Quick Midday Meals for Busy Parents

One thing I know that busy parents need is quick meal ideas. I am the queen of hodge-podge lunches. Or as I often refer to them, picnic lunches, without the basket, blanket, and outside setting. Most days, I’m busy enough working, playing, or running errands that when lunch time rolls around, I don’t have the time, energy, or want to prepare a full course meal. Sometimes leftovers are an option, but most of the time those make their way into my husband’s lunches for work. So, hodge-podge lunch it is. Don’t get me wrong, I love small eats for lunch, and so does my son. But variety becomes an issue, and that’s where I’m hoping to expand my horizons and my son’s taste buds. 

Our go-to lunch usually consists of several of the following: peas, carrots, cheese, yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, and bananas. If there’s meat involved, it’s honestly usually a hot dog or little beef bites. These “picnic” lunches are quick to throw together, involve minimal cooking, and check off at least a few of the necessary nutritional boxes. 

So, what are some other quick options for the midday meal? There are the standard easy-to-fix options, which you can even show your child how to prepare (depending on their age): peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cold cut sandwiches, grilled cheese, and cheese quesadillas. 

Allyson Schneider, mother of three, shares, “When my kids were younger, they ate yogurt with granola and fruit or yogurt smoothies. We also did lots of cut up veggies with dipping sides like peanut butter, hummus or ranch.” Both of these options sound yummy and quick to produce. In fact, if you’re a food prepper, chances are there are already cut up fruits and vegetables in your fridge. 

We’ve gone over ideas that involve minimal to no cooking required. But what if we actually want to fix a hot meal? Instant pots and Crockpots are a parent’s best friend, as long as you plan ahead or already have the necessary ingredients on hand. Instant pots are obviously the quickest choice, especially if you’re running last minute. But crockpots are a great choice and it’s more likely that you have one on hand. This is where I personally need to branch out; I have a crockpot but use it minimally. I will share one of my favorite crockpot recipes, however. Now, I won’t promise your kids will like this because as of right now mine does not. Then again, about the only things he is loving right now are yogurt, fruit, and peanut butter. I will continue to cook this meal, though, because both my husband and I love it, and I hope one day it will also expand my son’s palette. This recipe came from Pinch of Yum, a food blog, and I follow it step-by-step because it’s delicious without needing any additional assistance. The recipe is Instant Pot Tandoori Chicken, but you can use a crockpot, which is what I do. You can find the recipe below, but here’s the link if you want to check out the page or grab the recipe straight from the source: https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-coconut-tandoori-chicken 

Instant Pot Tandoori Chicken

Ingredients:             

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons garam masala
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 14 ounce can coconut milk

DIrections:

Add everything to the slow cooker. If it’s thawed, cook for 4 hours on high, or 6 hours on low. If it’s frozen, cook for 6 hours on high. Shred and serve over rice!

Super simple! Just make sure you have the spices in your cabinet beforehand because it takes a few that you might not often use. I always cook white rice for it to be served over and then fix a side vegetable, such as steamed broccoli. The chicken isn’t spicy, so if you and your kids like chicken and rice, I suggest you try this one out.

What are some quick lunch recipes that you use? Do you get your ideas from a cookbook, or is there a website you frequent often to find ideas? Share your easy and fast midday meal recipes, those that you love and those that your kids love. Connect with us on Instagram @MapsCookingKids or on Twitter @MapsCookingKids. Until next time, Agape, be kind, and happy parenting!