10+ Protein Dinner Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Dinner should be tasty and support your health, right? Picking recipes with plenty of protein keeps you full and gives your body a boost.

Protein dinner recipes make it easy to get the nutrients you need while actually enjoying your food.

You don’t need to be a pro chef to whip up high-protein meals. Most recipes use basic ingredients and straightforward steps that fit into a busy weeknight.

Mixing up your protein dinners keeps things interesting at the table. Nobody wants boring dinners, after all.

Ingredients

• Protein source (chicken, beef, tofu, beans, fish, etc.)
• Vegetables
• Cooking oil or spray
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, herbs, spices)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut or season your protein.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Cook the protein until done.
4. Add vegetables and cook until tender.
5. Season to taste and serve.

1) Peanut Chickpea Protein Bowl

This bowl is a quick, tasty way to pack in protein at dinner. Crunchy chickpeas meet fresh cabbage slaw and warm brown rice.

A creamy peanut sauce brings it all together. You can bake or air-fry the chickpeas for extra crunch.

The sauce comes together fast—just peanut butter, soy sauce, and a couple of pantry staples. It’s a healthy meal and keeps well for leftovers, which is always a win.

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss chickpeas with oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
4. Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and garlic for the sauce.
5. In a bowl, combine rice, cabbage, and chickpeas.
6. Drizzle with peanut sauce and dig in.

Want the full scoop? Check the recipe here.

2) Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti

Cottage cheese baked ziti makes dinner creamy and filling, but lighter than using ricotta. You get a cheesy top layer with soft pasta underneath.

It’s easy to prep and great for meal planning. Toss in veggies or lean meat if you want even more protein.

Low-fat cottage cheese keeps things light but still packs in protein. If you want a comforting, budget-friendly bake, this one’s a keeper.

Try this cottage cheese baked ziti recipe for a simple, tasty dinner.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ziti pasta
• 1 ½ cups low-fat cottage cheese
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta according to package; drain.
3. Mix pasta, cottage cheese, marinara, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour into a baking dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

3) High-Protein Marry Me Chicken

This one’s creamy, rich, and loaded with protein. You’ll cook chicken breasts in a sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, cottage cheese, and chicken broth.

It comes together in about 30 minutes—pretty fast for something so good. Serve it with pasta, rice, or maybe some steamed veggies if you’re feeling virtuous.

Cottage cheese in the sauce adds protein without making it heavy. Sun-dried tomatoes give a tangy punch that balances the creamy sauce.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3/4 cup chicken bone broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup whole milk cottage cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Cook chicken 6-7 minutes per side until golden and done.
4. Set chicken aside.
5. Add broth, cream, cottage cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes to the pan.
6. Stir and cook until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
7. Return chicken, coat with sauce, and simmer 2-3 minutes.
8. Serve hot.

4) White Bean & Smoked Sausage Skillet

This skillet is a solid way to get protein and fiber in one go. Brown smoked sausage, toss in creamy white beans, and let garlic and kale bring the flavor.

It comes together fast—perfect for busy nights. You can eat it with bread or just as is.

Ingredients

• 12-14 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups chopped kale
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium.
2. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute.
4. Add beans and kale; cook until kale wilts, about 5 minutes.
5. Season and serve.

For a full recipe, check this white bean sausage skillet.

5) Sweet & Sour Tofu

Sweet and sour tofu gives you a plant-based protein dinner that’s actually fun to eat. The tofu gets crispy outside, stays soft inside, and the sauce is that perfect sweet-tangy combo.

You can make it fast, and leftovers reheat well. Toss in extra veggies for color and crunch.

The sauce clings to the tofu just right. It’s perfect with rice or noodles, and honestly, it beats takeout most nights.

Ingredients

• 1 block firm tofu
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Press and cube the tofu.
2. Toss tofu in cornstarch.
3. Heat oil in a pan at 350°F (175°C).
4. Fry tofu until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Remove tofu and set aside.
6. Mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and water.
7. Cook sauce in the pan until thickened.
8. Add tofu, bell pepper, and pineapple.
9. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes.
10. Serve hot with rice or noodles.

Want a full walkthrough? Find more here.

6) Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Slow cooker chicken enchiladas make dinner easy and protein-packed. Just toss chicken, enchilada sauce, beans, and spices in the slow cooker.

After cooking, shred the chicken and layer it with tortillas and cheese. The slow cooker does most of the work, which is always a relief.

Top with sour cream or avocado if you’re feeling fancy. This dish is filling and balanced, so it’s a smart pick for dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 2 cups enchilada sauce
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 small onion, sautéed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8-10 corn or flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Put chicken, enchilada sauce, beans, onion, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
3. Shred chicken and return it to the slow cooker.
4. Layer tortillas, chicken mixture, and cheese in a casserole dish.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until cheese melts.
6. Top with sour cream or avocado if you want.

Check out more about slow cooker chicken enchiladas here.

7) Beef Taco Skillet

Beef Taco Skillet is a one-pan wonder that’s fast and full of flavor. Ground beef, beans, and spices bring those classic taco vibes.

You can toss in rice or veggies to bulk it up. It cooks up quick and doesn’t leave you with a pile of dishes.

Switch it up with turkey or top with cheese and avocado. This meal keeps you full with a good mix of protein and fiber.

Try this skillet when you want all the taco flavor without the fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup black beans (canned, drained)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• 1 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat. Let it cook through.

2. Add taco seasoning, black beans, diced tomatoes, and cooked rice. Stir everything together.

3. Keep it on the heat for 5-7 minutes until it’s all warmed up.

4. Sprinkle cheese on top if that’s your thing. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt.

5. Serve it warm. Dig in and enjoy.

More tips? Check out this Beef Taco Skillet recipe.

8) Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu is one of those comfort meals that somehow feels a little fancy. It’s got chicken, ham, and cheese—what’s not to like?

You can throw together shredded chicken and cubed ham with a creamy sauce. If you add mustard and cottage cheese or go for Swiss, you get even more flavor.

It’s easy to prep and doesn’t take long to cook, which is always a win. Bake it in the oven until the top gets bubbly and golden.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 3 oz cubed ham
• ½ cup cottage cheese (blended) or Swiss cheese
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Butter or spray for greasing the baking dish

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Grease a small baking dish with butter or spray.

3. Mix chicken, ham, cottage cheese, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

4. Pour the mixture into your baking dish and spread it out.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The top should get a little brown and everything will be hot.

9) Moroccan Spicy-Sweet Tofu with Couscous

This recipe brings together spicy harissa and a bit of honey or maple syrup for some sweet heat. You cook the tofu until it’s crispy, then toss it with couscous.

Fresh mint and almonds give it a nice crunch and a fresh bite. It comes together fast, which is perfect for those nights when you just can’t deal with a complicated meal.

Want it vegan? Just use maple syrup instead of honey—easy fix. The Moroccan spices add warmth, but they don’t take over the whole dish.

Ingredients

• 1 block firm tofu, pressed and cubed
• 1 cup couscous
• 1 tablespoon harissa paste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 1/4 cups hot water or vegetable broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Press the tofu to get rid of extra water, then cube it.

2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium. Toss in the tofu and cook until it’s golden and crispy.

3. Stir in harissa paste and honey or maple syrup. Let it cook for about 2 minutes, coating the tofu.

4. Pour hot water or broth over couscous in a bowl. Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes.

5. Fluff the couscous with a fork. Mix in mint and almonds.

6. Serve the tofu over the couscous. Season with salt and pepper.

10) Chicken Orzo Skillet

This chicken orzo skillet is a lifesaver when you need dinner fast. You cook chicken breasts with orzo in a creamy sauce—super filling and honestly pretty tasty.

Sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach add a punch of flavor and a little color. The whole thing comes together quickly, so it’s perfect for a weeknight when you’re tired.

You just need one pan, so cleanup is a breeze. The creamy orzo and juicy chicken make it a meal you’ll want to revisit.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour some olive oil into a skillet and heat it up over medium.

2. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken. Toss it in the skillet and cook until it turns golden and cooked through—usually takes about 6 or 7 minutes per side.

3. Take the chicken out and let it rest for now.

4. Throw in the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Give them a quick sauté for a minute or two.

5. Add the orzo and chicken broth to the pan. Crank up the heat and get it boiling.

6. Once it boils, drop the heat. Let it simmer until the orzo softens, which should be around 10 minutes.

7. Pour in the heavy cream and toss in the spinach. Keep cooking until the spinach wilts.

8. Slice up the chicken, put it back in the skillet, and let everything get nice and hot before serving.