Summer nights are meant for relaxing, not spending an hour in the kitchen, but that doesn’t mean dinner has to turn into chips and cereal. Here are 5+ lazy summer dinner ideas that are healthy, satisfying, and perfect for those nights when cooking feels like too much.
These lazy summer dinners focus on simple, high protein meals that come together with minimal effort. They are here to offer you some options that have that good balance of nutrition and convenience. Some require more work than others, but hopefully you get some inspiration!
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1. No Cook Mediterranean Chicken Salad
The first step to this lazy but really nutritious chicken salad is to have some already cooked chicken (preferably from the night before). Then, it is just chopping some vegetables and add a store-bought dressing.
Or, just throw some chicken in the air fryer as you’re chopping the veggies. The air fryer is my go to for making dinners easier.
It takes 10 minutes or less of prep if the chicken has already been cooked! Then, you have a nutrient-dense meal that is high in protein and fiber.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken breast, cooked (or about two cups of diced chicken breast)
- 1 15.5 ounce can of garbanzo beans
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered fresh is best or omit (can be watery)
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 3/4 cup feta cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, or preferred nut
- 1/2 cup Light Olive Garden Italian Dressing, or homemade Greek or Italian dressing
Directions
Add everything to a bowl, along with the dressing. Combine gently with a spoon. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy! This salad can be eaten cold or with warm chicken- whatever you prefer!
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days since the chicken was cooked. If prepping this salad for the next day or two, add the dressing, avocado, and feta cheese on the day you plan to eat it.
More Healthy Ideas (Like This)
Ideas that require a bit of chopping, along with already cooked chicken or deli meat, and that store well in the fridge for days.
2. Rotisserie Wrap Board
The ultimate lazy night idea! Buy a rotisserie chicken, cut it up, and lay it out on a board with different add-ins to make a filling and nutritious wrap.
I actually did this with my family the other night and it’s just an easy way to serve dinner.
Each person can customize their own. Pair it with bowls of snacks for a fun dinner that you could eat outside. Or, you could even make quesadillas quickly on the stove.
Build your own wrap ideas:
- Store-bought rotisserie chicken.
- Whole wheat or low carb wraps.
- Bagged slaw mix.
- Greek yogurt sauce – ranch or honey mustard. Or, use it as a veggie dip on the side.
- Diced cucumber.
- Avocado.
- Cheese.
3. High Protein Caprese Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a great summer dinner option because it stores well in the fridge for quick lunches or an easy second dinner later in the week. This fresh and bright caprese-inspired version is made with mozzarella, salty meat, juicy tomatoes, and a drizzle of balsamic that ties everything together.
You could use a rotisserie chicken here as well or cook some extra protein on a night where you have more time, like a Sunday grill night.
Pasta salad Ideas
- Chickpeas.
- High protein pasta, like Barilla Protein Plus.
- Salami, diced turkey, prosciutto and/or cooked chicken.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes.
- Bell peppers, diced.
- Black olives.
- Mozzarella pearls.
- Italian dressing.
- Balsamic glaze.
- Fresh basil.
Chop everything into small, somewhat equal bite-sized pieces. Toss with dressing, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Store in the fridge for 3 days.
4. Asian Chicken and Rice Bowls
These Asian-inspired chicken power bowls are a great option when you want a meal that is both healthy and convenient. Packed with lean protein, fiber-rich vegetables, shelled edamame, and satisfying carbohydrates, they make an easy balanced dinner or meal prep bowl for the week.
Everything stores well in the fridge, and the flavors stay fresh and delicious. It’s a great way to use up rotisserie or already cooked chicken!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice (jasmine, brown, or leftover rice) or quinoa.
- 12 ounces or about 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie works great).
- 2 avocados, sliced. Top with avocado right before serving for extra creaminess.
- 1-1 1/2 cups diced cucumber.
- 1 cup shredded carrots and/or cabbage.
- 1 cup shelled edamame.
- 2 green onions, sliced.
- Sesame seeds for garnish.
- 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar.
- Sprinkle of salt.
- Chili crisp, optional.
- Kewpie mayo, optional.
For the Sauce
This homemade sauce could be replaced with whatever Asian-inspired sauce you want! Use a store-bought one for convenience, if you prefer.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce or coconut aminos.
- 1 tbsp sesame oil.
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice.
- 1 1/2 tbsp honey or maple syrup.
- Garlic powder, to taste, or minced garlic.
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional).
- 3 tablespoons water.
directions
- Toss the shredded carrots or coleslaw mix with rice wine vinegar and a pinch of salt. Set aside to lightly marinate.
- Add rice to the bottom of a bowl or each meal prep container. Reheat the rice if preferred.
- Top with shredded chicken, diced cucumber, marinated carrots, and edamame.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Whisk together the sauce ingredients. Store the sesame lime sauce separately and drizzle over the bowl just before serving. You can add it ahead of time, but the rice may become slightly mushy.
- Slice fresh avocado and add just before serving.
- Drizzle with kewpie mayo and/or chili crunch – totally optional!
5. Grill + Add a Bag Salad
Having a “grill day” is such a smart move for easy dinners and to prep some extra protein for the week. Translation: cook a bunch of protein on the grill and use for dinners a couple of the nights you are busier.
For example, have an easy burger Sunday and pair with a simple bagged salad and/or grilled corn on the cob. Throw on some chicken breasts as well that you can use for another dinner, like the next day. This requires very little additional planning but makes a significant difference.
Easy options
- Burgers, chicken thighs, or shrimp.
- Corn-on-the cob.
- Pre-made salad kit.
- Store-bought sauces.
6. Strategic Snack Plates
I am a big believer that snack plates can be healthy, strategic meals if you have the right balance. They’re absolutely game-changing for busy or, again, lazy nights. They can be kid-friendly, too!
Sample Snack Plate Idea
- Cottage Cheese (21 grams of protein per 3/4 cup serving).
- 5 whole wheat crackers. Triscuits have 4 grams of fiber per serving!
- Cucumber slices.
- Cherry tomatoes.
- Roasted or marinated veggies. I added in some jarred roasted red pepper slices.
- Kalamata olives.
- Feta cheese.
- Drizzle of olive oil and black pepper. A splash of red wine vinegar would be really good, too. Or, store-bought Greek or Italian dressing.
There is about 21 grams of protein and 6+ grams of fiber total for this plate. Hard-boiled eggs or leftover chicken could boost the protein content.
Click the link for 5 more ideas that would work well for summer dinners! Or, use this as inspiration and create your own.
7. High Protein Flatbreads
Easy flatbread pizzas using naan but with nutrition in mind! Each one has at least 20g of protein, so they’re filling and prep time is just 10 minutes or less. Click the link for more options!
Street Corn Chicken Ingredients
- 2 Stonefire Orginal Naan Flatbreads or similar preferred flatbread.
- 8-10 ounces (about 1 cup) of cooked shredded or rotisserie chicken.
- 1/2 cup corn (canned, cooked, grilled).
- 3/4 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese or preferred cheese.
- 1/4 cup of cotija cheese.
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt + lime + chili powder drizzle or Tajin + a sprinkle of cotija cheese and cilantro.
- Extra Tajín, to finish.
- Black beans for extra fiber, optional
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place naan on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Evenly layer chicken and corn. Sprinkle on some black beans, if preferred.
- Top with pepper jack and cotija cheese.
- Bake for 8–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are slightly crispy.
- Make the yogurt drizzle while baking: in a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt with lime juice and chili powder or Tajín until smooth and drizzle-able.
- Drizzle the yogurt sauce over the flatbreads
- Sprinkle with cilantro and a little extra cotija. Finish with a light sprinkle of Tajín.
Nutritional Information
431 calories, 17 grams of fat, 1000 mg sodium (estimated), 34 grams of carbs, 1.4 grams of fiber, 34 grams of protein.
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More Low Effort Dinner Ideas
- Healthy Steak and Avocado Salad (Haute and Healthy Living). The prep time is about 15 minutes but you could take shortcuts to reduce the time.
- Easy Summer Charcuterie Board (Get Inspired Everyday!)
- Easy Taco Salad (PCOS Nutritionist Alyssa)
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken (Living Chirpy)
I hope these ideas help you have a more relaxing, carefree summer! That is what I am aiming for as well! Subscribe to my newsletter for a free 33-page e-book and more resources to make prioritizing your health easier.