36 Best Simple Summer Dinner Ideas (Your Whole Family Will Love)

Simple Summer Dinner Ideas

Summer evenings are the BEST, right?

The sun is out late, the air is warm, and the last thing anyone wants to do is spend a ton of time cooking a complicated dinner.

You need meals that are quick, fresh, and seriously easy.

We’re talking about dinners that get you in and out of the kitchen FAST, so you can get back to enjoying the weather.

I put together a list of 36 simple ideas for those exact kinds of nights.

From super-fast grilled recipes to big, fresh salads and one-pan meals, there’s something here for everyone.

These are the go-to dinners that will make your summer nights a total breeze.

1. Roasted Salmon with Spicy Apricot Glaze

Roasted Salmon with Spicy Apricot Glaze

This Roasted Salmon with Spicy Apricot Glaze brings a restaurant-quality meal right to your table.

The sweet and spicy apricot glaze perfectly complements the tender roasted salmon.

This simple yet impressive dish is sure to win over even seafood skeptics.

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2. Chicken Tenders Recipe

Chicken Tenders Recipe

This healthy Chicken Tenders Recipe delivers incredibly tender, juicy chicken.

It’s a simple, delicious way to enjoy flavorful Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders.

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3. Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

This Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe delivers incredibly moist and juicy chicken every time.

Seasoned with paprika and oregano, it’s packed with delicious herby flavor.

You can easily make this amazing air fryer chicken breast for two in just 15 minutes.

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4. Orange Marmalade Salmon

Orange Marmalade Salmon

Orange Marmalade Salmon features tender baked salmon, perfectly coated with a delightful orange marmalade glaze.

This easy recipe brings a wonderful balance of sweet and tangy flavors to your plate.

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5. Air Fryer Recipe

Air Fryer Recipe

This Air Fryer Recipe shows you how to make delicious Air Fryer Tilapia.

It’s a fast, healthy meal perfect for any night of the week.

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6. Vegan Coconut Curry

Vegan Coconut Curry

This Vegan Coconut Curry offers a simple yet comforting meal.

It’s loaded with healthy vegetables, creamy coconut, and fragrant spices.

Enjoy this satisfying dish with basmati rice or warm naan.

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7. Salmon Taco Recipe

Salmon Taco Recipe

Elevate your next meal with this incredible Salmon Taco Recipe. Spiced salmon is tucked into warm tortillas, creating a vibrant fish taco experience. Enjoy the delicious combination of creamy slaw, luscious avocado, and tangy pickled onions.

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8. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Enjoy a delicious Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, a fresh take on a beloved classic.

This easy recipe brings together tender chicken, comforting pasta, and all the creamy, zesty flavors of Caesar salad.

It’s a perfect pasta salad dish for any occasion.

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9. Ranch Chicken with Green Beans and Potatoes

Ranch Chicken with Green Beans and Potatoes

Ranch Chicken with Green Beans and Potatoes makes a delicious one pan dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Enjoy tender chicken paired with seasoned potatoes and crisp green beans. This simple meal comes together easily, ready for the oven in no time.

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10. Grilled Chicken Wrap

Grilled Chicken Wrap

The Grilled Chicken Wrap is a fantastic choice for a quick summer lunch.

This flavorful chicken wrap, made with tender grilled chicken breast, is incredibly easy to prepare for packed lunches or picnics.

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11. Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

Huli Huli Chicken Recipe

Huli Huli Chicken brings a taste of Hawaii right to your grill. This easy dish features tender chicken topped with a sweet, rich pineapple sauce. It’s a perfect meal for a flavorful outdoor cookout.

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12. Warm Caesar Potato Salad

Warm Caesar Potato Salad

Warm Caesar Potato Salad combines the yummy flavors of a classic Caesar with the comforting bite of potatoes.

This easy recipe is the perfect way to enjoy two favorite summer salads in one delightful dish.

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13. Huli Huli Chicken

Huli Huli Chicken

Huli Huli Chicken offers a delicious taste of the tropics, perfect for your next gathering. This marinated chicken is grilled to tender perfection, with a savory-sweet flavor that will delight any crowd.

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14. Chicken Fajita Nachos

Chicken Fajita Nachos

Get ready for a flavor explosion with these Chicken Fajita Nachos, piled high on crisp peppers. This clever twist gives you a satisfying low-carb crunch without missing out on your favorite fajita taste.

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15. Chipotle Maple Shrimp Tacos

Chipotle Maple Shrimp Tacos

Chipotle Maple Shrimp Tacos are a fantastic choice for a quick and delicious meal. These healthy tacos perfectly balance the sweet notes of maple with a smoky chipotle kick. It’s a simple way to enjoy a vibrant dinner.

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16. Instant Pot Burrito Bowl

Instant Pot Burrito Bowl

Get ready for a delicious and speedy Instant Pot Burrito Bowl that comes together effortlessly. This hearty meal features tender chicken and black beans, perfect for a cozy bowl. You can also enjoy it wrapped up in a warm tortilla for a tasty twist.

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17. Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Recipe

This Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Recipe makes dinner delightfully simple. Just add your ingredients to the crock pot, and let this easy slow cooker recipe create flavorful chicken tacos. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want a delicious meal with minimal effort.

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18. Asian Noodle Salad

Asian Noodle Salad

This easy Asian Noodle Salad features ramen noodles and colorful veggies tossed in a delicious sesame hoisin dressing. This vibrant noodle salad makes a perfect side dish for any summer celebration.

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19. Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

Enjoy perfectly crispy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings right from your air fryer.

This simple method quickly transforms frozen chicken wings into a delicious snack or meal.

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20. Spring Vegetable & Goat Cheese Frittata

Spring Vegetable & Goat Cheese Frittata

This Spring Vegetable & Goat Cheese Frittata is loaded with the fresh flavors of spring. With bright vegetables and the creamy tang of goat cheese, it’s a versatile and light option perfect for any meal.

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21. Korean Beef Bowls

Korean Beef Bowls

These Korean Beef Bowls are a fantastic easy dinner, featuring ground beef in a sweet and savory sauce.

Enjoy this flavorful Asian food over fluffy steamed rice with colorful vegetables, ready in less than 30 minutes.

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22. Nectarine Burrata Salad

Nectarine Burrata Salad

This Nectarine Burrata Salad is a burst of fresh flavors, featuring sweet, juicy nectarines and creamy burrata.

It’s a light and refreshing option, perfect as a stunning nectarine salad for any summer gathering.

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23. Crockpot Chicken Fajita Recipe

Crockpot Chicken Fajita Recipe

Enjoy a delicious and easy meal with this Crockpot Chicken Fajita Recipe. These tender crockpot chicken fajitas make dinner stress-free and simple to prepare. It’s the perfect weeknight solution.

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24. Tostada

Tostada

This Tostada recipe delivers homemade goodness with crunchy tortillas and perfectly seasoned beef.

Pile on loads of fresh toppings for a delightful meal that makes learning how to make tostadas easy and delicious.

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25. Honey Mustard Salmon

Honey Mustard Salmon

Honey Mustard Salmon makes a delicious and easy weeknight meal.

This honey dijon salmon is seasoned and cooks up perfectly in just 20 minutes, whether baked or grilled.

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26. Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Salmon

Air Fryer Salmon offers a wonderfully easy way to enjoy delicious, flaky fish.

This simple air fryer recipe helps you create a nutritious meal with minimal effort.

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27. Instant Pot Fajita Rice

Instant Pot Fajita Rice

Instant Pot Fajita Rice offers a wonderfully quick and flavorful meal solution. This easy-to-make Instant Pot recipe is perfect for feeding the family and will quickly become a favorite.

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28. California Roll Sushi Bowls

California Roll Sushi Bowls

Enjoy all the delicious flavors of a California Roll in these easy California Roll Sushi Bowls.

They feature perfectly cooked Japanese sushi rice, imitation crab, bright veggies, and a creamy, spicy sriracha mayo sauce for a delightful meal.

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29. Shrimp Boil

Shrimp Boil

This classic Shrimp Boil is a complete meal, featuring fresh shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage all simmered in a flavorful broth. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd, offering a delicious seafood boil experience in one pot.

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30. Lamb Lollipops Recipe

Lamb Lollipops Recipe

The Lamb Lollipops Recipe brings incredible flavor to your table with surprising ease. These elegant lamb lollipops are marinated simply and then beautifully seared. Serve them with a fresh herby yogurt sauce for a truly delightful meal.

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31. Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter

Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter

Get ready for a delicious meal with our Seared Scallops with Garlic Butter.

These large sea scallops are cooked until golden brown, then finished with a rich garlic butter sauce, making this a quick and easy scallop recipe ready in just 20 minutes.

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32. Yellow Chicken Curry

Yellow Chicken Curry

Discover a delicious and comforting Yellow Chicken Curry, perfect for a cozy meal.

This inviting dish features tender chicken and hearty vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions, and bell peppers.

Everything comes together beautifully in a rich, creamy coconut sauce for a satisfying experience.

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33. Chicken Fajitas

Chicken Fajitas

Enjoy tender, zesty marinated chicken fajitas packed with sweet, caramelized peppers and onions.

This easy chicken fajitas recipe delivers that delicious restaurant taste right at home.

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34. Black Bean and Corn Salad

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Enjoy a vibrant Black Bean and Corn Salad, bursting with fresh flavors.

This easy black bean salad features a zesty cilantro lime dressing, making it a perfect side for any meal.

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35. Stovetop Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Stovetop Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

These Stovetop Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders are incredibly flavorful and juicy.

You’ll love how quickly these tender chicken tenders come together, ready in just 25 minutes.

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36. Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken

Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken

Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken makes weeknight dinners incredibly simple.

This slow cooker favorite delivers tender chicken infused with garlic, lemon, and feta cheese.

It’s a perfect, flavorful option for anyone looking for an easy keto and low carb meal.

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