Tired tonight?
Cook it anyway.
Trust me — you’ll love it.
Healthy, realistic weeknight dinners from a household kitchen. No stress. No perfection. Just good food that works. Recipes by Chef Merin.
16 recipes
Baked Chicken with Green Beans and Lemon
Sheet-pan chicken with green beans and bright lemon, ready in about half an hour. Season the chicken with paprika and garlic, toss the beans in avocado oil, and roast at 400°F until the meat is done and the beans are tender. A straightforward protein-and-vegetable plate for busy weeknights—no sides required.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Baked Tilapia with Green Beans
Sheet-pan tilapia with green beans and lemon—seasoned with paprika and garlic, roasted until the fish flakes and the beans are tender. Built for a fast weeknight protein-and-vegetable plate. House rule: tilapia only, not salmon or shrimp.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Chicken Fajita Skillet
Thin-sliced chicken breast tossed in chili powder and cumin, then cooked with peppers and onion in one skillet and finished with lime. Chef Merin’s protein-and-vegetable fajita plate is house-rated 5/5. Serve without tortillas; optional cooked rice on the side only. Nutrition estimates are for the skillet alone. Fast, colorful, and skillet-clean.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Ground Beef Broccoli Skillet
One-pan lean ground beef browned with onion, then finished with broccoli and coconut aminos until the florets are crisp-tender. Serve without rice for a weeknight protein-and-vegetable skillet. Prefer coconut aminos for the house gluten-free path; low-sodium soy sauce is the listed alternate.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Lemon-Garlic Chicken Breasts with Asparagus
Sheet-pan boneless chicken breasts roasted with asparagus, lemon zest and juice, garlic, and oregano. Rest briefly, slice, and serve. A clean weeknight protein-and-vegetable build with bright citrus and herb notes—done in about half an hour.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Pork Chops with Cabbage and Onion
Seared boneless pork chops finish over wilted cabbage and onion with a splash of apple cider vinegar and thyme. This Chef Merin skillet stays under 30 minutes, pairs a lean pork chop with a big vegetable bed, and skips cream sauces. Use bagged shredded cabbage if that cuts prep. Distinct from the pork tenderloin and apples card.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Plate
Pulled rotisserie chicken over mixed greens with olives, tomato wedges, and sharp cheddar squares. Dress lightly and skip the stove. Chef Merin built this ten to fifteen minute assembly plate for nights when the oven stays cold. Cheddar means the card is not dairy-free or paleo; keep dressing light and read labels for hidden allergens.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Sirloin Strips with Mushrooms and Spinach
Thin sirloin strips seasoned ahead with Montreal steak seasoning and smoked paprika, then seared hot with onion, mushrooms, garlic, and wilted spinach. Chef Merin’s skillet steak-and-greens plate is house-rated 5/5, stays under 30 minutes, dairy-free as listed, and high in protein. Ask the butcher for thin slices against the grain, or use stir-fry strips; check the Montreal blend label for wheat.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini
Skillet turkey meatballs mixed with egg and grated Parmesan, browned, then simmered with zucchini half-moons in no-sugar-added marinara. Finish with a light sprinkle of shredded Parmesan and mozzarella at the table. Weeknight Italian-American comfort without a pasta pile—protein first, vegetables alongside. Distinct from the cherry-tomato turkey skillet so the two cards stay clear.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Turkey Pepper Skillet
Ground turkey browned with chili powder and cumin, then cooked with sliced bell peppers and onion until soft and sweet. Serve as a protein-and-vegetable skillet—no rice or tortillas on the plate. Fast weeknight cooking that stays dairy-free and gluten-free as written.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Turkey with Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes
Ground turkey browned with thyme and garlic powder, then cooked with sliced zucchini and cherry tomatoes until the vegetables soften and the tomatoes burst lightly. Serve with shredded Parmesan at the table. A Mediterranean-leaning weeknight skillet that stays light on carbs—distinct from Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini so shoppers do not confuse the two.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Spicy Cauliflower with Tahini and Hot Sauce
High-heat roasted or air-fried cauliflower — Aladdin's spicy-cauliflower idea without the fryer. Toss florets with avocado oil and warm spices, roast until the edges brown, then finish with a tahini-lemon drizzle, hot sauce or harissa, and parsley. A 30-minute side or appetizer. Sesame from tahini.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Baked Cod with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes
Sheet-pan cod with asparagus and burst cherry tomatoes—season the fish with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon. House-rated 5/5 (“Nailed it.”). Optional cooked rice on the side with a light balsamic drizzle; low-carb plate skips the rice. Nutrition estimates are sheet-pan only. House rule: white fish only, not salmon or shrimp.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts and Onion
One-pan roasted chicken thighs with Brussels sprouts and sweet onion—smoked paprika, crispy edges, modest portions. Different from the broccoli-carrot-Boursin sheet pan; no cheese this week.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Ground Beef Skillet with Green Beans and Mushrooms
One skillet of lean ground beef with green beans and mushrooms—smoked paprika and thyme, no rice or bread. Round 1 lb beef for easy scaling (½ lb for 2). Different from the broccoli skillet. House-rated 4/5.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Turkey Cutlets with Cauliflower and Carrots
Quick skillet turkey cutlets with roasted cauliflower and carrots—paprika and oregano, no fryer breading. Whole-food weeknight protein-and-vegetable plate; leftovers work for lunch.
Source: Cook It Anyway · Chef Merin.
Every plate is written for 4 servings. Nothing here is sold. Source recipes by Chef Merin — add dinners to a pack and download one Plan to Eat file.
Recipes are tagged for diabetes-friendly and fatty-liver-friendly by design; other diet tags appear when a recipe already fits. Those tags describe plate patterns, not medical treatment.
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