Hibachi Chicken

Taking the coveted #1 spot for 2021, this incredible Hibachi Chicken recipe was not only the undisputed most popular dish on the blog but also a personal family favorite that I found myself preparing countless times throughout the year. It’s a true testament to how simple, wholesome ingredients can come together to create restaurant-quality flavors and an incredibly satisfying meal right in your very own kitchen. This dish perfectly embodies the essence of healthy eating: it’s quick to make, packed with lean protein and a colorful array of fresh vegetables, and absolutely bursting with deliciousness. It’s ideal for easy weeknight dinners, efficient meal prep, or whenever you’re craving something flavorful and perfectly compliant with your 21 Day Fix container counts.

One delighted reader perfectly captured its universal appeal, sharing: “This was amazing. Very tasty! I checked the container counts so many times because I couldn’t believe I was allowed to eat something so yummy on 21 day fix!” This sentiment echoes exactly why this recipe became such a beloved staple – it transforms healthy eating into a true culinary pleasure, rather than a burdensome chore. Its versatility makes it easy to customize with your favorite veggies and sauces, proving once and for all that delicious, guilt-free dining is not only possible but wonderfully enjoyable.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Coming in strong at number two, these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs have solidified their place as a weekly staple in countless homes – mine included! The air fryer is truly a marvel, consistently delivering perfectly crispy chicken with minimal oil, making it an indispensable cooking method for anyone following the 21 Day Fix. The secret to this recipe’s overwhelming success lies in its incredibly flavorful and versatile rub, which I frequently prepare in bulk because it adds a fantastic zing to everything from chicken breasts to roasted vegetables. It’s genuinely an effortless way to create a protein-rich meal that tastes indulgent but effortlessly keeps you firmly on track with your container counts.

This enthusiastic reader comment perfectly encapsulates its widespread appeal: “These were AHHHMAZING!! Such a simple recipe, but the flavor was sooo good!! One of my littles, the picky eater one, asked for “meat” for her lunch!❤ This will definitely be on our dinner rotation!” It’s this kind of feedback that warms my heart, demonstrating how these delicious chicken thighs satisfy both adults and even the pickiest of eaters, transforming healthy meal prep into a joyous and simple task, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys a delicious, wholesome, and perfectly cooked dinner.

Healthy Brownies

Proof that you can absolutely indulge in delicious treats while steadfastly sticking to your healthy eating goals, these famous 100-calorie Healthy Brownies soared in popularity this year! It brings me immense joy and satisfaction every time I see your posts and comments celebrating your successful batches. These brownies are an absolute game-changer for anyone on the 21 Day Fix or simply aiming to incorporate healthier, more mindful options into their diet, offering a truly guilt-free indulgence that perfectly satisfies those stubborn sweet cravings without ever derailing your progress. Keep a keen eye out, as I’m excited to announce that I have several new and delightful variations of these brownies coming your way very soon!

A reader’s enthusiastic comment truly captures the magic and appeal of this incredible recipe: “These are AMAZING!! I can’t believe that these are just a tsp of oil and 2 sweeteners! They taste incredible and freeze really well which is super helpful since I want to eat them all!! Thank you thank you!!” The remarkable ability to freeze them makes these brownies perfect for convenient portion control and ensures you always have a healthy, delicious dessert ready whenever the mood strikes. They stand as a powerful testament to how creative, innovative, and utterly satisfying healthy baking can truly be.

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

This Baked Eggplant Parmesan holds an incredibly special place in my heart, and I am absolutely thrilled that it resonated so deeply with so many of you this year! Growing up, my mom’s version was always a cherished family favorite, famously breaded and fried. So, discovering how profoundly I adore this lighter, low-carb rendition, which is simply roasted and entirely unbreaded, was nothing short of a culinary revelation. It has truly cemented its position as one of my top 5 favorite recipes of all time, and it genuinely warms my heart to know it’s a resounding hit in your kitchens too. This dish is a prime example of how beloved traditional comfort food can be beautifully transformed into a healthy, 21 Day Fix-friendly meal without sacrificing any of its soul-satisfying, comforting flavors.

A truly sweet reader perfectly illustrates its remarkable power to convert even the most skeptical palates: “10 out of 10. My husband was unsure about eating eggplant, and then gobbled up half the pan.” This kind of feedback is absolutely priceless! It powerfully underscores the fact that healthy eating doesn’t have to be bland, boring, or restrictive, and that deliciousness can triumph over any preconceived notions about ‘diet’ food. This recipe is wonderfully hearty, delightfully cheesy, and utterly satisfying, making it a fantastic and flavorful meatless meal option for any day of the week.

Healthy Apple Muffins [Gluten Free + Dairy Free]

Can I just openly express how incredibly proud I am of the ever-expanding and utterly delicious collection of healthy muffin recipes on the blog? Because I absolutely am, and these fantastic Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Healthy Apple Muffins were an enormous, undeniable hit in both my home and yours! This delightful recipe truly exemplifies how incredibly delicious and remarkably accessible clean eating can be, especially for those navigating specific dietary restrictions. They are perfectly crafted for a quick, wholesome breakfast on the go, a satisfying and energizing snack to beat the afternoon slump, or even a light, guilt-free dessert, brimming with nourishing ingredients and natural sweetness that leaves you feeling good.

The feedback for these marvelously moist muffins was overwhelmingly positive and truly heartwarming. One enthusiastic reader shared: “These are soo delicious!! My son and I just devoured a couple!! Looking forward to breakfast all week!!” This wonderful comment beautifully highlights their kid-friendly nature and how effortlessly they can transform healthy mornings into a genuine joy. Muffins, in general, are fantastic for efficient meal prepping, offering a convenient grab-and-go option that keeps you consistently fueled and satisfied throughout your busy week, all while adhering perfectly to the principles and container system of the 21 Day Fix.

Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins + “Cream Cheese” Frosting

These Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins, gloriously crowned with their delightful “Cream Cheese” Frosting, represent yet another shining example of how our muffin game has truly elevated this year! While technically categorized as muffins, I am perfectly content with them being affectionately referred to as cupcakes, because they are undeniably and outrageously delicious whether you choose to savor them for a wholesome breakfast, a satisfying mid-day snack, or a surprisingly decadent-feeling dessert. The undisputed star of this show, beyond the wonderfully moist and perfectly spiced cake, is undoubtedly that incredible, tangy frosting – you can certainly expect to see more innovative uses for it in 2022!

This exceptional recipe consistently garners rave reviews and heartfelt testimonials, much like this one from a truly happy reader: “I made these today and just wanted to let you know they are absolutely amazing!! The icing is to die for! Thanks for all the great healthy recipes!” It’s recipes precisely like these that powerfully demonstrate that you absolutely do not have to give up your most cherished and favorite flavors when you are diligently focusing on healthy eating. These carrot cake muffins miraculously offer the classic, comforting taste and desirable texture of a traditional treat, but they are thoughtfully crafted with nourishing ingredients that fully support your 21 Day Fix journey, making healthy living feel like a sweet reward.

Healthy Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

Following the tremendous success of my classic Alfredo Sauce last year, I am absolutely thrilled that the Healthy Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce proudly joined the esteemed ranks of our top ten recipes in 2021! If you haven’t yet had the pure pleasure of trying this incredibly comforting and flavorful dish, it is an absolute must-add to your recipe repertoire. This sauce is nothing short of delicious, offering a wonderfully rich, velvety creamy texture and a subtle, inviting hint of pumpkin that makes it utterly perfect for the cozy autumn months or truly any time you find yourself craving a deeply comforting, savory meal. It’s also a fantastic and surprisingly creative way to ingeniously utilize those extra cans of pumpkin puree that might be lingering in your pantry after the festive holiday season.

This exceptional recipe consistently garners glowing reviews, with its deliciousness perfectly encapsulated by a concise yet powerful comment from a member of our vibrant Facebook Group: “Made this and it was amazing!” It’s a wonderfully versatile sauce that pairs exquisitely with whole wheat pasta, lighter zucchini noodles, or even as a flavorful and satisfying topping for perfectly baked chicken. This healthy pumpkin alfredo masterfully showcases how seasonal ingredients can be seamlessly incorporated into healthy eating plans, providing both incredible flavor and vital nutritional benefits while keeping you perfectly compliant with all your 21 Day Fix goals.

Shrimp Risotto with Lemon and Parmesan [Instant Pot]

I was absolutely delighted and incredibly proud to see this Shrimp Risotto with Lemon and Parmesan make its well-deserved debut into our top ten list! Sometimes, truly exceptional recipes like this one feel a little overlooked, but those who eventually discover and make them invariably fall head-over-heels in love. There’s genuinely nothing simpler or more satisfying than preparing a creamy, perfectly cooked risotto effortlessly in the Instant Pot, transforming this traditionally labor-intensive dish into an accessible culinary delight for any busy weeknight. The bright, zesty flavors of fresh lemon and the savory, rich touch of Parmesan perfectly complement the tender, succulent shrimp, culminating in a sophisticated yet remarkably easy 21 Day Fix-friendly meal. I’m already eagerly planning to experiment with different vibrant veggies and complementary proteins to create exciting new variations of this dish this coming winter!

One reader’s incredible, heartwarming testimonial perfectly captures the sheer magic and irresistible appeal of this dish: “I’m what you’d call a “functional” cook. I don’t love cooking, and I have a few really good recipes that my family repeatedly request, but this one is entirely different. My husband, who usually describes my dinners as “alright” or “good” absolutely RAVED about this dish. His description? “The most incredible dinner you’ve ever made!” Thank you for making me look good, Nancylynn!!!” This feedback truly warms my heart to its core, powerfully proving that healthy cooking can not only be incredibly delicious but also impress and delight even the toughest and most discerning critics. It’s an absolute must-try for any seafood lover seeking a gourmet experience with minimal effort!

Chicken Salad with Grapes

Honestly, I wasn’t even entirely sure if I should post this recipe for Chicken Salad with Grapes, initially thinking it might be a tad too simple! Yet, time and time again, it’s the wonderfully straightforward, undeniably delicious, and incredibly practical recipes that truly resonate and capture hearts, and this one has proven to be a massive hit with so many of you – a valuable lesson I should definitely have internalized by now! This classic chicken salad offers an absolutely perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, with the delightful crunch of crisp celery and the juicy burst of fresh grapes adding wonderful texture and an extra dimension of deliciousness. It’s an ideal recipe for efficient meal prepping lunches, delightful picnics, or even elegantly serving at various gatherings and social events, always aligning perfectly and effortlessly with your 21 Day Fix container counts.

This fantastic reader comment perfectly illustrates its broad and undeniable appeal: “Made this for my niece’s wedding shower today! So many complements!” It’s truly wonderful and heartwarming to know that a simple, healthy recipe can be so widely celebrated and thoroughly enjoyed by so many, even on special and festive occasions. This chicken salad is incredibly versatile and adaptable – serve it gracefully on fresh lettuce cups for a light meal, on wholesome whole-wheat bread for a more substantial sandwich, or alongside crunchy crackers for a satisfying and refreshing meal or snack that genuinely never disappoints and always hits the spot.

Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings [Gluten Free]

To perfectly round out our incredible top ten list, this brand new Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings recipe, meticulously crafted to be completely Gluten-Free, has received an absolutely phenomenal and overwhelmingly positive response in such an astonishingly short period of time! It powerfully goes to show that beloved comfort food can indeed be both wonderfully healthy and remarkably accessible for everyone, including those navigating gluten sensitivities or dietary preferences. This hearty, deeply warming, and incredibly nourishing dish is pure, wholesome nostalgia in a bowl, yet it’s made effortlessly quick and convenient in the trusty Instant Pot, powerfully proving that wholesome, utterly delicious meals certainly don’t require hours of arduous labor in the kitchen. It’s truly the perfect nourishing meal for a chilly evening, a comforting rainy day, or truly any time you find yourself in need of a soul-soothing boost of cozy, familiar comfort.

The immense and immediate enthusiasm for this particular recipe is best summarized by this sweet and incredibly telling reader comment: “This recipe has only been out for three weeks, and I made it for the third time today. It’s a keeper!!” That remarkable level of immediate adoration and repeat preparation is precisely what we wholeheartedly strive for with every single recipe shared here on Confessions of a Fit Foodie. It stands as a powerful testament to its incredible flavor profile, its remarkable ease of preparation, and how perfectly it seamlessly fits into a healthy, wonderfully balanced, and fulfilling 21 Day Fix lifestyle, making healthy eating a true delight.