59 Heart-Healthy Recipes to Make for an Easy Dinner Tonight
Make your heart and tastebuds happy with these delicious meals full of vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
No matter if your doctor has instructed you to follow a more heart-healthy diet or you’ve chosen to abide by one on your own, it can never hurt to develop heart-smart habits. After all, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting some 121 million Americans. But eating food that is good for your heart doesn't mean sacrificing taste. For instance, these simple heart-healthy recipes — think grilled fish tacos, turkey burgers, veggie-packed potstickers — are delicious and easy to whip up for any meal. They are simple enough to add to the weeknight dinner rotation and even great for a family full of picky eaters.
Many of these kid-friendly recipes include ingredients rich in omega-3 fatty acids, low in saturated fats, and high in fiber — all components that can support good heart health, according to Mayo Clinic. Also, many of these dishes are low-calorie, coming in at 300 calories or less per serving. Finally, many of these heart-healthy recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less.
To make browsing our list of heart-healthy recipe ideas easier, we’ve split the heart-healthy recipe ideas into four categories based on their main form of protein: chicken, seafood, vegetarian or plant-based proteins, and turkey. Should you have any dietary restrictions, we also have recipes for gluten-free meals and vegan dinner ideas that you can browse through after saving recipes from this list. Time to get cooking!
When you're done, quiz yourself on your heart-health knowledge:
Heart-Healthy Chicken Recipes
Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken
This recipe is all about chickpeas and sweet peppers, which are packed with heart-healthy protein and vitamins. It can also be cooked on one sheet in 25 minutes or less, meaning fewer dishes and less fuss.
Get the Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken recipe.
RELATED: Easy Sheet Pan Dinners
Chicken Kebabs
Skinless chicken has fewer saturated fats than most red meats, which is why it's generally a healthier choice for heart health. These simple chicken kebabs can be thrown on the grill and whipped up in 25 minutes.
Get the Chicken Kebabs recipe.
Apricot-Glazed Chicken and Corn
This flavor-packed, eight-ingredient chicken dish only takes half an hour to make (and we're willing to guess you have most of the ingredients already in your pantry). Its sweet and spicy goodness is sure to make it a family favorite.
Chicken Salad Collard Wrap
Ditch the processed flour tortillas, and use large collard green leaves for these refreshing chicken salad wraps. Clocking in at 52 grams of protein, this is a filling, delicious way to get in your daily greens.
Get the Chicken Salad Collard Wrap recipe.
Baked Chicken Cutlets with Pineapple Rice
Chicken gets a major boost from Asian-inspired ingredients, such as ginger and cilantro in this 25-minute recipe. According to a study published in Nutrition, daily ginger consumption may help lower the risk of hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure.
Roasted Chicken and Garlic Potatoes with Red Pepper Relish
Swap chicken fingers and french fries for this 30-minute roasted chicken and potatoes recipe. Potatoes in particular are a great source of potassium and can be part of a heart-healthy diet when steamed, broiled, or baked.
Get the Roasted Chicken and Garlic Potatoes with Red Pepper Relish recipe.
Lemon-Thyme Chicken
Skinless chicken can be a solid component of a heart-healthy diet, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring. This gluten-free classic lemon-thyme chicken is a flavorful choice you'll want to remake time and time again. Added tip: Make sure to prepare extra Parmesan-thyme roasted vegetables. You won't be sorry.
Get the Lemon-Thyme Chicken recipe.
Roasted Citrus Chicken Salad
This 30-minute tangy chicken meal is sure to leave your tastebuds and health goals satisfied. Don't skip out on the croutons if you want to get the best result.
Get the Roasted Citrus Chicken Salad recipe.
Chicken Marbella
This quick and easy slow-cooker chicken dish includes a medley of flavors — sweet, salty, and tangy. Plus, it's packed with 36 grams of protein per serving. Three steps, and you're done!
Get the Chicken Marbella recipe.
Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette
Instead of a taco or wrap with flour tortillas, enjoy this chicken fajita as a salad with romaine hearts and a mix of other colorful veggies. The whole meal only takes 35 minutes to whip up from start to finish. Tip: Throw some avocado halves on the grill for a minute or two to add a bit of smoky flavor.
Get the Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette recipe.
Spinach, Chickpea, and Chicken Pitas
Stuffed to the brim with heart-healthy vegetables, these 20-minutes-or-less pita sandwiches are a tasty Mediterranean go-to, especially during the summer months.
Get the Spinach, Chickpea, and Chicken Pitas recipe.
RELATED: Super Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes
Sesame Chicken and Chili Lime Slaw
This chicken dish is full of sesame seeds, which are rich in zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6, and other nutrients involved in memory function. The sesame seed-crusted chicken, paired with tangy red cabbage bursting with ginger, chilis, and fresh lime juice, is a true flavor-forward dinner.
Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs
You can't go wrong with 30-minute kebabs. To make this heart-healthy dish vegan, substitute zucchini, summer squash, and red onion for chicken, as well as two tablespoons of olive oil for yogurt.
Mediterranean Chicken Pitas
With hummus, olive oil, and plum tomatoes, these quick chicken pitas are both healthy and easy.
Get the Mediterranean Chicken Pitas recipe.
Kale and Romaine Chicken Caesar Salad
One of the salad's main ingredients, kale, is low-calorie, rich in vitamins C and K, and anti-carcinogenic, which is great for heart health. And talk about delicious and easy — everything you love about a tangy, creamy Caesar dressing, but healthier and made in 20 minutes or less.
Grilled Chicken Caprese
Add chicken to a traditional Caprese salad for a boost of lean protein — 45g to be exact.
Get the Grilled Chicken Caprese recipe.
Heart-Healthy Fish Recipes
Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette
Salmon is known for being light and heart-healthy, but this recipe does not skimp out on big bold flavor thanks to ingredients like fennel, red onions, and baby arugula.
Get the Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette recipe.
Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles
Nothing says heart health like a bull full of veggies! In this 30-minute dinner recipe, low-carb zucchini noodles are tossed with shrimp, garlic, lemon zest, white wine, and red pepper flakes for a lighter take on the beloved favorite.
Get the Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles recipe.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
Kate Franke (she/her) is the editorial assistant at Woman’s Day. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!
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