Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Shop
  • News
  • Videos
Log In Account Details

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Avocado Every Day

      What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Avocado Every Day

      Can an avocado a day keep your health at bay? What does the research have to say? Read More
    • 7-Day No-Sugar High-Protein Meal Plan

      7-Day No-Sugar High-Protein Meal Plan

      Skip the added sugar and bump up the protein to keep yourself full on this 7-day meal plan. Read More
    • 20 Low-Carb, High-Protein Dinners Ready in 3 Steps or Less

       If you're looking for low-carb, high-protein dinners that don't require cooking for hours, these recipes got you covered. These dinner options are ready to serve in 3 steps or less so you can meet your nutrition goals easily. Each recipe l meets our nutrition parameters, with less than 14 grams of carbs and more than 15 grams of protein, without wasting on flavor. Recipes like 20-Minute Chicken Cutlets with Creamy Pesto Sauce and Cheesy Ground Beef Cauliflower Casserole are delicious options for you to get a healthy meal on your table in no time.  Read More
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See All Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See All Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See All Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See All Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See All Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See All Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See All Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Heritage Cooking
  • Shop

    Shop

    See All Shop
    • EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    • EatingWell Frozen Meals
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Healthy Recipes
  3. Recipes for Specific Health Condition
  4. Healthy Diabetic Recipes
  5. Diabetic Dinner Recipes
  6. A Month of Diabetes-Friendly Dinners for January

A Month of Diabetes-Friendly Dinners for January

Leah Goggins headshot
Leah Goggins Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD January 08, 2022
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Skip gallery slides
Pin
creamy-white-chicken-chili-with-cream-cheese

Shake up your routine with these delicious diabetes-friendly dinners that are perfect for cold winter nights. These meals focus on complex carbs, like whole grains, and have heart-healthy levels of saturated fat and sodium, so you can enjoy these soups, salads and sheet-pan roasts and stick to a diabetes-friendly eating pattern. Recipes like our White Chicken Chili and Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms feature plenty of flavorful winter produce, like winter squash, kale and potatoes.

Start Slideshow

1 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

White Chicken Chili

5240795.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A bowl of this healthy white chicken chili packs a whopping 22 grams of protein in each serving and is appropriate for a diabetes-friendly diet. Consider topping this white chili with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce calorie and fat content while still getting a creamy texture.

1 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sheet-Pan Salmon with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli

Sheet-Pan Salmon with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The vibrant combo of cheese, cilantro, chili, and lime--inspired by Mexican street corn--makes this salmon sheet-pan dinner burst with flavor.

2 of 31

3 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew

6351608.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This satisfying stew comes together in a snap. Mashed chickpeas add body to the broth, and tomato paste adds a savory note without piling on the sodium. To simplify the prep, look for chopped fresh onion and shredded carrot or a soup starter mix in the produce section.

3 of 31

Advertisement

4 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms

4473508.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sliced Brussels sprouts and mushrooms cook quickly and cling to the pasta in our fall version of pasta primavera. Look for presliced mushrooms to cut prep time. Serve with a tossed salad.

4 of 31

5 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew

Slow-Cooker Chicken White Bean Stew
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This load-and-go slow-cooker chicken recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve this Tuscan-inspired dish with crusty bread, a glass of Chianti and a salad.

5 of 31

6 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Four-Bean & Pumpkin Chili

4293535.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy vegetarian chili has a fragrant touch of cinnamon for added flavor. Let diners top it with whatever suits their taste.

6 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Roasted Chicken & Winter Squash over Mixed Greens

5973120.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This hearty salad comes together with little effort, since the squash and chicken can roast together on the same sheet pan. Prep the dressing and the salad greens while the chicken is roasting.

7 of 31

8 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Beer-Battered Fish Tacos with Tomato & Avocado Salsa

Beer-Battered Fish Tacos with Tomato & Avocado Salsa
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Lovers of fried fish get the taste without all the calories, and the salsa adds a fresh, clean note. To complete the Baja theme, serve with black beans, some diced mango and a bit of light sour cream.

8 of 31

9 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chicken Enchilada Skillet Casserole

Chicken Enchilada Skillet Casserole
Credit: Jacob Fox
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This simplified take on cheesy chicken enchiladas only requires one pan for cooking and eliminates the need to stuff and roll corn tortillas. Charring the veggies in a cast-iron skillet adds depth of flavor. Don't worry if you don't have one, because you can use any oven-safe skillet instead.

9 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Garlic Roasted Salmon & Brussels Sprouts

Garlic Roasted Salmon & Brussels Sprouts
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Roasting salmon on top of Brussels sprouts and garlic, flavored with wine and fresh oregano, is simple enough for a weeknight meal yet sophisticated enough to serve to company. Serve with whole-wheat couscous.

10 of 31

11 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Slow-Cooker Braised Beef with Carrots & Turnips

4293510.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The spice blend in this healthy beef stew recipe--cinnamon, allspice and cloves--may conjure images of apple pie, but the combo is a great fit in savory applications too. Serve over creamy polenta or buttered whole-wheat egg noodles.

11 of 31

12 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sheet-Pan Chili-Lime Salmon with Potatoes & Peppers

7748790.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Busy weeknights beg for something simple like this salmon sheet-pan dinner. Like the name suggests, it's all cooked on one pan. The potatoes get a head start, followed by sweet bell peppers and finally chili-coated salmon fillets. It's a complete meal with easy cleanup!

12 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Skillet Lemon Chicken & Potatoes with Kale

6487867.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy one-pan skillet-roasted lemon chicken is perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy chicken thighs are cooked in the same pan as baby potatoes and kale for a satisfying meal with the added bonus of minimal cleanup.

13 of 31

14 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Baked Halibut with Brussels Sprouts & Quinoa

7222786.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fish plus two sides? It seems fancy but this healthy dinner comes together in just 30 minutes.

14 of 31

15 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita Bowls

6859259.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Skip the tortillas in favor of this warm fajita salad, which features a nutritious medley of chicken with roasted kale, bell peppers and black beans. The chicken, beans and vegetables are all cooked on the same pan, so this healthy dinner is easy to make and the cleanup is easy too.

15 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas & Greens

5147291.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy salmon dinner, you'll get a dose of greens and green dressing! Chowing down on 6 or more servings of dark leafy greens a week can help keep your brain in top shape. This dish features the Test Kitchen's current go-to method for doctoring a can of chickpeas: spice them up and roast until crispy.

16 of 31

17 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chicken & Mushroom Shepherd's Pie

4007931.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The creamy chicken filling is spiked with sherry and the potatoes are mashed with olive oil in this healthy shepherd's pie recipe. To make individual pies, use six 10-ounce ramekins. Serve with a green salad with balsamic vinaigrette and crusty bread.

17 of 31

18 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

California Turkey Burgers & Baked Sweet Potato Fries

6854594.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Inspired by an option at the West Coast chain In-N-Out Burger, this turkey burger recipe keeps the carbs in check with a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. The side of sweet potato fries bakes while you prep the burgers, so this entire healthy dinner is ready in under 30 minutes.

18 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vegan White Bean Chili

5554021.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh Anaheim (or poblano) chiles add mild heat to this classic white bean chili and contribute lots of smoky flavor. Quinoa adds body to the chili, while diced zucchini provides pretty flecks of green and increases the veggie content.

19 of 31

20 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Superfood Chopped Salad with Salmon & Creamy Garlic Dressing

superfood chopped salmon salad
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Curly kale forms the base of this salad, but you could use chard or spinach. To the greens, add a multitude of chopped veggies, such as broccoli, cabbage and carrots. Finish with rich salmon for protein and a drizzle of creamy yogurt dressing to bring it all together.

20 of 31

21 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chicken Vegetable Soup

Chicken Vegetable Soup
Credit: Photography / Kelsey Hansen, Styling / Sammy Mila
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Barley adds texture, flavor and a healthy dose of fiber to this chicken vegetable soup recipe.

21 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Baked Fish Tacos with Avocado

5267679.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Instead of deep-frying, the fish fillets in this quick-and-easy 5-ingredient recipe are coated with a flavorful seasoning blend and baked. Several varieties of flaky white fish can be used for these tacos. When you go to the market to purchase fish, the best strategy is to be flexible and choose the variety that looks freshest that day.

22 of 31

23 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage

3929672.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Though traditional stuffed cabbage recipes are made with meat, here Savoy cabbage leaves are stuffed with a combination of rice, mushrooms, onions, garlic and herbs for a healthy vegetarian stuffed cabbage recipe. The stuffed cabbage leaves gently bake in a simple tomato sauce. This easy stuffed cabbage recipe can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving.

23 of 31

24 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Slow-Cooker Arroz con Pollo (Chicken & Rice)

Slow-Cooker Arroz con Pollo
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This one-pot chicken dinner, inspired by the traditional dish of Spain and Latin America, comes together easily in the crock pot. The instant brown rice is added near the end, to keep it from overcooking.

24 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ginger-Tahini Oven-Baked Salmon & Vegetables

sheet pan of salmon and vegetables on blue background
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The tahini sauce does double duty in this healthy salmon recipe, serving as a glaze for the fish and also as a drizzle for the entire dish at the end of cooking. The green beans are cooked just slightly in this recipe, to still be crisp. If you like your green beans tenderer, look for thinner beans or haricot verts in the grocery store; they'll cook more quickly. This sheet-pan dinner recipe is not only delicious--it also comes together with just 25 minutes of active prep time, and there's only one pan to clean up afterwards!

25 of 31

26 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Rosemary Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Rosemary Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

26 of 31

27 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce

Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Instead of opening a jar of sauce, try this easy spaghetti with meat sauce on a weeknight. Serve with steamed broccoli and garlic bread. The recipe makes enough for 8 servings. If you're serving only four for dinner, cook 8 ounces of spaghetti and freeze the leftover sauce.

27 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Baked Beans with Ground Beef

5419911.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Upgrade baked beans from classic side dish to a meaty main meal by adding lean ground beef. The final result, a superfast hearty casserole, is an easy and fast dinner option. Ground turkey or even sausage would work nicely in this dish. Just watch the sodium.

28 of 31

29 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chicken Chili Verde

Chicken Chili Verde
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Prepared salsa verde adds tang to this fast weeknight chili recipe and pairs beautifully with the rich caramelized chicken and creamy beans. Don't shy away from the poblano peppers. They offer a mild heat but deliver a depth of flavor you can't find in regular green bell peppers.

29 of 31

30 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Buttermilk Fried Tofu with Smoky Collard Greens

Buttermilk Fried Tofu with Smoky Collard Greens
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Dipping tofu in buttermilk makes the coating stick for a crispy pan-fried tofu, reminiscent of fried chicken. Spicing up the collards with paprika coats them with smoky flavor while keeping this dish vegetarian. And this quick, easy and healthy dinner comes together in just 25 minutes, so it's great for busy weeknights.

 

30 of 31

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 31

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potato Wedges and Brussels Sprouts

Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potato Wedges and Brussels Sprouts
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy sheet-pan recipe brings together many fall favorites into a hearty dinner.

31 of 31

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Leah Goggins

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 31 White Chicken Chili
    2 of 31 Sheet-Pan Salmon with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli
    3 of 31 Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew
    4 of 31 Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts & Mushrooms
    5 of 31 Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew
    6 of 31 Four-Bean & Pumpkin Chili
    7 of 31 Roasted Chicken & Winter Squash over Mixed Greens
    8 of 31 Beer-Battered Fish Tacos with Tomato & Avocado Salsa
    9 of 31 Chicken Enchilada Skillet Casserole
    10 of 31 Garlic Roasted Salmon & Brussels Sprouts
    11 of 31 Slow-Cooker Braised Beef with Carrots & Turnips
    12 of 31 Sheet-Pan Chili-Lime Salmon with Potatoes & Peppers
    13 of 31 Skillet Lemon Chicken & Potatoes with Kale
    14 of 31 Baked Halibut with Brussels Sprouts & Quinoa
    15 of 31 Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajita Bowls
    16 of 31 Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas & Greens
    17 of 31 Chicken & Mushroom Shepherd's Pie
    18 of 31 California Turkey Burgers & Baked Sweet Potato Fries
    19 of 31 Vegan White Bean Chili
    20 of 31 Superfood Chopped Salad with Salmon & Creamy Garlic Dressing
    21 of 31 Chicken Vegetable Soup
    22 of 31 Baked Fish Tacos with Avocado
    23 of 31 Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage
    24 of 31 Slow-Cooker Arroz con Pollo (Chicken & Rice)
    25 of 31 Ginger-Tahini Oven-Baked Salmon & Vegetables
    26 of 31 Rosemary Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
    27 of 31 Spaghetti with Quick Meat Sauce
    28 of 31 Baked Beans with Ground Beef
    29 of 31 Chicken Chili Verde
    30 of 31 Buttermilk Fried Tofu with Smoky Collard Greens
    31 of 31 Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potato Wedges and Brussels Sprouts

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    EatingWell

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Recipe Index
    • Jobs
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    Meredith© 2023 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright EatingWell. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.eatingwell.com

    Sign in

    View image

    A Month of Diabetes-Friendly Dinners for January
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.