21 High-Protein Dinner Recipes That Will Keep You Satisfied
Comforting dishes that will fill you up.
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If you're looking for a healthier lifestyle like Ree Drummond, one of the biggest steps you can take is making sure you get enough protein. After all, not only does protein help fill you up, but it also helps keep you full for longer. It's also essential for maintaining muscle and bone health. You should aim to have protein with every meal and nothing ends the day better than a healthy dinner to help you stay satisfied.
If you're looking for some high-protein dinner ideas, look no further! Almost all of the ideas here have more than one source of protein included in the recipe. So while you'll certainly find no shortage of chicken, beef, and pork, you'll also find hearty beans, lots of avocado, and heart-healthy nuts. There are also plenty of winter soups and stew recipes that use chicken or beef broth or stock to pump up protein and boost the flavor.
Speaking of flavor, don't think just because you're considering nutrients that you're going to sacrifice eating what you love. These high-protein meals are doubly satisfying: They're good for your body and good for your soul! There's a lot of comfort food on this list like cozy chili recipes and Ree's impressive beef Burgundy. Make them for dinner tonight and have a protein-packed healthy lunch tomorrow with the leftovers!
Beef Taco Skillet
One-pan skillet dinner to the rescue! Inside, you'll find layers of ground beef and black beans. Then on top, add avocado and a sprinkle of queso fresco to get four protein options in one bite.
Get Ree's Beef Taco Skillet recipe.
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Roll in the protein―literally! Slices of ham and Swiss cheese (yes, cheese is a good source, too) are rolled inside chicken breasts for extra protein and flavor.
Get Ree's Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe.
Beef Burgundy
Come for the meltingly tender chuck roast, stay for the bacon, beef broth, and mushrooms that make it extra savory and protein-packed. Worried about the carbs? Just cut back on the mashed potatoes.
Get Ree's Beef Burgundy recipe.
Cashew Chicken
Skip the takeout and make your favorite Asian-inspired meal at home. It's healthier and even more satisfying with tender chicken and cashews for extra crunch and yes, extra protein.
Get Ree's Cashew Chicken recipe.
Lentil Soup
This is probably one of the only recipes listed that doesn't have double the protein. But lentils are so nutritious that you won't miss the meat in this vegetarian dinner.
Get Ree's Lentil Soup recipe.
Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy
Yes, gravy is a bit of splurge but it has mushrooms and chicken broth in it which adds a layer of protein! Layer it over your pan-fried pork loin chops for a decadent dinner.
Get Ree's Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Gravy recipe.
Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
If you're carb conscious, then skip the buns and make lettuce wraps instead. Ground turkey, black beans, and creamy avocado will keep you plenty satisfied.
Get the Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Posole
If you've never had posole, it's a mildly spicy Mexican soup featuring tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder. It also has chicken broth and avocado for added protein, and you'll love the kick of spices.
Get the Posole recipe.
Chicken–Snow Pea Stir-Fry
Stir-fry is one of those 30-minute meals with endless meat and vegetable combination options. You might think of snowpeas as veggies, but they're actually also a great source of protein.
Get Ree's Chicken–Snow Pea Stir-Fry recipe.
Steakhouse Kebabs
Sirloin steak and mushrooms are double the savory protein on a stick! And if you want to be technical about it, there's also protein in the homemade blue cheese dressing that you dip it in. 😉
Get Ree's Steakhouse Kebabs recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Chili Butter
Bacon lovers, rejoice! Because any recipe made with bacon automatically adds extra protein to a dish. Scallops cook really quickly and feel so special, don't they? (Especially when wrapped in you-know-what.)
Ham and Bean Soup
Ham, beans, and chicken stock: Each sip of this easy, weeknight soup will give you an extra slurp of protein. But really, you'll just think about how comforted you feel on a cold evening.
Get the Ham and Bean Soup recipe.
Blackened Salmon with Edamame Succotash
Salmon is rich in protein and Omega-3 fatty acids, so it's super healthy for you. Add to that a fresh veggie side featuring edamame, which is―you guessed it―high in protein, too!
Beef-and-Bean Chili
Whether you add kidney or pinto beans to this dish is up to you, but either way, you'll be adding another source of protein on top of the hearty beef. And the sprinkle of cheese helps, too!
Get Ree's Beef-and-Bean Chili recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
So much goes into this soup (chicken, black beans, chicken broth) and on top of this soup (avocado, cheese, sour cream). And yet, it only takes ten minutes to prep!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe.
BLT Turkey Burgers
Lean ground turkey is an excellent alternative to beef. And once you add bacon and avocado (among other tasty layers), will you really miss the beef anyway? Nope.
Get Ree's BLT Turkey Burgers recipe.
Peanut Chicken with Green Beans
You may think about peanut butter for breakfast, lunch, or dessert, but if you add it to an Asian-inspired sauce with chicken, you can have it for dinner, too.
Get Ree's Peanut Chicken with Green Beans recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
Did you think you'd only get one bacon-wrapped dinner on this list? Ha! You know you want a hearty slice of meatloaf to fill you up with pure comfort.
Get Ree's Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf recipe.
Poke Bowls
Did you know that tuna is one of the highest protein types of fish you can eat? It's true! Then add some avocado slices on top and you've got yourself a protein bowl at home.
Get the Poke Bowls recipe.
Stuffed Cabbage
Why stop at stuffing cabbage with one ground meat when you can use two? This savory casserole has both beef and pork in the filling, so you get double the goodness.
Get the Stuffed Cabbage recipe.
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