12 Delicious Weight Watchers Dinner Recipes With Only 6 Points That Only Take 30 Minutes To Make

Weeknights are like kryptonite for my diet. After a long day of work, I’m tempted to kick off my shoes, order a pizza, and binge some Netflix until bedtime. The Monday through Friday grind was taking a serious toll on my wallet and my waistline until I discovered these twelve simple, delicious recipes that come together in half an hour or less and set me back just six Weight Watchers points. In less time than it takes for delivery, you can have a homemade, tasty meal on the table and stay well within your points at the same time.

1. Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

My air fryer is an absolute godsend, and this three-point, thirty-minute pork tenderloin is an excellent example of why. You’ll get a fabulous sear, juicy inside, and tons of flavor in no time. All you need is a pound of pork tenderloin, a splash of vinegar, olive oil, and some seasonings like garlic, pepper, paprika, and parsley, and you have a company-ready, homestyle meal. What I love most about this recipe is that it uses pantry basics, so there’s no muss, fuss or stopping at the store on the way home.

2. Classic Shakshuka

This zero-point Middle Eastern shakshuka is an elevated version of breakfast for dinner, combining a rich ragu of tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and onions with beautifully cooked eggs and warm spices. Plus, you’ll only use one pan, so clean-up is a breeze. Gently saute your vegetables in a swirl of olive oil with a pinch of cumin, pepper, and salt until the flavors meld, then carefully crack eggs on top and cook until the yolks are runny but the whites are firm. A sprinkle of fresh parsley brightens up the dish and adds a bit of fresh contrast.

3. Chicken Souvlaki

The combined cook and prep time for this dish is thirty minutes, although you’ll want to marinade your chicken for at least half an hour to absorb all of the flavors. Still, it’s a simple and succulent dish that’s only two Weight Watcher’s points per serving. Cubed chicken breast gets a bright glow-up from lemon zest and juice, a sprinkle of sea salt, garlic, and a bit of black pepper for spice and contrast. These skewers bake up golden and crispy in the oven and are excellent with a side of vegetables.

4. Instant Pot Cuban Arroz Con Pollo

All hail the Instant Pot, especially for intricate dishes like arroz con pollo, which generally needs at least an hour on the stove. This six-point version requires a mere thirty minutes from prep to serve and features juicy chicken breasts and perfectly cooked rice in a rich tomato sauce with carrots, peas, garlic, and onion. Feel free to add some chopped celery or a few scallions if you have them. This dish is truly comfort food at its finest. 

5. Perfect Air Fryer Salmon

You just need twenty minutes to make this restaurant-quality, zero-point salmon in your air fryer. I always have a few fresh pieces of salmon in my refrigerator specifically for this recipe because it’s ultra-fast and virtually fool-proof, even when I’m a zombie after work. The marinade is simple: salt, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar, and the taste is sublime. 

6. Hake in Green Sauce

This northern Spanish dish proves that you don’t need a ton of time or apex chef skills to turn out a truly stunning dish. Plus, it’s only one Weight Watcher’s point per serving. Flaky, lime-marinated hake fillets meet aromatic chopped parsley, peas, and minced onion in a thick broth. The presentation is on point, but you can serve it with a little extra lime wedge and a sprinkle of fresh parsley to really up the ante.

7. Instant Pot Chicken Cabbage

Chicken and cabbage were the winter comfort foods of my childhood, so I was delighted when I discovered this fantastic two-point rendition that takes twenty-five minutes to make. Cottage cheese gives this dish a silky, creamy texture without adding extra calories and harmonizes beautifully with thinly chopped cabbage and shredded cooked chicken. Aromatics like garlic, onion, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper round off the dish nicely.

8. Pad Woon Sen Thai Glass Noodles

Make these four-point Thai glass noodles next time you’re craving takeout. You’ll enjoy a rainbow of crisp vegetables, a generous serving of noodles, and a fantastic, calorie-conscious sauce that wraps it all together. With just twenty-five minutes from the cutting board to the kitchen table, it’s an excellent way to indulge your cravings without breaking your diet. It’s also an inspired way to clean out your vegetable crisper. I like to use white cabbage, carrot, green onion, red bell pepper, and thinly sliced chicken for a protein-packed meal that will keep me satisfied and full all night.

9. Big Mac Salad

McDonalds used to be the guiltiest of my guilty pleasures until I discovered this Big Mac salad that hits on all the flavors of a traditional Big Mac with absolutely none of the guilt. For three Weight Watcher points per serving, you can enjoy crisp iceberg lettuce piled high with ground beef, cherry tomatoes, zesty red onion, dill pickles, and plenty of shredded cheddar cheese. The cherry on the McSundae is the dressing, a mixture of light mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, vinegar, relish, and seasoning. It’s a spot-on dupe for a Big Mac, and you can have it on the table in thirty minutes. 

10. Pan Seared Shrimp

Sometimes, the simplest dishes are the best, as these quick, pan-seared shrimp prove. They take ten minutes to prepare and cook and will set you back one Weight Watcher’s point. Plus, each serving is full of protein, so you won’t be tempted to raid the fridge later. All you need is your shrimp and a simple marinade of sunflower oil, garlic, lime juice, and a touch of salt and pepper.

11. Instant Pot Honey Mustard Garlic Chicken

If you want a dish that tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but you only have twenty minutes to spare, make this recipe. It’s just two Weight Watcher points per serving and bursting with velvety goodness, thanks to Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cornstarch. Each piece of perfectly cooked chicken breast is dripping with tangy honey mustard sauce, and the flavors are multi-layered and on-point, giving it that homestyle flair that took only minutes to prepare.

12. General Tso’s Tofu

This riff on classic General Tso’s is the right recipe to reach for when you want to spend twenty minutes or less in the kitchen. It’s just three Weight Watcher points per serving, and it echos all of the flavors of the famous General Tso’s chicken but in a meat-free, calorie-conscious version that you can enjoy with a side of veggies or steamed brown rice. You’ll need extra firm tofu to hold up to the pan-searing, a splash of sesame oil and soy sauce for authentic flavors, and a few key spices like garlic, chili flakes, and sesame seeds. I like to garnish my beautifully browned tofu with some green onion for contrast and freshness.

Mid-week dinner doesn’t have to be a drag or a diet buster when you have these delicious and speedy Weight Watchers-friendly meals in rotation. Once you try these, you’ll understand why they’re some of my absolute favorites.