Lunch and light dinner recipes – The last thing most people want to do in the summer is to turn on the oven. At Eatwell101, we have the perfect solution for that:  a fine selection of light recipe ideas that will keep your cool, and get out of the kitchen quickly without skimping on nutrition with these hot weather recipes. Whether you’re a veggie- or meat-eater, we’ve got a main dish (actually 23) for you. From pasta salads to grilled chicken lettuce wraps,  here are our main dish ideas for a cooler and lighter dinner (or lunch) any day of the week. Enjoy!

Lunch and Dinner Recipes - Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes for Hot Weather

1. Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil 

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

Healthy chicken pasta salad is packed with flavor, protein and veggies. Try this pasta salad recipe for a quick lunch or a light dinner!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

2. Asian Noodle Salad with the Best Ever Ginger Vinaigrette

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This vegan noodle salad is perfect for midweek lunches or larger gatherings.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

3. Cauliflower Broccoli Ham Salad {Low Carb / Keto}

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This broccoli cauliflower salad is the new low carb / keto lunch you're looking for!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

4. Blackened Chicken Salad with Avocado

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This blackened chicken salad recipe with avocado is crisp and full of flavor - Salad with chicken is the simplest and healthiest meal you can make!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

5. Avocado Salad with Tomato, Eggs and Cucumber

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

Avocado Salad with Tomato, Eggs, and Cucumber is so easy to make! Fresh, healthy and super delicious, the best salad to add to your dinner table.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

6. Broccoli Meal Prep Salad {Low-Carb / Keto}

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This broccoli salad meal prep recipe is our idea of meal-prep perfection!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

7. Lettuce Wrap Sandwich with Ham, Tomato and Mozzarella

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This low-carb Lettuce Wrap Sandwich is the perfect option for lunch on the go. Paleo, gluten-free and keto friendly!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

8. Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

9. Creamy Avocado Egg Salad with Crispy Bacon

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This chunky avocado egg salad is made with simple ingredients and requires no effort. Easy, nutritious, and SO delicious!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

10. Avocado Corn Salad Recipe with Feta

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This Avocado Corn Salad is so creamy and flavorful - A light, yet satisfying meal!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

11. Chicken Pasta Salad Bowl

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

Perfect for meal prep or a healthy lunch on the go.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

12. Easy Shrimp Avocado Salad with Tomatoes

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This healthy shrimp avocado salad for two tastes crazy good and is loaded with the freshest ingredients.
Cooking time: 5 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

13. Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

Piled with chunky chicken and veggies – makes for a light, yet satisfying dinner.
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

14. Spring Roll Noodle Salad

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This easy noodle salad recipe is packed with vitamins and perfect for spring nights.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

15. Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

Healthy Lettuce Wraps made with shrimp, freshly chopped vegetables and a delicious peanut butter sauce - Overflowing with flavors and textures!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

16. Ham and Cheese Barley Salad

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This flavor-packed barley salad is sure to keep you full until dinner.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

17. Quinoa and Cucumber Noodles Salad With Avocado Dressing

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

A protein-rich salad that will quickly become a weekday staple.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

18. Grilled Chicken Salad with Cabbage and Raspberry Balsamic Dressing

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This grilled chicken salad keeps you both refreshed and satisfied throughout hot summer days.
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

19. Spring Salad Waffles

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

A rainbow of power veggies on top of a breakfast favorite for a healthy, satisfying meal.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

20. Spicy Pineapple Tacos

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

Full of fresh flavors and perfect for a quick lunch or a lightweight snack
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

21. Easy Chicken Tacos

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

These Easy chicken tacos are better than take-out and ready in minutes. perfect for busy weeknights.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

22. Healthy Lettuce Shrimp Avocado Salad

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

This avocado shrimp salad recipe with lettuce and tomato, is THE BEST healthy salad meal. Perfect for lunch or any night of the week!
Cooking time: 5 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

23. Spring Roll Meal Prep Bowls for the Week

eatwell101.com
23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather

Eating great all week is as easy as opening the fridge!
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

23 Great Lunch and Light Dinner Recipes Perfect for Hot Weather: Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil 

by eatwell101
Yield: 6 servings    Prep Time: 10 min     Cook time: 10 min

Healthy chicken pasta salad is packed with flavor, protein and veggies. Try this pasta salad recipe for a quick lunch or a light dinner!

PIN TO SAVE PRINT RECIPE Meal plan

Ingredients you need for the Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil 

2 medium cooked chicken breasts, shredded or chopped (we used rotisserie chicken) 2 ripe avocado pitted and diced 1 pound cooked rotini pasta or similar 1/2 cup chopped red onion 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup freshly chopped basil Salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste Dressing1/2 cup white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. To make this healthy chicken pasta salad recipe: In a large bowl, add the salad ingredients, the shredded chicken, avocado, onion, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and basil.

2. In a jar, combine the ingredients for the dressing: vinegar, Italian seasoning, Olive oil, salt and pepper.

3. Drizzle your chicken pasta salad with the dressing. Toss gently until all the ingredients are combined. Serve the chicken pasta salad immediately, or chill for later. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?
Tag @eatwell101 on Instagram and hashtag it #eatwell101. ❤️

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Did you make one of these dinner recipes? Please share on your social media using our hashtag #eatwell101!