesty ginger-scallion-garlic oil for a meal that’s both easy to make and unforgettable in taste.
Perfect Steam-Grilled Chicken Breast
With a quick rub of olive oil and herbs followed by a steam-grill, you’ll achieve tender and flavorful chicken in just 12 minutes. The tenderizing steam bath (done with a splash of wine or water) not only provides moisture, but also contributes to the flavor of the dish.
Grilled Chicken Yakitori with Yuzu and Orange Glaze
Embrace the new year with the vibrant and wholesome flavors of our Grilled Chicken Yakitori with Yuzu and Orange Glaze.
This recipe brings together the zest of yuzu, the warmth of ginger and the savory goodness of soy sauce to create a delicious glaze (which would be great on fish, or used as marinade for pork or veggie skewers, too).
Get the Grilled Chicken Yakitori with Yuzu and Orange Glaze recipe!
Chicken with Sautéed Spinach, Olives and Roasted Lemons
This healthy dinner recipe combines tender, golden-brown chicken fillets with the briny richness of Spanish olives and roasted lemons. The pan sauce, elevated with butter and fresh parsley, adds a bright burst of flavor to tie it all together.
On the side, enjoy a bed of sautéed spinach, perfectly wilted and seasoned to complement this nutritious, Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Get the Chicken with Sautéed Spinach, Olives and Roasted Lemons recipe!
Adobo Chicken Fajita Bowls
This quick and easy recipe is sure to become a weeknight favorite!
These bowls are packed with flavor, featuring tender chicken pieces seasoned in a zesty spice blend. Sautéed bell peppers and onions add great texture, while a bed of fluffy rice serves as the perfect base.
Top it all off with fresh cilantro, creamy avocado and a squeeze of lime for a mouthwatering meal that’s as satisfying as it is delicious.
Wok Fried Chicken and Vegetables with Ginger and Lemongrass
Experience the vibrant flavors of Thailand with this healthy recipe.
Marinated chicken thighs are stir-fried in a wok with a lemongrass-infused sauce, accompanied by a medley of red bell peppers, shiitake mushrooms, ginger, garlic, Thai bird chilies and green onions.
Finished with fragrant Thai basil leaves, this dish offers a harmonious blend of aroma, texture and flavor—and it’s super simple to make as a healthy lunch or dinner recipe!
Get the Wok Fried Chicken and Vegetables with Ginger and Lemongrass recipe!
Sweet Potato Quinoa with Sautéed Kale and Walnuts
Roasted sweet potatoes add a deliciously caramelized touch to this dish, while fluffy quinoa is infused with shallots and garlic for extra flavor. Kale lends a slightly earthy and tender bite that’s balanced with the brightness of lemon juice and fresh parsley.
Topped off with toasted walnuts for that perfect crunch, it’s a warm and comforting dish that’s both satisfying and nutritious—perfect for a cozy dinner any night of the week.
Get the Sweet Potato Quinoa with Sautéed Kale and Walnuts recipe!
Thai Basil Tofu
Cubes of firm tofu are pan-seared to perfection and then drenched in a savory sauce infused with the rich aromas of garlic and shallots.
The sauce—a blend of brown sugar, fish sauce, light and dark soy sauces and oyster sauce—coats each tofu piece in a sticky glaze. The real star of this healthy recipe is the Thai holy basil, which add a burst of freshness and herbal fragrance to this dish.
Farro Risotto with Butternut Squash with Kale Chips
This dish brings together the delightful combination of nutty farro, sweet roasted butternut squash and crispy kale chips.
With shallots, garlic and oregano adding depth and a hint of white wine for a touch of sophistication, it’s a hearty and wholesome meal you’ll have on repeat throughout the year.
Get the Farro Risotto with Butternut Squash with Kale Chips recipe!
Sweet Potato, Asparagus & Portobello Sheet Pan Dinner
Treat yourself to a delightful and easy sheet pan dinner—a perfect way to kick-start the new year (plus, it’s a great recipe for meal prepping).
With sweet potatoes, asparagus and hearty portobello mushrooms tossed in a flavorful blend of olive oil and vibrant seasoning, this meal is roasted to perfection on a single sheet pan, making for an incredibly simple and fuss-free dinner or side that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Sweet Potato, Asparagus & Portobello Sheet Pan Dinner recipe!
Coconut Vegetable Curry with Cashews
This richly spiced dish features a variety of fresh vegetables, including carrots, asparagus and red bell peppers—all simmered in creamy coconut milk. Shallots, garlic and ginger create a fragrant base, while spices like cumin, coriander and curry powder add depth.
Top it off with cilantro leaves and crunchy cashews for a delightful meal served over steamed basmati rice.
Italian Sausage, Kale and Cannellini Bean Ribollita
This classic soup features a savory blend of Italian sausage, aromatic vegetables and flavorful herbs like rosemary and thyme. With cannellini beans and kale adding depth and nutrition, it’s the perfect comfort food for a cozy evening.
Get the Italian Sausage, Kale and Cannellini Bean Ribollita recipe!
One Skillet Steak and Spring Veg with Spicy Mustard
The tasty combination of tender New York strip steak and vibrant spring vegetables are all cooked to perfection in one skillet.
A zesty, homemade spicy mustard sauce adds a kick of flavor that complements the steak, which is balanced with a touch of honey and a pinch of cayenne—creating a sweet and savory dinner that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Get the One Skillet Steak and Spring Veg with Spicy Mustard recipe!
Zucchini Noodles with Zesty Ragu Sauce
Elevate your pasta night with a healthy twist using zucchini noodles!
Spiralized zucchini squash serves as a fresh alternative to traditional pasta, which is combined with spicy Italian sausage and a rich, flavorful ragu sauce.
Top it off with grated Parmesan for an extra layer of deliciousness.
Sesame Crusted Salmon with Zucchini
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this healthy seafood recipe.
White and black sesame seeds add a delightful crunch and nuttiness to perfectly cooked salmon fillets, while the zucchini ribbons provide a fresh and vibrant side.
Quick and easy to prepare, this dish is a delicious and nutritious choice for a satisfying meal for two.
Ginger Soy Roasted Salmon with Bok Choy and Shiitake Mushrooms
The ginger-soy marinade infuses the salmon with a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
Roasted alongside Bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and bell peppers, this dish is a harmonious blend of flavors, making it an excellent choice for a wholesome and satisfying meal at home.
Feel free to get creative and make easy substitutions in this recipe; swap salmon for another firm-fleshed fish like black cod or rockfish, or use green cabbage if Bok choy isn’t available.
Get the Ginger Soy Roasted Salmon with Bok Choy and Shiitake Mushrooms recipe!
Steam-Grilled Salmon and Vegetables with Tarragon Dip
This healthy dinner recipe not only delivers delicious flavors but also showcases the versatility of the steam-grill method for cooking fish.
Steam-grilling allows the salmon to stay moist and flaky while developing a beautiful sear, making it a fantastic technique for fish lovers. Accompanied by oven-roasted red potatoes and grilled vegetables, all served with a refreshing tarragon dip, it’s a complete and satisfying meal.
Get the Steam-Grilled Salmon and Vegetables with Tarragon Dip recipe!
Salmon Mango Poke Bowl
Fresh, sushi-grade salmon marinated in a blend of soy sauce, lime juice and sesame oil takes center stage, paired with wholesome ingredients like brown rice, creamy avocado and crunchy edamame.
Topped with colorful accents like mango, pickled red cabbage and cilantro, this bowl is a burst of taste and texture in every bite—a delicious, healthy dish for lunch or dinner.
Grilled Citrus Marinated Shrimp
The combination of honey, cilantro, ginger, lemon zest and orange juice in the marinade enhances the natural sweetness of the shrimp.
Whether you’re firing up an outdoor grill or using a grill pan, these shrimp cook up quickly, making them perfect for a standalone dish or a delightful addition to a fresh spinach or arugula salad.
Pesto Steamed Cod
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this simple yet flavorful Pesto Steamed Cod.
Cod fillets are brushed with a tasty homemade pesto made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts and extra-virgin olive oil, adding a burst of herbaceous goodness to every bite. Steam the cod with lemon and onion slices for a zesty twist.
As a finishing touch, fresh baby spinach is steamed to tender perfection, making this dish both healthy and delicious.
Grilled Fish with Mint Gremolata
Whether you choose striped bass or your favorite local catch, this dish is all about fresh, flavorful ingredients.
The fish is brushed with oil, seasoned and adorned with a bright citrus vinaigrette. But the real star is the mint gremolata—a mix of fresh herbs, orange zest and toasted nuts—which adds a delightful crunch and extra kick of flavor.
Grill it up, drizzle with the vinaigrette, sprinkle with the gremolata and you’ve got yourself a healthy, restaurant-worthy meal in no time.
Halibut Poached in Green Curry Broth
This Thai-inspired dish combines tender halibut fillets, the richness of coconut milk, the heat of green curry paste and the freshness of lime—creating a delightful fusion of textures and flavors.
Garnished with cilantro, scallions and a touch of Thai red chili, this dish is a true culinary adventure that’s easy to make at home.
Get the Halibut Poached in Green Curry Broth recipe!
Hungry for more? Explore our recipe library for ideas & inspo for your next gathering.
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