Crowd pleasing easy dinner ideas

[Letsskidaddle]

Unexpectedly have a few people coming over to eat in a day or so (which I’m happy about!). I’d like to make something easy and with a bit of variety (my go to is a chicken/potato dish of some sort).

I’m all out of inspiration about what to cook so can you help please! Not fish, not lamb and ideally not pork, not too spicy but anything else is great!

Please suggest some of your best crowd pleasers 😁

Chilli con carne with trimmings. Tortilla chips, rice, sliced avocado, home made tomato salsa, optional fresh chopped coriander, rice, black beans. Don't make it too spicy. Have fresh chillis chopped for people to sprinkle on if they want more spice.

Fajitas - do a basic base of chicken, dry fried in mild spice mix (you can buy a pot of "fajita spices") with onion and peppers. Then buy wraps and various dips - houmous, guacamole, sour cream, salsa (get one with a bit of a kick as an option), grated cheese.

You can’t beat a big homemade lasagne. Add a salad and garlic bread and you’re good to go.

Or you could do a chicken curry made using a Patak’s curry paste. Serve with rice, poppadoms, etc.

I made an orzo chicken dish tonight, I’ve seen it called marry me chicken - ready in half an hour and very tasty.

This time of year I would serve bowls of beef stew? Cook it all in advance? Serve with mash?

Or cottage pie?

I do a big chicken or beef stroganoff for a crowd, with rice, a big pot of trimmed green beans, lemon wedges, buttered baguette slices on the side

Traybake. Chicken thighs (on the bone), chorizo, new potatoes. Lots of herbs and garlic.

Serve with salad or roasted peppers

I’d do pulled pork ( but you said no pork , so pulled chicken thighs ? ) but no bones , don’t like clearing plates with bones on
with bread rolls , coleslaw , mac & cheese ( or macaroni cheese 👍)

Veggie lasagna and garlic bread. Bowls of dressed leaves and marinated olives. It’s nice to have something you can prepare in advance and then put in the oven and relax a bit.

These are all brilliant, thanks so much! I think my crowd might become more of a regular thing so I’ve got loads of ideas now - thanks again. Feeling motivated now and more excited!

This time I’m going with chilli and all the sides @Mumdiva99 I love your side suggestions and hadn’t thought of chopping fresh chilis for those who can handle it hotter.

I only said no pork cos it’s what I made last time for same crowd! Pulled Pork, buns, homemade coleslaw and apple sauce, and cheesy chips. It was bloody lovely - that WAS a crowd pleaser and really easy too.

I generally make a meal with dishes plonked on the table for each to serve themselves. I don't want to dictate what is on their plate and instead let them choose themselves:

-I was going to suggest my de-boned, marinated leg of lamb, faux kebab shop wrap meal, but you said no lamb. (Sainsburys are doing half price lamb incase you, yourself OP do eat lamb?)
-Brined chicken with various sides? Its juicier and tastier if brinded overnight beforehand. Could be a whole chicken you cut into portions and/or adding thighs etc
-Fajitas
-Home made Thai green curry with rice and a pad thai side? https://www.recipetineats.com/thai-green-curry/ and https://www.recipetineats.com/chicken-pad-thai/

I recently made a Goulash Soup with home made artisan bread - was a real crowd pleaser! A bit different from the usual stuff without being to exotic.

www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/beef_goulash_soup_gulyas_16159

Have you thought about sending out for fish + chips? If you have a good one nearby it's always a fan favourite in our house. It'll save on the washing up too