Dinner Recap Week 4

Welcome to Week 4 of Dinner Recap! This week was all about comfort and convenience. I stuck with recipes that I’ve made before and know my family enjoys, with one new dish that brought mixed reactions. Let’s take a look at what we made.

Top Recipe of the Week:

Asparagus and Orzo with Chicken

Recipe from NYT Cooking

This one was a big winner. If you’ve been following along, you already know how much I love NYT Cooking. Their recipes use simple ingredients, are packed with flavor, and never feel too complicated. This orzo dish checked all the boxes. The kids loved the chicken (no surprise there), and I loved how easy it was to throw together.

Runner Ups:

30-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

A weeknight lifesaver

I love a sheet pan dinner, and this one is quick and flavorful. Everything cooks on one pan while the rice simmers in the rice cooker. If you’re someone who likes to prep ahead, you can chop the chicken and broccoli and mix the sauce earlier in the day. I always use chicken thighs for extra flavor, and the kids are big fans of this one.

Sheet Pan Gochujang Chicken

Honest review: not for everyone

My older kids weren’t crazy about this one. Butternut squash isn’t something I make often, so it was new for them. That said, my sister and I really liked it, and my 1-year-old could not get enough of the squash. I served this with rice noodles instead of our usual rice for a fun change. The radishes on top added a fresh, peppery crunch that I loved.

Chicken Shawarma Bowls

One of our all-time favorites

These bowls are healthy, colorful, and loaded with flavor. The chicken is seasoned perfectly, and the tahini drizzle is always the highlight. I serve this with warm pitas so the kids can build their own, which they love. It’s a great make-ahead meal too. Just chop the veggies, marinate the chicken, and prep the sauce earlier in the day. When dinner rolls around, all you have to do is roast and assemble.

Taco Salads

Quick and satisfying

The boys had a game night for the Yankees and Knicks, and one of the moms brought over pizza for the crew. I made these taco salads for myself, my sister, and my daughter. We’re obsessed. They come together fast and are always satisfying. Perfect for when you want something fresh but don’t feel like cooking anything complicated.

Links:

Lemony orzo with asparagus

30 minute honey garlic chicken

chicken shawarma

sheet pan gochujang chicken

taco salad

That’s everything for Week 3!

Thanks for following along. I’ll be back next week with more easy, family-approved dinner ideas.

Talk soon,

Mary