EASY SUMMER DINNER RECIPES

When the weather warms up, it's only natural to want to spend less time in the kitchen. So check out these streamlined summer dinner recipes whether you're eating in the backyard, having a picnic on the lawn, or just gathering around the dining room table. Designed to keep you cool, these quick and easy summer dinner recipes that rely mostly on pantry staples will give you more time to enjoy lazy days and take full advantage of the season and all that summer has to offer. Recipes with short ingredient lists and very little prep ensure that dinner will be ready in 45 minutes or less.

Grilled Chicken with Rosemary and Bacon

Just a Few — fresh rosemary, bacon, and garlic powder — add considerable flavor to this quick summer dinner recipe that recipe reviewer Country Folks says also works on a stovetop grill. By making extra portions, you will be able to use it in sandwiches and salads during the rest of the week.

This recipe goes together so easy with minimal prep. Chicken breasts with garlic powder, bacon, and rosemary are grilled. What could be better? I'm always thinking up easy rosemary recipes, since my yard has 5 huge bushes of rosemary! Enjoy! Great with grilled vegetables and rice.

prep: 10 mins

cook: 16 mins

total: 26 mins

Servings: 4

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons Spices, garlic powder

• 4 Chicken, broilers or fryers, breast, meat only, raw

• 1 pinch Salt, table

• 4 sprigs Rosemary, fresh

• 4 thick slices Pork, cured, bacon, raw

Directions

Step 1

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.

Step 2

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon garlic powder on a chicken breast and season with salt and pepper. Lay one rosemary sprig on the chicken breast. Wrap the bacon around the chicken to hold the rosemary on. Secure the bacon with a toothpick or an additional thick rosemary stem.

Step 3

Cook the chicken breasts until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Stay near the grill to combat any flare ups from the bacon. Remove the toothpicks before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

208.1 calories; 29.6 g protein; 2.3 g carbohydrates; 80.9 mg cholesterol; 348.1 mg sodium.

TOMATO BASIL SALMON

This quick salmon dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner. Serve with a side of sauteed spinach and a glass of pinot noir."

Ingredients

2 (6 ounce) boneless salmon fillets

1 tablespoon dried basil

1 tomato, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Prep: 10 m

Cook: 20 m

Ready In: 30 m

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a piece of aluminum foil, and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place the salmon fillets onto the foil, sprinkle with basil, top with tomato slices, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven until the salmon is opaque in the center, and the Parmesan cheese is lightly browned on top, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving: 405 calories; 26.6 g fat; 4 g carbohydrates; 36.2 g protein; 104 mg cholesterol; 180 mg sodium.

Crunchy French onion chicken

Crispy French fried onions aren't just for green bean casserole. Here, they form the breading for skinless, boneless chicken breasts that are baked in the oven after a quick dip in beaten egg. Recipe reviewer Ashley Hamilton suggests baking it on parchment paper to avoid any chance it will stick.

prep: 10 mins

cook: 20 mins

total: 30 mins

Servings: 4

Yield: 4 pieces of chicken

Ingredients

1 ⅓ cups French-fried onions

1 1 ⅓ cups French-fried onions

1 pound Chicken, broilers or fryers, breast, meat only, raw

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Spread crushed onions in a shallow bowl. Pour beaten egg into a separate shallow bowl.

Step 3

Dip chicken into beaten egg, then press into crushed onions. Gently tap chicken to let loose pieces fall away. Put breaded chicken to a baking sheet.

Step 4

Bake chicken until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

622.8 calories; 27.8 g protein; 32.1 g carbohydrates; 112.4 mg cholesterol; 731.3 mg sodium.