Getting bored of your regular chicken recipes? Try these high-protein chicken meals that are full of flavor, nutrition and are purely delicious.
Are you trying to gain muscle or burn some fat? Then high protein meals are essential.
Protein helps your muscles recover from workouts and helps bulk you up. Protein also helps you feel full, so you don’t overeat.
And it even boosts your metabolism. Yay!
And when it comes to cooking up a high protein meal, you can’t go wrong with chicken. After all, who doesn’t love chicken?
Besides being high in protein, it also contains B vitamins, which are essential for good brain health.
Chicken is also rich in selenium, a potent antioxidant. So, pile on that chicken.
Today I’m sharing 21 High Protein Chicken Recipes. They’re not only rich in protein, but yummy too.
So, let’s get cooking!
1. Instant Pot Chicken Legs BBQ
Credit: instantpotcooking.com
I love barbecued chicken legs, as I’m sure many of you do too. However, if you’re trying to watch your carbs as well, they’re a big No-No.
That’s because of all the sugar. And as tasty as they are, they’re not worth ditching the skinny jeans.
With these chicken legs, you can get your skinny on. They contain only 6 grams of carbs per serving.
And they taste amazing. They’re smoky, tangy, sweet, and savory.
To keep these chicken legs low carb, you’ll be sweetening them with Monk Fruit in the Raw. Monk fruit sweetener is much sweeter than sugar, yet it contains no calories or carbs.
So, it helps promote weight loss. If you’d like to pick some up, you can get some here.
These barbecued chicken legs are great the way they are. But if you like, you can serve them with some zucchini fries. Yum!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 454
- Fats: 21g
- Protein: 56g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
2. Keto Instant Pot Chicken, Spinach, Artichokes & Tomatoes
Credit: instantpotcooking.com
Are you craving some Italian eats? Then definitely give this dish a try.
It’s packed with lots of Italian flavors, from the salty artichoke hearts, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy Parmesan cheese.
And the chicken breasts are juicy and tender- you’ll think they were cooking for hours. But they weren’t.
In fact, they take only ten minutes to cook. That’s because you use an Instant Pot.
Instant Pots save you not only time but money. That’s because they’re great for cooking tougher cuts of meat such as brisket and flank steak, which are often cheaper. If you’re in the market for an instant pot, you can get one at a great price here.
And what’s Italian food without some pasta? This high-protein pasta here is a great choice.
One serving provides a whopping 10 grams of protein. So you feel full after just one bowl.
Buon appetito!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 598
- Fats: 38g
- Protein: 53g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
3. Easy Greek Chicken Souvlaki
Credit: foodmeanderings.com
Do you have a hankering for some Greek food? Enjoy this Chicken Souvlaki.
Perfectly seasoned chicken breasts are served on a medley of red onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers and topped with tzatziki sauce. So, you have your Greek Souvlaki fix-without all the mess and fuss of skewering your chicken.
Making it is pretty straightforward. To get your chicken extra moist and flavorful, you’ll be marinating your chicken for 6 hours.
So, make sure you prep your chicken the night before. Once your chicken is done marinating, place it in a skillet over medium heat and fry it until it has cooked through.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 185
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
4. Instant Pot Shredded Buffalo Chicken
Credit: babaganosh.org
I enjoy hosting dinner parties, as I’m sure many of you do as well. But when you’re watching your diet, and your guests aren’t, cooking can be a challenge.
After all, you want your guests to like the food, right? This shredded Buffalo Chicken is one that your guests will enjoy.
It’s spicy, creamy, cheesy, and so addictive. Your guests won’t care that it’s “diet” food.
What’s more, one serving contains only 232 calories. So, you can go for seconds and not feel guilty.
Now there are many ways you can serve this Buffalo Chicken. You can place it in a bun, on top of lettuce, or even with pasta.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 232
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
5. Five Spice Cream Cheese Chicken
Credit: runningtothekitchen.com
Do you have picky eaters in your family? Serve them this dish.
It’s creamy, decadent, and full of flavor. That’s because you’re using- you guessed it, 5 different spices to season your chicken.
Okay- six, if you count the salt. So, have your measuring spoons handy. These measuring spoons are made with stainless steel, which makes them quite durable.
The garlic powder adds savory notes, while the smoked paprika adds the smokiness. Meanwhile, the cayenne pepper, ground mustard, and adobo seasoning add some heat- it’s a fiesta in your mouth.
What’s even better is that it takes only 20 minutes to make. So, it’s sure to become a favorite for you and your family.
Serve with cauliflower mash or your favorite steamed veggies.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 306
- Fats: 20g
- Protein: 29g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
6. Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
Credit: runningtothekitchen.com
When the holidays come around, it’s nice having family over for dinner. You get to hang out, catch up, and of course, eat good food.
But clean-up is the one thing you don’t look forward to. This Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken makes clean up a breeze.
The cranberries and delicata squash make this dish pretty festive. And the maple-mustard glaze complements the chicken and Brussels sprouts beautifully…so make sure you make extra.
Best of all, it’s a one-sheet dish. So, you don’t have lots of pots and pans to wash at the end.
Now that’s how I like to roll.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 329
- Fats: 6g
- Protein: 48g
- Carbs: 21g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 9g
7. Chipotle Chicken & Black Bean Soup
Credit: cookingchatfood.com
When it’s wintery outside, you just want to curl up in your favorite chair. And have a warm bowl of soup.
This soup is sure to remind you of Mexico. The chipotle peppers and jalapeno peppers add heat.
This is balanced by the coolness of the avocado. And the corn and carrots add sweetness.
Meanwhile, the chicken and black beans make it pretty filling.
What’s more, this soup is rich in Vitamins A and C. So, it helps boost your immunity.
To add texture to your soup, you’ll be shredding the chicken. You can do this with a fork, or you can just use this meat shredder for extra convenience.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 356
- Fats: 11.3g
- Protein: 32.6g
- Carbs: 33.2g
- Fiber: 10.6g
- Sugar: 4.6g
8. Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
Credit: thismamacooks.com
Are you having a hard time getting enough veggies into your diet? This sheet pan dish is a pretty tasty way to eat your veggies.
You’re getting 4 different veggies: broccoli, yellow squash, red bell peppers, and carrots. So, you can feel good eating this dish.
And the marinade on the chicken makes the chicken finger-licking good. It’s sticky, sweet, savory, spicy, and has a nice umami flavor.
And the chicken skin is crispy too.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 421
- Fats: 25g
- Protein: 33g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 15g
9. Greek Chicken Souvlaki
Credit: flavorthemoments.com
You’ve just got to love summer. You get to say goodbye to the snow and yes to the sun.
And with the warm weather comes barbecue season. So, dust up your grill!
But your typical barbecue fare such as hot dogs and hamburgers aren’t that healthy. And all the carbs from the buns can put you in a snooze fest.
This Greek Chicken Souvlaki is not only low in carbs, but it is also low in calories too. Your personal trainer would be impressed.
And they’re full of amazing Greek flavors. You’ll feel like you’re on a warm Greek island.
To make this Greek Chicken Souvlaki, you’ll need some skewers. I recommend these ones here. You can use them again and again, and they’re easy to clean too.
This dish is excellent on its own. Or if you like, you can serve it with rice and a Greek salad. Here is another chicken salad you might like!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 267
- Fats: 12g
- Protein: 37g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
10. Cilantro Lime Chicken
Credit: thegayglobetrotter.com
Are you looking for a budget-friendly meal? This Cilantro Lime Chicken is a great option.
It’s made with chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are a cheap alternative to chicken breasts.
And because they contain more fat, they’re also juicer and tastier too.
This Cilantro Lime Chicken dish doesn’t disappoint. The chicken thighs are juicy on the inside and have a nice sear on the outside.
The cumin adds a pleasant warmth, while the garlic adds savory. Meanwhile, the honey adds sweetness- you’ll definitely want this chicken dish on your weekly meal rotations.
You’ll be searing your chicken on the stove-top before placing it in the oven to finish cooking. So, make sure you have a good-quality oven-safe skillet like this one here. Not only does it give a nice sear, but it is also oven-safe.
To make sure you don’t overcook your chicken, just cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This meat thermometer is pretty accurate and fast.
To make it a high protein meal, serve with some garlicky roasted asparagus.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 563
- Fats: 43g
- Protein: 36g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
11. Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Credit: laraclevenger.com
When it comes to losing weight, meal prepping is vital. When your meals are prepared, you don’t have to worry about what’s for dinner or lunch.
So, you can skip takeout or that run to the drive-through. And this casserole dish is perfect for meal prep.
It makes six servings. So, you have your lunches (or dinners) ready for an entire week.
Even though this casserole is quite high in protein, it’s pretty light on the carbs. That’s because you’re using cauliflower instead of pasta or potatoes.
And the combination of crispy bacon, tender chicken, ranch dressing, and Colby Jack Cheese is so yummy- you won’t mind eating it every day.
To keep your leftovers tasting fresh, storing them in good quality food storage containers is essential. I like these glass food storage containers because they’re leakproof and good for the environment. If you prefer lighter containers, these BPA-free ones are another excellent option.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 410
- Fats: 29g
- Protein: 32g
- Carbs: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
12. Instant Pot Chicken Curry
Credit: laraclevenger.com
Craving Thai takeout? Have this Instant Pot Chicken Curry instead.
It’s creamy, silky, and full of delicious flavors. The sweetness of the coconut milk balances out the heat of the green curry paste.
And the cumin and coriander add a nice warmth. Meanwhile, the fish sauce adds a tasty umami flavor, which is tempered by the lime juice’s tanginess- your tastebuds will be delighted.
Besides being tasty, this curry is also nutritious. It contains a ton of Vitamins A and C.
And it is an excellent source of iron which boosts your energy levels.
To keep this dish light, you can serve it with some cauliflower rice which you can get right here. Or, to save a bit of money, you can make it from scratch.
Making it is pretty easy. Start by chopping up your cauliflower.
Then place the pieces in a food processor and pulse until rice-like. This food processor here is pretty powerful and can handle a large volume of food.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 384
- Fats: 26g
- Protein: 29g
- Carbs: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
13. Warm Chicken Salad
Credit: savoryspin.com
Are you getting tired of regular chicken salad? Give this chicken salad a try.
Aromatic spices like coriander and turmeric add an Indian spin. The sweetness of the caramelized onions is balanced by the savor of the garlic.
And the celery adds a nice crunch. You’ll want to eat this chicken salad right out of the pan.
Making it is easy. To make it, start by sauteeing your onions. Once your onions have softened, add ginger and garlic, and saute for one minute.
Then add canned chicken, celery, and your spices, and saute for about 2 minutes.
Serve on lettuce leaves or with some basmati rice. Check out more high protein salads here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 202
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 13g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
14. Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thighs
Credit: eatbeautiful.net
Do you have a large family? If so, mealtimes can be a challenge.
When you’re feeding a crowd, you have to mindful of how much food you make. Make too little, and you’ll be scrambling for food.
You also have to be mindful of the cost. After all, money doesn’t grow on trees, right?
These chicken thighs are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. They’re sticky, sweet, tangy, and spicy.
And since one batch makes 6 servings, there’s plenty for everyone. What’s more, the entire entrée comes out to $14.
That’s about $2.00 per person.
What I like most about this dish is that it’s low in sugar. That’s because you’re using a sweetener to make your sauce.
And it’s also low in sodium. That’s because you’re using coconut aminos rather than soy sauce to flavor your sauce.
Coconut aminos are a great low sodium alternative to soy sauce. In fact, coconut aminos contain about 70 percent less sodium than soy sauce. If you’d like to try some, you can get some here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 382
- Fats: 30g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
15. Chinese Chicken & Wild Mushroom Stew
Credit: eatbeautiful.net
Are you a big fan of mushrooms? Then you’ll love this mushroom stew.
It uses 3 kinds of mushrooms: crimini, wild mushrooms, and dried shitake mushrooms. So, this stew is full of umami flavors and textures.
And the duck fat makes it extra creamy and rich. Meanwhile, the bone broth adds tons of flavor.
Besides adding flavor, bone broth is pretty nutritious. It is rich in calcium which is vital for healthy bones.
And it contains gelatin which promotes healthy digestion and supports joint health. It is also rich in protein, so it helps you feel full. If you need to stock up on some, you can get some here.
And to mop up all that yummy gravy, you’ll want to serve your stew with cauliflower mash.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 303
- Fats: 23g
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
16. Chicken Piccata
Credit: thefeatherednester.com
Looking for an easy dish for date night? Try this Chicken Piccata.
It’s summery, bright, and chock full of flavor. The saltiness of the capers is complemented by the tanginess of the lemon.
You’ll think you’re eating at a fine dining restaurant.
Yet even though it looks and tastes fantastic, it takes only 25 minutes to make. So, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your honey.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 325
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 48g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
17. Sesame Ginger Cashew Chicken
Credit: theroastedroot.net
Looking for another restaurant-quality meal? This Sesame Ginger Cashew Chicken is a great option.
It’s full of beautiful textures and flavors, from the crunchy cashews, crisp broccoli, and tender chicken.
And the sauce is a nice blend of umami, spicy, and sweet.
Besides being tasty, cashews are good for you too. They contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
They even contain bone-building minerals such as magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. And they’re rich in copper, a mineral that supports a robust immune system.
Now some packaged cashews contain a lot of added oils and salt. So, to keep them on the healthy side, choose raw unsalted cashews like these instead.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 398
- Fats: 20g
- Protein: 40g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
18. Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake
Credit: eatwell101.com
Need to spice up your chicken dinner? Make this Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake.
It’s full of vibrant colors and tastes. You have tender chicken, ooey-gooey mozzarella cheese, hot jalapeno peppers, citrusy tomatoes, and tangy lime juice… you’ll be in foodie heaven.
What’s more- it only takes 10 minutes of prep time. Then you let your oven do the baking.
Serve with cilantro lime rice or tortillas.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 352
- Fats: 18.52g
- Protein: 36.21g
- Carbs: 9.26g
- Fiber: 0.78g
- Sugar: 7.04g
19. Honey Butter Garlic Chicken
Credit: butteryourbiscuit.com
Do you need dinner ready in 1, 2, 3? This is the dish for you.
It takes only 23 minutes to cook from start to finish. So, it’s great for those busy weeknight days.
And the chicken is juicy, sweet, savory, and sticky- you’ll be licking your fingers.
Now you’ll be using a lot of garlic. So get out those breath mints.
Besides being yummy, garlic is good for you too. Garlic contains antioxidants that fight free radicals.
So don’t skip that garlic!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 358
- Fats: 8g
- Protein: 33g
- Carbs: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 13g
20. Chicken Caprese
Credit: gimmesomegrilling.com
Summer is the time for hanging out with friends and having pool parties. And what’s a pool party without some good food?
This Chicken Caprese is sure to wow your guests. It’s packed with amazing flavors, from the sweet balsamic glaze, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, tender chicken, and fresh herbs.
Best of all, they take only 20 minutes to make. So, you can spend more time lazing by the pool.
Now that’s what I’m talking about.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 281
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 31g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
21. Healthy Creamy Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes With Ranch
Credit: 40aprons.com
Do you have a sweet tooth? I do too!
Then these stuffed sweet potatoes will definitely be up your alley. The sweet potatoes’ sweetness pairs nicely with the heat of the Buffalo Chicken and the ranch dressing’s coolness.
And sweet potatoes are good for you too. They contain tons of immune-boosting Vitamins A and C.
They’re even rich in manganese which is essential for healthy bones. And they’re rich in antioxidants too.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 341
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 27g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
21 High Protein Chicken Recipes
On a high protein diet and need more interesting recipes? These high-protein chicken recipes are easy to make and mouth-watering.
Ingredients
- 1. Instant Pot Chicken Legs BBQ
- 2. Keto Instant Pot Chicken, Spinach, Artichokes & Tomatoes
- 3. Easy Greek Chicken Souvlaki
- 4. Instant Pot Shredded Buffalo Chicken
- 5. Five Spice Cream Cheese Chicken
- 6. Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
- 7. Chipotle Chicken & Black Bean Soup
- 8. Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
- 9. Greek Chicken Souvlaki
- 10. Cilantro Lime Chicken
- 11. Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- 12. Instant Pot Chicken Curry
- 13. Warm Chicken Salad
- 14. Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thighs
- 15. Chinese Chicken & Wild Mushroom Stew
- 16. Chicken Piccata
- 17. Sesame Ginger Cashew Chicken
- 18. Salsa Fresca Chicken Bake
- 19. Honey Butter Garlic Chicken
- 20. Chicken Caprese
- 21. Healthy Creamy Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes With Ranch
Instructions
- Scroll up to get a bunch of easy, yummy, and delicious recipes. Don't be afraid to get creative with the ingredients, you might discover a flavor you didn't know you liked.
- Get your shopping list going and make sure you've got all the ingredients.
- Get cooking and make your next High Protein Chicken Meal!
Notes
Which one of these recipes was your favorite? Let me know in the comment section or on Pinterest!