Living with ulcerative colitis can mean being more conscious of what you eat, but that doesn’t mean dinner has to take all night. In just 30 minutes of active time or less, you can enjoy these dinners that align with your nutritional needs during remission. High in protein, heart-healthy and without common trigger foods like cruciferous vegetables, raw fruits and vegetables, dairy products, added sugar and alcohol, these dinners will not only satisfy your hunger—but your gut too. Whether you make our Sheet-Pan Mojo Chicken with Green Beans & Potatoes or our Chicken Soup with Recaito & Potatoes, you can rest assured that these dinners can help you manage your ulcerative colitis in a delicious way.

01 of 09

Sheet-Pan Mojo Chicken with Green Beans & Potatoes

This sheet-pan mojo chicken is a bold, citrusy dinner that’s easy to throw together on a single pan. The chicken marinates in a zesty blend of citrus juices and oregano, infusing it with Cuban-inspired flavors. Instead of discarding all of the marinade, the onions and garlic are removed and roasted on the chicken as a savory topping that adds extra depth. Crisp-tender green beans and red potatoes round out the meal, soaking up the flavorful juices as they roast.

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02 of 09

Chicken Soup with Recaito & Potatoes

This hearty chicken soup builds flavor quickly, thanks to store-bought recaito, a cooking base made from culantro, onions, sweet peppers and garlic. Each bite is packed with veggies, including potatoes, carrots and red bell pepper. Lime juice finishes the dish to add brightness.

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03 of 09

Blackened Salmon

These easy, flavorful blackened salmon fillets feature lots of paprika and dried oregano, which give a deep red color and herbaceous flavor to the deeply seared crusts. Cayenne pepper adds a subtle heat that isn't overpowering. A squeeze of lemon juice adds acidity and balance to this ultra-quick blackened salmon recipe.

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04 of 09

Lemon-Garlic Steak & Green Beans

For a steak that's deliciously tender, flavorful and not too fatty, we reach for strip (also known as New York strip or shell steak). It has less than half the saturated fat of a rib-eye but is more tender than leaner sirloin. Here, we cook green beans in the same pan used to sear the spiced steak. All those delicious drippings add richness to the beans—plus there's one less pan to wash!

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05 of 09

Broiled Salmon with Lemon

For quick weeknight meals, go for the broiler. It preheats in a flash and acts like an upside-down grill, bringing salmon to perfect doneness in just 10 minutes. Don't sweat it if you slightly overcook the salmon. Serve it with a dipping sauce or drizzle a bit of olive oil over top to bring back instant moisture. This basic broiled salmon recipe is even better when served with a creamy yogurt sauce and a side of quickly steamed or broiled broccolini.

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06 of 09

Rosemary Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Chicken and sweet potatoes unite with the delicious taste of rosemary in this easy one-skillet meal. Because we use parcooked and unseasoned sweet potatoes, the cooking time is much shorter—making this recipe perfect for weeknight cooking.

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07 of 09

Chicken Orzo Soup

This quick chicken orzo soup has warm, comforting flavors from the perfect combination of broth, chicken and vegetables. The orzo makes it filling without weighing it down.

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08 of 09

Easy Sesame Chicken with Green Beans

Sweet-salty hoisin sauce and nutty sesame team up in this easy meal that's cooked on one baking sheet. Serve this sesame chicken with brown rice and sliced cucumbers, drizzled with sesame oil and rice vinegar. Make sure to omit the scallion garnish, though, as it can be an irritant for those with ulcerative colitis.

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09 of 09

Spice-Seared Salmon with Greek-Style Green Beans

Preparing this spice-seared salmon recipe is a joy for the senses! Rubbing salmon with spices creates a light, delicious main course. Serve this recipe with roasted potatoes or brown rice. If you have leftover salmon, serve it on top of a simple salad for a satisfying lunch the next day. Tip: because cayenne pepper is a common irritant for ulcerative colitis, look for a Baharat seasoning without it!

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