These 17 easy high protein dinners are filling, family-friendly and made for busy weeknights. Most have 40g of protein or more per serving, and plenty are ready in 30 minutes. There's sheet pan chicken, creamy skillet dinners, slow cooked beef, salmon and a few vegetarian options too.
I've listed the protein per serving for every recipe, taken from each recipe card, so you can see at a glance which ones work hardest. These are real family dinners rather than diet food, so everyone at the table eats the same meal.
Every recipe here has been tested in my own kitchen. For more quick ideas, browse all my 30 Minute Meals or my 20 Easy One-Pan Dinner Ideas.
How to Make Dinner Higher in Protein
A few simple habits make it much easier to get more protein onto the dinner table without cooking separate meals.
- Build the meal around the protein. Start with chicken, beef, pork, salmon, eggs or tofu, then add vegetables and carbs around it.
- Choose lean cuts for big numbers. Chicken breast and pork tenderloin give you lots of protein for fewer calories.
- Add dairy to sauces. Parmesan, mozzarella, cottage cheese and Greek yogurt all add protein as well as creaminess.
- Add beans or lentils to the side. A spoonful of beans or lentils alongside your dinner adds protein and fiber.
17 Easy High Protein Dinners
What to Serve With These High Protein Dinners
Most of these are a full meal already, but here's what I serve alongside them when I want to round out the plate.
- Something to soak up the sauce. Rice, baked potatoes or my KitchenAid Mashed Potatoes go with the creamy chicken dishes, curries and meatballs.
- Green veggies. My Green Beans with Lemon & Almonds or Charred Broccolini with Lemon & Chili add color and take just a few minutes.
- A protein-packed salad. My Easy Kale & Cannellini Bean Salad adds even more protein and fiber to the meal.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Don't overcook lean meat. Chicken breast and pork tenderloin dry out quickly. Use a meat thermometer and take chicken out at 165°F and pork tenderloin at 145°F.
- Batch cook for lunches. The curries, Miso Beef and Pulled Beef all make great leftovers, so cook once and you have high protein lunches too.
- Use the sheet pan. Sheet pan dinners like the Mozzarella & Pesto Chicken and Chicken Fajitas are the easiest way to get protein and vegetables on the table with one pan to wash.
- Nutrition is an estimate. Protein figures come from each recipe card and will vary a little with the brands and portion sizes you use.
How to Store and Freeze
- Fridge. Let leftovers cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Freezer. The curries, meatballs, pulled beef and miso beef all freeze well for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat until piping hot.
- What not to freeze. The pasta dishes, omelet and frittata are best eaten fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein should a high protein dinner have?
There's no official number, but most people consider around 30g of protein per serving a high protein meal. Almost every recipe on this list has more than that.
Which of these high protein dinners has the most protein?
The Mozzarella & Pesto Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner tops the list with 65g of protein per serving, followed by the Chicken Fajita Sheet Pan Dinner at 57g.
Which high protein dinners are quickest?
The Zucchini & Cheddar Omelet takes 12 minutes and the Teriyaki Salmon with Noodles takes 20. Most of the chicken dishes are ready in 30 minutes.
Are there any vegetarian high protein dinners here?
Yes. The Tofu Bolognese, Zucchini & Cheddar Omelet and High-Protein Frittata are all vegetarian.
How can I add more protein at breakfast too?
Eggs and Greek yogurt are easy wins. Try my easy cripsy blender waffles which are made with cottage cheese! I also like my Easy Collagen Coffee for a quick protein boost alongside breakfast.
Which Recipe Will You Try First?
So, which of these high protein dinners is going on your meal plan first? I always love hearing which recipe becomes a family favorite, so drop a comment below and let me know.
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