Skinnytaste Dinner Plan — Week 89

This week’s Skinnytaste dinner plan mixes a few family favorites with some newer recipes. With cooler weather arriving, I added a light and comforting cream of zucchini soup that pairs nicely with a simple sandwich for an easy weeknight dinner. The plan below is designed for a family of four. When a recipe makes extra, we pack leftovers for lunches or enjoy them the next day.

The image above shows the meal planner I use for organizing dinners each week. Meal planning helps reduce stress, saves time at the supermarket, and makes it easier to cook consistently healthy meals throughout the week. For breakfasts I usually choose something quick—scrambled eggs with fruit, a smoothie, or avocado toast—so I can focus on planning more involved dinners.

Weekly Menu

Monday: Cream of Zucchini Soup with French Bread Pizza Caprese
Tuesday: (Instant Pot) Chipotle Chicken Bowls with Cilantro Lime Quinoa
Wednesday: Pressure Cooker Stewed Chicken with Corn (Pollo Guisado con Maiz) served with cauliflower rice
Thursday: Colombian-Style Zucchini Rellenos
Friday: Cubano Chicken — pickle, ham, and Swiss chicken roll-ups
Saturday: Away
Sunday: Away

All of these meals are straightforward to prepare and family-friendly. If you prefer, you can swap days around depending on your schedule. The Instant Pot and pressure cooker recipes make weeknights easier because they require less active time. The zucchini-based dishes are particularly good right now when the season is generous with produce.

Tips for the Week

Prep vegetables and quinoa ahead of time to shorten evening cooking. Store chopped ingredients in airtight containers in the fridge.
Make extra soup or stewed chicken for lunches later in the week—both reheat well.
Use leftovers creatively: stewed chicken can become tacos or a rice bowl; zucchini rellenos can be served with a side salad for a lighter meal.
Adjust seasoning and spice levels to your family’s taste—chipotle paste and salsa are easy to tone down if you prefer milder flavors.

Shopping List

Below is a consolidated shopping list to cover the week’s recipes. Check your pantry and fridge first to avoid buying duplicates.

Cream of Zucchini Soup

onion
garlic
zucchini
reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
reduced-fat sour cream
freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)

French Bread Pizza Caprese

whole wheat French bread baguette
fresh mozzarella
tomatoes
balsamic glaze
fresh basil

(Instant Pot) Chipotle Chicken Bowls with Cilantro Lime Quinoa

ground cumin
chipotle paste
mild salsa
boneless, skinless chicken thighs
corn (on the cob or kernels)
uncooked quinoa
limes
olive oil
fresh cilantro
cherry tomatoes
Hass avocado

Pressure Cooker Stewed Chicken with Corn (Pollo Guisado con Maiz)

skinless chicken drumsticks (about 28 oz or adjust to need)
garlic powder
olive oil
onion
scallions
plum tomatoes
fresh garlic
fresh cilantro
canned tomato sauce
chicken bouillon or concentrated chicken base
ground cumin
corn on the cob
cauliflower rice (for serving)

Colombian-Style Zucchini Rellenos

zucchinis
90% lean ground beef
ground cumin
fresh garlic
onion
plum tomatoes
olive oil
low-sodium chicken broth
hard-boiled eggs

Cubano Chicken — Pickle, Ham and Swiss Chicken Roll-Ups

thin boneless chicken cutlets
pickle juice
deli mustard
thin-sliced reduced-sodium deli ham
shredded Swiss cheese
dill pickles
olive oil spray or a small amount of olive oil
large egg
seasoned breadcrumbs
seasoned panko
cooking spray (optional)

Use this list to plan your grocery trip. If you prefer to keep staples like olive oil, salt, and pepper on hand, you can cross them off. The recipes in this plan are flexible and can be scaled up or down depending on the number of servings you need. Happy cooking and enjoy the week!