High protein dinner ideas are perfect for those looking to build muscle, support recovery, or simply enjoy a filling meal. Grilled chicken or turkey breast is a classic, offering lean protein that’s both versatile and satisfying. For variety, consider fish like salmon or tuna, which provide healthy omega-3 fatty acids along with protein. Beef or bison steaks, lean cuts like sirloin or flank steak, are another great option, providing a robust source of protein.
For a plant-based alternative, try lentils, quinoa, and chickpeas, which are rich in protein and fiber. Stir-fries with tofu, tempeh, or edamame paired with colorful vegetables and brown rice can make for a balanced, high-protein meal. Eggs are also a fantastic option—scrambled, poached, or as an omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and cheese. Pair these protein-rich ingredients with healthy sides like roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, or a mixed green salad to create a nutritious, satisfying dinner.
High Protein Dinner Ideas
Here is a list of 100+ high-protein dinner ideas:
- Grilled Chicken Breast with Roasted Vegetables
- Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
- Salmon with Quinoa and Asparagus
- Tofu Stir-Fry with Broccoli and Bell Peppers
- Grilled Steak with Sweet Potato Fries
- Chicken Fajitas with Avocado
- Lentil Soup with Spinach and Tomatoes
- Baked Cod with Brussels Sprouts
- Shrimp and Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry
- Chicken and Vegetable Skewers
- Beef and Bean Chili
- Eggplant Parmesan with Ground Turkey
- Baked Chicken Thighs with Roasted Garlic Broccoli
- Grilled Tuna Steaks with Greek Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad (with Greek yogurt dressing)
- Vegetable and Tofu Buddha Bowl
- Chickpea and Spinach Curry
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
- Zucchini and Ground Turkey Casserole
- Baked Chicken with Quinoa and Roasted Vegetables
- Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa and Black Beans
- Spaghetti Squash with Marinara and Turkey Meatballs
- Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill
- Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Carrots
- Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew
- Beef Stir-Fry with Bok Choy
- Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce
- Baked Tilapia with Lemon-Caper Sauce
- Ground Turkey and Black Bean Enchiladas
- Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
- Salmon and Avocado Salad
- Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry
- Tofu Tacos with Avocado and Salsa
- Turkey Burger with Sweet Potato Fries
- Grilled Shrimp Salad with Avocado
- Baked Chicken with Pesto and Roasted Vegetables
- Vegetarian Black Bean and Quinoa Burrito Bowl
- Seared Tuna with Cucumber Noodles
- Lentil and Tomato Stew
- Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo (with cauliflower cream sauce)
- Vegetarian Protein-Packed Stir-Fry
- Grilled Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
- Turkey and Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
- Tofu Scramble with Spinach and Mushrooms
- Lamb and Veggie Stir-Fry
- Salmon with Spinach and Feta Cheese
- Chickpea and Tomato Salad with Feta
- Baked Cod with Steamed Broccoli
- Steak with Cauliflower Mash
- Cabbage and Beef Stir-Fry
- Chicken Parmesan with Zucchini Noodles
- Grilled Turkey Burgers with Avocado
- Vegetable and Chickpea Buddha Bowl
- Spicy Shrimp and Quinoa Bowl
- Beef and Vegetable Skewers
- Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
- Grilled Veggie and Chicken Salad
- Chickpea and Quinoa Patties
- Lamb Kebab with Hummus and Cucumber Salad
- Tofu and Edamame Stir-Fry
- Beef Burritos with Black Beans and Rice
- Zucchini and Eggplant Gratin with Chicken
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- Grilled Salmon with Cucumber and Tomato Salad
- Pork Chop with Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
- Turkey and Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms
- Chicken Pesto Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles)
- Salmon with Avocado-Cucumber Salsa
- Lentil and Vegetable Salad
- Quinoa-Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry
- Curry Spiced Shrimp with Coconut Rice
- Spaghetti Squash with Pesto and Chicken
- Spicy Black Bean and Corn Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Shrimp with Spinach and Feta Salad
- Tofu and Tempeh Buddha Bowl
- Turkey and Mushroom Meatloaf
- Roasted Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
- Vegetarian Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry
- Seared Steak with Sautéed Spinach
- Chicken and Avocado Salad
- Beef and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
- Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers
- Baked Salmon with Wild Rice and Green Beans
- Steak and Sweet Potato Hash
- Pork Tenderloin with Cabbage and Apples
- Chicken Fajita Bowl
- Baked Eggplant with Ground Turkey and Cheese
- Baked Tilapia with Broccoli and Sweet Potato
- Crispy Tofu with Spicy Peanut Sauce
- Stuffed Zucchini with Ground Turkey and Quinoa
- Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
- Roasted Chicken with Spinach and Ricotta Stuffing
- Grilled Pork with Cucumber and Tomato Salad
- Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers
- Eggplant and Lentil Curry
- Grilled Chicken Thighs with Quinoa and Veggies
- Salmon Cakes with Avocado Salsa
- Lentil and Beef Stuffed Peppers
- Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers
- Spinach and Feta-Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Lamb and Vegetable Curry
- Grilled Salmon with Couscous
- Chickpea and Kale Salad
- Baked Tofu with Peanut Sauce and Veggies
- Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Mango Salsa
- Pork and Veggie Stir-Fry with Rice
- Shrimp and Avocado Salad
- Lentil and Carrot Stew
- Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tempeh
- Roast Chicken with Quinoa and Green Beans
- Grilled Chicken Skewers with Yogurt Sauce
- Baked Tofu with Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce
- Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs
These high-protein dinner ideas range from plant-based to meat and seafood dishes, offering a variety of flavors and options to suit different dietary preferences!
Recipe
1. Grilled Chicken Breast with Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for vegetables
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until fully cooked.
- Meanwhile, toss the sliced vegetables with olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Roast the vegetables in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until tender.
- Serve the grilled chicken with roasted vegetables.
2. Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 zucchinis, spiralized
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Form the mixture into meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the meatballs bake, sauté the zucchini noodles in a pan with a little olive oil for 3-5 minutes until tender.
- Heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan and serve the meatballs over the zucchini noodles with sauce.
3. Salmon with Quinoa and Asparagus
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for asparagus
- 1 lemon, sliced
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rub the salmon fillets with olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Bake the salmon for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
- Toss the asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in the oven for 12-15 minutes.
- Serve the salmon with quinoa and roasted asparagus, garnished with lemon slices.
4. Tofu Stir-Fry with Broccoli and Bell Peppers
Ingredients:
- 1 block firm tofu, pressed and cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pan and sauté tofu cubes until crispy on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add the sliced bell peppers and broccoli florets to the pan, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender.
- Stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili flakes (if using).
- Serve the stir-fry topped with sesame seeds.
5. Grilled Steak with Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
- 2 steaks (your choice of cut)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, sliced into fries
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for fries
- 1 teaspoon paprika for fries
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Rub the steaks with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill for 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare.
- Toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Roast the fries in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve the grilled steaks with sweet potato fries.
6. Chicken Fajitas with Avocado
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 4 tortillas
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the chicken until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add the bell pepper and onion, and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
- Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Serve the chicken mixture on tortillas, topped with sliced avocado.
7. Lentil Soup with Spinach and Tomatoes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup lentils, rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until softened.
- Add the diced tomatoes, lentils, vegetable broth, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes until the lentils are tender.
- Stir in the spinach and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Serve hot.
8. Baked Cod with Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients:
- 2 cod fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup Brussels sprouts, halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for Brussels sprouts
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rub the cod fillets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Roast the cod in the oven for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
- Toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Serve the baked cod with roasted Brussels sprouts.
9. Shrimp and Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup cauliflower rice
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the shrimp until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the shrimp and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté the cauliflower rice, bell pepper, onion, and garlic for 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the soy sauce and cooked shrimp.
- Serve hot.
10. Chicken and Vegetable Skewers
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 onion, cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers.
- Brush with olive oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Serve with a side of quinoa or rice.
11. Beef and Bean Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot and sauté the ground beef until browned.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
- Stir in the beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Add the beef broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot with toppings like sour cream or shredded cheese.
12. Eggplant Parmesan with Ground Turkey
Ingredients:
- 2 eggplants, sliced into rounds
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Dip the eggplant slices into the beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Arrange the eggplant slices on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
- While the eggplant bakes, cook the ground turkey in a pan until browned. Add marinara sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Layer the baked eggplant slices in a baking dish, topping each slice with turkey sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
13. Baked Chicken Thighs with Roasted Garlic Broccoli
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for broccoli
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes until fully cooked.
- Toss the broccoli florets with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve the baked chicken thighs with roasted garlic broccoli.
14. Grilled Tuna Steaks with Greek Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 tuna steaks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for salad)
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush the tuna steaks with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the tuna for 2-3 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer for desired doneness.
- In a bowl, combine the cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, olives, and feta.
- Drizzle the salad with olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Serve the grilled tuna steaks alongside the Greek salad.
15. Chicken Caesar Salad (with Greek yogurt dressing)
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat croutons
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Grill the chicken breasts until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side. Slice thinly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Toss the romaine lettuce with the dressing, Parmesan cheese, and croutons.
- Top the salad with the grilled chicken slices and serve.
16. Vegetable and Tofu Buddha Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 block firm tofu, pressed and cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup steamed broccoli
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 avocado, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon peanut sauce (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the tofu cubes with olive oil and soy sauce. Bake for 25-30 minutes until crispy.
- In a bowl, layer the quinoa, steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, and sliced avocado.
- Top with the baked tofu, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of peanut sauce if desired.
17. Chickpea and Spinach Curry
Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can coconut milk
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pan and sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
- Stir in the curry powder, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the chickpeas, diced tomatoes, coconut milk, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted.
- Serve with rice or quinoa.
18. Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 8 small tortillas
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Toss the shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through.
- In a bowl, mix the shredded cabbage with Greek yogurt, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the tacos by placing the shrimp in tortillas, topping with the cabbage slaw, and garnishing with cilantro.
19. Zucchini and Ground Turkey Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 zucchinis, sliced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a pan, sauté the ground turkey with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until browned.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a baking dish, layer the zucchini slices, turkey mixture, and mozzarella cheese.
- Top with Parmesan cheese and bake for 20 minutes until bubbly.
20. Baked Chicken with Quinoa and Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (e.g., carrots, bell peppers, zucchini)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for vegetables
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Cook the quinoa according to package instructions.
- Toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary, and roast for 20 minutes.
- Serve the baked chicken with quinoa and roasted vegetables.
Hi, I’m Maggie Culp, the founder of PartyVibesFun.com, based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, United States! With a passion for creating unforgettable celebrations, I specialize in turning any event into a fun and vibrant experience. From birthday parties to themed gatherings, I’m here to help you bring your party ideas to life with ease and excitement. Whether you’re looking for unique games, creative themes, or party planning tips, I’m dedicated to making sure every moment of your event is filled with joy. Let’s create memories together and make your next party the talk of the town!