Looking for some easy summer dinner ideas that will keep things light, fresh, and totally stress-free? Check out these 20+ recipes that are perfect for warm evenings and busy days!
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From quick summer meals that come together in no time to healthy summer dinners packed with vibrant flavors, I’ve got everything you need to make dinner a breeze. Plus, if you’re all about saving while savoring, these budget-friendly summer meals will keep both your taste buds and your wallet happy.
My top 3 recipes in this post are Smashed Burger Tacos, Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites and Mango Sago with Strawberries (perfect for the hot weather!).
Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs (air fryer oven baked)
This will be the best Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs you will ever taste! It is so easy and super delicious, perfect for busy weeknights. This can be air fried or baked in the oven, making it one of your favorite chicken recipes.
Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
Honey BBQ Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer are a great way to enjoy juicy, tender chicken thighs seasoned to perfection with a simple seasoning blend and cooked to your liking—whether in the air fryer, oven, or on the grill.
Chicken Bao Buns
Crispy, golden brown chicken thighs paired with fluffy steamed bao buns, you'll absolutely love these Chicken Bao Buns as a quick snack or light lunch. Top with fresh cucumbers and pickled onions the best chicken baos ever!
Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl
If you love spicy food then you will enjoy this spicy salmon rice bowl. Tender, juicy pan-fried salmon bites coated in sesame seeds, served over a bed of fluffy rice, and topped with the best gochujang sauce. Make this spicy salmon bowl your new go-to weeknight dinner in less than 30 minutes!
Korean Grilled Flanken Short Ribs
This is my take on Korean BBQ Ribs. These Korean Grilled Flanken Short Ribs are delicious! These flanken beef short ribs are marinated to perfection. It is the absolute highlight of my summer barbecues.
Mango Sago Recipe (with added strawberries)
This is a lighter version. Not creamy. Super refreshing, and oh-so-delicious, mango sago recipe is a sweet treat you won't be able to resist on a hot summer day. Mangosago is a popular Asian dessert combines two classic ingredients—juicy chunks of mango, strawberries and chewy sago pearls—into one creamy, silky coconut concoction that ends every meal on a high note.
Chicken Katsu Air Fryer
You will love this Chicken Katsu Air Fryer recipe! In less than 30 minutes you get mouthwatering crispy golden brown chicken cutlets with the classic tonkatsu sauce that will leave you wanting more. You are going to love using your air fryer for this because you get the crunch without all that oil.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Air Fryer
If you’re a fan of air fryer chicken skewers then you’ll love these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers. Juicy chicken pieces are seasoned to perfection, then slathered in a buttery, garlicky parmesan sauce that’s seriously addictive. Grill, bake, or air fry these skewers for an easy, flavor-packed meal that everyone will love!
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Avocado Sauce
Super crispy and flavourful Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe with Avocado Sauce. It is truly one of the best chicken dishes ever. Only less than 30 minutes and you have an amazing healthy and easy dinner.
Turkey Cranberry Sliders ready in 20 minutes
These leftover turkey sliders are a great way to give new life to leftover turkey or use deli turkey! Sweet Hawaiian rolls, tangy cranberry sauce, and melted cheese combine for the best sliders. These sliders are guaranteed to be the star of your leftovers lineup—no one will believe they started with leftover holiday turkey!
Viral Smashed Burger Tacos
Smashed Burger Tacos is a smash hit! We devoured this! You need to try this viral tiktok recipe. The smash burger taco sauce is 10 out of 10 delicious. You will not regret making this unbelievable dish.
Easy Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs
Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs are 10 out of 10 delicious and super easy to make. Everything can be done in one pan. Lightly bread with potato starch. Pan fry the chicken pieces, add the sauce and let it thicken and that’s it.
Filipino Chicken Adobo Wings (Air fried or Grilled)
These Adobo Wings are the best chicken wings I have ever made. This adobo wings recipe will blow your mind. Adobo chicken wings air fryer or grilled, this dish is a true crown pleaser!
Honey Butter Chicken
This easy Honey Butter Chicken is your new recipe for a delicious, easy weeknight dinner! Tender chicken bites pan-fried to golden perfection and then coated in a luscious honey butter glaze that’s incredibly addictive.
Hot Honey Chicken Thighs Air Fryer
These Hot Honey Chicken Thighs Air Fryer will be your new favorite chicken recipe. The crunchy cornflake coating gives them a fun texture, while the hot honey adds that irresistible flavor at the end!
Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Air Fryer
Upgrade your weeknight dinners with our easy Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Air Fryer. Crispy, flavorful, and a snap to make! Follow along for a sweet and amazing dish that'll have everyone asking for more. Let's make tasty dinners stress-free – introducing Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe!
Sticky Honey Gochujang Chicken (air fried or baked)
You will love this easy gochujang chicken recipe. This sticky Honey Gochujang Chicken is a mouth-watering recipe that will have you come back for more. You can air fry or bake this chicken. It is so easy you will love it.
Air Fryer Strip Steak
Looking for a quick and easy way to make juicy strip steak in an air fryer? These Air Fryer Strip Steaks are a game-changer! With just a bit of avocado oil and your favorite seasonings, you’ll have flavorful steaks with only minutes of cook time.
Crispy Air Fryer Pork Belly Bites only 4 ingredients!
Whether you're hosting a game night, a family gathering, or simply craving a savory snack, these crispy air fryer pork belly bites will have everyone craving for more. Get ready to master the art of achieving pork belly perfection with your air fryer. The best part, you only need 4 ingredients and 20 minutes!
Creamy Cast Iron Chicken Thighs
These Cast Iron Chicken Thighs will be your new favorite chicken thigh recipe. Think perfectly seasoned, golden-skinned chicken bathing in a creamy, garlicky sauce loaded with veggies. You will love this cast iron chicken skillet.
Egg Salad with Cottage Cheese - no mayo!
This NO MAYO egg salad with cottage cheese is a light twist on the classic version. By mixing in creamy cottage cheese, I boost both the flavor and my protein intake, packing in 35 grams of protein! Served on sourdough with fresh avocado, this dish is an easy lunch or healthy snack option.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick Recipe
Teriyaki on a stick has been a staple of Japanese street food culture for years, and for good reason. It’s quick, it’s delicious, and it’s easy to eat on the go. Whether you’re strolling through a night market or simply looking for a quick lunch, this great recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast - ready in 30 minutes
This honey garlic chicken breast recipe is a great way to make a weeknight dinner feel special. The sweet honey sauce combined with the savory garlic and rich butter creates an irresistible combination of flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Maple Glazed Chicken
This Maple Glazed Chicken recipe combines the rich sweetness of maple syrup with a hint of heat from chili crisp making this dish unbelievably delicious. It’s simple to make in the air fryer, delivering perfectly glazed, juicy chicken in just 25 minutes. You will be making this every week.
Easy Chicken Bulgogi Recipe (Dak Bulgogi)
This Chicken Bulgogi recipe is one of the best chicken recipes ever. Also called Dak Bulgogi in Korean. It is easy, quick, and cooks beautifully on the air fryer, grill, or skillet. It is one of the easiest and tastiest chicken dishes you will ever have.
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are banging out of control. It is so easy and delicious that you will be making this once a week. The best part is the bang bang sauce that you can put on everything!
Chicken Inasal Air Fryer
Hands down one of the greatest chicken dishes ever! With its distinct flavor and unmistakable aroma, Chicken Inasal is one of the most popular and beloved Filipino dishes. The dish features marinated chicken grilled over charcoal, basted until cooked, and served with various dipping sauces. I used my air fryer for this recipe, which turned out perfect. What makes this dish a fantastic air fryer whole chicken recipe, is how easy it is. Start with the chicken inasal marinade, marinate then air fry!
Foolproof Air Fryer Ribeye Steak Recipe
Sink your teeth into this mouth-watering, most perfect air fryer ribeye steak you'll ever taste! If you're a meat lover, this juicy ribeye air fryer recipe is for you. The combination of the tender, juicy air fryer ribeye cooked to perfection in the air fryer with the flavorful and savory roasted garlic compound butter is a match made in heaven.
Easy One Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice with Chorizo
I love good chicken and rice recipes. This easy one pot Spanish chicken and rice is a dish you need in your life. It is full of flavor from the Spanish chorizo. Full of tasty, bold flavor, this is the perfect weeknight meal.
Tuna Onigiri (Yaki Onigiri)
Ready to spice up your snack game? This Tuna Onigiri is anything but basic! Crispy on the outside, creamy and spicy on the inside – this onigiri with tuna filling is the perfect combo of savory and satisfying. Say goodbye to boring lunches, because these tasty triangles are about to be your new go-to!
Summer dinners should be easy and effortless. Most of your time in the summer should be spent outside with your family and friends. You will love all these recipes. Which easy summer ideas will you try first?
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