Our Most Popular Family-Friendly Dinners To Try In 2023

Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables
Photo:

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

It can be hard to put a meal on the table that's kid-friendly, hearty, and easy. Luckily, a year of recipes in Southern Living is a year of family-friendly dinners that combine the best of classic Southern food with modern and quick and easy recipes. From timeless Southern dishes like chicken pot pie to fresh teriyaki salmon bowls, these are our favorite family recipes. The kids won't complain when you serve up homemade calzones or sheet-pan nachos, and you'll love how easy these recipes actually are to whip up. With all-time favorite slow-cooker family dinners like chili and pot roast, your family will be full and happy at dinnertime– any day of the week. This year, we're resolving to cook more at home and eat out less, and these family-friendly dinners are the perfect place to start. Best of all, these easy family dinners are kid-and Mama-approved.

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French Onion Soup Casserole

French Onion Soup Casserole
Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Georgia-grown Vidalia onions are ideal for French onion soup, and this casserole version will be an ultimate family favorite.

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Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings

Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Chicken and dumplings is one of the most famous and comforting dishes to ever come out of the South.

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White Cheese Calzones with Marinara Sauce

White Cheese Calzones with Marinara Sauce
Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This easy, homemade calzone recipe will be a weekly request at your house after your kids get a taste.

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Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Don't pull those frozen chicken nuggets out tonight. This easy dinner is one the kids will love just as much.

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Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Louisville's classic Hot Brown Sandwich gets big-batch treatment with this hearty casserole recipe.

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Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

Skillet Enchiladas Suizas
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

If the kids are craving Mexican, don't spend money eating out. Make a delicious enchilada dish right in your skillet.

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Greek Baked Ziti

Greek Baked Ziti
Greg Dupree

This easy, cheesy pasta dish is easy to prepare on busy weeknights and if you double the recipe, it's the perfect pull-out-of-the-freezer dinner for later.

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Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Leeks and Mushrooms

Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Leeks and Mushrooms
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Chicken pot pie is a Southern classic that will never get old, and this one-dish recipe makes it easier than ever.

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Pork Chops with Dijon-Buttermilk Sauce

Pork Chops with Dijon-Buttermilk Sauce
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

The dijon-buttermilk sauce is truly the star of this easy and company-worthy dinner.

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Beef Stew

Beef Stew
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

A cozy bowl of classic beef stew is the best way to warm up on chilly nights, and it's always smart to have a batch in the freezer for the busiest weeks.

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Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots

Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Is there anything better than a 30-minute dinner that's made in your sheet pan? No, there's really not.

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Turkey with Shallot-Mustard Sauce and Roasted Potatoes

Turkey with Shallot-Mustard Sauce and Roasted Potatoes
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

The turkey cooks in the slow cooker for ultimate hands-off ease for this dinner that would impress company, too.

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Molasses-Soy Glazed Salmon and Vegetables

Molasses-Soy Glazed Salmon and Vegetables
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food styling: Karen Rankin

Get a healthy meal on the table for the family in no time with this quick, easy dinner.

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Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Pot roast is a classic dinner that every family member will agree on, and the slow cooker makes for the easiest prep.

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Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Although Shepherd's Pie is a traditional recipe from over the pond, it has all the comfort of a classic Southern casserole.

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Sheet Pan Nachos with Chorizo and Refried Beans

Sheet Pan Nachos with Chorizo and Refried Beans
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

It doesn't get more kid-friendly than nachos, and you'll only have to clean up one pan after this fun dinner.

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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole Recipe

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Greg DuPree

We put everyone's favorite pasta dish in a casserole for a kid-approved meal.

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Classic Cast Iron Pizza

Classic Cast Iron Pizza
Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Mary Claire Britton

Pizza night got better with this homemade sauce, but don't worry—the kids will love it as much as delivery.

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Slow-Cooker Brisket Chili

Slow-Cooker Brisket Chili

Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Hector M. Sanchez

This slow-cooker chili is an easy, comforting dinner that will fill your family up.

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Teriyaki Salmon Bowls with Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Teriyaki Salmon Bowls with Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Forget takeout—these teriyaki bowls are an Asian-inspired (and healthy!) meal that the kids will love.

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Chicken Fried Chicken

Chicken Fried Chicken
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This twist on chicken fried steak is a fan favorite among kids and adults alike. Serve it with easy steamed veggies and your favorite version of potatoes.

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Chicken-and-Shrimp Kebabs with Summer Vegetables and Basil Oil

Chicken-and-Shrimp Kebabs with Summer Vegetables and Basil Oil
Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

During the summer months, there's nothing better than firing up the grill, and no one can resist a delicious kebab.

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Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Slow-Cooker Bolognese Sauce
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Serve this traditional meat sauce over whatever pasta variety you have on hand. This recipe serves a crowd, so you might have leftovers for the freezer.

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Country Captain Chicken

Country Captain Chicken
Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This Lowcountry favorite is packed with flavor from various spices like curry powder, paprika, and nutmeg.

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Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas

Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas
Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This gnocchi spin on a traditional gratin is extra cheesy and oh-so-comforting.

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Spring Onion Grilled Pizza

Spring Onion Grilled Pizza
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Grilling out is a fun way to enjoy family pizza night in the summer, and you can top these pizzas with whichever protein and veggies are in your refrigerator at the time!

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Oven-Fried Pork Chops Recipe with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans

Oven-Fried Pork Chops with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

There's nothing better than a meal that cooks in one pan, especially when budget-friendly, kid-approved pork chops are the star. This hearty sheet pan supper is pretty enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.

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Beef Stew with Cheddar Biscuits

Beef Stew with Cheddar Biscuits
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This hearty stew is made in your skillet for easy one-dish cleanup.

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Baked Rigatoni with Zucchini and Mozzarella

Baked Rigatoni with Zucchini and Mozzarella
Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This baked dish is a fun way to do pasta night that's much easier than the presentation lets on.

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Burgoo

Harry Young’s Burgoo
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This Kentucky-born stew is perfect for feeding a crowd and freezing leftovers for later.

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Martina McBride's Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
Courtesy Oxmoor House

Readers could not stop raving about this easy Tex-Mex soup from Martina McBride's cookbook, and your family is going to fall in love.

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Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
Southern Living

Without a doubt, this reader-favorite casserole recipe became an instant classic this year, and there's never been a ground beef recipe our families haven't loved.

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Heirloom Tomato Pie

Heirloom Tomato Pie Recipe
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

This is hands-down our most popular tomato pie recipe of all time, not to mention how beautiful a variety of heirloom tomatoes looks on your table.

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Chicken-Mushroom Skillet

Chicken-Mushroom Skillet
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

This pretty dinner recipe is healthy but filling, and you have to make it if you're a mushroom lover.

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Baked Ziti with Sausage

Baked Ziti with Sausage
Southern Living

Easy, cheesy, and impossible to mess up, this baked pasta is a shoo-in for your weeknight repertoire.

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Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

We love using fresh summer corn when it's abundant, and this hearty soup is a way to get it on the table with minimal work on your part.

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Old-Fashioned Meatloaf

Boarding House Meatloaf
Southern Living

Since meatloaf has been a prized recipe in every Southern cook's recipe box for decades, it came as no surprise that this old-school iteration became popular with readers.

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Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Chicken-Spaghetti Casserole
Hector Sanchez

This chicken spaghetti is literally the definition of a crowd-pleasing dinner recipe.

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Smothered Enchiladas

Smothered Enchiladas
Southern Living

Mix up your casserole routine with cheesy, melty enchiladas. The kids will ask for seconds, and you can enjoy a margarita on the side.

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Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Shrimp and Grits Casserole
Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Readers loved this dish for its versatility and how easy it is to serve. Rather than have two separate dishes for shrimp and grits, we combined them into one easy casserole that you can serve at brunch, lunch, or dinner.

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Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese

Roasted Tomato-Cheddar Soup
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

When in doubt, creamy tomato soup is always going to hit the spot. Serve this easy dinner with a classic grilled cheese, and even the pickiest eaters at the table will be happy.

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King Ranch Chicken Casserole

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

A trusty standby for dinnertime, this Tex-Mex casserole has never met an opposer.

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Smothered Pork Chops With Rice

Smothered Pork Chops with Rice
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Food Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl

This Louisiana-inspired pork chop recipe takes a Creole spin on the classic homestyle dish. Packed with flavors, this dish is all about the sauce.

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Easy Taco Casserole

Easy Taco Casserole
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Cleanup following Taco Tuesday has never been easier than now thanks to this hearty casserole.

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Macaroni Pie

Macaroni Pie
Antonis Achilleos

Sliceable yet creamy macaroni and cheese? We made it possible.

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Julie Yoste's Mississippi Roast

Julie Yoste's Mississippi Roast
Alison Miksch

The Mississippi Roast is one of the most popular recipes on Pinterest, so if you haven't tried it, this is the year.

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Rosemary Chicken Thighs and Vegetables

Rosemary Chicken Thighs and Vegetables
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This healthy skillet dinner is pretty enough for guests but quick enough for weeknights, and that's what we call a winner.

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Cheesy Potato Soup with Bacon

Creamy Cheddar-Potato Soup with Bacon
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This rich, creamy soup comes together in your Dutch oven from start to finish, so you have less to clean up after dinnertime.

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Pizza Casserole

Pizza Casserole
Greg DuPree

From the name alone, you know your kids are going to be huge fans of this recipe. This hearty supper tops delivery every time.

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Chicken Tamale Pie

Chicken Tamale Pie
Antonis Achilleos

A corn muffin crust and your trusty skillet will make this your new favorite weeknight dinner.

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Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce

Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Cream Sauce
Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Although this pasta is paired with a dreamy cream sauce, it remains a light and airy feel.

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One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice

One-Pan Hot Honey Chicken
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This one-dish chicken and rice dinner packs more flavor than your family will believe.

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Healthy Turkey Lasagna

Lean Lasagna
Hector M Sanchez

The kids will have no idea that you took your old-school beefy lasagna and lightened it up a bit.

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Ground Beef Vegetable Soup with Gnocchi

Ground Beef Vegetable Soup with Gnocchi
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

If one kid is craving the comfort of a warm bowl of soup and the other pasta, this hearty soup will be on the table in 30 minutes to satisfy everyone.

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Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole
Micah A. Leal

We know this dinner isn't necessarily diet-proof, but with a tater-tot crust, it's definitely kid-proof, which is enough to hope for one some nights.

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Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry

Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

You might not have the time or patience to make old-school chicken pot pie with homemade crust, but this skillet recipe brings you all the flavor you love in half the time.

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Beefy Baked Ravioli with Spinach and Cheese

Cheesy Beef-and-Spinach Ravioli
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We love any recipe that's done in less than an hour and uses our favorite skillet (and that has pasta and cheese, of course).

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Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

This herby, healthy sheet pan dinner has so much depth of flavor.

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Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole
Hector Sanchez

This one-pot meal flavored with country ham and mushrooms takes the classic chicken-and-rice number to the next level. This easy dish is weeknight friendly and company worth.

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Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy Joe Casserole
Southern Living

Do Sloppy Joes take you back to your childhood days? Well, we gave the camp-favorite a sophisticated spin that is ready for the dinner table.

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Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

Hannah Zimmerman

With only 20 minutes of hands-on time, this roast is ridiculously easy and even more delicious.

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One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards

One-Pan Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Mushrooms, and Collards
Greg DuPree

Put dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes with this hearty and healthy dish that only requires one pan to keep the mess at bay.

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Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

This stir fry is the ideal weeknight throw together in a hurry dinner and is packed with nutrient dense broccoli and peppers.

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Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust

Shepherd’s Pie with Potato Crust
Greg Dupree

Lighten up the traditional Shepard's Pie by topping it with a medley of thinly sliced sweet potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes in lieu of mashed potatoes.

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Soulful Chicken Soup

Soulful Chicken Soup
Iain Bagwell

We can't talk about family favorite dinners without including this crowd pleaser. This slow-cooker dish is made for more than just sick days, but is a dish you should always keep extra of tucked in the freezer.

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One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Satisfy your Tex-Mex craving with cast-iron skillet dish full of just the right amount of smokey flavors from chili powder and cumin.

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Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Winner winner chicken dinner when you're serving this citrusy, fragrant, and flavorful dish.

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One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo

One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp with Orzo
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Get your seafood fix with minimal effort when it comes to this 30 minute dinner. It's nothing shy of a five-star rating.

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