French Brandade White Bean Crostini
Salt cod, white beans, lemon, and garlicky toast create a quick 35-minute French Mediterranean dinner for two.
- 35 min
- Serves 2
- Fish
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French Dinner Ideas
10 French dinner recipes for home cooks, with cooking times.
These French dinners are bistro and home-kitchen classics rather than restaurant showpieces. Steak frites, croque monsieur and quiche Lorraine are familiar favorites, chicken Basquaise and chicken Provençal bring southern flavors, and vegetable dishes such as ratatouille and socca keep things light. Most are ready in about 40 minutes.
10 dinner ideas
French Chicken Basquaise with Peppers
Golden chicken thighs braise in a sweet pepper, tomato and onion piperade for an easy French-inspired dinner.
- 50 min
- Serves 4
- Chicken
French Chicken Provencal with White Beans
Golden chicken thighs simmer with white beans, tomatoes, olives, garlic, and herbs in one rustic skillet.
- 45 min
- Serves 4
- Chicken
French Croque Monsieur with Green Salad
Golden ham-and-Gruyere sandwiches with a small mustardy green salad bring bistro comfort to a two-person meal.
- 30 min
- Serves 2
- Pork
French Lentil Salad with Smoked Trout
Earthy lentils, smoked trout, soft egg and sharp mustard dressing make a composed French-style meal for two.
- 35 min
- Serves 2
- Fish
French Pissaladiere Mushroom Flatbreads
French Pissaladiere Mushroom Flatbreads is a practical 30-minute dinner for 2, layering 2 small naan flatbreads with 8 oz mushrooms, thinly sliced and bright fresh thyme.
- 30 min
- Serves 2
- Vegetables
French Quiche Lorraine with Frisee Salad
A quick shortcrust quiche with bacon, custard and frisee salad is sized for a relaxed dinner for two.
- 40 min
- Serves 2
- Pork
French Ratatouille with Herbed Couscous
Slow-softened summer vegetables and herbed couscous deliver a colorful, vegetable-forward dinner for two.
- 40 min
- Serves 2
- Vegetables
French Socca with Ratatouille Relish
French Socca with Ratatouille Relish is a practical 40-minute dinner for 2, layering 3/4 cup chickpea flour with 1 small zucchini, diced and bright herbes de Provence.
- 40 min
- Serves 2
- Vegetables
French Steak Frites with Shallot Butter
Pan-seared steak, crisp oven fries and shallot butter make a small-scale French bistro dinner at home.
- 35 min
- Serves 2
- Beef