Dinner should keep you full, not have you reaching for a snack an hour later. These high-protein meals do just that without a bunch of extra steps or ingredients you don’t actually have. Everything here is easy to make, fills you up, and won’t leave you staring into the fridge before bed.
Blackened Cod
A simple spice rub and quick pan sear give this cod plenty of bold flavor without much work. It’s a fast, high-protein seafood option that pairs well with roasted veggies or rice.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod
Beef Kafta
These Middle Eastern-style beef kabobs are packed with spices and cook up fast. Serve them with rice, salad, and a side of hummus for a protein-heavy meal that doesn’t feel heavy.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kafta
Air Fryer Skirt Steak
Skirt steak in the air fryer means juicy, flavorful steak without the grill. It cooks in minutes and pairs well with veggies, rice, or a salad, making it a great high-protein dinner that takes almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Skirt Steak
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
This one-pan meal loads up on protein with roasted chicken and caramelized sweet potatoes. Simple, filling, and no extra dishes to deal with.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Steak and shrimp make this an easy surf-and-turf meal with plenty of protein. Toss everything on a sheet pan, bake for 20 minutes, and dinner is ready.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
This slow cooker chicken stays juicy in a sticky, sweet garlic sauce. The pineapple adds a little extra flavor, and it’s easy enough to throw together before a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Elk Burgers
Ground elk makes for a lean, high-protein burger with plenty of flavor. A simple spice blend keeps it juicy, and it grills up just like beef.
Get the Recipe: Elk Burgers
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Chicken is stuffed with ham, pineapple, and cheese, then finished with a sticky teriyaki glaze. A great way to keep things high-protein while adding big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Mahi mahi gets a bold crust from a quick homemade seasoning blend and broils in just minutes. High in protein and full of flavor, this one keeps things simple while still being a solid meal.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Mahi Mahi
Air Fryer Scallops
These scallops cook up fast in the air fryer, coming out perfectly tender with a lightly crisped exterior. Finished with a quick garlic butter sauce, they’re a high-protein seafood option that’s easy enough for a weeknight but still feels like something special.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Scallops
Sheet Pan Turmeric Salmon
Salmon and broccoli roast together with turmeric and a quick garlic cherry sauce for a meal that’s packed with protein and nutrients.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Turmeric Salmon
Coconut Lime Baked Chicken
Chicken bakes up tender and crisp with a coconut lime marinade. Served with mango sticky rice, this is a high-protein meal with a little extra flavor.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Lime Baked Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
These chicken leg quarters cook in under 25 minutes, coming out crispy on the outside and juicy inside. A high-protein, hands-off meal that’s easy to prep.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Baked Sablefish
Sablefish, or black cod, is baked with a honey lime glaze and topped with a fresh jalapeño corn salsa. A simple, high-protein seafood dish that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sablefish
Sheet Pan Roasted Peri Peri Chicken
This spatchcocked chicken cooks in just 35 minutes, roasting with bold peri peri seasoning. High in protein, low on effort, and all done on one pan.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Roasted Peri Peri Chicken
Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Chicken and cashews cook together in a sweet and savory sauce, finished with fresh basil. A one-pan dinner that’s high in protein and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet
Indian Chicken Burgers
These chicken burgers are packed with spices and topped with a cool yogurt cucumber slaw. A great beef alternative with plenty of protein.
Get the Recipe: Indian Chicken Burgers
Burger Bowls
This is everything great about a burger without the bun. Juicy beef, fresh toppings, and a homemade burger sauce come together for a high-protein meal that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls
Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon
This baked salmon is ready in 10-12 minutes, making it one of the easiest ways to get a high-protein dinner on the table fast. The garlic-caper crust adds plenty of flavor without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon
Cheddar Chicken Bake
This casserole combines shredded chicken, quinoa, and cheddar for a high-protein meal that works great with leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake
Greek Shrimp Skillet
Shrimp, tomatoes, spinach, and feta come together in this quick skillet meal. It’s high in protein, full of flavor, and ready in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
