Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 64)
We are enjoying an unusually warm stretch of weather this week, which feels more like spring than late summer. With the grill calling, I’ve planned a mix of fresh grilled meals, light salads, and comforting classics. Highlights this week include Shawarma-Spiced Grilled Chicken with Garlic Yogurt and a vibrant North African Spiced Shrimp and Chickpea Salad. I’m also testing a home favorite—Filipino Adobo Chicken—in the Instant Pot to see how it adapts to a faster cooking method without losing its deep, savory flavor. For a quick, veggie-forward option I’ll make Cauliflower “Fried Rice” with shrimp, and for a lighter dinner the Blackened Chicken Fiesta Salad will be on the table (I’ll hold the blackened seasoning for my youngest).
Meal planning keeps our week organized and makes grocery shopping efficient. I typically plan dinners and keep breakfasts simple: eggs with fruit, 4-ingredient flourless banana nut pancakes, a smoothie, or avocado toast. We’re a family of four, so if a recipe yields more than we need, leftovers either become packed lunches or are enjoyed the next day. If you like seeing previous weekly plans for inspiration, I keep an archive of meal-planning weeks to help spark ideas.
Weekly Menu
- Monday: Cauliflower “Fried Rice” with stir-fried shrimp
- Tuesday: Blackened Chicken Fiesta Salad
- Wednesday: Filipino Adobo Chicken with brown rice
- Thursday: North African Spiced Shrimp and Chickpea Salad
- Friday: Away
- Saturday: Away
- Sunday: Shawarma-Spiced Grilled Chicken with Garlic Yogurt
Meal Planning Tips
To make the week run smoothly, I plan dinners first and then add staples for breakfasts and lunches. Preparing a few components ahead—like cooking extra brown rice, chopping vegetables, or rinsing and draining chickpeas—saves time on busy weeknights. For grilling recipes, allow the meat to marinate at least a few hours to boost flavor. For family meals with varying spice tolerances, keep spicy seasonings separate so everyone can customize their plate.
Shopping List
Below is the consolidated shopping list organized by recipe. I removed duplicate items and grouped similar ingredients to simplify your trip to the store. Quantities depend on the recipe size and how many people you’re feeding.
Cauliflower “Fried Rice”
- Cauliflower (for riced cauliflower)
- Sesame oil
- Eggs and/or egg whites
- Cooking spray or neutral oil
- Onion
- Frozen peas and carrots
- Garlic
- Scallions
- Soy sauce or Tamari (for gluten-free)
- 1 lb jumbo peeled shrimp
Blackened Chicken Fiesta Salad
- Garlic
- Fresh lime
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Cumin
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Chickpeas
- Fresh or cooked corn
- Cherry or grape tomatoes
- Red onion
- Cilantro
- Avocado
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Paprika
- Ground thyme
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil spray or light cooking oil
Filipino Adobo Chicken
- 8 skinless chicken drumsticks (or preferred bone-in pieces)
- Low-sodium soy sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic
- Ground peppercorns
- Bay leaves
- Optional: jalapeño or other fresh chili
- Brown rice (for serving)
North African Spiced Shrimp and Chickpea Salad
- 24 extra-large shrimp
- Chermoula (Moroccan-style herb sauce) or ingredients to make it
- Chickpeas
- Grape tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Lemon
- Fresh mint
- Fresh chives or parsley
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Ras el Hanout (North African spice blend) if available
Chermoula (if making from scratch)
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh mint leaves (no stems)
- Red pepper flakes
- Garlic
- Ras el Hanout or warm spice blend
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon juice
Shawarma-Spiced Grilled Chicken with Garlic Yogurt
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Turmeric
- Curry powder
- Cinnamon
- Red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
- 2% Greek yogurt
- Chopped parsley for garnish
With this plan and the shopping list ready, you’ll be set for a week of flavorful, family-friendly meals. Swap proteins or adjust spice levels to suit your household, and consider doubling recipes for easy lunches or leftover nights. Happy cooking!