10 easy clean-eating recipes for busy weeknights

“Clean eating” has become somewhat of a buzzword, popularized by the unattainable likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and other celebrities. But there’s no real need to be intimidated by the goal of eating clean—because all it really means is eating fresh, non-processed foods. Yep, that’s it.

In fact, following a general “clean eating” diet can be easier than trying to stick to a strict plan like Paleo or Weight Watchers. Contrary to popular belief, clean meals don’t have to take hours, and they definitely don’t need to require trips to multiple grocery stores. Here are 10 easy clean-eating recipes you can make on even the busiest of weeknights.

1.  Lemon Chicken Skillet Dinner

This refreshing chicken takes only 40 minutes to make from start to finish, and it only uses one skillet. The dish is flavored with lemon—so you don’t need any unhealthy sweet or salty sauces—and one batch serves six people, so you can feed the whole family or save some for brown-bag lunches later in the week. Get the recipe from Clean Eating Recipes.

2. No-Mayo Avocado Tuna Melt

Skip your local dinner and make your own healthy tuna melt at home. Instead of mayo, this recipe uses avocado, and all that tuna is sandwiched between two pieces of whole wheat bread instead of the more processed white stuff. Get the recipe from Domestic Superhero.

3. One-Pot Mediterranean Quinoa With Spinach And Chickpeas

This Mediterranean dish is as low-maintenance as it gets, with only five minutes of prep time and a total of 30 minutes to make the whole meal. Everything is cooked in one pot for an easy-to-prepare protein-filled entree that’s teeming with flavor. Get the recipe from Simply Quinoa.

4. Salmon In Foil With Lemon And Dill

Eating fish is a great way to get in your heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but you don’t have to be intimidated by the cooking process with this recipe. Simply wrap your fish in foil along with a mixture of lemon, butter and dill, and let the oven do the rest. Get the recipe from Dinner at the Zoo.

5. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

In just 20 minutes, you can enjoy fajitas loaded with the works. Shrimp, peppers and onions are all baked to perfection on just one sheet, pan for a quick and balanced dinner that sure beats Taco Bell. Get the recipe from No. 2 Pencil.

6. Easy Vegan Fried Rice

If you’re avoiding meat, you’ll love with this vegetable-filled, Asian-inspired stir fry. It’s loaded with brown rice, tofu, peas and carrots, and it takes just about an hour to make, so you don’t have to spend too much time slaving away in the kitchen—although this rice dish would be worth it. Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.

7. Chicken And Avocado Salad With Lime And Cilantro

This light and citrusy salad contains both protein and healthy fat, and it has no grains for those who are looking for a more low-carb diet. It may not have a ton of ingredients—which is why it’s so clean—but it gets plenty of flavor from the avocado, lime and cilantro, which all work well together. Get the recipe from Kalyn’s Kitchen.

8. Clean-Eating 30-Minute Easy Homemade Chili Recipe

Just 30 minutes to make chili? Count us in. This loaded chili contains both beef and beans, but you could always remove the beef and chicken broth if you wanted to make it a vegetarian dish. With just some chili seasoning, beans and tomatoes, you can make your own healthy chili in a jiffy. Get the recipe from Clean Eating Recipes.

9. Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

Make your Taco Tuesdays a bit cleaner with these turkey taco lettuce wraps. Ground turkey is mixed with some spices and spread onto a bed of romaine for a loaded dinner that’s easy on your body—and is just as easy to make. Get the recipe from Melanie Cooks.

10. Chopped Kale Salad

How can you not feel clean when eating kale? This recipe is as fresh as it gets, and it’s so simple, anyone can make it. Kale is combined with chickpeas, onions and almonds for a healthy dish that’s far from boring. Get the recipe from What’s Cooking Good Looking.