When it comes to nailing your nutrition, one of the most important questions to ask is, ‘What can I add to this meal?’. These high protein dinner ideas have the answer!
So many ‘healthy’ food options ask what we can take away from a meal. But that can often end up in us eating food for the sake of it rather than making our favorite dishes better for us.
What can we add to a meal that makes it more nutritious, last longer, and easier on our minds, hearts, and souls? Protein!
High protein meals – especially dinners – are an essential part of a balanced diet. High protein dinner ideas like the ones I’ve amassed below are a great way to increase protein.
Plus, they help to keep your favorites on the weekly meal roster, so the whole family can enjoy those same recipes that they’ve loved time and time again.
Without any further ado, let’s get into thirty-one high protein dinner ideas to spice up your busy weeknights!
1. Salmon Bites
Source:fourscoreliving.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 313
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 27g
- Carbs: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 18g
If we’re talking high protein dishes, we have to bring salmon into the conversation. This seafood is rich in protein, essential omega-3, and a ton of healthy fats to keep your brain humming away.
2. Ground Turkey Chili
Source:thecleaneatingcouple.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 390
- Fats: 9g
- Protein: 46g
- Carbs: 37g
- Fiber: 10g
- Sugar: 7g
Give your favorite chili recipe a makeover with some lean ground turkey! This is a wonderful meat to lean on if you’re tightening the purse strings, as it’s as affordable as it is delicious.
3. Crustless Skillet Pizza
Source:prepareandnourish.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 407
- Fats: 18g
- Protein: 51g
- Carbs: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
A single-skillet pizza really changes the game! This family-friendly dish is a real crowd-pleaser. Not only does it taste amazing, but it’s also low in carbs and absolutely singing with protein.
4. Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Source:thecleaneatingcouple.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 256
- Fats: 9g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
A traditional Shepherd’s Pie uses leftover meat to get the job done. So, if you find yourself stuck with some leftover turkey, it’s time to transform it into this delicious weeknight recipe!
Even without the leftovers to grease the way, this is a wonderful recipe that will have your family running for the kitchen from the mere aroma.
5. Pan Seared Salmon with Basil Tzatziki
Source:twohealthykitchens.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 294
- Fats: 19g
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
Put a refined spin on your weeknight dinners with this pan-seared salmon. The secret to this recipe’s success lies in the light and herbaceous basil tzatziki.
This yogurt dressing is the perfect thing to cut through the salmon’s richness. So the meal feels balanced and won’t bog you down.
6. Italian Meatballs
Source:drivemehungry.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 360
- Fats: 23g
- Protein: 23g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
Nothing wrong with opting for the classics, right? These Italian meatballs really bring protein.
Each morsel is soaked in a classic Italian sauce, super tender, and amazing with your choice of sides.
Garlic bread and a side of mozzarella, anyone?
7. Lentil Soup with Pasta
Source:thesaltandsweet.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 184
- Fats: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Carbs: 31g
- Fiber: 9g
- Sugar: 3g
I’m a huge fan of using dried or canned ingredients regularly, as they’re a great way to keep costs down while creating great dishes. Case in point: this amazing lentil soup with pasta!
High in protein, this dish will barely impact your wallet, and it’s even more delicious as leftovers the following day.
8. Mahi Mahi with Lemon Garlic Sauce
Source:theforkedspoon.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 256
- Fats: 16g
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
Bring the taste of the seaside to your kitchen with this incredible mahi mahi. If you’ve never cooked with white fish before, this is a beautiful way to start your journey.
It’s a forgiving fish with a robust flavor, so it can stand up to the light and bright lemon garlic sauce.
9. 5-Spice Chicken with Mushrooms and Veggies
Source:ourlovelanguageisfood.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 271
- Fats: 10g
- Protein: 37g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
I hear ‘five spices’ and ‘chicken’, and I come running. This dish is super healthy, super high in protein, and low in carbs, so it’s the ideal addition to a keto roster.
Sound too good to be true? Try it for yourself and experience the explosion of flavor in every bite!
10. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Source:dinneratthezoo.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 426
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 57g
- Carbs: 23g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 5g
Every home cook needs a great beef stew recipe. If you don’t already have yours, I’d like to submit this one for your consideration.
Rich, hearty, and comforting, this has all the signs of a great stew.
You’ll love these other high protein slow cooker recipes for dinner!
11. Instant Pot Chicken Stew
Source:twocloveskitchen.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 378
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 35g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
Whip out the Instant Pot and get dinner sorted in just half an hour! This is a lean and mean chicken dinner packed with all the nutrients your family needs in a day.
This is also a great meal prep recipe if you need something quick, easy, and nutritious to kick off a long week.
12. Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
Source:lovefromthetable.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 233
- Fats: 9g
- Protein: 34g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugar: 3g
I love cooking with tenderloins because they’re usually affordable, and they come together quickly! These turkey tenderloins prove my point, with plenty of crunch, thanks to that air fryer.
13. Crispy Pan-Fried Tofu
Source:brokebankvegan.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 345
- Fats: 17.9g
- Protein: 18.1g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Sugar: 11.7g
The secret to making great tofu is to know how to treat it right!
That’s why this crispy pan-fried tofu recipe will guarantee you success. Because it teaches you to press, drain, and season your way to deliciousness.
You must try these other high protein vegan recipes!
14. Chicken Mango Lettuce Wraps
Source:ourlovelanguageisfood.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 317
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 32g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 8g
Bring the scent of the tropics to your kitchen with these chicken and mango lettuce wraps! Lettuce wraps are such a good summer lunch option. They’re light, bright, and full of flavor.
Make these wraps your own by using your favorite sauce or vegetables to change the flavors to your liking.
15. Lemon Chicken Tray Bake
Source:twocloveskitchen.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 486
- Fats: 35g
- Protein: 27g
- Carbs: 19g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 9g
If you’ve read any of my recipes, then you know I love a sheet pan recipe! This tray bake makes battling your weeknight super simple, as it minimizes dishes and maximizes protein.
Bring tangy, bright lemon to the table with this amazing chicken. Add your favorite high protein sides to complete the dish!
These other flavorful sheet pan recipes are great for meal prep!
16. Mexican Chicken Adobo
Source:lemonblossoms.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 306
- Fats: 15g
- Protein: 32g
- Carbs: 11g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
Adobo is a Mexican soup that packs as much punch as it possibly can into every mouthful. The array of spices in this recipe makes it taste like it took hours to make, but this is a simple recipe!
Try your hand at this tasty treat. You won’t regret it!
17. Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
Source:chefsavvy.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 297
- Fats: 11g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 18g
Bring some Asian-inspired flavors into your kitchen with this deliciously simple honey garlic chicken stir fry.
I love stir-fry recipes because you can pack as many vegetables as you like in there! Serve with a bowl of brown rice or noodles to help your dinner go the distance.
18. Creamy Coconut Chicken
Source:theshortordercook.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 480
- Fats: 35.8g
- Protein: 29.4g
- Carbs: 12.8g
- Fiber: 2.5g
- Sugar: 3.4g
A great coconut chicken recipe is creamy but not too rich and humming with all those underlying spices. Coconut is a great vehicle for heavy spice.
The creaminess calms down any heat, making this an approachable and tasty dish the whole family can enjoy.
19. Sweet Potato Ground Beef Casserole
Source:garlicsaltandlime.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 339
- Fats: 22.6g
- Protein: 20.5g
- Carbs: 16g
- Fiber: 1.6g
- Sugar: 3.4g
Pack more protein and nutrients into a classic ground beef casserole by using sweet potato as your foundation! Not only does this taste amazing, but it’s also a great way to bulk up your dish.
This casserole is an absolute dream to enjoy the next day, so make sure you make extra. Good thing it doesn’t take long to create!
Check out these other high protein casserole recipes!
20. Creamy Lemon Dill Butter Chicken
Source:theshortordercook.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 359
- Fats: 20.5g
- Protein: 34.8g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Sugar: 0.2g
Lemon and dill are a tried and true combination. Light and herbaceous, this creamy chicken is a delicious high-protein dish that’s perfect for a summer night in with your family.
21. Lentil Potato Soup
Source:plantbasedonabudget.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 392
- Fats: 17g
- Protein: 15g
- Carbs: 49g
- Fiber: 15g
- Sugar: 5g
Use some of the most humble ingredients in the world to create this unbeatable lentil and potato soup. The starch from the potato helps make the soup extra thick and creamy.
This plant-based recipe is super easy to make ahead, so make sure you create a big batch and store the leftovers!
22. Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Source:livglutenfree.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 335
- Fats: 16g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 21g
- Fiber: 2.8g
- Sugar: 4g
Now, we all know that stuffed potatoes are good. But what if you could take it one step further taste-wise, all while making the dish healthier? That’s what this recipe does!
Rich buffalo sauce seeps out of these perfectly-roasted sweet potatoes, hinting at the tender chicken hiding beneath. There’s truly nothing more comforting or better for game day!
23. Tofu Lettuce Wraps
Source:plantbasedonabudget.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 261
- Fats: 12g
- Protein: 16g
- Carbs: 27g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 10g
Tofu is inherently full of protein, as it’s made from soybeans, which are one of the most protein-packed legumes out there! So, this meal has a ton of potential.
Create your own wraps and choose your own vegetable toppings to create a signature version of this summer dinner idea.
24. Turkey Meatloaf with BBQ Glaze
Source:wholesomemadeeasy.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 340
- Fats: 15g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 10g
Meatloaf is absolutely delicious, but it can be expensive! It’s also packed with red meat, and if you’re trying to avoid cholesterol, it’s a tough sell.
That’s why I love this turkey meatloaf recipe. Thanks to the BBQ sauce, you get all that same great protein and flavor without the added cholesterol or price tag.
25. Steak Stir Fry
Source:lovefromtheoven.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 340
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 31g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 14g
Speaking of smaller price tags, a great way to use a cheap cut of steak is to tenderize it into a stir-fry dish!
Many Asian dishes use tenderizing acids in their sauces, so the meat becomes super soft. That’s what’s at work in this absolutely addictive stir fry. This is a must-try!
26. Root Vegetable and Lentil Stew
Source:plantbasedonabudget.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 536
- Fats: 3g
- Protein: 37g
- Carbs: 92g
- Fiber: 43g
- Sugar: 9g
Bringing more root vegetables and lentils into your diet is a great way to increase your protein while staying plant-based! This stunning lentil stew is the ultimate plant-based winter warmer.
27. Italian Sausage, Onions, and Peppers Skillet
Source:primaverakitchen.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 337
- Fats: 17g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 8g
Keep things simple and delicious on a busy weeknight with this high protein Italian dinner feast!
This only uses one skillet, so you won’t have to deal with a mountain of dishes once you’re done cooking.
28. Shrimp Quinoa Fried Rice
Source:diycandy.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 411
- Fats: 8g
- Protein: 39g
- Carbs: 48g
- Fiber: 13g
- Sugar: 13g
I absolutely love fried rice! Increasing the amount of protein in a quick and delicious fried rice recipe is a simple matter of adding some quinoa and some light seafood.
Succulent shrimp and nutty quinoa are great additions to this family favorite.
29. Chicken Spinach Pasta
Source:ifoodreal.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 521
- Fats: 15g
- Protein: 38g
- Carbs: 54g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 6g
Have your tastebuds humming thanks to this chicken spinach pasta. If you’re after a simple meal prep recipe or a make-ahead option, this is the dish for you.
30. Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Source:thecozycook.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 142
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
One of the best ways to introduce more protein into a meal is to simply add more meat! This bacon-wrapped chicken is a great example of a way to bring two kinds of meat together.
Flawlessly tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside, this dish will blow your mind!
31. Swedish Meatballs
Source:drivemehungry.com
Per Serving:
- Calories: 441
- Fats: 31g
- Protein: 23g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
Finally, put IKEA to shame with your very own Swedish meatballs. Whether you need a super easy appetizer, a quick dinner, or even a meal prep foundation, this recipe will serve you well.
And that’s thirty-one! Which of these recipes really spoke to you, and which ones would you rather leave on the back burner? Let me know in the comments!
If you’re interested in other High Protein recipes, I have a whole section for them on my website. Make sure to go check it out so you can bolster your high protein recipe book.
From dinners to desserts, lunches, and snacks, there’s something for everyone with these other easy high-protein meals.