12 Spring-Inspired Dinners with Seasonal Flavors

Spring is the perfect time to embrace fresh, seasonal ingredients that bring bright, vibrant flavors to your meals.

From tender asparagus and peas to sweet strawberries and lemons, the spring season offers a variety of ingredients that make for delicious and healthy dinners. These 12 spring-inspired recipes feature seasonal produce and light, satisfying flavors that will leave you feeling energized and nourished.

Whether you’re in the mood for a fresh salad, light pasta, or a hearty yet light protein-packed dish, these dinners bring the best of spring to your table.

Let’s dive into these delicious, seasonal dishes that will make you feel like you’re enjoying the first tastes of spring all year long!

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1. Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Asparagus

This lemon garlic shrimp with asparagus is light, fresh, and perfect for spring. The zesty lemon, garlic, and crisp asparagus make this dish a standout.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the pan and heat olive oil. Sauté garlic until fragrant.
2. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add asparagus and lemon slices and sauté for 3-4 more minutes until asparagus is tender.
4. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

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2. Spring Vegetable Pasta Primavera

This pasta primavera is full of spring vegetables like peas, asparagus, and bell peppers, tossed in a light lemon garlic sauce for a fresh and flavorful meal.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz whole wheat spaghetti
• 1 cup peas
• 1 bunch asparagus (cut into 2-inch pieces)
• 1 bell pepper (sliced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

Instructions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2. Sauté garlic in olive oil, then add peas, asparagus, and bell pepper.
3. Toss the cooked pasta with sautéed veggies and Parmesan.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice before serving.

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3. Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken with Quinoa Salad

This grilled lemon herb chicken is paired with a fresh quinoa salad that features cucumbers, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette, making it a perfect spring dinner.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup quinoa (cooked)
• 1 cucumber (diced)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken breasts with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes.
2. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through.
3. Toss quinoa with cucumber, tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve chicken over the quinoa salad.

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4. Spring Pea and Mint Risotto

This creamy risotto is packed with fresh spring peas and mint, offering a refreshing and hearty vegetarian option for dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup fresh mint (chopped)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté Arborio rice for 2 minutes.
2. Gradually add vegetable broth, stirring constantly, until rice is creamy and cooked through.
3. Stir in peas, mint, and Parmesan, and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper, and serve hot.

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5. Grilled Salmon with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Grilled salmon paired with a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce is a light, protein-packed dinner that’s perfect for spring evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 cucumber (grated)
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill and season the salmon with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Grill salmon for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through.
3. Mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, and fresh dill to create the sauce.
4. Serve the grilled salmon with cucumber yogurt sauce on top.

6. Lemon and Herb Roasted Chicken with Spring Vegetables

This roasted chicken is paired with spring vegetables like carrots, peas, and baby potatoes, all seasoned with lemon and herbs for a flavorful, wholesome meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 cup baby carrots
• 1 cup peas
• 1 cup baby potatoes (halved)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss chicken, carrots, peas, and potatoes with olive oil, lemon zest, juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
2. Arrange everything on a baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy a simple spring-inspired dinner.

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7. Asparagus and Mushroom Risotto

This creamy risotto combines the earthy flavors of mushrooms with the fresh, green taste of asparagus, making it a perfect dish for spring.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1 bunch asparagus (cut into 2-inch pieces)
• 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
• 1/2 cup white wine (optional)
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté mushrooms and asparagus until tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Add Arborio rice and stir for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted.
3. Gradually add vegetable broth and white wine (if using), stirring frequently, until rice is creamy and tender.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Serve warm.

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8. Spring Herb and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast

This healthy stuffed chicken breast is filled with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and spinach, creating a light yet flavorful dinner option for spring.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup spinach (chopped)
• 1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 2 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut a pocket into each chicken breast.
2. Stuff each breast with spinach, feta, and fresh basil, then season with salt and pepper.
3. Sear the chicken in a hot pan with olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

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9. Spring Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tart

This light and savory tart is filled with seasonal spring vegetables like asparagus and peas, with a creamy goat cheese filling, making it a perfect dish for brunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 1 cup asparagus (chopped)
• 1/2 cup peas
• 4 oz goat cheese (crumbled)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the puff pastry on a baking sheet.
2. Sauté asparagus and peas in olive oil until tender, then season with salt and pepper.
3. Spread the sautéed vegetables over the pastry and crumble goat cheese on top.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown. Serve warm.

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10. Spinach and Strawberry Salad with Grilled Chicken

This light, refreshing salad combines fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, and grilled chicken, all topped with a balsamic glaze for a spring-inspired dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (grilled and sliced)
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup strawberries (sliced)
• 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
• 1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 1/4 cup walnuts (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Grill chicken breasts until fully cooked, then slice them thinly.
2. Toss spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, and walnuts in a large bowl.
3. Arrange sliced chicken on top and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
4. Serve immediately as a light and healthy dinner.

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11. Garlic and Lemon Grilled Shrimp Skewers

These garlic and lemon grilled shrimp skewers are simple to prepare and bursting with fresh, zesty flavor. They’re perfect for a light spring meal or as an appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate shrimp in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for 20 minutes.
2. Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes per side, until cooked through.
3. Serve hot with a side of rice or a light salad.

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12. Spring Pea and Mint Pasta

This pasta dish combines sweet spring peas, fresh mint, and a light lemon dressing, creating a refreshing and light dinner that’s perfect for warmer weather.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz whole wheat pasta
• 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup fresh mint (chopped)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add peas.
2. Drain the pasta and peas, then toss with olive oil, lemon zest, juice, and fresh mint.
3. Season with salt and pepper, and serve warm.