17 Fancy (But Easy!) Dinners for Your Next Big Night

These amazing dinner ideas are just right for a fancy meal or a party with friends. They are full of great tastes that are sure to impress anyone who tries them. You will find all sorts of meals, from tender meats that cook all day to fancy fish dishes. Each recipe is a chance to make something really special and delicious for your table. Get ready to make a memorable meal that everyone will enjoy and talk about.

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Table of Contents

1 Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks
2 Roasted Rosemary Chicken
3 Slow Cooker Cottage Pie
4 Carne Deshebrada (Mexican Shredded Beef)
5 Sous Vide Chilean Sea Bass
6 Chuletas a la Mexicana (Mexican Pork Chops)
7 Chicken Salsa Verde Tamales
8 Lemon Asparagus Pasta
9 Red Chicken Pozole
10 Low FODMAP Braised Chicken & Mushroom Ragu
11 Pollo en Crema (Creamy Chicken)
12 The Best Beer Braised Short Ribs
13 Bistec a la Mexicana (Mexican-Style Beef)
14 Lobster Eggs Benedict with Saffron Cream Sauce
15 Chicken Enchiladas Suizas
16 Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
17 One Pot Chicken and Rice with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks

A close-up of a cast iron skillet filled with braised lamb shanks in a rich brown sauce, garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs. — Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks. Photo credit: Greedy Gourmet.

The meat on these Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks becomes incredibly soft and falls right off the bone. They cook for a long time until they are full of rich flavor.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks

Roasted Rosemary Chicken

The smell of rosemary fills your kitchen while this Roasted Rosemary Chicken cooks to a golden brown. It is a simple and classic meal that is always a crowd-pleaser.
Get Recipe: Roasted Rosemary Chicken

Slow Cooker Cottage Pie

A plate of shepherd's pie with a golden mashed potato topping, served alongside carrot and peas in a rich gravy. Two slices of toasted bread are in the background, with a fork resting on the plate. — Slow Cooker Cottage Pie. Photo credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

A layer of creamy mashed potatoes sits on top of seasoned beef and vegetables in this Slow Cooker Cottage Pie. It is the definition of a warm and comforting homemade dinner.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Cottage Pie

Carne Deshebrada (Mexican Shredded Beef)

Carne deshebrada served on a plate next to Mexican rice and two flour tortillas. — Carne Deshebrada. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This Carne Deshebrada is made from beef that slow-cooks until it is tender enough to shred. You can use the flavorful meat for tacos, burritos, or just eating on its own.
Get the recipe: Carne Deshebrada

Sous Vide Chilean Sea Bass

A seared fish fillet with crispy skin sits on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, topped with wilted spinach, all drizzled with an orange-colored sauce in a black bowl. The dish appears well-cooked, with a golden-brown exterior on the fish. — Sous Vide Chilean Sea Bass. Photo credit: Chicken Fried Kitchen.

The Sous Vide Chilean Sea Bass is cooked so it turns out incredibly moist and flaky. It is often seared at the end to give the outside a nice, crispy texture.
Get Recipe: Sous Vide Chilean Sea Bass

Chuletas a la Mexicana (Mexican Pork Chops)

A vibrant blue plate holds a serving of black bean mash next to a seasoned pork chop topped with a tomato and pepper mixture. Slices of avocado are placed at the top of the plate. The background is a rustic wooden surface. — Chuletas a la Mexicana. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These Chuletas a la Mexicana are pork chops simmered in a tasty, spiced tomato sauce. They are a hearty and flavorful main dish that is very satisfying.
Get the recipe: Chuletas a la Mexicana

Chicken Salsa Verde Tamales

A picture of a chicken salsa verde tamal served on a plate and topped with salsa. — Chicken Salsa Verde Tamales. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Soft corn dough surrounds a filling of chicken in a green salsa for these Chicken Salsa Verde Tamales. They are steamed in corn husks for a traditional and tasty result.
Get Recipe: Chicken Salsa Verde Tamales

Lemon Asparagus Pasta

A skillet filled with creamy pasta features asparagus and sliced almonds on top. A wooden spoon rests inside the dish, atop a white and black striped cloth, on a marble surface. — Lemon Asparagus Pasta. Photo credit: Pass Me Some Tasty.

This Lemon Asparagus Pasta is a fresh and creamy dish that is ready very quickly. The bright taste of lemon pairs perfectly with the tender asparagus and pasta.
Get the recipe: Lemon Asparagus Pasta

Red Chicken Pozole

This Red Chicken Pozole is a warm and comforting soup filled with chicken and hominy. It has a rich and flavorful red broth that is very delicious.
Get Recipe: Red Chicken Pozole

Low FODMAP Braised Chicken & Mushroom Ragu

A bowl of pasta topped with a rich tomato and mushroom sauce, garnished with herbs. Accompanied by a side salad and a glass of wine, with a bottle in the background. A bowl of grated cheese sits nearby on a textured tablecloth. — Low FODMAP Braised Chicken & Mushroom Ragu. Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

Tender chicken and mushrooms are simmered in a rich, savory sauce for this Low FODMAP Braised Chicken & Mushroom Ragu. It is a comforting meal that is gentle on the stomach.
Get the recipe: Low FODMAP Braised Chicken & Mushroom Ragu

Pollo en Crema (Creamy Chicken)

A colorful ceramic dish holds a serving of chicken in a Mexican creamy mushroom sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro. The dish is placed on a white napkin with a sprig of cilantro on the side. The background features a rustic wooden table. — Pollo en Crema. Photo Credit: Mama Maggie’s KItchen

For Pollo en Crema, pieces of chicken are covered in a smooth and creamy poblano sauce. It is a very rich and comforting dish that feels special.
Get Recipe: Pollo en Crema

The Best Beer Braised Short Ribs

A plate featuring tender braised short ribs in a rich brown gravy, garnished with chopped herbs, served alongside creamy mashed potatoes. The dish is attractively presented on a white plate. — The Best Beer Braised Short Ribs. Photo credit: Salted Mint.

Beer gives a deep flavor to the rich sauce for The Best Beer Braised Short Ribs. The meat becomes so tender that you can easily cut it with a fork.
Get Recipe: The Best Beer Braised Short Ribs

Bistec a la Mexicana (Mexican-Style Beef)

Bistec a la Mexicana served on a decorative clay plate next to beans and nopales. — Bistec a la Mexicana. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Thin slices of beef are cooked with tomatoes and peppers for this Bistec a la Mexicana. It is a simple but very flavorful and comforting skillet meal.
Get Recipe: Bistec a la Mexicana

Lobster Eggs Benedict with Saffron Cream Sauce

A beautifully presented dish of eggs benedict featuring poached eggs with runny yolks atop English muffins, garnished with microgreens and a creamy hollandaise sauce. Lobster or crab meat adds a gourmet touch, all served on an elegant white plate. — Lobster Eggs Benedict with Saffron Cream Sauce. Photo credit: Cooking with Wine Blog.

This Lobster Eggs Benedict is a luxurious dish topped with a rich saffron cream sauce. It features tender lobster and a perfectly cooked egg on an English muffin.
Get Recipe: Lobster Eggs Benedict with Saffron Cream Sauce

Chicken Enchiladas Suizas

Shredded chicken is rolled in tortillas and covered with a creamy green sauce for these Chicken Enchiladas Suizas. They are baked until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
Get Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas Suizas

Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

A bowl of creamy chicken chipotle pasta topped with chopped herbs is placed on a wooden cutting board. Nearby, a small bowl filled with more chopped herbs and a white and blue checkered cloth napkin are visible. — Cheesecake Factory Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta has a creamy sauce with a smoky and spicy kick. It is a very satisfying and flavorful meal that comes together quickly.
Get Recipe: Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

One Pot Chicken and Rice with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

A dish featuring sliced grilled chicken breast and a serving of rice with Brussels sprouts and onions on a white plate. A fork rests on the plate, and the wooden table underneath adds a rustic touch. — One Pot Chicken and Rice with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Chicken, rice, and Brussels sprouts cook together with bacon in this One Pot Chicken and Rice. It is a complete and flavorful meal that is also easy to clean up.
Get the recipe: One Pot Chicken and Rice with Brussels Sprouts