25 Easy & Light Dinner Ideas

While we love a hearty plate of steak and eggs, sometimes you just want a fresh, light dinner to satisfy your hunger. That doesn’t have to mean boring, of course.

From one-pan skillet dinners to light and zesty shrimp scampi with zucchini noodles, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of simple and light dinner ideas to get you through the week.

Whip these dishes up after a busy day or even as a late post-workout meal!

Trying to figure out exactly what to eat on Paleo? Look no further than our FREE 21 Day Paleo Meal Plan.
Grab Our FREE Paleo Meal Plan By Clicking Here!

Spicy Sesame Almond Zucchini Noodles

On a warm day, nothing sounds better than a light and creamy, Asian-inspired zoodle dinner.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Spicy Sesame Almond Zucchini Noodles

Asparagus and Sweet Potato Chicken Skillet

A simple, light, but filling dinner of bright veggies like asparagus and sweet potato, combined with the flavorful protein of skillet-griddled chicken.

Recipe: Primavera Kitchen | Asparagus and Sweet Potato Chicken Skillet

One-Pan Pesto Chicken and Veggies

Bright, zesty flavors burst from this basil pesto-coated, tomato-filled chicken dinner.

Recipe: Julia’s Album | One-Pan Pesto Chicken and Veggies

Butternut Squash and Leek Galette

A rustic, free-form tart filled with filling, but light, vegetables like butternut squash and leeks.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Butternut Squash and Leek Galette

Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles

Shrimp is a light and easy protein, while zucchini noodles work as a refreshing alternative to heavy pasta. Substitute chicken stock for white wine in this recipe if you’d like to keep it strictly Paleo.

Recipe: Just a Taste | Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles

Asian Sesame Cucumber Salad

Give your spiralizer a workout with this spiralized cucumber and carrot salad, brightened by the zingy flavors of rice vinegar, honey, lime and more.

Recipe: Will Cook for Friends | Asian Sesame Cucumber Salad

One Pot Zucchini Pasta

Rather than frying up veggies in separate pans, this zoodle dish throws all its ingredients into one pot for a quick, colorful dinner.

Recipe: Making Thyme for Health | One Pot Zucchini Pasta

Golden Cauliflower Turmeric Flatbread Recipe

Made with just 5 ingredients, this light, fluffy flatbread is perfect for a quick snack. Slather on guacamole, top with puréed beets or even turn it into a light veggie sandwich!

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Golden Cauliflower Turmeric Flatbread

Thai Beef Lettuce Cups

These light and crispy lettuce cups capture Paleo-friendly Asian flavors and have a secret extra helping of veggies, including sweet potatoes and rainbow carrots.

Recipe: Marla Meredith | Thai Beef Lettuce Cups

Chicken Bok Choy Mason Jar Salads

Jot this dinner down for an easy, make-ahead option: uniquely flavored bok choy leaves join chicken, slivered almonds, carrots, mushrooms and more in an Asian-inspired dressing.

Recipe: Cotter Crunch | Oriental Chicken Bok Choy Mason Jar Salads

Sweet Thai Chili Glazed Salmon

You can feel good about enjoying Paleo-friendly Asian flavors in this dish, since restaurant versions sometimes contain MSG, soy sauce or other additives.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Sweet Thai Chili Glazed Salmon

Tomato Avocado Cucumber Salad

Sometimes, it’s nice to eat a chunky salad that can double as a dip. Feel free to enjoy this with some Paleo crackers or chips.

Recipe: Joyful Healthy Eats | Tomato Avocado Cucumber Salad

Cilantro Lime Honey Garlic Salmon

Bright flavors – cilantro, lime, honey and garlic – coat a fresh piece of salmon, to be quickly oven-cooked in a foil packet.

Recipe: Julia’s Album | Cilantro Lime Honey Garlic Salmon

Rainbow Turkey Salad

Golden turkey breast marries crunchy veggies like cabbage, carrots, and peppers, as well as creamy avocado and juicy baby plum tomatoes. Pomegranate arils add another unique element to this fresh and colorful dinner.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Rainbow Turkey Salad

Shrimp and Avocado Taco Salad

Creamy chunks of avocado have no better mate than well-spiced jumbo shrimp. Nix the tortilla chips in this salad to keep it Paleo.

Recipe: Iowa Girl Eats | Shrimp and Avocado Taco Salad

Cranberry Honey Broccoli Salad

Give this sweet and savory broccoli salad a try – you’ll love its satisfying crunch.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Cranberry Honey Broccoli Salad

Salmon Poke Bowl

Sushi-grade salmon is doused in a delicious, Asian poke marinade, then paired with avocado and cauliflower rice for a light but filling meal.

Recipe: KetoDiet Blog | Salmon Poke Bowl

Paleo Buffalo Chicken

Whether heaped atop an avocado half or rolled up in a romaine lettuce wrap, this cool, creamy and spicy salad will satisfy without overfilling you.

Recipe: Paleo Newbie | Paleo Buffalo Chicken

Spicy Avocado Shrimp Tower

Here’s a light dinner that’s as pretty as it is refreshing: fresh chunks of shrimp meld with cauliflower rice, avocado and cucumber in one seamless tower of food.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Spicy Avocado Shrimp Tower

Lemon Garlic Chicken Skewers

It takes only three ingredients to whip up these super simple, tender and light chicken skewers.

Recipe: What the Fork | Lemon Garlic Chicken Skewers

Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Skewers

Be sure to use a Paleo-friendly barbeque sauce for this super simple, 4-ingredient dinner.

Recipe: The Recipe Rebel | Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Skewers

Chicken and Avocado Salad with Lime and Cilantro

Here’s another refreshing, cool and creamy salad that’s easy to whip up on a weeknight – just be sure to use a Paleo-friendly mayo when putting it together.

Recipe: Kalyn’s Kitchen | Chicken and Avocado Salad with Lime and Cilantro

Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Nix the tortillas, and this Paleo-friendly recipe offers up a sizzling, fresh dinner option.

Recipe: No. 2 Pencil | Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Paleo Balance Bowl

When everything is out of whack, control the chaos and nosh on this nutritionally balanced meal.

Recipe: Little Bits Of | Paleo Balance Bowl

Paleo Chicken and Broccoli

Chicken and broccoli are a classic, simple-to-prepare pairing. This recipe adds zucchini noodles for even more veggie goodness.

Recipe: Jay’s Baking Me Crazy | Paleo Chicken and Broccoli

You’ll Also Love: 41 Healthy High-Protein Lunch Recipes