When the cold season hits, my lunches get increasingly more comforting! To me personally, it’s important it’s still packing protein.

We all know, with less and less light, sustained energy is really what we need throughout the day.

So, I thought I’d assemble a list of fall high-protein lunch recipes I absolutely love.

I hope these fall lunch ideas make your days as comforting as they make mine. 😉

1. Burger in a Bowl

Sometimes, you just crave burgers, and you cannot help it! Here is an alternative – a burger in a bowl without the bread and carbs.

Super healthy, nutritious, and high in protein. Which makes for a nutritious and delicious lunch. It tastes just like your regular burger but is much healthier!

2. Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Get your protein with a comforting meal! This stuffed sweet potato is so flavorful and full of protein and complex carbs.

It makes for a truly satisfying lunch. You can just dig in and enjoy yourself. Add whatever veggies you like or swap beef for chicken/turkey, and you’ll have even more protein in your lunch!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 465
• Fats: 21g
• Protein: 29g
• Carbs: 42g
• Sugar: 11g

3. Greek Chicken with Lemon Rice

This Greek chicken with lemon rice offers all the flavors and nutrition you need for lunch. With a whooping 53g of protein per serving and a ton of fiber, this is a perfect meal for lunch.

I love that it takes just 30 minutes to make, and it’s perfect for those following a high-protein diet!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 660
• Fats: 29g
• Protein: 53g
• Carbs: 48g
• Fiber: 7.7g
• Sugar: 3.8g

4. Pizza Bowls

Sometimes, you just crave pizza but don’t want to have the whole thing. These pizza bowls are the perfect replacement: high protein, low carb, low calorie, and gluten-free.

You also don’t need to have the whole pizza. One ramekin with 267 calories and 16g of protein.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 267
• Fats: 18g
• Protein: 16g
• Carbs: 4.2g

5. Shrimp Buddha Bowls

Naturally sweet, flavorful, and only 300 kcal per food container – these shrimp buddha bowls make for a really nice lunch. I’ve personally had them multiple times, and I cannot get enough of them.

You can do your own variation of greens, but keep the shrimp as it is. The combination of spices and the sweetness of the veggies makes it a super yummy lunch. 30 grams per bowl!

6. Easy Orange Chicken

If you like pairing meat with fruity and/or citrusy flavors, this recipe will definitely amaze you.

At first glance, it is a simple and quick chicken meal that is also meal-prep-worthy. The meat is paired with fluffy rice and steamed fresh broccoli. And it is a well-rounded dish.

7. Chicken Burrito Bowl

Beans. Corn. Rice. Shredded chicken. And fresh tomatoes and lettuce. And the cherry on top – a creamy Caesar dressing drizzled over.

It is nutritious, loaded with protein, and rich in fiber. But do you also know that this deconstructed burrito makes one heck of a meal prep option?

8. Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep

It is made with chicken, rice, and broccoli. Only the chicken here is coated with Teriyaki sauce that you will make from scratch.

It is juicy, fluffy, firm, sticky, and all-around delicious.

This chicken lunch has a whopping 51 grams of protein per serving. So rest assured that it will keep you full until dinner.

9. Greek Chicken Bowls

This Greek meal prep is herby, refreshing, and filling. With a whopping 61g of protein per food container, these will fill you right up!

I’ve had these a few times, and they simply taste like magic. When you’re missing Meditarennean flavors or just want more veggies in your diet, this is the lunch to make.

Enjoy!

10. Salsa Shredded Chicken

Just like a lot of the recipes on this list, this chicken is perfect for meal-prepping.

The chicken is cooked in a mixture of broth and mild salsa and shredded to make it more convenient and versatile to consume.

This dish features fresh peppers and cauliflower rice on the side. If you don’t mind the carbs, though, you can use fluffy white rice instead.

11. Chicken with Broccoli, Beets, and Farro Salad

When I say this dish is a nutritional bomb, I really mean it. Because there’s green, there’s purple, there’s orange. There are grains. And there is meat.

Farro and chicken with beets, broccoli, red onions, oranges. Plus, fresh dill for extra freshness and vitamins.

But the thing that wraps it all together? The parsley and garlicky olive oil dressing!

12. Chicken Salad Meal Prep

Who doesn’t like chicken salads for lunch? Especially if they’re tasty and filling like this bowl of goodness. Paprika and garlic-seasoned chicken is sitting on top of a salad bed of cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and avocados.

And everything is coated with a sweet honey and Dijon dressing.

13. Mexican Cauliflower Meal Prep

Are you a fan of Mexican dishes? Then, these lovely meal-prep bowls will have you skip the takeout and bring those amazing and spicy flavors to your kitchen.

This recipe mainly consists of cauliflower rice. But it also includes peppers and canned tomatoes. It is also loaded with paprika, cumin, onion and garlic powder, oregano, and just a touch of chili.

14. Keto Chicken Salad

A keto chicken salad in a lettuce leaf.

This dish has only 1 gram of net carbs. But that’s why it is rich in protein, offering 12 grams in a single salad boat.

Besides chicken, the salad combines boiled eggs, mustard, yogurt, celery, and a touch of lemon. And it is a delicious keto dish that even carb lovers will find satisfying.

15. Herb Chicken Breasts with Couscous

If you’re tired of pairing your meat with rice, go with couscous instead. Besides, couscous is packed with antioxidants and selenium, so it is a real immune-booster.

The recipe also uses zucchini, peppers, onions, and eight whopping garlic cloves. The chicken is flavored with oregano and basil, and it is baked in the oven.

16. Salmon Meal Prep

Tender, flaky salmon combined with colorful, savory, zesty cauliflower, delicious sweet potato, and beetroot is just what the doctor- and your tummy ordered!

Salmon is not only delicious but also good for your brain. For instance, 3 ounces of baked wild Atlantic salmon contains a whopping 2 198 mg of omega-3s (great for brain health) as well as brain-boosting B- vitamins.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 806
• Fats: 45g
• Protein: 54g
• Carbs: 53g
• Fiber: 13g

17. Creamy Tomato Chicken Skillet

Italian-style chicken that your whole family will love.

Chicken breasts are smothered in a creamy, tomatoey, and bright sauce. That is simply perfect for a summertime lunch.

The dish is rich in garlic, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese. And it is half a cup of heavy cream that makes it super silky.

18. Keto Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Sweet but spicy. Umami but loaded with garlicky flavors. This Asian-inspired stir fry is rich in protein and low in carbs.

The sauce includes ginger, garlic, soy sauce, broth, and erythritol to make it sweet.

The chicken is paired with broccoli here, but you can also use other veggies.

19. Sweet Chilli Chicken Sheet Pan

Whether you serve this for dinner or lunch. A chicken sheet pan dish is always a nice addition to the table.

The sheet pan combines chicken, broccoli, peppers, cilantro, lime, and sesame seeds for a more exciting bite.

The sauce is sweet and chili garlic and ginger goodness that will have you licking your fingers, for sure.

20. Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

These stuffed sweet potatoes are a filling and comforting food you can easily customize for your lunch.

Loaded with beans, corn, tomatoes, and onions and enriched with mashed lime avocados with a creamy sour cream topping.

It easily makes a pretty packable lunch that you can easily enjoy during your lunch break at work.

21. Spicy Slaw Bowls with Shrimp

Credit: eatingwell.com

We’re adding edamame and shrimp for extra protein. Edamame is not only high in protein, but one cup of cooked edamame provides a whopping 32% of your daily fiber needs.

For this recipe, we’re making our salad dressing using seasonings, sesame seeds, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. If you need to stock up on sesame oil, here’s a high-quality sesame oil that I recommend.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 364
• Fats: 19g
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 20g
• Fiber: 9g
• Sugar: 3g

22. Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch

Credit: sweetpeasandsaffron.com

It’s Asian inspired, simple to make, and makes 4 servings- perfect for lunch prep! Don’t forget to get good quality sealable meal prep glass containers like these or BPA free ones.

It’s a great combination of umami, sweet, and savory. To make this sauce, all you need is chicken stock, honey, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, and some good quality soy sauce like this.

If you like chicken meal prep, you might also love these chicken burrito bowls that are high in protein and healthy!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 445
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 33g
• Carbs: 56g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 20g

23. Honey Garlic Shrimp Meal Prep

I love shrimp. However, shrimp can get boring at times, but this garlic honey shrimp meal prep is everything but boring

Stir-fried, these shrimp are moist, umami, sweet, and just plain yummy. They are also super easy to make.

Serve it with your favorite mix of vegetables, all cooked up in the same pan! All you need is a side of rice, and you’ve got your high-protein lunch ready.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 436
• Fats: 6.2g
• Protein: 26g
• Carbs: 72g
• Fiber: 7.5g
• Sugar: 17g

24. Chicken Fajita Meal-Prep Bowls

Credit: primaverakitchen.com

Are you craving Mexican? We’ve got you covered.

In order to make this seasoning, you’ll need chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, paprika, and some budget-friendly cumin powder like this.

To make this dish complete, serve with brown rice or mashed cauliflower. To make mash cauliflower you’ll need a cheap but sturdy vegetable steamer like this one here.

Also, you probably want to get a food processor. Here is a low budget one that I always recommend.

Here is my own low carb version of chicken fajita, check it out!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 324
• Fats: 15g
• Protein: 30g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 5g

25. Spicy Chicken

If you love chicken and you love spicy- this is the meal for you.

These chicken breasts are not only tender, but they are also delicious- thanks to the seasoning. And the seasoning ingredients are surprisingly simple!

To make the chicken breasts, toss your chicken breasts in your seasoning and a bit of olive oil.

If you like spicy, you might enjoy these spicy curried chicken meal prep bowls.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 437
• Fats: 24g
• Protein: 39g
• Carbs: 13g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 6g

26. Chipotle Chicken Meal Prep

Credit: myfoodstory.com

If you’re tired of the same old boring chicken, you’ve got to try this recipe! These chicken thighs are juicy, spicy and tasty thanks to the marinade.

For it, we’re using onions, garlic cloves, jalapeno peppers, cumin powder, oregano powder, olive oil, salt, and for extra heat, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. I love these chipotle peppers in adobo sauce because they don’t contain any preservatives.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 458
• Fats: 29.5g
• Protein: 32.9g
• Carbs: 16.2g
• Sugar: 1g

27. Baked Cod

Credit: africanbites.com

The fish dish is tender and flaky, and the lemon garlic sauce is buttery, tangy, and spicy. For this dish, we’re using cod as our protein.

Cod is perfect if you’re trying to cut down on your calories. For instance, 3 ounces of baked cod provides 39% of your daily protein needs.

If you consistently eat rice, it might be a good idea to get an instant pot like this one. You just throw in the rice, water and leave to do the rest.

This is my favorite appliance I own in the kitchen! Also, get more inspiration with your instant pot meals here.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 126
• Fats: 5g
• Protein: 17g
• Carbs: 3g

28. French Onion Chicken Skillet

Credit: thegirlonbloor.com

This dish pairs French onion soup with chicken, making it the perfect comfort food. Topped with cheese, this tender chicken is smothered in gravy and caramelized onions.

For the gravy, we’re using flour, red wine, and beef broth, so if you don’t have any beef broth on hand, here’s some good quality beef broth. Knorr is my go-to brand for it.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 400
• Fats: 28g
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g

30. Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken

Credit: withpeanutbutterontop.com

This Buffalo chicken dish is tender, spicy, and has a hint of cheesiness. It is also packed with flavorful, crunchy veggies so you have a dish that is packed with protein and fiber, making for one very satiating meal!

In order to get tender, fall off the fork chicken, whilst also cutting down on cook time, we’re using an Instant Pot. If you don’t already have an Instant Pot, here’s a budget-friendly Instant Pot.

Loving these meal prep recipes so far, check out these high protein meal prep ideas I’ve shared a while ago!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 466
• Fats: 24g
• Protein: 43g
• Carbs: 22g
• Fiber: 13g
• Sugar: 6g

31. Easy Turkey Pinwheels

Credit: projectmealplan.com

For these pinwheels, you’ll need baby spinach, turkey deli meat, cream cheese, and some good quality tortillas like these.

Then, roll your pinwheel together, and voila- lunch is served! If you like these types of smaller snacks, using compartment food containers can come in handy for storing the foods.

These glass ones will keep the food fresh for much longer! However, these BPA-free plastic ones are just as good and a little bit lighter.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 485
• Fats: 22g
• Protein: 41g
• Carbs: 32g