15 Irresistible High Protein Meals (Nutritionist Approved)

Explore high protein meal recipes that don’t just rely on plain chicken as their main dish!


When you think of high protein meals, you probably imagine something with chicken and eggs, right? There’s a whole world of healthy dishes out there that are high in protein that AREN’T just skinless, flavorless chicken with plain rice.  

Let us introduce you to the world of delicious high protein foods baked, broiled, sautéed, and grilled into irresistible high protein meals. Get ready to fill up and feel satisfied! 

Table of Contents 
High Protein Turkey Skillet Burrito 
Balsamic Tofu with Rice 
High Protein Turkey Lasagna 
One Pan Spinach Chicken & Rice 
Jalapeño Chicken Poppers 
Walnut Pesto Caprese Chicken 
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers 
Easy High Protein Curry Chicken 
Sirloin Steak Fajita Roll-Ups 
Slow Cook Balsamic Pot Roast 
Spinach Tomato High Protein Pasta
Panko Crusted Cod 
Vegan High Protein Chili 
Shrimp Cauliflower Fried Rice 
Marinated Grilled Pork Tenderloin 


High Protein Turkey Skillet Burrito  

Calories: 392   Fat: 10g   Total Carbs: 39g  
Net Carbs: 27g   Fiber: 13g   Protein: 39g 

Turkey is a great source of lean protein that works as a main dish in many recipes; one of those dishes being this high protein, gluten-free burrito bowl. Take out tortillas completely and you cut out a lot of the carbs and calories that come from a traditional burrito! 

Use turkey as a sub for red meats in high protein meals for a leaner, healthier option.


Balsamic Tofu With Rice 

Calories: 270   Fat: 18g   Total Carbs: 15g  
Net Carbs: 12g   Fiber: 3g   Protein: 11g 

You don’t need meat to enjoy high protein meals! For vegan and vegetarian subscribers, tofu is full of protein and is low in carbs and fat (the firmer the tofu the better — less water in the tofu means more room for protein!) Adding the right sauces and spices can dress it up into something tasty, just like this balsamic tofu recipe! 

Tofu works as a non-animal protein source for those on vegan or vegetarian diets.


High Protein Turkey Lasagna 

Calories: 273   Fat: 8.7g   Total Carbs: 18.7g  
Net Carbs: 16.9g   Fiber: 1.8g   Protein: 27g 

For those carby craving pasta days, try this dish! For an even healthier lasagna, sub out regular lasagna noodles for whole wheat noodles or for a keto-friendly version, use thinly sliced zucchini instead (though this might change the protein content just a tad)! 

Wheat noodles are a great way to add healthy carbs to recipes while on a high protein diet.


One Pan Spinach Chicken & Rice 

Calories: 319   Fat: 11g   Total Carbs: 20g  
Net Carbs: 14g   Fiber: 6g   Protein: 35g 

For quick high protein meals that serve the whole family, dishes like this one pan chicken dish is a fast dinner option. If you’re cooking for one, it makes meal prepping for the week easy as you can make a large batch to reheat and eat later.

Making large batch recipes is key to keeping up with weekly meal prep!


Jalapeño Chicken Poppers 

Calories: 296   Fat: 6.9g   Total Carbs: 9.8g  
Net Carbs: 2g   Fiber: 0.8g   Protein: 46.1g 

Make as an appetizer or side dish for a high protein meal with these spicy jalapeño chicken poppers. Instead of stuffing jalapeños, you stuff chicken breasts instead to make a dish absolutely bursting with protein. Plus, they make a great low carb dish if you’re trying to follow a keto plan as well! 

These poppers are also great if you follow a keto diet plan!


Walnut Pesto Caprese Chicken 

Calories: 513   Fat: 36.1g   Total Carbs: 4.6g  
Net Carbs: 3.2g   Fiber: 1.4g   Protein: 42.3g 

Chicken IS the main go-to for a lot of high protein meals, but this recipe takes it to the next level. This is a combo caprese and chicken parm with a savory walnut pesto sauce you’ll crave again and again. (No seriously, have you tried walnut pesto sauce? It’s AMAZING.) 

Add walnut pesto and cheese to dress up what would normally be a bland chicken dish!


Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers 

Calories: 355   Fat: 23g   Total Carbs: 12g  
Net Carbs: 9g   Fiber: 3g   Protein: 27g 

A classic sandwich in a neat, healthy veggie cup. If you’re craving a juicy, savory Philly cheesesteak, this dish is going to leave you satisfied. The mushrooms, bell pepper, and onion add tons of nutrients and fiber as well, so you can enjoy your dinner knowing you’re fueling your body right. 

Skip the bread and have a Philly cheesesteak dish filled with flavorful veggies.


Easy High Protein Curry Chicken 

Calories: 413   Fat: 21g   Total Carbs: 18g  
Net Carbs: ~14g   Fiber: ~4g   Protein: 37g 

You can make this dish in an instant pot or in a saucepan for a savory curry dish with a TON of protein (seriously – look at that label. 37g of protein!!) Japanese curry is considered a comforting, warming dish perfect for a cold day, but don’t let that stop you from having a delicious high protein meal in any weather.  

Curry is a savory dish that can be made into a protein-packed meal.


Sirloin Steak Fajita Roll-Ups 

Calories: 50   Fat: 1g   Total Carbs: 2g  
Net Carbs: 2g   Fiber: 0g   Protein: 6g 

The protein content for a single roll up may be insignificant, but if you eat a few more, it really adds up! Or, make the roll ups a side dish and up the protein with a single meal when you add brown rice, a quinoa mix, black beans, corn, or potatoes as accompanying selections. 

Fajita roll ups are great as an appetizer or as a full finger-food dish.


Slow Cook Balsamic Pot Roast 

Calories: 398   Fat: 21g   Total Carbs: 14g  
Net Carbs: 12g   Fiber: 2g   Protein: 36g 

This easy slow cook dinner can be made in an instant pot, a slow cooker, or in the oven for a hearty and protein packed meal. Prep time is fast, and you can feel free to go about your day while it simmers.   

There's never been a truer practice of "set it and forget it" with this pot roast dish.


Spinach Tomato High Protein Pasta

Calories: 531   Fat: 24g   Total Carbs: 58g  
Net Carbs: 47g   Fiber: 11g   Protein: 27g 

Perfect for carbo loading on rigorous gym days. The poached egg adds a good amount of protein and a delicious texture as well. While it’s on the high end for carbohydrates, this pasta is made from whole wheat, which makes it a healthy complex carb food. 

Enjoy your carbs on a high protein diet by adding a soft poached egg to a hearty bowl of penne.


Panko Crusted Cod  

Calories: 382   Fat: 21g   Total Carbs: 16g  
Net Carbs: 15g   Fiber: 1g   Protein: 31g 

Crunchy garlic seasoned panko crumbs ready in just 10 minutes. Cod is high in protein, low in carbs and fat, and is full of important minerals and nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.  

Cod offers high protein and low carb and fat content, making it super healthy and perfect for a high protein diet.


Vegan High Protein Chili 

Calories: 292   Fat: 7g   Total Carbs: 38g  
Net Carbs: ~22g   Fiber: ~16g   Protein: 21g 

Whether you’re using Beyond Beef or substituting with lean ground beef, this chili recipe is full of fiber-packed vegetables, high protein ingredients, and tons of flavor. Make a big batch and sop it up with a whole grain bun, or top with cheese and fill up on a heaping bowlful. 

Use Beyond Beef as a substitute for regular meat products to make any protein dish vegan and vegetarian friendly.


Shrimp Cauliflower Fried Rice 

Calories: 309   Fat: 16.9g   Total Carbs: 9.6g  
Net Carbs: 6.1g   Fiber: 3.5g   Protein: 30.1g 

Cut down on carbs AND enjoy a high protein meal with cauliflower fried rice. You can easily add more broccoli, bell pepper, and more to this dish to up your daily vegetable serving as well.  

Shrimp is a high protein food that's great to use if you don't have cholesterol issues.


Marinated Grilled Pork Tenderloin 

Calories: 544   Fat: 16g   Total Carbs: 0g  
Net Carbs: 0g   Fiber: 0g   Protein: 94g 

So, you might not be able to eat a whole pound of pork loin in one sitting, so the protein content for this high protein meal might vary depending on your portion size. BUT pork loin is in fact one of the best choices for a high protein meal regardless! And it has virtually no carbs, so it’s great if you’re trying to cut back!  

Go for lean pork loin for this dish to stay heart healthy.