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  • ร—
    Cook With Dana ยป Recipes ยป Meals Under 30 Minutes

    Updated: Apr 19, 2025 ยท by Dana Rao ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท Leave a Comment

    Easy and Delicious 20 Minute Meals

    Whether you’re too tired or busy or just want something easy and delicious, I got you! Below are 15 easy and delicious meals you can make in 20 minutes or less.

    creamy chicken on top of white rice on a grey plate with a spoon

    Why You’ll Love These 20 Minute Meals

    These meals are my favorites because of how flavorful they are. Most, if not all dishes listed below are super filling and be it’s own stand alone meal! Additional side dishes are always welcome โ—กฬˆ

    • Quick and easy. You can have a delicious meal in 20 minutes or less with minimal prep!
    • Versatile. Swap in whatever ingredient you have in the fridgeโ€”most of these are super customizable and great for leftovers. Check the section substitutions and variations for a bit of inspiration.
    Creamy chicken on top of white rice on a grey plate with a spoon.
    Creamy Garlic Chicken
    This one pot creamy garlic chicken is made with parmesan, garlic and cilantro (or herb of choice) for a delicious 20 minute meal. All you have to do is throw everything in one skillet or pot and once cooked, you can taste the fragrant flavor. The juicy chicken thighs go great with white rice and side of veggies.
    Tomato cooked with scrambled eggs over white rice.
    Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-Fry (็•ช่Œ„็‚’่›‹)
    You can make this Chinese tomato egg stir-fry in less than 15 minutes. The tomato is cooked with soft scrambled eggs and paired with hot white rice. The sweet flavors from the onion and garlic will make you have this dish on repeat!
    A plate of Char fried rice (bbq pork rice).
    BBQ Pork Fried Rice with Char Siu
    This authentic BBQ pork fried rice is made with leftover rice, char siu, and a few other simple ingredients. It takes just five minutes to cook making it a dish to enjoy for dinner on busy weeknights.
    Udon soup with fish cakes in a bowl topped with green onions and tempura shrimp on the side.
    Easy Udon Soup
    This easy udon soup recipe takes 20 minutes (or quicker!) to make and is the definition of 'comfort in a bowl'! The thick and chewy udon noodles are cooked in an umami and sweet broth with fish cakes and topped with green onions.
    Golden fried rice with green onions and chinese sausage on a plate.
    Golden Egg Fried Rice
    Egg yolks are mixed with white rice and sauteed with Chinese broccoli stems and Chinese sausage for an out of this world fried rice!
    Glazed salmon on top of rice and broccoli.
    Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
    When you need a quick and delicious dinner idea, you have to make this Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon recipe in under 20 minutes! The soy garlic marinade is savory with a hint of sweetness, which goes perfect with the salmon.
    Shrimp with chopped parsley in olive oil served with sourdough bread.
    One Pan Spanish Garlic Shrimp
    Thisย One Pan Spanish Garlic Shrimp takes 20 minutes to make and has a super delicious garlic flavor! All you have to do is throw everything in one skillet or pot and once cooked, you can taste the fragrant flavor from the garlic and shrimp.
    A bowl of Chinese egg drop soup.
    Chinese Egg Drop Soup
    This silky quick and easy Chinese egg drop soup with tofu is inspired by the egg drop soup served at my parent's restaurant. Silken tofu is cooked in a sweet chicken broth flavored with shrimp and crab for a boost of umami, and a cornstarch slurry gives the soup a smooth texture.
    Salmon bites drizzled with mayonaise, sriracha and green onions arranged in a bowl with white rice and green beans.
    Air Fryer Salmon Bites
    These Air Fryer Salmon Bites are packed with flavor from the dry seasonings and a spicy mayo marinade (& sauce!). This easy recipe is made under 15 minutes perfect for salads, and rice bowls!
    Chinese steamed fish with green onions and ginger served with rice and vegetables.
    Steamed Fish with Ginger and Spring Onions
    Make this easy Chinese steamed fish in 20 minutes! The white fish is garnished with green onions and ginger. Hot oil makes the dish super fragrant!
    Shrimp and egg stir fry with green onions and chives.
    Shrimp and Egg Stir Fry
    Shrimp and egg stir fry is a quick and delicious dish that takes less than 10 minutes to make. Many Chinese (Cantonese) families make this dish when they want something healthy and delicious.
    Plate of crispy Chinese chicken garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, served with white rice.
    Crispy Chinese Chicken
    You can make this Crispy Chinese Chicken in 20 minutes inspired by the famous Chinese takeout General Tso Chicken sauce that you can't get enough of! The chicken is crispy from the skin and the sauce is tangy, spicy and umami from the soy sauce.
    Korean Braised Tofu garnished with sesame seeds and green onions served on a rectangular plate beside a bowl of rice.
    Korean Braised Tofu
    Korean Braised Tofu (known as Dubu Jorim in Korean) is a sweet and savory dish that goes perfect with a bowl of rice! The tofu is pan-fried to golden perfection and braised in a gochujang soy sauce for an easy weeknight dinner.
    A bowl of noodles, broccoli, tomatoes, shrimp, in broth.
    20 Minute Thai Curry Noodle Soup
    This 20 Minute Thai Curry Noodle Soup is a flavorful and quick meal option that satisfies both your taste buds and your busy schedule. With its aromatic spices, creamy coconut milk, and tender noodles, it's a comforting dish that brings spicy, savory, sweet and tangy flavors.
    A plate of kimchi fried rice garnished with fried egg, green onions, and sesame seeds.
    Kimchi Fried Rice

    If youโ€™re looking for more easy and tasty dishes to make, check out my 20 Easy Asian Noodle Recipes or myย Easy Rice Cooker Recipes. And if youโ€™re craving Asian-inspired dishes for the holidays, donโ€™t miss my Asian Thanksgiving Dishes and Easy Christmas Dishes.

    Quick Tips for Faster Meals

    • Use leftover rice – It stir-fries better and saves you time. You can also freeze rice in small portions for emergency meals!
    • Keep pantry staples stocked – Soy sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, oyster sauceโ€”I always have these in my kitchen. You can quickly make a sauce to upgrade your quick meal!
    • Frozen veggies & protein: If you can, have some shrimp, dumplings, or frozen spinach on hand for those moments when you don’t know what to make.

    These meals prove that delicious home-cooked meals donโ€™t have to take a lot of time and energy to make. I hope this helps you on those days when you’re too tired or busy and want an easy and delicious meal in 20 minutes!

    More Meals Under 30 Minutes

    • A plate of cooked chicken topped with lemon slices, chopped onions, cilantro, and chilies served with white rice.
      Spicy Chicken Stir Fry with Lemon
    • A plate of udon noodles with ground pork in creamy sauce, garnished with green onions, placed beside a jar of chili oil and chopsticks.
      Creamy Tofu Udon Noodles with Minced Pork
    • A plate of cooked bokchoy with pieces of mushroom and minced pork drenched in garlic sauce.
      Bok Choy with Oyster Sauce
    • Miso soup in a bowl on a wooden board with tofu, dried seaweed, green onions, a wooden spoon, and another bowl of soup beside it.
      Easy Tofu Miso Soup

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    Hi there, I'm Dana and I create Asian recipes that are yummy and easy for everyone to make! I hope my food reminds you of a little taste of home.

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