Looking for ways to add more protein to your diet? These high-protein chicken recipes are not only delicious and easy to make but also packed with protein to help fuel your body and keep you feeling satisfied.
It’s no secret chicken is one of our favorite protein options. Not only is it easy to make, versatile, and delicious, but it is packed with protein! We always have chicken breasts and chicken thighs in our freezer that we can easily thaw for a quick weeknight dinner.
Eating enough protein has so many benefits. From helping with digestion, filling you up and keeping you full, balancing your blood sugar, building and repairing muscles, better body composition, and more. With getting enough protein, and a good balance of carbs and fat, I know I am setting myself up to feel my best.
Often, chicken can get a bad rap for being a plain and boring diet food. But that is not the case here! To help you hit your protein goals and inspire you, we are rounding up 26 easy, delicious, and healthy high-protein chicken recipes. I’m sure you will find a few to add to your weekly rotation!
Why we love these high-protein chicken recipes
- absolutely delicious and packed with tons of flavor – no boring diet food here!
- high protein meals will keep you full longer, help balance your blood sugar, help build and repair muscles, and more!
- recipes the whole family will love – from salads, soups, pasta dishes, and casseroles, you’ll be sure to find some everyone will love!
- most of these recipes are great for meal prep!
Is chicken high in protein?
Chicken is a great high-protein option. It is a complete protein and contains all 9 essential amino acids. Chicken is also rich in B vitamins, especially vitamins B3 and B6, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus. Also, it’s low in calories and sodium. Overall, it makes a great choice for a protein at mealtime!
How much protein is in chicken?
Chicken can have anywhere from 20-26 grams of protein per serving. The amount will depend on what part of the chicken you are eating and how much fat it has. More fat will mean less protein and vice versa. For example, 4 ounces of raw chicken breasts will have 26 grams of protein while 4 ounces of raw chicken thighs will have 22 grams of protein. Cuts with more fat in them will have less protein.
What to eat with chicken?
Since chicken is a high-protein food, it’s best to pair it with some carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fiber for a balanced meal. It’s also super versatile and goes with so many sides. Here are some of my favorites:
- crispy baked potato wedges
- air fryer carrots
- sesame garlic green beans
- instant pot rice (6 flavors!)
- honey mustard potato salad
- air fryer brussels sprouts
- cauliflower rice 6 ways (for a low-carb option)
High-protein chicken salad recipes
Healthy chicken salad with grapes, toasted almonds, celery, herbs, and tossed with creamy greek yogurt for extra protein. Serve it in a salad, in a sandwich, on lettuce wraps, or eat it as is. Perfect for meal prep or a quick and easy lunch.
Chopped fall harvest salad with chicken, sweet potatoes, apples, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese, and tossed with a creamy orange vinaigrette. Full of flavors and textures and perfect for autumn.
Chicken cabbage salad has cabbage, chicken, veggies, cashews, basil, and a refreshing dressing. It’s light and flavorful, low-carb and gluten-free, and a delicious healthy chicken salad.
Buffalo chicken salad combines two classic flavors, buffalo and ranch, into a protein-packed, gluten-free, and healthy chicken salad recipe. Serve it in a salad, in a sandwich, on lettuce wraps, or just eat as is. Perfect for meal prep or a quick and easy lunch.
Hummus chicken salad is a quick and easy salad with shredded chicken and veggies tossed in a creamy lemon hummus dressing. Ready in 15 minutes and packed with protein for an easy lunch.
High-protein chicken soup recipes
Creamy chicken mushroom soup is an easy and healthy soup recipe. Ready in 35 minutes, packed with protein, and given a super creamy consistency thanks to blended coconut milk and mushrooms. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb.
Chipotle chicken sweet potato soup is packed with flavor, made in one pot, and ready in 45 minutes. Perfect for a cozy dinner on a chilly evening! High in protein, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
White chicken chili that’s nice and creamy, yet there’s no cream! Made with green chile, chicken, corn, and blended chickpeas to make it thick and creamy. This easy white chicken chili recipe can even be made in the slow cooker and is bound to become a new family favorite. Serve with avocado, tortilla chips, and cilantro.
Chicken tomato soup tastes like childhood but in a grown-up way. Homemade creamy tomato soup is loaded with shredded chicken, lots of vegetables, and an optional addition of pasta. Use shredded chicken instead of chicken breasts to make it come together even faster!
Creamy buffalo chicken soup will be your new favorite healthy chicken soup recipe. It’s hearty and comforting, full of protein, lots of vegetables (carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes), and thickened without any dairy or flour. Made in one pot on the stove and ready in 45 minutes.
High-protein chicken pasta recipes
Chicken caesar pasta salad is a fun twist on a classic caesar salad. Made with pasta, shredded chicken, lettuce, parmesan cheese, and a homemade healthy caesar dressing. Perfect for an easy meal or for summer cookouts.
Chicken parmesan pasta skillet is the ultimate comfort food, made healthy. Ready in 25 minutes and made from just 7 simple ingredients, it’s packed with protein, carbs, and healthy fats for the perfect easy dinner recipe.
Goat cheese pasta has chicken, tons of fresh vegetables, and a simple creamy goat cheese sauce. A light yet comforting dish packed with protein, carbs, and healthy fats for a well-balanced meal.
Buffalo chicken pasta salad has shredded chicken, veggies, pasta, hot sauce, and a greek yogurt blue cheese dressing. It’s packed with protein and great for a complete meal or side dish.
Sun-dried tomato chicken pasta packed with protein and vegetables and tossed with a delicious sun-dried tomato pasta sauce without any cream or dairy! Ready in about 30 minutes for a well-balanced meal.
Chicken sausage pasta is a tasty recipe for easy comfort food and a healthy dinner. Made with your favorite chicken sausage, pasta, spinach, mushrooms, sauce, and creamy goat cheese to finish it off. Ready in 25 minutes from start to finish for a well-balanced meal.
High-protein chicken casserole recipes
Chicken taco casserole takes the flavors of tacos and turns them into a healthy casserole recipe. Shredded chicken, black beans, peppers, corn, salsa, and greek yogurt all bake together in the oven and then topped with cheese and tortilla chips. It’s a hearty and healthy meal ready in 40 minutes. Serve with your favorite sides for the ultimate taco night. High protein, gluten-free, and great for meal prep.
Jalapeño popper chicken casserole combines your favorite aspects of jalapeños poppers and packs it into a warm and comforting healthy casserole recipe. Loaded with shredded chicken, jalapeños, veggies, and a lightened-up cream cheese and greek yogurt mixture and then topped with shredded cheese and crushed pretzels. It makes a delicious and hearty one-pan recipe perfect for dinner, as a dip, or for a party!
Healthy buffalo chicken casserole combines your favorite aspects of buffalo chicken and packs it into a warm and comforting healthy casserole recipe. Loaded with shredded chicken, rice, veggies, and a delicious buffalo sauce and then topped with shredded cheese. It makes a delicious and hearty one-pan recipe that is ready in 30 minutes perfect for dinner or for a party!
Chicken fajita casserole combines your favorite aspects of fajitas into a flavor-packed healthy casserole recipe. It’s loaded with seasoned chicken, peppers, onions, and rice, and topped off with melted cheese. Packed with protein, make it for a delicious and hearty well-balanced meal!
High protein chicken meal prep recipes
Greek chicken bowls made with marinaded greek chicken, herby rice, a quick greek salad with tomatoes, cucumber, and olives, and topped off with feta and tzatziki. They make a delicious flavor-packed meal for lunch or dinner and are great for meal prep!
Healthy chicken pad thai uses sweet potato noodles, chicken, veggies, and a delicious pad thai sauce. Made in one pan and ready in 40 minutes for the perfect alternative to takeout!
Peanut butter chicken combines chicken, veggies, and a delicious Thai peanut sauce. It takes minimum effort to make and is perfect for a quick lunch or easy dinner recipe. High protein, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
Sheet pan chicken sausage and veggies make an easy one-pan meal ready in 55 minutes. Made with chicken sausages, sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, and broccoli, it’s packed with protein, fiber, and flavor, making it the perfect healthy dinner recipe for busy nights.
Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl with juicy chicken thighs, roasted sweet potato and brussel sprouts, apple, pecans, goat cheese, and a creamy balsamic dressing. It makes a delicious flavor-packed grain bowl that is perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner and a great option for meal prep.
Cheesy chicken quinoa skillet with juicy chicken, quinoa, black beans, veggies, southwestern spices, and melted cheese. Made with 10 ingredients, packed with protein, complex carbs, veggies, and fiber for a hearty and satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Greek sheet pan chicken with marinated chicken thighs, potatoes, bell peppers, feta, and olives makes a delicious, flavor-packed, and easy one-pan meal. Everything is tossed with spices and roasted until juicy and tender. Gluten-free and high-protein.
And if you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
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