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    Home > Main Courses > Best Healthy Dinner Recipes – 31 Healthy Recipes for January

    Best Healthy Dinner Recipes – 31 Healthy Recipes for January

    Published: Jan 1, 2013 · Modified: Jul 26, 2022 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    31 healthy recipes to start the new year out right.

    Happy New Year!  Here’s wishing everyone peace, love, health, happiness and lots of good food.

    I don’t know about you, but I’ve had about enough cream, butter, cheese, rich sauces and meats for 5 Holiday Seasons. If you’re like me, you’re already planning for some lighter meals and looking for healthy clean eating recipes.  I thought I’d dust off a few of my old favorites.

    No reason to skimp on flavor when eating healthy. You’ll find lots of mouthwatering combination of lean meats and lots of vegetables.

    Here’s a selection of some of our favorite healthy dinner recipes to start the new year out right.

    You’ll find:

    • 9 Healthy Salad Recipes, Main Course
    • 6 Healthy Main Course Recipes
    • 6 Healthy Soup Recipes
    • 5 Healthy Seafood Recipes
    • 5 Healthy Snack or Appetizer Recipes

    Now I’m going to try to behave…at least until Superbowl.  Let’s take a look.

    Best Healthy Dinner Recipes:

    Lean proteins, salad green and vegetables are a very healthy way to eat. Here are some main course salad recipe ideas.

    Blackened Shrimp Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

    Blackened Shrimp Salad is a refreshing entree that’s light but in a hearty way. 

    Blacked shrimp salad in a large wide rimmed salad bowl with hard boiled eggs, spring greens, and applewood smoked bacon. With champagne vinaigrette.

    Avocado Shrimp Salad with Mango Dressing 

    A Jamaican roadside stand inspired dish with sweet shrimp simmered in a peppery broth.

    Shrimp Salad with Mango Vinaigrette, watermelon and avocado

    Sweet Chile Mustard Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad

    A refreshing chopped chicken salad recipe using grilled chicken breasts and lots of your favorite healthy vegetables.

    Grilled Chopped Chicken Salad with chopped tomatoes, toasted almonds, cucumber, and a pineapple chile dressing

    Strawberry Chicken Salad With Poppyseed Dressing

    Make the most out of fresh strawberries with this easy main course salad. Poppyseed dressing, sauteed chicken breast and strawberries are an absolutely wonderful combination.

    Fried chicken breast salad with sliced strawberries, mango, onion, romaine, and poppyseed dressing

    Skirt Steak Salad with Wilted Greens and Warm Chipotle Dressing

    The extra beefy flavor of skirt steak, combined with the rustic chew of frisee makes a beautiful base for tomatoes, creamy avocado and chipotle infused dressing.

    Grilled Chicken Wilted Salad

    The combination of flavors here are striking thanks to the warm dressing, Kalamata olives and rosemary dusted chicken tenders.

    Grilled chicken salad with spinach.

    Healthy Main Course Recipes

    Lean and mean healthy main course meals.

    Poblano Caramelized Onion Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

    These roasted cauliflower tacos get a kick of heat from poblano peppers and a kick of sweet from caramelized onions. These beautiful tacos make a perfect vegetarian taco dinner.

    Roasted cauliflower tacos on a white corn tortilla

    Chicken Burrito Bowl

     Looking to ditch that flour tortilla? Take a look at this healthier version for a Chicken Burrito Bowl.

    Chicken Burrito Bowl with ground chicken, black beans, sliced avocado, red bell pepper, chopped tomatoes and tortilla strips. With cilantro for garnish.

    Shrimp Tacos with Lime Dressed Crunchy Vegetables

    These Shrimp Tacos with Lime Dressing are gloriously refreshing in flavor. A simple dressing splashed over poached shrimp and crunchy vegetables creates a light meal or a shrimp appetizer that’s so healthy and tasty, you’ll want to make it over and over again.

    Shrimp tacos with tomatoes, radish, red onion on romaine lettuce with lime dressing

    Oven Roasted Ling Cod with Wilted Swiss Chard

    Searing ling cod stovetop and finishing in the oven is a super easy way to cook a fish filet with a crispy outer texture and moist, tender and flaky inside.

    Sauteed lingcod with lemon garlic aoili and wilted chard

    Chicken Cutlets with Jalapeno Orange Sauce and Black Beans

    This latin chicken dish is so easy, so full of flavor and a pleasure to place on the table.

    Latin chicken with black beans and jalapenos.

    Lamb Kebab Salad With Arugula and Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette

    One of our favorite salads and with some crumbled blue cheese, this is full of fresh flavors.

    Lamb Kabob Salad with arugula and blue cheese.

    Meatless Red Chile Street Style Enchiladas

    Red Chile Enchiladas, classic Mexican Street Food. Tortillas are dipped in a spicy red sauce, fried, folded and simply sprinkled with an assortment of small chopped crunchy vegetables.

    Easy Healthy Soup Recipes

    Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe

    With Black beans, sweet corn and plenty of Mexican spices, this will soon become your favorite Mexican Chicken Soup.

    Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe made in the Pressure Cooker. Served with lime and sour cream.

    Chicken Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Parsnip

    Classic chicken soup becomes colorful and bright by adding chunks of sweet potato. Simple, hearty, healthy, gluten free and inexpensive, 

    Chicken soup with sweet potatoes in an orange bowl with a gold spoon

    Mexican Rotisserie Chicken Soup

    Chicken soup with rotisserie chicken is absolutely perfect for a weeknight dinner. Using canned beans, and canned creamed corn, this Rotisserie Chicken Soup is Ready in 30 minutes

    Chicken soup with rotisserie chicken.

    Southwestern Chicken and Bean Soup

    A combination of Mexican oregano, cumin and garlic powder is a great start in building a flavorful Southwestern-style soup

    Chicken and bean soup topped with a dollop of sour cream.

    Chicken Fajita Soup

    Chicken Fajita Soup is healthy, easy and full of your favorite fajita flavors. A soup recipe that will make you and your weeknight dinner plans very happy. You could call this a taco soup or a tortilla soup, but I call this full fajita deliciousness in a bowl.

    Healthy Main Course Seafood Recipes:

    Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon

    This Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon Recipe is so easy it’s guaranteed to be a one of your go-to’s for your quick weeknight meal plan. 

    Peach Jam Glazed Salmon

    Salmon fillets are baked and basted with a sweet and spicy glaze. A combination of New Mexico Chile Powder and Peach Jam has created a quick salmon recipe that has become a favorite for an easy weeknight dinner. 

    Farm raised salmon fillets baked with a peach jam glaze with a side of sauteed asparagus and a tossed salad

    Red Lion Inn Swordfish

    This swordfish dinner is near perfect; not complicated, wonderful in texture and exciting in flavor.

    Red Lion Inn Swordfish, seared fish on top of mediterranean vegetables.

    Salmon with Chipotle Peach Salsa Recipe

    A very special salsa. The flavor is so addictive. Fresh tomatoes, juicy sweet peaches, sweet onion, cilantro and chipotle chiles. Everything you want in a robust salsa.

    HEALTHY APPETIZER RECIPES:

    HUMMUS WITH SLOW ROASTED CHERRY TOMATOES

    This simple dip of plain hummus gets some bling. Wow your guests with Slow Roasted Cherry Tomato Hummus with Capers.

    Hummus gets all dressed up with this Slow Roasted Cherry Tomato Hummus appetizer

    Healthy White Bean Dip

    White Bean Dip made creamier by blending Cannellini beans and cottage cheese. 

    Healthy White Bean Dip

    Hatch Green Chili Hummus Dip

    Shake up those chickpeas by adding Southwestern ingredients, roasted Hatch chile peppers, a scoop of cumin and a good shake of Tabasco sauce.

    Spicy Hummus Recipe made with Hatch Green Chile Peppers, topped with pepitas and chickpeas

    Hummus with Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

    Healthy roasted Brussels sprouts bring a delicious surprise to this classic snack.

    Hummus with roasted brussels sprouts recipe.

    Chipotle Black Bean Corn Salsa

    A perfect appetizer for that next bowl of corn chips, or a great condiment to serve over flank steak or grilled chicken.

    Black bean corn salsa with tomatoes and chipotle.

    Best Healthy Dinner Recipes …. It’s Whats for January

    More Main Courses

    • Beef Tournedos Steak with Red Wine Mushroom Sauce
    • Easy Chicken Taco Casserole
    • Mexican Beef Machaca Recipe
    • Easy Turkey Lentil Soup with Barley

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nettie Moore says

      December 24, 2016 at 2:04 pm

      Oh yummy! I want to try everything! Thank you for including my Honey Oats Chocolate Bar! Nettie

      Reply
      • Lea Ann Brown says

        January 01, 2017 at 8:56 am

        Here’s to a delicious 2017! 🙂

        Reply
    2. ally says

      November 11, 2016 at 10:34 am

      Thanks, luv, for including me in this beautiful round up! xoxo ~ally

      Reply
    3. Chris says

      January 05, 2013 at 6:40 am

      Too much cream and buttah? Never!

      But all of these look good too:)

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:42 pm

        Reminds me of a Julia Quote: If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.

        Reply
    4. Rocky Mountain Woman says

      January 04, 2013 at 2:33 pm

      I am doing the same thing. I will revisit cream and meat I’m sure before the winter ends, but for now I am enjoying lighter foods.

      Thanks for the recommendations!

      Happy New Year,

      RMW

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:43 pm

        I’ve got so many left-overs that I’m still in rather of a feast mode. I hate to throw out food.

        Reply
    5. Penny says

      January 04, 2013 at 1:23 pm

      All great recipes Lea Ann. Happy New Year to you and your family. Hope you make it to Larry’s blogger event this year.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:43 pm

        Thanks Penny. I’d love to make it to the blogger event. We’ll see what May/June brings.

        Reply
    6. Barbara says

      January 03, 2013 at 5:56 am

      I feel the same way, Lea Ann. Time for light meals! This is a great round up of recipes to start out the year.
      Happy New Year to you and yours!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:43 pm

        Happy New Year Barbara.

        Reply
    7. Larry says

      January 02, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      They all look very good Lea Ann, but since I ate pretty lite thru the holidays, oysters and such, I’m sticking with my normal unhealthy plan :-).

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:44 pm

        So far I’m sticking to my normal unhealthy plan. Still have lots of leftovers.

        Reply
    8. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

      January 02, 2013 at 11:29 am

      Lighter, healthier…I think that is what most of us will be doing for awhile. I hope you have a wonderful new year. I’m looking forward to more terrific recipes like those you mentioned.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:45 pm

        Thanks Karen. Happy New Year.

        Reply
    9. TasteofBeirut says

      January 02, 2013 at 10:59 am

      Ditto! Your menu looks so tantalizing and of course, healthy and lighter! (one thing I wont give up: chocolate!). Happy New Year!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:45 pm

        So nice to hear from you Joumana. I keep track of your wonderful recipes on Facebook.

        Reply
    10. Vickie says

      January 02, 2013 at 8:38 am

      What a beautiful array of yummy & healthy dining – I’m inspired!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:45 pm

        So can you inspire me? 🙂

        Reply
    11. Karen Harris says

      January 02, 2013 at 6:22 am

      I wish you would prepare all of these and have me around for a healthy buffet!They all look delicious. I can’t wait to give your chicken skewers a try. Happy New Year Lea Ann!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:46 pm

        Thanks Karen. If I had time, I’d do exactly that.

        Reply
    12. Axelle the french cook says

      January 02, 2013 at 6:15 am

      I understand ! After this period, I just loved zucchini !!! 🙂
      Happy new Year, Lea Ann !

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:46 pm

        Too funny … I don’t feel that guilty.

        Reply
    13. Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says

      January 02, 2013 at 6:05 am

      I’m with you – ready for healthy compared to heavy foods. I’m off to check out that citrus salad – I must have missed it. Wow. Is it ever pretty.
      Sam

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:47 pm

        That citrus salad is just a simple fruit salad. Just thought I needed some fruit in the mix.

        Reply
    14. Jenn says

      January 02, 2013 at 5:18 am

      I’ll take one of everything please!!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:47 pm

        Me too Jenn. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Rhonda says

      January 01, 2013 at 9:54 pm

      It’s definitely time to eat lighter! But ugh, I have so many leftovers…sending a bunch to work with hubby though, that’ll help. Looking at all this lighter food definitely has me wanting something fresh and light.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        January 05, 2013 at 12:48 pm

        I hear ya Rhonda. I’m still not eating healthy. Lots of left overs here too.

        Reply
    16. Holly says

      January 01, 2013 at 2:58 pm

      Your crab cakes jumped out at me– that is a dish I would like to make. I always order them in restaurants but don’t make them at home. I need to lighten up too but it is hard for me to put down the butter…and the cream…and the cakes…and the cookies…

      Reply
    17. Karen says

      January 01, 2013 at 2:47 pm

      Lots of yummy food right there! Happy New Year Lea Ann!

      Reply
    18. Susan says

      January 01, 2013 at 2:43 pm

      We’ll be eating lighter whenever we can for the next month at least too. You have some wonderful ideas for lighter meals here!

      Reply

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    I'm Lea Ann, A Culinary School Grad bringing you Wild West Colorado inspired recipes. You'll find lots of Southwestern, and Mexican food recipes, and some favorites from Culinary School along with pro cooking tips. If you're an adventurous home cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of inspiration and reliable, approachable, easy to follow recipes.

    More about me →

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