Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (2024)

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (1)

No matter if your doctor has instructed you to follow a more heart-healthy diet or you’ve chosen to abide by one on your own, it can never hurt to be a little more health-conscious by instituting a new heart-smart habit. To make meals and the hunt for new recipes easier, we’ve compiled a list of heart-healthy recipes to whip up for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. These tasty recipes are great to enjoy solo or as a family. If they land, they may even become part of your new meal rotation.

Many of these recipes include ingredients rich in omega-3 fatty acids, low in saturated fats, and high in fiber — all key components of good cardiovascular health. A diet catered to good heart health correlates to lower blood pressure and cholesterol too. As an added bonus, many of these dishes are low-calorie, coming in at 300 calories or less per serving.

To make browsing our list of heart-healthy recipe ideas easier, we’ve also split them into four categories based on their main form of meat (or lack thereof): chicken, seafood, vegetarian, and turkey. Should you have any dietary restrictions, we have recipes for gluten-free meals and vegan dinner ideas too that you can browse through after saving recipes from this list.

When you're done, quiz yourself on your heart-health knowledge:

Hearth Health Quiz

Chicken Recipes

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (2)

Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (3)

This recipe has chickpeas and sweet peppers, which are packed with heart-healthy protein and vitamins. It can also be cooked on one sheet, meaning fewer dishes and less fuss.

Get the Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken recipe.

Shop Baking Sheet

RELATED: Easy Sheet Pan Dinners

Chicken Kebabs

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (4)

Chicken has fewer saturated fats than red meats, which is why it's a healthier choice for heart health. These simple chicken kebabs can be thrown on the grill and whipped up in a jiffy.

Get the Chicken Kebabs recipe.

Shop Kebob Skewers

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Apricot-Glazed Chicken and Corn

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (5)

This zesty chicken dish only takes half an hour to make. Its sweet and spicy goodness is sure to make it a family favorite.

Get the Apricot-Glazed Chicken and Corn recipe.

Chicken Salad Collard Wrap

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (6)

Ditch the processed flour tortillas, and use large collard green leaves for these refreshing chicken salad wraps.

Get the Chicken Salad Collard Wrap recipe.

Shop Dijon Mustard

Baked Chicken Cutlets with Pineapple Rice

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (7)

Chicken gets a boost from Asian-inspired ingredients, such as ginger and cilantro. According to a study published in Nutrition, daily ginger consumption is associated with a 13% lower risk of hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure.

Get the Baked Chicken Cutlets with Pineapple Rice recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Roasted Chicken and Garlic Potatoes with Red Pepper Relish

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (8)

Swap chicken fingers and french fries for roasted chicken and potatoes, which are a great source of potassium and essential for overall heart health.

Get the Roasted Chicken and Garlic Potatoes with Red Pepper Relish recipe.

Lemon-Thyme Chicken

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (9)

Chicken is a solid component of a heart-healthy diet, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring. This classic lemon-thyme chicken is a flavorful choice you'll want to remake time and time again.

Get the Lemon-Thyme Chicken recipe.

Roasted Citrus Chicken Salad

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (10)

This tangy chicken is sure to leave your tastebuds and health goals satisfied. Just remember that a little Kosher salt goes a long way in a heart healthy diet.

Get the Roasted Citrus Chicken Salad recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Chicken Marbella

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (11)

This quick and easy chicken dish includes a medley of flavors — sweet, salty, and tangy. Plus, it's packed with 36 grams of protein per serving.

Get the Chicken Marbella recipe.

Shop Red Wine Vinegar

Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (12)

Instead of a taco or wrap with flour tortillas, enjoy this chicken fajita as a salad with romaine hearts and a mix of other colorful veggies.

Get the Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette recipe.

Spinach, Chickpea, and Chicken Pitas

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (13)

Stuffed to the brim with heart healthy vegetables, these pita sandwiches are a tasty go-to. While bread may seem scary in the world of heart health, pita bread is actually rich in fiber and can help reduce cholesterol levels.

Get the Spinach, Chickpea, and Chicken Pitas recipe.

RELATED: Super Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Sesame Chicken and Chili Lime Slaw

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (14)

Swapping out bread crumbs for sesame seeds makes this chicken dinner a heart-healthy option, as sesame is known for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, per the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal.

Get the Sesame Chicken and Chili Lime Slaw recipe.

Shop Sesame Seeds

Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (15)

To make this heart-healthy dish vegan, substitute zucchini, summer squash, and red onion for chicken, as well as two tablespoons of olive oil for yogurt.

Get the Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs recipe.

Mediterranean Chicken Pitas

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (16)

With hummus, olive oil, and plum tomatoes, these quick chicken pitas are both healthy and easy.

Get the Mediterranean Chicken Pitas recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Kale and Romaine Chicken Caesar Salad

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (17)

One of the salad's main ingredients, kale, is low-calorie, rich in vitamins C and K, and anti-carcinogenic, which is great for heart health.

Get the Kale and Romaine Chicken Caesar Salad recipe.

Grilled Chicken Caprese

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (18)

Add chicken to a traditional Caprese salad for a boost of lean protein — 45 g to be exact.

Get the Grilled Chicken Caprese recipe.

RELATED: Easy Grilling Recipes to Ring in the Warmer Months

Seafood Recipes

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (19)

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (20)

Salmon is known for being light and heart-healthy, but this recipe does not skimp out on big bold flavor.

Get the Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette recipe.

Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (21)

Swap high-carb pasta for this low-carb alternative: zucchini noodles! They are just as delicious and come with a slew of health benefits.

Get the Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles recipe.

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (22)

Elizabeth Berry

Updates Editor

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (23)

Kate Franke

Editorial Assistant

Kate Franke (she/her) is the editorial assistant at Woman’s Day. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (2024)

FAQs

What is a good heart-healthy menu? ›

The plan should include plenty of lean protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Limit high-fat foods such as red meat, cheese and baked goods. Also limit foods that are high in sodium such as sandwiches, pizza, soup and processed foods. Cut back on foods and drinks with added sugar too.

What meals are good for coronary heart disease? ›

The Heart Foundation recommends: plenty of vegetables, fruits and wholegrains. a variety of healthy protein sources (especially fish and seafood), legumes (such as beans and lentils), nuts and seeds. Smaller amounts of eggs and lean poultry can also be included in a heart healthy diet.

What is heart-healthy cooking? ›

Heart-Healthy Eating Suggestions

Avoid eating a lot of fried foods. Reduce the amount of saturated fats you eat. Minimize your added-sugar intake. Incorporate plant-based proteins into your diet.

What kind of sandwich is heart healthy? ›

Salmon and tuna have healthy omega-3 fats that can help keep your heart healthy and your triglycerides within a healthy range. 3. Add meat alternatives - Adding beans or tofu to your sandwich can add bulk and protein to your diet - without the excess fat.

What is the 3 day cardiac diet? ›

The 3-Day Cardiac Diet sets strict limits on foods you can eat during specific meals. Meals generally consist of a protein source paired with fruits, vegetables, toast, or saltine crackers. Salt and pepper are the only permitted spices. For dessert, vanilla ice cream is allowed once per day during dinner.

What is the number 1 healthiest food in the world? ›

Watercress (also called watercress) contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and secondary plant compounds. Just 100 grams of the herb would be enough to cover most of the daily requirement of Vitamin C, meaning watercress contains far more Vitamin C than even oranges and lemons, making it the ultimate immune booster.

What is the healthiest meat to eat? ›

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood. Eating a balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, which means choosing various foods from different food groups, like proteins.

What foods to eat before bed to lose weight? ›

By incorporating these nutritious snacks into your routine, you can support your weight loss goals and wake up feeling energized.
  • The Importance of Nighttime Nourishment for Weight Loss. ...
  • Greek Yogurt. ...
  • Cottage Cheese. ...
  • Almonds. ...
  • Kiwi. ...
  • Chamomile Tea. ...
  • Conclusion.
Apr 13, 2024

What is the #1 worst habit for your heart? ›

Smoking is one of the most harmful things people can do to themselves,” Dr. Maniar says. Blood flow drops, slashing oxygen that fuels the heart, which compensates by spiking blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and can lead to hardened and narrowed arteries and blood clots causing cardiovascular disease.

Which drink is best for the heart? ›

Water is the drink of choice for heart health. If you're thirsty, drink water. When the weather is warm or we're exercising, our bodies need more water than usual. Unflavoured milk, tea and coffee can be enjoyed in moderation.

Which is the most heart healthy restaurant meal? ›

Fish Is Good for Your Heart

Fish is a healthy choice when dining out. Ordering seafood such as salmon and tuna adds omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. They are a type of polyunsaturated fat that helps lower your heart disease risk. You'll also find a different type of omega-3 in walnuts and edamame (soybeans).

Are potatoes heart healthy? ›

As long as they're not deep-fried, potatoes can be good for your heart. They're rich in potassium, which can help lower blood pressure, and they're high in fiber, which can lower the risk for heart disease. "They are definitely not a junk food or refined carbohydrate," said Graf.

Which is the most heart-healthy restaurant meal? ›

Fish Is Good for Your Heart

Fish is a healthy choice when dining out. Ordering seafood such as salmon and tuna adds omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. They are a type of polyunsaturated fat that helps lower your heart disease risk. You'll also find a different type of omega-3 in walnuts and edamame (soybeans).

What is the best breakfast for heart health? ›

“In general, I recommend oatmeal as the best option.” He advises a small cup of oatmeal made with water, not milk or butter, and loaded high with berries, plus additional heart-healthy ingredients such as ground flax seed or a few walnuts.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gregorio Kreiger

Last Updated:

Views: 6061

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gregorio Kreiger

Birthday: 1994-12-18

Address: 89212 Tracey Ramp, Sunside, MT 08453-0951

Phone: +9014805370218

Job: Customer Designer

Hobby: Mountain biking, Orienteering, Hiking, Sewing, Backpacking, Mushroom hunting, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.