Weekday cooking rarely allows for elaborate recipes or long prep times — yet it remains one of the most important daily rituals in the home. The key is finding meals that balance ease with flavour, offering comfort without complication.
Inspired by BBC Good Food, these recipes are designed to be simple, satisfying and achievable — even on your busiest evenings.
One-Pan Chicken and Chorizo
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 6 chicken thighs
- 150g chorizo, sliced
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 2 peppers, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tin chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Olive oil, salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 200°C.
- Place chicken, chorizo and vegetables in a roasting tray.
- Drizzle with olive oil, season and add paprika.
- Roast for 35–40 minutes.
- Add tomatoes halfway through and stir gently.
- Serve hot with bread or rice.
Creamy Chicken Pasta
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 300g pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 cup cream
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- Handful spinach
- Olive oil, salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Cook pasta until al dente.
- Fry chicken in olive oil until golden.
- Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Stir in cream and simmer.
- Add parmesan and spinach.
- Toss with pasta and serve.
Quick Chickpea and Spinach Curry
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 tin chickpeas, drained
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp curry paste
- 1 tin coconut milk
- 2 cups spinach
- Oil, salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add curry paste and cook briefly.
- Stir in chickpeas and coconut milk.
- Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Serve with rice or roti.
Spaghetti Puttanesca
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 300g spaghetti
- 1 tin chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olives, chopped
- 1 tbsp capers
- 2 cloves garlic
- Chilli flakes (optional)
- Olive oil
Instructions:
- Cook spaghetti until al dente.
- Heat oil and sauté garlic and chilli.
- Add tomatoes, olives and capers.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Toss with pasta and serve immediately.
Chicken Fajitas
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 peppers, sliced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- Tortillas
- Optional: yoghurt, avocado, salsa
Instructions:
- Heat oil and cook chicken until browned.
- Add vegetables and spices.
- Cook until tender but still crisp.
- Serve with warm tortillas and toppings.
The Beauty of Keeping It Simple
These five recipes prove that weekday cooking doesn’t need to be complicated to be satisfying. With a few quality ingredients and simple techniques, dinner becomes less of a chore and more of a moment — something to enjoy, even on the busiest days.
Credits
Recipes courtesy of BBC GoodFood
Images: Pexels
