An Instant Pot can be such a savior when it comes to bringing dinner to the table. These high protein instant pot meals are nutritious, easy to make, and full of flavors.
I love high protein meals as I’m sure many of you do too. High protein meals help you feel full.
Then, you’re less likely to reach for those cookies that are calling your name.
They also make the perfect post-workout meal. That’s because protein helps your muscles recover.
But cooking high protein meals can be a pain. There’s all the “pre-prep” work you have to do.
For instance, you have to remember to take your meat out to defrost it. And if you’re vegetarian or vegan, you have to soak your beans overnight.
And then, there’s the cooking. Cooking meat, particularly tough cuts of meat, can be time-consuming.
Likewise, vegetarian/vegan foods like beans take hours to cook on the stovetop.
So, what’s the solution to getting high protein meals on your table fast? High Protein Instant Pot Meals!
By using an Instant Pot, you can cook your food in a fraction of the time. And you can skip defrosting your meat or soaking your beans overnight…bonus!
Today I’m sharing 21 High Protein Instant Pot Recipes. They’re not only delicious but also time-saving.
So, get out your Instant Pot, and let’s get cooking! In case you don’t have one, there’s a great deal right now on this high-quality one here.
1. Instant Pot Beef Stew
Credit: noshingwiththenolands.com
On a cold winter’s day, all you want to do is warm up by the fireplace. And chow on some stew.
This beef stew is flavorful and oh so comforting. And it’s packed with veggies like celery, carrots, and potatoes.
So, it’s good for you too.
This makes it perfect for meal prep. Prep once, and have your lunches or dinners set for the week.
Do store your leftovers in some good airtight containers. Personally, I prefer glass food storage containers like these ones here.
That’s because they keep your food fresh longer. However, if you don’t like lugging around heavy containers, these plastic containers are a good alternative.
Keep in mind that this dish contains beef. However, it has a high carbon footprint. So, you may want to eat it less frequently.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 326
- Fats: 8g
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 43g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 10g
2. Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Credit: carameltintedlife.com
Are you on a budget? Then be sure to try this lentil soup.
Lentils are an affordable source of plant-based protein. Besides being rich in protein, they contain a ton of fiber too.
They also provide brain-boosting B vitamins. And they’re good sources of bone-building minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese. So, eat those lentils!
This lentil soup is pretty tasty. The sweetness of the kale balances out the bitterness of the kale.
And the lentils make it pretty filling.
This dish is delicious on its own. However, you can serve it with some high-protein pita bread like this.
Each pita contains 6 grams of protein. As an added bonus, they’re good sources of fiber too.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 235
- Fats: 4g
- Protein: 13g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 14g
- Sugar: 7g
3. Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup
Credit: soreyfitness.com
Do you love tacos? Then you’ll definitely love this tortilla soup.
It has all the flavors of a taco but in soup form. Yay!
You have tender pieces of chicken, red and green bell peppers, and lots of Mexican Flava. You’ll definitely want more than an extra helping.
And since each bowl contains less than 200 calories, you can go right ahead! No guilt here.
Serve with your favorite topping like tortilla chips, avocado slices, or cheese.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 194
- Fats: 10g
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 4.9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2.3g
4. Instant Pot Turkey Chili
Credit: feastingnotfasting.com
Looking to feed a crowd? This chili is the perfect solution.
It’s yummy, comforting, and is much lighter than your regular chili. That’s because you use ground turkey instead of ground beef.
So, you’re getting all of the protein, but way less fat. So, it cuts down on the calories.
Besides being delicious, this chili is nutritious too. The chilli is rich in Vitamins A and C, which you need for a healthy immune system.
It is also packed with potassium, which is important for healthy blood pressure.
Now, you’ll be using a lot of spices. So, crack out those measuring spoons!
These stainless-steel ones will last you ages. That’s because they don’t rust or get stained easily.
Serve with warm crusty bread.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 347
- Fats: 7g
- Protein: 31g
- Carbs: 46g
- Fiber: 14g
- Sugar: 15g
5. Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
Credit: nourishplate.com
Chicken breasts are a wonderful source of protein. But since they don’t contain fat, they can taste like cardboard.
And no-one wants to eat cardboard. This garlic chicken tastes like anything but cardboard.
It’s creamy, buttery, and brimming with flavor. And the chicken breasts are nicely seared on the outside and tender on the inside.
The lemon zest balances out the heartiness of the dish.
What I love most about this dish is that it takes only 20 minutes to make. So, it’s perfect for those busy weeknight dinners.
To make it a meal, you’ll want to serve it with some brown rice. But, if you want something low carb, you can serve it with cauliflower rice.
If you’re short on time, you can just use prepackaged cauliflower rice like this. Have a bit of extra time? Make your own and save money too.
Simply break your cauliflower into pieces, add to a food processor and whirl until rice-like. This food processor here will come in quite handy.
Check out more high protein low carb recipes!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 369
- Fats: 16g
- Protein: 49g
- Carbs: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
6. Instant Pot Shredded Buffalo Chicken
Credit: babaganosh.org
Love chicken breasts? Here’s another dish for you.
This shredded Buffalo Chicken is spicy, creamy, cheesy, gooey, and mouth-wateringly good.
As an added bonus, it contains only 2 grams of net carbs. So, it’s great if you’re on a low carb diet.
And even though it’s so rich, it’s surprisingly low in calories. Great if you’re trying to watch your calories.
It’s also a true dump-and-go dish. Just place your ingredients in your Instant Pot and go.
It goes great served on a bun. However, if you’re on a low carb diet, you can simply serve it on lettuce leaves. Yum!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 232
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
7. Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Credit: thismamacooks.com
I love the holidays, as I’m sure many of you do too. But I’m sure not a fan of all the time it takes to cook the turkey.
This Instant Pot Turkey Breast dish makes holiday cooking a breeze.
And it’s just as good, if not better, than oven-baked turkey. The turkey breast is juicy and nicely seasoned- you’ll want to make this during the holidays and anytime your cravings hit.
Now, this dish is higher on the sodium end. That’s because you’re using regular chicken broth.
So, if you’re watching your sodium, you may want to use some low sodium chicken broth.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 519
- Fats: 8g
- Protein: 103g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
8. Lemon Garlic Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes
Credit: therecipewell.com
Do you have kids? Then you probably have a picky eater or two on your hands.
This dish is sure to please the pickiest of eaters.
On the menu is juicy, tender chicken breasts and mini potatoes covered in a delightful lemon garlic butter sauce.
Best of all, it has a whopping 54 grams of protein. So, it’s great for growing kids.
Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 563
- Fats: 18g
- Protein: 54g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 2g
9. Creamy Chicken With Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Credit: babaganosh.org
Hostin dinner parties is fun! You get to hang out with good company, and of course, eat good food.
But the last thing you want to do is spend hours slaving in the kitchen. And with this dish, you don’t have to.
This dish tastes just as good as it looks. The sweetness of the sundried tomatoes works wonderfully with the creaminess of the sauce.
And talking about the sauce, it’s so good you’ll want to lick your plate. But only do that when your guests aren’t watching…just saying.
This dish goes great with spaghetti. But if you want to have something lighter, zucchini noodles are a great option.
Making zucchini noodles is really easy. To start with, cut the ends off your zucchini.
Next, place your zucchini in a spiralizer and spiralize away. I recommend this spiralizer here because it’s also great for harder root veggies such as sweet potatoes and turnips.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 335
- Fats: 20g
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
10. 15 Bean Cajun Vegetable Soup
Credit: profusioncurry.com
More and more of us are adding going plant-based, and for a good reason. Eating a plant-based diet has many health benefits.
For instance, eating a plant-based diet can help you lose weight- even without exercise or counting calories. Wow!
This Cajun Vegetable Soup is so satisfying. You definitely won’t miss the meat.
And it has not one or two, but 15 different types of beans. You can get a package of 15 bean-soup mix here.
They’re a source of plant-based protein. On top of that, rich in fiber, which helps you feel full.
And they contain iron, which keeps up your energy levels. So, pile on those beans.
This dish is delicious on its own. But you can also top it with avocado slices or even tortilla strips.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 123
- Fats: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Carbs: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
11. Instant Pot Vegan Split Pea Soup
Credit: veggieinspired.com
Is it cold outside? Warm-up with some split pea soup!
This isn’t your regular split pea soup. For one, there’s no ham in it.
There are also veggies like carrots, celery, and potatoes. So, it’s pretty good for you.
In fact, it tastes just as good as regular split pea soup. The liquid smoke which you can get here adds a nice smokiness.
And the tempeh crumbles add a nice crunchiness. They’re so addictive.
Besides being packed with protein, this soup has a ton of fiber too. In fact, one serving provides almost 80% of your daily fiber needs. Now that’s a whole lotta fiber.
This soup is great on its own. Here are more high protein vegan meals!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 343
- Fats: 10g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 53g
- Fiber: 19g
- Sugar: 6g
12. Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
Credit: curbingcarbs.com
Dreaming of a nice vacation in Mexico? Serve up this Salsa Chicken.
It’s brimming with Mexican flavors. It’s sure to transport you to Mexico.
Besides being high in protein, it’s low in carbs. So, it won’t kick you out of ketosis if you’re on a keto diet.
Now it doesn’t contain a lot of fat. So, you may want to add avocado slices for extra fat if you’re following a keto diet.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 117
- Fats: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
13. Instant Pot Chicken Piccata
Credit: flavormosaic.com
Need a dish for date night? Then give this dish a try.
The chicken breasts are nicely seared on the outside and juicy on the inside. And the garlic lemon caper sauce is magnifico!
Besides being high in protein, it’s also high in fat. So, it’s pretty filling…you may even be able to skip dessert.
To ramp up the ambiance, be sure to use some nice serving plates.
This dish is great on its own. But if you like, you can serve it with some garlicky asparagus. Buon appetito!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 422
- Fats: 24g
- Protein: 40g
- Carbs: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
14. Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers
Credit: sweetandsavorymeals.com
Looking for some more date night dinner ideas? I’ve got you covered.
These stuffed peppers offer a nice spin on your traditional stuffed peppers. The marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Italian seasoning give it nice Italian flavors.
And the fresh parsley adds a nice freshness…you’ll want to have them again and again.
Besides being delicious, these stuffed peppers are good for you too. They contain Vitamins A and C, which help boost your immune system.
And they’re good sources of calcium, which you need for healthy bones.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 426
- Fats: 22g
- Protein: 23g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 9g
15. Instant Pot Crack Chicken
Credit: lowcarbspark.com
Are you on a keto diet, and the rest of your family isn’t? Then making meals can be a pain.
Often times, you end up making one meal for yourself and one for the rest of your family. And that can get pretty tiring.
This dish is a dish that your entire family will love. It has so many yummy components- ooey, gooey cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, creamy cheddar cheese, and tender chicken.
And it’s packed with protein too. So, it’s sure to help you lose weight even faster.
Best of all, it takes only 35 minutes to make.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 373
- Fats: 30g
- Protein: 22g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
16. Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Pineapple Chicken
Credit: thegirlonbloor.com
Craving Chinese takeout? Have this instead.
It tastes just as good as takeout, but it’s healthier for you. That’s because it contains veggies like red, green, and yellow bell peppers.
So, you’re getting tons of immune-boosting vitamins such as Vitamins A and C.
What I love about this pineapple chicken is that it freezes well. In fact, it will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Enjoy more freezer meals like this here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 409
- Fats: 9g
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 59g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 10g
17. Keto Instant Pot Chile Verde
Credit: beautyandthefoodie.com
Looking for some Mexican eats? Then give this chile a try.
It’s so delicious. The pork is nice and flavorful … you may not want regular chili again.
All you need are 6 ingredients- pork shoulder, olive oil, salt, pepper, salsa verde, and chicken broth.
Make your own salsa verde, or for extra convenience, you can just use premade salsa verde like this.
This chili is great on its own. But if you like, you can serve it with rice or cauliflower rice.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 342
- Fats: 22g
- Protein: 32g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
18. Instant Pot Orange Chicken
Credit: evolvingtable.com
Do you love Orange Chicken? Me too.
But your traditional Orange Chicken is loaded with sugar. That’s because it contains loads of syrupy sauces.
And too much sugar is bad for your health and your waistline.
This Orange Chicken tastes great, yet it has only 8 grams of sugar per serving.
The orange adds natural sweetness. Meanwhile, the tamari sauce adds umami.
And the chili garlic paste adds heat. Perfect if you like the heat.
Now, this dish contains a lot of sodium. That’s because of the tamari sauce.
So, if you want to lower the sodium and still have a nice umami flavor, you can use coconut liquid aminos.
They contain about 70% less sodium than tamari sauce. They also add a nice sweetness to your dish. If you’d like to try some, you can get some here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 308
- Fats: 14g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 23g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 8g
19. Instant Pot Italian Minestrone
Credit: infinebalance.com
Trying to feed a crowd a high-protein meal. This minestrone soup won’t break your budget.
This soup is pretty satisfying and comforting. And it contains budget-friendly proteins like kidney beans, chickpeas, and navy beans.
These are not only good sources of protein but rich in fiber too.
Best of all, one batch makes 6 servings. So, you have plenty for everyone at the table.
Loving the soup? Here are more high protein soups for your dinner table!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 255
- Fats: 6g
- Protein: 14g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 11g
- Sugar: 6g
20. Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
Credit: eatinginstantly.com
Are you trying to lose weight? If so, meal prepping can be a lifesaver.
When you have your meals already cooked, it takes the guesswork out of eating. So, sticking to a diet is much easier.
These Chicken Fajitas are perfect for meal prepping. All they take is 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cook time.
So, you’re not spending hours in the kitchen. And they’re full of Mexican flavors- perfect if you love Mexican food.
Once you’re done cooking them, just add your favorite toppings. Some good toppings include sour cream, guacamole, and avocado slices.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 254
- Fats: 11g
- Protein: 29g
- Carbs: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
21. Instant Pot Meatloaf
Credit: lowcarbyum.com
When you’ve had a hard day, all you want to do at the end of the day is relax. And eat some comfort food, like this Instant Pot Meatloaf.
It’s moist, juicy, yummy, and comforting. Exactly what the doctor ordered.
And unlike regular meatloaf, it’s ready in only 30 minutes. Double yay!
It also contains only 2 grams of net carbs. Perfect if you’re watching your carbs too.
To keep it low carb, just make sure you use low carb ketchup like Heinz No-Sugar-Added Tomato Ketchup.
Serve with cauliflower mash.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 253
- Fats: 18g
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g

21 High Protein Instant Pot Recipes
Got an instant pot and trying to build muscle? These High Protein Instant Pot Recipes are easy, delicious, and quick to make.
Ingredients
- 1. Instant Pot Beef Stew
- 2. Instant Pot Lentil Soup
- 3. Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 4. Instant Pot Turkey Chili
- 5. Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
- 6. Instant Pot Shredded Buffalo Chicken
- 7. Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- 8. Lemon Garlic Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes
- 9. Creamy Chicken With Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- 10. 15 Bean Cajun Vegetable Soup
- 11. Instant Pot Vegan Split Pea Soup
- 12. Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
- 13. Instant Pot Chicken Piccata
- 14. Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers
- 15. Instant Pot Crack Chicken
- 16. Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Pineapple Chicken
- 17. Keto Instant Pot Chile Verde
- 18. Instant Pot Orange Chicken
- 19. Instant Pot Italian Minestrone
- 20. Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
- 21. Instant Pot Meatloaf
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 Instant Pot Recipe!
Notes
Which one of these recipes was your favorite? Let me know in the comment section or on Pinterest!