Our Three Favourite Midweek Meals for Busy Families
Back-to-school season can mean jam packed schedules. Between school runs, after-school clubs, and the endless “what’s for dinner?” question, weeknights can feel a little overwhelming. That’s where quick, fuss-free meals come to the rescue. We’ve pulled together a few of our favourite midweek dishes — simple enough to fit into busy routines, but delicious enough to look forward to. From a cheats’ chicken kiev to a slow-cooked chipotle chicken, these recipes are guaranteed to take the pressure off while keeping the whole family happy.
1. Cheats Chicken Kiev - Guest Recipe
Anna Stanford - Anna’s Family Kitchen:
“I’ve been experimenting with home made Chicken Kiev’s for a while now. They were a staple tea served with chips and salad when I was growing up but the Kiev’s always came straight from the freezer. I’ve discovered there’s a reason why people don’t make them at home. Most shop bought Kiev’s are made from reformed chicken so they hold their shape and don’t let the garlic butter seep out. Yes, there are ways of making an authentic Kiev at home - securing with cocktail sticks or string… but most of us don’t have the patience for that, me included.
So here’s my solution having officially given up on recreating an authentic recipe - crispy breaded chicken breasts, with a delicious garlic & herb butter either for dipping or drizzling. Normally the garlic butter would feature parsley as the herb but a little basil works a treat.”
2. Slow Cooked Pulled Chipotle Chicken - Guest Recipe
Sarah Peters - The Family Food Hacker:
“This pulled chipotle chicken is so easy, just a case of bunging a few ingredients into the slow cooker, but the end result is literally to die for! It is a super flexible meal because you can serve it in all sorts of different ways.”
Once the chicken’s done you can then choose what to do with it, and the choices are endless. Serve over nachos with guacamole 🥑 and sour cream or in little tacos with fresh coriander.
Someone messaged me the other day saying they’d served it over chips as loaded fries, which personally I’d then top with cheese, chopped spring onions and fresh chilli.
A super healthy version would be to have it as naked tacos served in a leaf of little gem lettuce with avocado and fresh herbs or you can simple pop it in a gorgeously soft brioche bun and serve burger style. The choice is completely yours!”
Josie Nash - Sutton Hoo Chicken:
“This back-to-school meal prep recipe is designed to make busy mornings and weeknight dinners easier. Saving you time during the week, it gives you a ready-to-go meal, making the transition back to school smoother for the whole family.
Toast your spices to release their essential oils and maximise the flavour of this aromatic chicken marinade. This recipe uses chicken thighs and drumsticks, but they can easily be swapped for breast fillets or a spatchcock chicken. You can ask your butcher to spatchcock a chicken for you or break it down into pieces or you can buy our chicken pieces via The Wild Meat Company and Salter & King.”