45 Quick No-Fuss Summer Dinner Recipes

Looking for simple dinner recipes to make this summer? Try these 45 quick no-fuss summer dinner recipes for those lazy summer nights.

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There is nothing quite like a delicious BBQ, potluck, or picnic in the summer. But, what about when you need a quick no-fuss dinner for a lazy summer night at home?

Let’s face it, no one really wants to cook during the summer. But, if it has to be done, we want it to be quick and easy. Simple summer recipes that you can make fast so you can get back to enjoying all the fun summer activities.

That is why I’ve decided to gather up some of the best chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and pasta recipes to make this summer. You will find delicious dinner ideas that can be made up quickly to enjoy on those hot summer days when you don’t feel like cooking but you need to get something on the table.

The best part of these recipes is that many are made with fresh seasonal ingredients that even the pickiest eater will enjoy. Here are 45 quick no-fuss dinner recipes to enjoy all summer long.

45 Quick No-Fuss Summer Dinner Recipes

Chicken Recipes

Chicken is our go-to dinner for summer nights at home. There are so many easy summer recipes for chicken whether you are grilling, or using your crockpot, instant pot, or air fryer. Here are some quick no-fuss summer dinner recipes with chicken.

Grilled Chili Lime Chicken– Strength and Sunshine

You’ll want this spicy and zesty recipe on the grill asap! Grilled Chili Lime Chicken that’s a delicious healthy entree for your next bbq or cookout!

Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs– Dishes with Dad

These flavorful grilled boneless skinless chicken thighs are juicy and tender, and they’re ready in just 15 minutes, so they’re perfect for a quick and easy Summer dinner!

Pretzel Honey Mustard Chicken– Delicious Table

Easy pretzel-coated Honey Mustard Chicken can be on the table for your family in under an hour with four simple store-bought ingredients and 10 minutes to put a chicken dinner together.

Chicken Parmesan One Pot Pasta– The Cleaning Eating Couple

Easy One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is the best healthy dinner! This One Pot Pasta Recipe is delicious, quick to make, and loaded with flavor!

Ground Chicken and Vegetable Stir fry– Sprinkled with Balance

Full of flavor, nutritious and delicious, this ground chicken and vegetable stir fry is quick to make, and perfect for a weeknight dinner, a gathering with friends, or meal prep for the week ahead! Tender ground chicken, mixed with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, and edamame, all tossed in a delicious soy-based sauce. A must-try!

Honey Teriyaki Chicken-The Cooking Duo

Need an easy weeknight dinner? Try this Honey Teriyaki Chicken! Tender chicken is cooked in a homemade teriyaki sauce made with honey, soy sauce, and pantry ingredients. Serve over rice, noodles, or veggies for a delicious meal!

Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet– IFoodReal

The Caprese Chicken Zucchini Skillet recipe is made with chicken breast, fresh tomato sauce and finished with a layer of melted fresh mozzarella cheese and a final touch of basil as garnish.

Cheesy BBQ Chicken Wraps– Two Healthy Kitchens

Filled with bold flavors and a wonderfully melty-cheesy texture! These super-fast BBQ Chicken Wraps are loaded with the summer-y barbecue flavor you crave … and they’re ready in less than 10 EASY minutes!

Chicken Pesto Flatbread Pizza-Worldy Treat

This easy pesto flatbread pizza makes a great weeknight dinner or an ideal appetizer for sharing with the whole family. Short on time? Use a store-bought crust and pile on the toppings for the quickest pizza ready in less than 25 minutes.

Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing– Dana’s Table

This Thai-inspired salad is the perfect mix of crunchy cabbage and peanuts, chicken breasts, creamy peanut dressing, and peaches. This delicious recipe will be on rotation all summer long.

Fiesta Chicken Foil Packets-The Cookin’ Chicks

These Fiesta Chicken Foil Packets come together in no time and make clean-up a breeze. Seasoned chicken, veggies, beans, and more! It’s the perfect dinner recipe!

You May Like: 16 Easy and Delicious Foil Pack Dinners

Crockpot Chicken Recipes

Although you may be more inclined to pull out your crockpot during the fall and winter, using it during the summer is ideal because you don’t have to worry about heating up your house. Plus, it does all the work for you so you can have a delicious meal on the table at dinner time (even if you spent all afternoon by the pool). Here are few recipes to make in your crockpot this summer.

Crock Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken– Slow Cooker Meals

Try this easy and delicious recipe for Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken! With minimal ingredients, you’ll enjoy tender shredded chicken in a sweet and tangy sauce. Perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or paired with your favorite sides!

Crockpot Bruschetta Chicken– Two Pink Peonies

This crockpot bruschetta chicken is so easy to make. It is perfect over pasta or with a side of garlic bread!

Apricot Chicken-Peter’s Food Adventures

You’ll love making Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken for dinner this summer! Easy to make in a crock pot with fresh apricots and no unpronounceable ingredients. Flavored with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce. Your family will love this summer recipe!

Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

The air fryer is probably one of my very favorite small kitchen appliances. I love that it can cook your favorite foods in a healthier way. Here are some delicious air fryer chicken recipes for busy weekdays.

Air Fryer Sticky Ginger Chicken– This Silly Girl’s Kitchen

Make your favorite Chinese take-out at home with this Air Fryer Sticky Ginger Chicken. Sweet, spicy, savory, and ready in under 20 minutes!

Air Fryer Chicken Tacos– Simply Scrumptious

Air Fryer Chicken Tacos are so yummy and easy to make! They are hot and crispy and cheesy and delicious.

Looking for more easy chicken recipes to make this summer?

Beef Recipes

Beef is a summer staple in our home, whether we are enjoying burgers or steak on the grill, it’s a quick summer option that goes perfectly with these easy summer salads and side dishes. Here are a few more delicious beef recipes you can add to your summer menu.

Cheesy Stuffed French Bread– My Kitchen Serenity

Stuffed French Bread is always a hit with kids and kids at heart! With its beefy cheesy filling stuffed into a loaf of French bread, it’s fun to eat as well!

Easy Beef Burrito Bowl– On My Kid’s Plate

This easy beef burrito bowl recipe is made all in one pot and is the perfect quick dinner for busy weeknights for the whole family. Packed with savory ground beef, filling black beans, and flavorful vegetables all on tender rice, this dish makes for easy meals and great leftovers the next day.

Healthy Grilled Steak Kabobs– Fresh Water Peaches

Healthy Grilled Steak Kabobs are an easy and delicious recipe that the whole family will love! The steak is juicy and tender, and the vegetables have an amazing, charred flavor.

Garlic Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes– Coconuts and Kettlebells

This garlic butter steak bites and potatoes recipe is easy to make and cooks up in under 20 minutes! The steak bites are incredibly tender and the potatoes get beautifully golden brown right in the pan.

Sheet Pan Lasagna– Love From the Oven

Sheet Pan Lasagna might just be the easiest and most delicious way to make that layered pasta dish you know and love.

Big Mac Salad-Two Sleevers

This Big Mac Salad is the perfect solution for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It has all of the flavors of a Big Mac with a lighter low-carb twist.

A few more beef recipes to try when you need a quick summer dinner idea:

Steakhouse Burgers– Once Upon a Chef
Steak Salad– The Endless Meal
Healthy Taco Salad– Wholesome Yum
Steak Fajitas– Little Spice Jar

Pork Recipes

Who can resist the delicious flavors of pork ribs on the BBQ? I know it’s a staple for us during the summer. Here are a few more pork recipes you may like for those busy weeknights at home.

Honey Mustard Sausages with New Potatoes– The Cook Report

These honey mustard sausages are roasted with sweet red onions and served tossed with new potatoes and a delicious creamy dressing!

Pan-Seared Pork Chops– Craving Some Creativity

Tender, flavorful, and no marinating necessary so these pan-seared pork chops are ready in under 30 minutes.

Here are more pork recipes to make this summer:

Grilled Ribs– Real Housemoms
Italian Sausage and Peppers- Spicy Southern Kitchen
Hawaiian Grilled Pork Kabobs-Buy This Cook That
Pork Carnitas– Recipe Tin Eats
Strawberry Pizza with Bacon and Balsamic– Food Folks and Fun

Love strawberries?

Find 38 Sweet and Savory Strawberry Recipes that are the perfect way to use up those summer strawberries.

Seafood Recipes

When I think of summer and seafood, the first thing that comes to my mind is a shrimp boil. This recipe from Cooking Classy looks absolutely delicious. Here are a few more tasty seafood recipes you should add to your meal plan this summer.

Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta-Ambitious Foodie

This Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta is so simple to prepare that you could make it just before dinner and still be ready. This shrimp pasta is a fairly simple recipe, making it the ideal option for a weekday meal. There are only 4 steps in the recipe.

Spicy Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewers-Flavor the Moments

Fire up the grill and make these juicy, flavorful Chili Lime Grilled Shrimp Skewers! The shrimp is marinated in warm spices, fresh lime juice and is grilled to perfection. They make an easy dinner or appetizer, and they cook up in mere minutes!

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Tacos with Honey Lime Slaw– A Grateful Meal

These Air Fried Coconut Shrimp Tacos are quickly cooked in the air fryer, wrapped in a warm tortilla, and topped with a sweet and tangy honey-lime slaw.

Fish Tacos with Easy Spicy Dipping Sauce– All We Eat

Savor the flavors of summer with these irresistible fish tacos served with a zesty and easy-to-make spicy dipping sauce. This recipe is a breeze to prepare and guarantees a satisfying and refreshing dinner that will elevate your summer dining experience.

Asian Glazed Salmon– Garlic and Zest

Ready to eat in 15 minutes, this Asian Glazed Salmon is snappy, sweet, and spicy. Serve over white rice for a complete meal.

Pasta/Gnocchi Recipes

These pasta recipes are perfect on their own for a quick and easy summertime dinner. Simple and tasty flavors the whole family will love.

One Pot Greek Spaghetti- Busy Day Dinners

This Greek spaghetti recipe is a quick and easy one-pot meal idea for busy nights. It’s made with simple ingredients so you can have this tasty dish on the table in no time, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

Easy Pesto Pasta– Suburban Simplicity

Enjoy this easy Basil Pesto Pasta in less than 20 minutes! It’s a flavorful, fresh, and healthy dish to make again and again! Whether you’re a vegetarian or simply looking to add more plant-based meals to your diet, this recipe is a winner.

Cream Cheese Pasta– Green Bowl 2 Soul

Cream cheese pasta- a delicious vegetarian pasta recipe that’s made with only 10 basic ingredients and gets ready in less than 20 minutes. If you are looking for quick and easy creamy pasta recipes that your whole family will enjoy then this easy pasta recipe is a great choice.

Simple Mediterranean Spaghetti– Two Kooks in the Kitchen

This quick and easy vegetarian Mediterranean spaghetti is bursting with traditional Mediterranean flavors of garlic, olives, lemon, basil, and tomatoes. Ready in 22 minutes and perfect for a nice summer dinner.

Caprese Gnocchi Sheet Pan Recipe-The Savory Cipolla

This Caprese gnocchi sheet pan dinner recipe is the perfect meal for summer. It’s a simple and delicious way to feed a big family and dress up your weeknight dinner with minimal effort.

Summer Gnocchi– Life As A Strawberry

This easy summer gnocchi is the perfect way to use up any extra veggies you have lying around! Use this basic technique as a blank canvas for your favorite summer produce.

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