6 Quick and Healthy Recipes for When You’re Short on Time

Simple, nutritious options to fuel your day, no matter how busy it gets.

Busy days often leave little time for preparing meals, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice health for convenience.

These quick and easy recipes are filled with wholesome ingredients that will keep you fueled, focused, and satisfied, even on your most hectic days.

Cold Curried Chickpea Salad

Makes 2 servings | Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cucumber, diced
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• ⅓ cup shredded carrots
• 1 tsp red or yellow curry paste
• ¼ cup plain, full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Seed crackers or Bibb lettuce for serving

Directions
Place the drained chickpeas in a large bowl and mash about half of them with a fork for texture. Add cucumber, cilantro, and carrots, and stir to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together the curry paste, Greek yogurt, lime juice, sea salt, and pepper. Add the yogurt mixture to the veggie mixture and mix well. Serve with seed crackers for scooping or wrap in Bibb lettuce leaves.

Quick Steak Fajitas

Makes 2 servings | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb. steak, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortillas for serving
• Toppings: Fresh cilantro, avocado, lime wedges, sour cream

Directions
To make the marinade: In a small bowl, mix cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, and half of the spice mixture. Add the sliced steak, toss to coat, and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 425°F and line a half-sheet pan with aluminum foil. Place the pan on the top rack in the oven to preheat. Toss the peppers and onions with 1 tbsp olive oil and the remaining spice mixture, then spread them onto the hot pan. Roast for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, push the vegetables to one side, and add the steak to the other side. Roast for an additional 8–10 minutes, until the steak is browned and vegetables are soft. Serve with tortillas and toppings.

Protein Energy Bites

Makes 10–12 bites | Prep time: 10 minutes | Chill time: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 cup protein powder (your choice of flavor)
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup almond butter
• 1 tsp almond extract
• Cocoa powder or shredded coconut for coating

Directions
Mix the protein powder, honey, almond butter, and almond extract together to form a stiff dough. Chill the dough for at least an hour. Once chilled, scoop into small balls (about 1½ teaspoons each) and roll them in cocoa powder or shredded coconut, or both. Refrigerate in an airtight container.

Turkey Taco Salad Bowls

Makes 4 servings | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 8 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 avocado, diced

Directions
In a medium pan over medium heat, sauté the ground turkey until cooked through, about 7–8 minutes. Add the taco seasoning and mix well. Chop the romaine leaves into long strips and divide among four bowls. Top each bowl with cooked ground turkey, salsa, and avocado.

Healthy Chocolate Chip Muffins

Makes 12 muffins | Prep time: 10 minutes | Bake time: 15–17 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond flour
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup almond butter
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ½ cup chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a muffin pan or line it with cupcake liners. Place all ingredients except chocolate chips into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into the muffin pan and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake for 15–17 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes and store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Makes 4 servings | Cook time: 4–5 hours

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup salsa
• Tortillas for serving
• Optional toppings: Avocado, shredded cheese, cilantro, lime wedges

Directions
Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on high for 4–5 hours, or until the chicken shreds easily with a fork. Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.

These quick and easy recipes prove that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have nutritious meals ready in no time!