Weeknights can be hectic, but that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice flavour or variety in your meals. These 5 easy and quick weeknight recipes are perfect for satisfying cravings while keeping the prep and cooking times minimal. From comforting Butter Garlic Chicken to the vibrant flavours of Prawn Chimichurri, these dishes bring restaurant-quality results to your home kitchen in no time.
1. Butter Garlic Chicken
When it comes to quick weeknight recipes, this Butter Garlic Chicken is a standout. The combination of buttery richness and garlicky aroma creates a crowd-pleaser that’s both fast and flavourful. Serve it with crusty bread or fluffy rice for a meal that feels indulgent but takes minimal effort.
Serves: 2
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 500g boneless chicken breasts, cubed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 12-15 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cornstarch (for marination)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Marinate chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cornstarch. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Pan-fry or air-fry the chicken until golden and cooked through. (Pan-fry: 4-5 minutes per side; Air-fry: 180°C for 12-15 minutes.)
- In a separate skillet, heat butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add cooked chicken cubes and mix well.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
Tips:
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavour.
- Double the sauce ingredients if you’d like extra to drizzle over sides.
- For a smoky twist, add a pinch of smoked paprika.
You can try similar dishes at restaurants like Dishoom in London for a flavourful butter chicken experience, or Tamarind in New York, which offers butter chicken alongside other North Indian specialties.
2. Prawn Chimichurri
This dish brings a burst of zesty flavour to your table in record time. Ideal for seafood lovers, this Prawn Chimichurri stands out among quick weeknight recipes because it’s vibrant, healthy, and satisfying. Plus, it’s perfect for impressing guests on short notice!
Serves: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 minutes
Ingredients:
- 500g prawns, peeled and deveined
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp lime juice
Instructions:
- Finely chop the garlic and parsley.
- Marinate prawns with salt, pepper, garlic powder, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, lime juice, and olive oil. Mix well.
- Skewer the prawns or place them directly in a skillet.
- Heat a skillet and sear prawns for 2 minutes on each side until pink and cooked through. Brush with leftover marinade as they cook.
- Serve immediately.
Tips:
- Serve with crusty bread or over quinoa for a light meal.
- Prepare the chimichurri sauce ahead of time for quicker assembly.
3. Chicken Karahi
Bring the magic of traditional Pakistani cuisine to your kitchen with this easy Chicken Karahi recipe. Among the top choices for quick weeknight recipes, it’s packed with bold flavours and ready in under 30 minutes—ideal for weeknight indulgence.
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 700g chicken, bone-in or boneless
- 3 medium tomatoes, halved and chopped
- 3-4 green chilies, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup coriander
- ½ cup mint
Instructions:
- Make a chutney with half a cup of coriander, half a cup of mint, and 3-4 green chilies.
- Heat oil in a karahi (wok) and toast cumin seeds for 30 seconds.
- Add 1½ tbsp minced garlic and sauté. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned for 7-8 minutes on medium-high heat.
- Add salt and the chutney. Cook until softened.
- Add half-chopped tomatoes, cover, and cook until the skin peels off (5-6 minutes on low heat). Remove the skin.
- Add garam masala, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and red chilli powder. Add 1 cup of water. Cook on medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.
- Garnish with green chilies, julienned ginger, and chopped coriander. Serve with naan or rice.
Tips:
- Use bone-in chicken for a richer flavour.
- Add a splash of water if the sauce gets too thick.
4. One-Pot Tandoori Chicken Rice
This dish takes the stress out of midweek cooking. As one of the best quick weeknight recipes, it combines tender, spiced chicken with fragrant basmati rice in a single pot. Minimal prep, maximum flavour—what’s not to love?
Serves: 2
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup soaked basmati rice 10mins
- 500g chicken thighs, skinless
- 1 cup plain yoghurt
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Ginger garlic paste
- Salt
- Turmeric powder, Coriander powder, Garam masala, Red chilli powder
- Green chilies
- Fresh coriander
- Lemon juice
- Mustard oil or any cooking oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Whole spices (optional)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Marinate the chicken with 4 tbsp yoghurt, 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste, salt, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 tbsp coriander powder, 1/2 tbsp garam masala, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 2 green chilli, fresh coriander, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp hot mustard oil or cooking oil for 20 minutes.
- Heat oil in a large pot, add whole spices (if using), and sauté.
- Add soaked basmati rice, 1/2 tsp turmeric, and a pinch of salt. Roast for 3-4 minutes over medium heat.
- Add half a cup of water and place the marinated chicken on top of the rice. Add another one cup of water.
- Cover with a lid and cook on low-medium heat for 20-22 minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with mint raita.
Tips:
- Use pre-marinated chicken to save time.
- Add vegetables like peas or carrots for extra nutrients.
5. Chicken Over Rice
This recipe is proof that simple ingredients can create extraordinary meals. As one of the most versatile quick weeknight recipes, Chicken Over Rice is comforting, nutritious, and deliciously easy to make. Pair it with a creamy garlic sauce for the ultimate weeknight treat.
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups basmati rice, soaked
- 700g chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 cup plain yoghurt
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- Lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- ½ tbsp oregano
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions:
- Marinate chicken with ½ cup yoghurt, 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste, 1 tbsp tomato puree, 2 tbsp lemon juice, red chilli powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt for 15-20 minutes.
- Heat butter in a skillet. Sauté 1 tbsp minced garlic, add tomato puree, red chilli powder, turmeric, onion powder, and salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add soaked basmati rice and chicken or vegetable stock. Mix well.
- Cook on low heat with a lid on for 8-10 minutes until the rice is fluffy.
- Heat oil in another skillet, cook the marinated chicken for 10 minutes until fully cooked. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Return the chicken to the skillet with the remaining sauce and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Prepare garlic sauce by mixing ½ cup yoghurt, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1/2 tbsp minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, 1/2 tsp white pepper, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp dried parsley.
- Plate it with half rice and half chicken, and garnish with the garlic sauce.
Tips:
- Add a cucumber and tomato salad on the side for a fresh contrast.
- Soak the rice 1 hour before to save time.
Final Thoughts: With these easy restaurant-style recipes, quick weeknight recipes become an opportunity to indulge without hassle. Whether you’re craving something classic like Butter Garlic Chicken or experimenting with bold flavours like Prawn Chimichurri, these dishes promise satisfaction.
If you’re looking for more delicious and quick weeknight recipes meal ideas that cater to busy schedules, check out our post on Simple, Healthy Meals for Busy Families and Individuals. Whether you’re cooking for one or the whole family, these recipes are designed to help you create nutritious and satisfying meals in a fraction of the time, without compromising on taste or variety. From light salads to hearty one-pot dishes, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to keep your weeknight dinners exciting and stress-free.