10 Picky Eater-Approved Recipes (That You'll Love Too)

The recipes that I get most excited to share are the ones that appeal to my kids as much as they appeal to me -- and let's face it, that's not frequently the case! Here are 10 favorite dinner recipes that have all gotten the thumbs-up from my picky eaters.
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The recipes that I get most excited to share are the ones that appeal to my kids as much as they appeal to me -- and let's face it, that's not frequently the case! Here are 10 favorite dinner recipes that have all gotten the thumbs-up from my picky eaters.

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This is a great chicken dish to add to your repertoire. It's easy enough to make for a quick weeknight dinner but also elegant enough for company. Kids love it -- I think mostly because it bears some resemblance to chicken fingers. GET THE RECIPE

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This recipe is adapted from one of my favorite cookbooks, Nigella Express by Nigella Lawson. Most of the ingredients are right out of the pantry, and you can have it on the table in 20 minutes. The flavor of the sauce is similar to teriyaki, which most kids seem to like. GET THE RECIPE

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This is my basic, go-to grilled chicken -- perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or cookout -- and so versatile. You can serve the fillets on their own (kids love them), topped with cheese on a toasted bun, chopped up in a quesadilla or, as I often do, sliced over a Greek or Caesar salad. You'll be happy to know that the recipe is quick and easy -- you do all of the prep ahead of time and you won't even dirty a single bowl. GET THE RECIPE

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If you're wondering how to get your children to eat -- or even love -- fish, try feeding them this. They'll think it's kid-friendly food for them, but I promise you it's anything but. These tilapia fillets are lightly coated with panko, pan fried to crispy perfection, and served with a tangy garlic and lemon mayonnaise. GET THE RECIPE

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Throw away those old kitschy cocktail meatball recipes that call for grape jelly and frozen meatballs -- these are easy-to-make and so much better. You'll love that the meatballs are baked, not fried, and the sweet and tangy sauce is ready in under 15 minutes. You don't need to wait for a party or special occasion to make them; they're delicious over white rice for dinner and kids absolutely love them. GET THE RECIPE

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Inspired by one of the most popular Cooking Light chicken recipes, this dish is delicious, family-friendly (it's not too spicy), and incredibly easy to prepare. The chicken is seasoned with garlic, chili powder, cumin and smoked paprika and then broiled with a sweet and tangy honey glaze. GET THE RECIPE

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This is one of my go-to recipes when I have to hit the kitchen running. It takes just twenty minutes to make, I always have all of the ingredients on hand, the kids love it as much as I do, and there's barely any clean-up! I like to serve it over pasta or with a lightly toasted baguette for mopping up all of the garlic-butter sauce. GET THE RECIPE

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Kids love barbecue, and you can't beat meltingly tender short ribs slow-cooked in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. And here's the best part: only 15 minutes of prep work and the oven does the rest. Unlike many roast or stew recipes, it's not necessary to sear the meat first. You just slather it with sauce, put it in the oven, and let deliciousness ensue. GET THE RECIPE

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In this gourmet twist on chicken tenders, chicken tenderloins are breaded in a mixture of pecans and panko, then pan-fried until crispy and golden and served with a creamy whole grain honey mustard sauce. Since the pecans are finely chopped, even kids who think they don't like nuts will try them, ask for seconds, and even sneak thirds when you're not looking! GET THE RECIPE

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This wonderful recipe -- inspired by Alice Currah of the blog and book, Savory Sweet Life -- is a crowd pleaser for all ages. It's the sauce that makes it so good. My 10-year-old son, upon taking a second helping of the broccoli I served alongside, answered my surprised look with, "Mom, this sauce would make anything taste good." GET THE RECIPE

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