Eating a high protein diet can feel like a hassle, sometimes. Whether you’re low on time or looking to simplify your weekly menu, trying to change up your diet can spell trouble!
The key is to make sure you have a ton of easy recipes in your repertoire. And, in my humble opinion, there’s nothing easier than an Instant Pot recipe.
Whether you’re building muscle or just looking to introduce more protein into your diet, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into twenty-one deliciously simple high protein Instant Pot recipes!
1. Spicy Chicken with Quinoa
Source: allnutritious.com
Let’s begin with a classic: my spicy chicken with quinoa. This is a super nutritious, high-protein meal that easily comes together in your Instant Pot.
You literally need about twenty-five minutes to pull this together, and most of that is cooking time.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 767
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 65g
• Carbs: 104g
• Fiber: 30g
• Sugar: 12g
2. Cabbage Rolls
Source: twokooksinthekitchen.com
Next up, cabbage rolls! These are a lazy day favorite that will only take you about 35 minutes to make. Again, most of that is the time these rolls will spend in your pressure cooker.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how affordable it is. Cabbage is a cost-effective ingredient that’s great for family cooking!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 193
• Fats: 6g
• Protein: 20g
• Carbs: 17g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 10g
3. Creamy Garlic Clove Chicken
Source: eatinginaninstant.com
Turn a few simple ingredients into dinner worthy of a high-quality restaurant with this next recipe. Packed with flavor and super juicy, this creamy garlic clove chicken is a must-try.
The secret to this chicken is an enormous amount of garlic – 40 cloves of it! The cloves cook down into a delicious sauce, mellowing out with time and pressure.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 414
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 51g
• Carbs: 10g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugar: 1g
4. Jambalaya
Source: noshingwiththenolands.com
Jambalaya is a staple in Creole cuisine, and if you’ve never tried it before, this is your sign! Think of it like a sausage stew with French and North African flavors all blended together.
This is a great meal to lean on if you want to meal prep for the week ahead. It also produces excellent leftovers, as the stew becomes tastier over time.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 702
• Fats: 46g
• Protein: 38g
• Carbs: 33g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 7g
5. French Onion Pot Roast
Source: eatinginaninstant.com
We all know the tempting taste of French onion soup. But what if you’re after something a little more robust? This high protein French onion pot roast is the answer!
Flaky pot roast is drowned in a delicious onion gravy, all served on a bed of creamy mash. This is out of this world and so easy to make.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 335
• Fats: 20g
• Protein: 34g
• Carbs: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
6. Orange Chicken
Source: seasonalcravings.com
If you love Chinese takeout as much as I do, then you know how good orange chicken is. Here’s the problem: it’s not always the healthiest choice.
If you want to enjoy this classic while knowing everything that goes into it, here’s a healthier take! You only need thirty minutes to whip this up for your family.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 370
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 50g
• Carbs: 14g
• Sugar: 10g
7. Chili
Source: paintthekitchenred.com
Chili and the Instant Pot go together like peanut butter and jelly. They’re the perfect combination, with the Instant Pot providing an ideal environment to make great chili.
This is a stunning comfort food recipe. Perfect for cold nights at home! Not to mention, the leftovers are super easy to store and reheat at your leisure.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 279
• Fats: 13g
• Protein: 24g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 5g
8. Coconut Curry Pork
Source: asianinspiredeats.com
Looking for a touch of Asian fusion? Look no further than this coconut curry pork! This is a super fragrant dish, packed with pork that’s just falling apart.
The blend of coconut milk, curry, turmeric, and cumin is out of this world. Whip this up in a mere 45 minutes and enjoy it for days to come.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 459
• Fats: 15g
• Protein: 22.8g
• Carbs: 61.4g
• Sugar: 4.2g
9. Teriyaki Chicken
Source: makeitskinnyplease.com
Everyone needs a signature teriyaki chicken recipe, and this one might be yours! Deliciously moist chicken coated in a dark, sticky teriyaki sauce in just 15 minutes.
Yeah, 15 minutes! This is a great option if you’re looking for a family-friendly crowd-pleaser.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 198
• Fats: 4g
• Protein: 26g
• Carbs: 15g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 8g
10. Steak Tacos
Source: thedizzycook.com
Whether you’re having friends over for dinner or just looking for something to spice up your mid-week meals, give this a try! These steak tacos are rich with spice and super moist.
Thanks to their time in the Instant Pot, the steaks just flake away into delicious, tender strands. Perfect for filling tacos.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 323.48
• Fats: 13.27g
• Protein: 39.77g
• Carbs: 8.25g
• Fiber: 1.33g
• Sugar: 5.89g
11. Boneless Turkey Breast Roast
Source: makeitskinnyplease.com
Turkey sometimes gets the side-eye because people think it’s dry, but it just needs some special treatment. This delicious turkey breast roast is proof you can enjoy it moist!
The key is to cook it in a pressure cooker with plenty of broth and aromatics. That way, the turkey stays tender and cooks to perfection with almost no effort from you.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 165
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 34g
• Carbs: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
12. Korean BBQ Beef Short Ribs
Source: simplyhappenings.com
Korean BBQ short ribs – or ‘galbi’ – are a staple in the Korean food scene. Dark and sticky, with ultra-tender meat, these are a must-try for any Korean food enthusiast.
You can enjoy these ribs on their own or as part of a wider spread of small dishes.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 465
• Fats: 26g
• Protein: 44g
• Carbs: 12g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Sugar: 9g
13. White Chicken Chili
Source: theroastedroot.net
While the rich, red chilis usually get the spotlight, there’s another contender in the mix. White chicken chili! Instead of the punchy, beef-heavy red chili, enjoy a mellow chicken version.
This is just as easy to make as its redder cousin, and ideal if you’re after something more mellow. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of room to spice things up.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 331
• Fats: 6g
• Protein: 39g
• Carbs: 59g
• Fiber: 16g
• Sugar: 8g
14. Italian Sausage and Peppers
Source: theshortordercook.com
There’s nothing wrong with a classic, and this sandwich is undeniably a classic. The peppers are the part of this meal that go in the pressure cooker, turning into jammy, savory goodness.
Use them to dress a simple hot dog for a delicious family-friendly twist on a simple meal.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 212
• Fats: 12.8g
• Protein: 14.9g
• Carbs: 10.2g
• Fiber: 1.6g
• Sugar: 4.9g
15. Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
Source: theforkedspoon.com
Who doesn’t love buffalo chicken? Whipping up buffalo chicken in an Instant Pot is one of the best ways to prepare this game-changing meal.
It gives the chicken plenty of time to cook and flake apart. All while allowing the buffalo sauce to soak into every morsel.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 358
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 34g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 7g
16. Bacon Cheddar Egg Bites
Source: makeaheadmealmom.com
If you’re not a morning person, trying to sort out a high protein breakfast every morning can be brutal. Luckily, there’s a solution: these bacon cheddar egg bites!
Spare yourself the morning rush with these super simple bites that come together in your Instant Pot. You can even prepare them ahead of time, if you like!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 345
• Fats: 27g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 2g
• Sugar: 1g
17. Pulled Pork
Source: pressurecookrecipes.com
If you whip out a tray of pulled pork at a BBQ, you’ll win the immediate admiration of everyone there. There’s just something so impressive about being able to make this stuff!
Luckily, the reward doesn’t have to come at the cost of hours and hours of work. Just a few minutes of quality time with your Instant Pot, and you’ll win the neighborhood’s hearts.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 307
• Fats: 10g
• Protein: 29g
• Carbs: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 19g
18. Chile Colorado
Source: theroastedroot.net
Craving restaurant-quality Mexican food? It’s never been so easy to bring the flavors of Mexico to your table. This recipe produces a super tender beef stewed in a punchy red chile sauce.
This looks like heaven on a plate. Enjoy with warm tortillas, a squeeze of lime, and a side of rice for a warming winter meal.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 589
• Fats: 37g
• Protein: 47g
• Carbs: 11g
• Sugar: 4g
19. Beef Stew
Source: pressurecookrecipes.com
If a classic English beef stew is more your speed, then this is the recipe for you. This recipe spends just over an hour in the pressure cooker, tenderizing the meat to perfection.
The sauce is what really makes this dish. It’s rich, fragrant, and a perfect example of what a great beef stew should be.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 475
• Fats: 27g
• Protein: 34g
• Carbs: 25g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 7g
20. Red Wine Chicken
Source: simpleandsavory.com
Looking for a dish that will impress? Without sacrificing hours in the kitchen? Then you have to give this Instant Pot red wine chicken a try.
Through the power of the Instant Pot, this dish tastes like it’s been cooking all day long. In reality, you can have it ready and waiting on your table in just one hour.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 306
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 37g
• Carbs: 15g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 7g
21. Chicken Legs
Source: instantpotcooking.com
Finally, pull out all the stops at your next neighborhood barbecue with these delicious chicken legs. Coated in an unforgettable sauce, these drumsticks are tender and flaky.
Seriously, you barely need to bite down before the chicken flakes off the bone. Not to mention, you can have these ready even if you’ve received a last-minute invite.
They only take 35 minutes to prepare from start to finish!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 454
• Fats: 21g
• Protein: 56g
• Carbs: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 5g
At the end of our list, it’s important to remember that the best meal is one that makes you feel good about the body you’re in. Finding convenient, delicious recipes is a matter of experimentation.
Play around with the Instant Pot recipes on this list, make them your own, and let me know which one is your favorite in the comments.