Weekly Meal Plan: October 4–10, 2025

This week’s dinners bring cozy, comforting flavors for early October without keeping you in the kitchen all evening. From crispy air fryer chicken to hearty chili and apple cider–glazed pork chops, each meal is simple, satisfying, and ideal for busy weeknights. Gather your ingredients and make dinnertime both easy and delicious.

Collage of five dinners including crispy air fryer chicken thighs, cavatelli pasta with broccoli, sweet chili chicken stir fry, hearty beef chili with toppings, and apple cider pork chops in a skillet, with text “Weekly Meal Plan – Week of 10-4-25.”

🛒 Quick Links

📥 Download Printable Grocery List
🍎 Order Groceries via Instacart
🍎 Order Groceries via Amazon Fresh/Whole Foods

This Week’s Meal Plan

📍 Click each recipe for full instructions!

🍽 Monday: Dry Rub Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

📝 Crispy, juicy chicken thighs coated in a savory dry rub and cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer — quick, easy, and packed with flavor.
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🍽 Tuesday: Cavatelli Pasta with Broccoli

📝 A simple Italian favorite featuring tender cavatelli, sautéed garlic, and crisp broccoli tossed in a light olive oil sauce — a satisfying weeknight pasta.
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🍽 Wednesday: Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry

📝 Colorful vegetables and juicy chicken tossed in a tangy-sweet chili sauce make a vibrant dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes or less.
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🍽 Thursday: Classic Beef Chili

📝 A hearty bowl of classic chili with ground beef, beans, and warming spices — ideal for cozy nights or game-day gatherings.
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🍽 Friday: Apple Cider Pork Chops

📝 Seared pork chops simmered in a sweet-and-savory apple cider sauce with herbs — a perfect seasonal dinner to welcome fall.
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Grocery List

Weekly grocery list for the meal plan organized by categories: produce, meat, pantry, bread, and dairy.

Print Your Grocery List(PDF download)

Sarah’s Top Tips for the Week

  • Air fryer hack: Make extra dry-rubbed chicken thighs to use in lunches, salads, or sandwiches later in the week.
  • Quick side idea: Serve the cavatelli with garlic bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
  • Sweet & spicy balance: Add more vegetables to the sweet chili stir fry — bell peppers and broccoli are great choices.
  • Chili night prep: Double the chili and freeze half for an easy future dinner.
  • Fall flavor moment: Pair the apple cider pork chops with roasted sweet potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce.

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