14 Easy Dinners To Calm The Christmas Chaos

The holidays are hectic, but dinner doesn’t have to add to the stress. From cozy casseroles to quick skillet meals, I’ve rounded up 14 easy, delicious dinners to keep your family fed while you juggle all the holiday madness.

Whether you need a hearty one-pot wonder or a make-ahead meal for busy evenings, this weeks dinner ideas has you covered. Let’s get you back to what matters most—enjoying the season! ✨

P.S. Follow me on IG (@rhyslawson) to see my partner and I make these meals during the week!

1. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

A one-pan wonder that brings restaurant vibes to your table in under 30 minutes.

Tuscan Chicken by FireWorks Restaurant (Link)

Parmesan-encrusted chicken, sauteed and served with an herbed tomato topping.
30m • 4 servings

2. Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Salmon

Sweet, tangy, and ready in a flash—this sheet pan dinner is a weeknight hero.

Honey Garlic Salmon Lo Mein by Fresko Grille Modern Mediterranean (Link)

Indulge in our Honey Garlic Salmon Lo Mein, a delightful fusion of tender salmon fillet glazed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, perfectly tossed with soft, chewy lo mein noodles.
45m • 4 servings

3. Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Family-friendly and freezer-friendly, this Tex-Mex classic saves the day every time.

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas by Conner's Kitchen and Bar (Link)

Avocado, pickled onion, Oaxaca cheese, cilantro, tomatillo.
45m • 4 servings

4. Pasta e Ceci (“pasta with chickpeas” in Italian)

Bright with an umami flair, this dish comes together in a single pot for easy cleanup.

Pasta E Ceci by T Marie's Ristorante Italiano (Link)

Pasta e ceci (“pasta with chickpeas” in Italian) is a classic and comforting one-pot dish that makes the most out of simple ingredients — in just 30 minutes. The garlicky thyme- and rosemary-scented broth gets a subtle umami boost from tomato paste and bright acidity from white wine.
30m • 4 servings

5. 20-Minute Garlic Stir Fry

A quick stir-fry loaded with veggies, perfect for busy nights.

Ga Tiem Plick Thai (Garlic Stir Fry) by Lemongrass Thai Restaurant (Link)

Sautéed minced fresh garlic and white pepper seasonings with your choice of meat. Served on a bed of mixed greens.
20m • 2 servings

6. Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

Creamy Alfredo sauce coats tender chicken and broccoli in this easy pasta dish.

Chicken And Broccoli Pasta Alfredo by Idaho's Rib & Chop House (Link)

Chicken and broccoli sautéed in our uniquely blended sauce over a bed of pasta. Served with garlic bread.
30m • 4 servings

7. Vegetarian Chili

Hearty and satisfying, this meatless chili is packed with beans and veggies.

Le Végétal by Chez Muffy (Link)

Vegetarian chili, rice, sour cream, toasted pita bread, sunny side-up egg.
1h • 2 servings

Editors note: This is definitely going on our dinner menu for this week!

8. Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

Sweet and savory teriyaki chicken served over rice with steamed veggies.

Teriyaki Chicken Bowl by Fattoush Restaurant/مطعم فتوش (Link)

Japanese style teriyaki chicken cooked with zucchini, onion, carrot, broccoli and mushroom.
30m • 4 servings

9. Spaghetti Carbonara

A classic Italian pasta dish with eggs, cheese, pancetta, and pepper.

Spaghetti Carbonara by Bar La Grassa (Link)

A classic Italian dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a creamy sauce made from eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, crispy pancetta, and a hint of black pepper for a rich and savory experience.
30m • 4 servings

10. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Bell peppers filled with a savory mix of ground beef, rice, and tomatoes.

Stuffed Pepper by Bucharest Bar & Grill (Link)

Filled with a special blend of ground beef, rice, and Romanian spices, topped with sour cream.
50m • 4 servings

11. Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken

Juicy roasted chicken infused with lemon and herbs.

Chicken Piccata by Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse (Link)

Herb brined chicken breast pan roasted with lemon caper butter - Served over orzo
1h • 2 servings

12. Pork Fried Rice

Flavorful fried rice loaded with tender pork and vegetables.

Pork Fried Rice by Best Wok (Link)

Savor our Pork Fried Rice, a delightful stir-fry of tender pork, fluffy rice, and fresh vegetables, all seasoned to perfection.
30m • 4 servings

13. Fajitas with a kick!

Sizzling chicken fajitas with bell peppers and onions.

Guadalajara Fajitas by Uncle Julio's Naperville (Link)

Kick your quesadillas up a notch. We season the tortillas, then add pico de gallo to one of our signature sauces to our three cheese blend to create something extra special.
30m • 4 servings

14. White Wine Shrimp Scampi

Garlicky shrimp served over angel hair pasta in a buttery sauce.

Shrimp Scampi by Jazzeppi's (Link)

Sautéed Shrimp, Butter, White Wine, Olive Oil, Garlic, Angel Hair Pasta.
30m • 4 servings