Getting dinner on the table can be tough when you’re cooking for picky eaters. This list of 35+ easy dinners for picky eaters is packed with simple, family-friendly recipes made with familiar ingredients kids actually enjoy. You’ll find quick weeknight dinners, easy chicken recipes, and no-fuss meals designed for busy families who want fewer dinner-time battles.
Quick and Easy Dinners for Picky Eaters
These recipes come together fast using simple ingredients and easy cooking methods. Great for busy weeknights when you need dinner done without extra steps or stress.
- Pull Apart Pizza Bread
- Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders – a healthier homemade version of classic chicken tenders; try my Honey Mustard Sauce for dipping
- Ranch Baked Chicken Tenders – serve with a side of my easy baked mac and cheese
- Crockpot Chicken Nachos – keep it simple or load up with all your favorite toppings
- Ground Beef Quesadillas
- Baked Meatballs Parmesan
- Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Rolls with marinara dipping sauce
- Crockpot Sausage and Potatoes.
Simple Chicken Dinner Recipes
Chicken is an easy way to get some protein on the table. With mild flavors, familiar texture and easy prep, these recipes are easy to serve and enjoy.
- Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Bites – a healthy alternative to chicken nuggets
- Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Bites with Buttered Corn
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla
- Blackened Chicken Tenders – serve with my brown butter broccoli, which has been known to be liked by those who don’t even like broccoli 😉
- Pulled Chicken Sandwich
Pasta Dinners for Picky Eaters
Creamy, cheesy, and classic pasta dishes that are easy to customize. These meals are always a hit and make dinner feel effortless.
- Easy Baked Mac & Cheese
- Loaded Mac & Cheese with Ground Beef
- Cheeseburger Pasta
- Crockpot Chicken Ramen
- Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake
- Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta
One Pan Dinner Ideas
Everything cooks together for minimal cleanup and maximum simplicity. These one-pan meals keep flavors simple and prep stress-free, making meal time a breeze.
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Sheet Pan Baked Pineapple Chicken
- One Pan Beef Ramen Stir Fry – add a side of my asian cucumber salad
- Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
- Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas
30 Minute Family Dinners for Picky Eaters
Fast, dependable dinners that fit into busy evenings. These recipes help you get a warm, homemade meal on the table without a long cook time and the entire family will be happy!
- Easy Italian Sausage Tortellini Skillet
- Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs – serve with a side of rice and veggies
- 30 Minute Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts
- Spaghetti Marinara
- Big Mac Sliders
- Baked Chili Cheese Dogs
- Baked Potato Soup – non-picky eaters can load up on the toppings (bacon, sour cream, green onions)
Kid-Approved Ground Meat Dinners
Made with ground beef, turkey, or chicken, these meals are easy to eat and full of familiar flavors. A great option for families with younger kids.
- Baked Tortellini Casserole
- Baked Crispy Ground Beef Tacos – can leave off the lettuce and tomatoes
- Easy Ground Chicken Sloppy Joes
- Garlic Pork Peanut Noodles
- Crockpot Chili – an easy make ahead meal
- Ground Turkey Fried Rice
Easy Oven Baked Dinners
Oven-baked meals that are hands-off and family friendly. These recipes are simple to prep and perfect for nights when you need dinner to cook itself.
- Baked Chicken Spaghetti
- Garlic Cheddar Chicken Bake
- Baked Chicken Tacos – can keep this simple with just the chicken salsa mixture and cheese
- Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken
If you have a recipe that’s always a hit with picky eaters, make sure and let me know in the comments!
If you’re looking for more recipes for those picky eaters in your life, this list will be a keeper. If you need some more kid-friendly dinner ideas check out this link.
What are the most common foods for picky eaters?
Picky eaters generally like easy meals with simple, more basic flavors. Meals like spaghetti with meat sauce, macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, tacos, and pizza are usually winners.
How can I make my picky kids eat healthier?
Make small swaps to their favorites (baked nuggets instead of fried, adding veggies to pizza, etc.), offer choices, and try to model healthy eating. You can also try blending veggies into pasta sauce or offering a smoothie with fruits (and even vegetables) for a snack.
What are some tips for picky eaters?
Keep sauces and toppings on the side. Moms, let yours kids help you! Involvement in the process encourages them to try new foods. Or you can try sneaking a small bit of veggies into sauces or baked dishes.
Leave a Reply