Best dinner recipes - Southern Living

Honey-Pecan Chicken Thighs

A crunchy, flaky coating gives these chicken thighs great texture and locks in moisture and flavors. Readers raved that the curry powder in the honey mustard dipping sauce adds a special kick.

Recipe: Honey-Pecan Chicken Thighs

Southwest Flank Steak with Salsa

This fajita-style meal is a fiesta of flavors in every bite. Marinate lean flank steaks in fajita seasoning and then throw them on the grill. It’s that simple. Serve in corn or flour tortillas with homemade salsa and guacamole.

Recipe: Southwest Flank Steak with Salsa

Mexican Lasagna

Readers love this easy casserole-style recipe because it has short prep time and tastes like traditional enchiladas. Layering the beef and pork mixture between corn tortillas creates great texture. Top with fresh avocado slices, chopped tomatoes, and cilantro for a filling meal.

Recipe: Mexican Lasagna

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Pan-Seared Trout With Italian-Style Salsa

Although the process for preparing the fish is simple, the Italian-style salsa brings sophistication to this recipe. Made from a mixture of chopped capers, tomatoes, red onions, garlic, and spices, the bruschetta-style topping is wonderful on fish, chicken, or bread.

Recipe: Pan-Seared Trout With Italian-Style Salsa

Chicken-Fried Steak

Chicken-Fried Steak is a Southern favorite, so we stuck to the basics when creating this recipe. Cubed round steak is breaded and fried in a skillet then smothered with a thick, creamy gravy made from meat drippings and chicken broth. Serve with your favorite recipe for mashed potatoes and green veggies for a full five-star dinner.

Recipe: Chicken-Fried Steak

Layered Cornbread-and-Turkey Salad

Put a spin on traditional Cobb with this five-star layered salad that includes everything but the kitchen sink. Chopped turkey, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, and celery are layered with Swiss cheese and salty bacon crumbles to create a beautiful tower of colors and flavors. This recipe travels well and is perfect for a luncheon or shower.

Recipe: Layered Cornbread-and-Turkey Salad

Grilled Chicken With White Barbecue Sauce

This grilled favorite has received one of the largest numbers of five-star ratings from our readers. Chicken is seasoned with a spicy rub made of dried thyme, oregano, cumin, and paprika and then charred on the grill for a hot and smoky flavor. Smother in a tangy white barbecue sauce, and your guests will be begging for more. This recipe is great for a crowd and provides plenty of leftovers.

Recipe: Grilled Chicken With White Barbecue Sauce

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Pork Loin Chops With Pear-and-Vidalia Pan Gravy

This recipe features a surprising yet delicious new flavor combination; the sugars in the pears bring out the sweetness in the Vidalia onions to create a sweet yet earthy sauce that adds depth to an ordinary seared pork chop. Our readers say this dish is elegant enough to serve at a dinner party but also makes for a great family-style meal. Serve with a side salad and roasted potatoes for a full five-star experience.

Recipe: Pork Loin Chops With Pear-and-Vidalia Pan Gravy

Grilled Steaks Balsamico

These simple yet delicious steaks won top honors at the National Beef Cook-Off. Serve with a side salad and a baked potato for a classic American supper.

Recipe: Grilled Steaks Balsamico

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Red Beans and Sausage

For a flavorful meal in one bowl, you can’t go wrong with this dish. The spicy sausage and protein-packed beans make for a hearty meal that will fill you up on a cold day. You can prepare this in a slow cooker or let it simmer all day on the stove.

Recipe: Red Beans and Sausage

Photo: Charles Walton; Styling: Leslie Byars Simpson

Grecian Skillet Rib Eyes

The olive oil and lemon marinade is the key to creating great flavor and tenderizing the meat for this recipe. The olive-feta herb topping adds a Mediterranean flair and a pop of flavor to the steak. Many readers say they have substituted chicken or lamb for the beef and it turned out just as delicious.

Recipe: Grecian Skillet Rib Eyes

Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Grilled Chicken Supper With Citrus Vinaigrette

Not only is this dish top-rated and delicious, but it is also good for you. Citrus-flavored chicken breasts are grilled then served on a bed of mixed greens with crisp bell peppers and green onions. Plump golden raisins and crunchy peanuts add great texture and flavor to this healthy, fiber-and-protein-rich salad.

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Supper With Citrus Vinaigrette

Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Hominy Grill's Shrimp and Grits

This Lowcountry favorite won its way into our readers’ hearts with its rich flavor and easy preparation. Shrimp and mushrooms are sautéed with garlic and bacon drippings then mixed with green onions and crispy bacon, and all are served on top of buttery cheese grits.

Recipe: Hominy Grill's Shrimp and Grits

Fried Fish Sandwiches

Our readers love that you can use pretty much whatever white fish is available at the supermarket to make this sandwich. Whether you use mahi-mahi, cod, or grouper, the secret to success is dredging the fish in a seasoned cornmeal mixture and egg and then frying until golden brown. Top with your favorite store-bought tartar sauce and trimmings.

Recipe: Fried Fish Sandwiches

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Skillet-Grilled Burritos

This lightened classic burrito provides all the great Mexican flavors that you love. Whole-wheat tortillas are stuffed with chicken, black beans, corn, and peppers then cooked on a griddle until the outside is crispy. A hot and zesty cilantro-jalapeno dipping sauce adds a great kick.

Recipe: Skillet-Grilled Burritos

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Mediterranean Orzo

Orzo salad tossed with grilled vegetables, kalamata olives, and feta makes for a great summer salad. Coat with a zesty lemon-and-olive oil mixture and fresh chopped parsley for a burst of fresh flavors in every bite.

Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Pan-Fried Chicken-and-Ham Parmesan

This quick family meal comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy weeknight. Covering the chicken with ham and cheese helps it to stay moist and juicy during the cooking process. Serve on a bed of Garlic-Herb Pasta and top with Sautéed Grape Tomatoes.

Recipe: Pan-Fried Chicken-and-Ham Parmesan

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Mixed Grill with Cilantro Pesto

Readers claim that this easy-to-prepare recipe is not your typical home-cooked meal. Your family or guests can choose from juicy pork chops or beef tenderloin filets that are grilled to perfection and then drizzled with a flavorful Cilantro Pesto sauce. The sauce also works well with grilled chicken, seafood, and vegetables.

Recipe: Mixed Grill with Cilantro Pesto

Fettuccine With Portobello-Alfredo Sauce

Even though this recipe is quick and easy, your guests will think they are dining at a five-star Italian restaurant. Meaty portobello mushrooms act as a protein, but you can add grilled chicken or shrimp for even more sustenance.

Recipe: Fettuccine With Portobello-Alfredo Sauce

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

A reader favorite for years, this casserole is rich and creamy but packs in a nice heat from the green chiles and chili powder. You can also season the chicken with cayenne pepper or spicy seasonings to give it even more of a kick. This dish is great for a mid-week family meal or potluck.

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Top-Rated Main Dishes