Best Asian Recipes for Quick Weeknight Dinners in 2024

Weeknights can be busy, and finding time to prepare a delicious and healthy dinner can be a challenge. Asian cuisine offers a variety of quick and flavorful recipes that are perfect for weeknight dinners. These recipes are not only easy to prepare but also packed with nutrients and vibrant flavors. Here are the best Asian recipes for quick weeknight dinners in 2024.

Figure 1: A plate of stir-fry chicken and vegetables.

1. Stir-Fry Chicken and Vegetables

Stir-fry is a versatile and quick dish that combines protein, vegetables, and a savory sauce. This stir-fry chicken and vegetables recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a balanced meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.

Key Ingredients:

• Chicken breast or thighs
• Mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
• Soy sauce
• Garlic and ginger
• Sesame oil
• Cornstarch (for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients: Cut chicken into thin strips and chop vegetables.
2. Cook Chicken: Stir-fry chicken in a hot pan with sesame oil until fully cooked.
3. Add Vegetables: Add vegetables and cook until tender-crisp.
4. Make Sauce: Combine soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch, then add to the pan.
5. Serve: Serve hot over rice or noodles.

Figure 2: A plate of teriyaki salmon garnished with green onions.

2. Teriyaki Salmon

Teriyaki salmon is a delicious and healthy option for a quick weeknight dinner. The salmon is glazed with a homemade teriyaki sauce and baked or grilled to perfection.

Key Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets
• Soy sauce
• Mirin
• Sake
• Brown sugar
• Garlic and ginger

Instructions:

1. Prepare Sauce: Mix soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger to make the teriyaki sauce.
2. Marinate Salmon: Marinate salmon fillets in the sauce for at least 15 minutes.
3. Cook Salmon: Bake or grill the salmon until cooked through and glazed.
4. Serve: Serve with steamed rice and vegetables.

Figure 3: A plate of beef and broccoli stir-fry.

3. Beef and Broccoli

Beef and broccoli is a classic Chinese-American dish that’s quick and easy to prepare. It features tender beef slices stir-fried with broccoli in a savory sauce.

Key Ingredients:

• Beef (flank steak or sirloin)
• Broccoli florets
• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Garlic and ginger
• Cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients: Slice beef thinly and chop broccoli into florets.
2. Cook Beef: Stir-fry beef in a hot pan until browned.
3. Add Broccoli: Add broccoli and cook until tender-crisp.
4. Make Sauce: Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch, then add to the pan.
5. Serve: Serve hot over rice or noodles.

Figure 4: A bowl of vegetable fried rice.

4. Vegetable Fried Rice

Vegetable fried rice is a quick and versatile dish that can be made with leftover rice and a variety of vegetables. It’s a great way to use up leftover ingredients and create a delicious meal in minutes.

Key Ingredients:

• Cooked rice (preferably day-old)
• Mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, bell peppers)
• Soy sauce
• Eggs
• Green onions
• Garlic and ginger

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients: Chop vegetables and beat eggs.
2. Cook Vegetables: Stir-fry vegetables in a hot pan with garlic and ginger.
3. Add Rice: Add cooked rice and stir-fry until heated through.
4. Scramble Eggs: Push rice to one side and scramble eggs in the pan.
5. Combine and Serve: Mix eggs with rice and vegetables, then season with soy sauce and green onions.

Figure 5: A plate of Thai basil chicken served with rice.

5. Thai Basil Chicken

Thai basil chicken is a flavorful and spicy dish that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. It features ground chicken stir-fried with garlic, chili, and fresh basil leaves.

Key Ingredients:

• Ground chicken
• Fresh basil leaves
• Garlic and chili
• Soy sauce
• Fish sauce
• Oyster sauce

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients: Mince garlic and chili, and pluck basil leaves.
2. Cook Chicken: Stir-fry ground chicken in a hot pan until fully cooked.
3. Add Garlic and Chili: Add garlic and chili, and cook until fragrant.
4. Make Sauce: Combine soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce, then add to the pan.
5. Add Basil: Stir in fresh basil leaves and cook until wilted.
6. Serve: Serve hot over rice.

Figure 6: A bowl of miso soup with tofu and seaweed.

6. Miso Soup

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup made with miso paste, tofu, seaweed, and green onions. It’s a light and nourishing dish that’s perfect for a quick dinner or starter.

Key Ingredients:

• Miso paste
• Tofu
• Seaweed (wakame)
• Green onions
• Dashi stock

Instructions:

1. Prepare Stock: Make dashi stock (or use instant dashi).
2. Add Miso: Dissolve miso paste in the stock.
3. Add Tofu and Seaweed: Add cubed tofu and soaked seaweed.
4. Heat: Warm the soup without boiling.
5. Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Figure 7: A plate of General Tso’s Chicken with broccoli.

7. General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. It’s quick to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.

Key Ingredients:

• Chicken breast
• Cornstarch
• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• Garlic and ginger

Instructions:

1. Prepare Chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and coat with cornstarch.
2. Fry Chicken: Fry chicken until crispy and golden brown.
3. Make Sauce: Combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, and ginger in a pan.
4. Coat Chicken: Toss fried chicken in the sauce until well coated.
5. Serve: Serve hot with steamed broccoli and rice.

Figure 8: A bowl of sesame noodles garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

8. Sesame Noodles

Sesame noodles are a quick and easy dish that can be served hot or cold. This recipe combines noodles with a savory sesame sauce, making it a perfect meal for busy weeknights.

Key Ingredients:

• Noodles (spaghetti or Asian noodles)
• Sesame oil
• Soy sauce
• Peanut butter
• Garlic and ginger
• Green onions
• Sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Cook Noodles: Cook noodles according to package instructions.
2. Make Sauce: Combine sesame oil, soy sauce, peanut butter, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
3. Toss Noodles: Toss cooked noodles in the sesame sauce.
4. Garnish: Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
5. Serve: Serve hot or cold.

Figure 9: A plate of crispy chicken katsu served with rice and cabbage.

9. Chicken Katsu

Chicken Katsu is a Japanese dish consisting of breaded and fried chicken cutlets. It’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making it a favorite for quick dinners.

Key Ingredients:

• Chicken breast
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Flour
• Tonkatsu sauce
• Cabbage (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Chicken: Pound chicken breast to even thickness.
2. Bread Chicken: Dredge chicken in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with panko breadcrumbs.
3. Fry Chicken: Fry chicken until golden brown and crispy.
4. Serve: Serve with tonkatsu sauce, shredded cabbage, and rice.

Figure 10: A plate of fresh vegetable spring rolls with dipping sauce.

10. Vegetable Spring Rolls

Vegetable spring rolls are fresh and healthy, filled with a variety of crisp vegetables and herbs. They’re quick to make and perfect for a