Close
Besides being necessary for every bodily function, protein also helps fill you up and keeps you satisfied longer than, say,refined carbohydrates. Including protein in each meal or snack also helps stabilize your blood sugar and can help prevent that “hangry” feeling.Each of these meals includes a rich source of protein, like chicken, fish or chickpeas, for a dinner with at least15 grams of protein per serving, and are so delicious, you’ll hardly believe they only took you 20 minutes.With a high-protein salad, sandwich or pasta dish on the menu, you’re sure to feel satisfied at the end of the day. Recipes like our Crispy Fish Taco Bowls and Caprese Sandwich are simple, healthy meals to make again and again.
Besides being necessary for every bodily function, protein also helps fill you up and keeps you satisfied longer than, say,refined carbohydrates. Including protein in each meal or snack also helps stabilize your blood sugar and can help prevent that “hangry” feeling.
Each of these meals includes a rich source of protein, like chicken, fish or chickpeas, for a dinner with at least15 grams of protein per serving, and are so delicious, you’ll hardly believe they only took you 20 minutes.
With a high-protein salad, sandwich or pasta dish on the menu, you’re sure to feel satisfied at the end of the day. Recipes like our Crispy Fish Taco Bowls and Caprese Sandwich are simple, healthy meals to make again and again.
01of 31One-Skillet Bourbon ChickenView RecipePhotography / Antonis Achilleos, Styling / Christine Keely, Ali RameeBourbon chicken gets coated in a slightly sweet-spicy sauce for a flavorful dinner that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
01of 31
One-Skillet Bourbon Chicken
View Recipe
Photography / Antonis Achilleos, Styling / Christine Keely, Ali Ramee
Bourbon chicken gets coated in a slightly sweet-spicy sauce for a flavorful dinner that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
02of 31One-Pot Creamy Chicken & Mushroom PastaView RecipeVictor ProtasioThis creamy chicken and mushroom pasta recipe makes for an easy weeknight dinner. Using store-bought rotisserie chicken saves time when cooking, and leftover chicken would work just as well.
02of 31
One-Pot Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta
Victor Protasio
This creamy chicken and mushroom pasta recipe makes for an easy weeknight dinner. Using store-bought rotisserie chicken saves time when cooking, and leftover chicken would work just as well.
03of 3115-Minute Salmon & Creamy Orzo with Spinach & MushroomsView RecipeBrie PassanoIn this quick salmon dinner, salmon fillets are paired with creamy orzo, wilted spinach and earthy mushrooms. Cooking the salmon at a high temperature helps speed up the cooking in this healthy dinner recipe. Look for presliced mushrooms to speed it up even more.
03of 31
15-Minute Salmon & Creamy Orzo with Spinach & Mushrooms
Brie Passano
In this quick salmon dinner, salmon fillets are paired with creamy orzo, wilted spinach and earthy mushrooms. Cooking the salmon at a high temperature helps speed up the cooking in this healthy dinner recipe. Look for presliced mushrooms to speed it up even more.
04of 31Crispy Fish Taco BowlsView RecipeThe adobo sauce in a can of chipotles lends earthy heat to the crema that tops these bowls. Don’t toss out the unused peppers! Freeze them in an airtight container and pull them out to add to sauces, marinades or chili.
04of 31
Crispy Fish Taco Bowls
The adobo sauce in a can of chipotles lends earthy heat to the crema that tops these bowls. Don’t toss out the unused peppers! Freeze them in an airtight container and pull them out to add to sauces, marinades or chili.
05of 31Cod Fish TacosView RecipePhotographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors HallLet your oven do the work for these quick and simple cod fish tacos. Broiling the cod allows the fish to stay moist and flake easily once finished. Hot sauce adds a punch of acidity and mild heat, while sour cream makes a creamy slaw that adds crunch to the taco.
05of 31
Cod Fish Tacos
Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Emily Nabors Hall
Let your oven do the work for these quick and simple cod fish tacos. Broiling the cod allows the fish to stay moist and flake easily once finished. Hot sauce adds a punch of acidity and mild heat, while sour cream makes a creamy slaw that adds crunch to the taco.
06of 31Caprese SandwichView RecipePhotographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine KeelyThis caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.
06of 31
Caprese Sandwich
Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely
This caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.
07of 31Chickpea Salad SandwichView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth BlackburnThis vegan chickpea salad sandwich is lemony, bright and surprisingly delicious. It’s got all the flavors of a classic tuna salad sandwich—dill, lemon and a bit of garlic—but with chickpeas instead to add a vegan source of protein and a healthy boost of fiber. Celery brings a nice crunch.
07of 31
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn
This vegan chickpea salad sandwich is lemony, bright and surprisingly delicious. It’s got all the flavors of a classic tuna salad sandwich—dill, lemon and a bit of garlic—but with chickpeas instead to add a vegan source of protein and a healthy boost of fiber. Celery brings a nice crunch.
08of 31Frittata with Asparagus, Leek & RicottaView RecipePhotographer / Jacob Fox, Food styling / Sue Mitchell, Food Styling / Kelsey BulatServe this spring-vegetable-loaded frittata with an arugula salad and a hunk of crusty bread. Tip: This recipe cooks quickly, so be sure to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.
08of 31
Frittata with Asparagus, Leek & Ricotta
Photographer / Jacob Fox, Food styling / Sue Mitchell, Food Styling / Kelsey Bulat
Serve this spring-vegetable-loaded frittata with an arugula salad and a hunk of crusty bread. Tip: This recipe cooks quickly, so be sure to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.
09of 31Scallops & Spring Vegetables with Olive-Caper Pan SauceView RecipeJason DonnellyThis quick-cooking scallop dish can be on the table in just 20 minutes. Packed with vegetables, protein and a flavorful sauce, it makes a great weeknight main for two. Petite carrots are harvested before they reach full maturity, making them thin and quick to cook. Snatch some up from the farmers market early in the season.
09of 31
Scallops & Spring Vegetables with Olive-Caper Pan Sauce
Jason Donnelly
This quick-cooking scallop dish can be on the table in just 20 minutes. Packed with vegetables, protein and a flavorful sauce, it makes a great weeknight main for two. Petite carrots are harvested before they reach full maturity, making them thin and quick to cook. Snatch some up from the farmers market early in the season.
10of 31Chicken Caprese SandwichView RecipePhotographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine KeelyThis chicken caprese sandwich has all the classic flavors of a caprese salad with an added boost of protein from grilled chicken. Using store-bought grilled chicken makes assembly quick and easy. This sandwich for one is made in a skillet but would work equally well in a panini press if you have one on hand.
10of 31
Chicken Caprese Sandwich
This chicken caprese sandwich has all the classic flavors of a caprese salad with an added boost of protein from grilled chicken. Using store-bought grilled chicken makes assembly quick and easy. This sandwich for one is made in a skillet but would work equally well in a panini press if you have one on hand.
11of 31One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & BroccoliView RecipePhotography: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling: Greg LunaShrimp and broccoli cook quickly in this easy, one-pot recipe, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Serve this healthy shrimp recipe over whole grains or rice.
11of 31
One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Broccoli
Photography: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling: Greg Luna
Shrimp and broccoli cook quickly in this easy, one-pot recipe, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Serve this healthy shrimp recipe over whole grains or rice.
12of 31Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta with ChickenView RecipeJamie VespaIf you love warm spinach and artichoke dip, then you’ll love that we turned this classic dip into a creamy pasta dish with chicken. And here’s what’s almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
12of 31
Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta with Chicken
Jamie Vespa
If you love warm spinach and artichoke dip, then you’ll love that we turned this classic dip into a creamy pasta dish with chicken. And here’s what’s almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
13of 31Prosciutto, Mozzarella & Melon PlateView RecipeThis perfect picnic for two is great for an outdoor date night or even just a quick, romantic dinner at home. The fresh fruit, vegetables and cheese pair perfectly with prosecco for sipping. Chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert make the meal extra special.
13of 31
Prosciutto, Mozzarella & Melon Plate
This perfect picnic for two is great for an outdoor date night or even just a quick, romantic dinner at home. The fresh fruit, vegetables and cheese pair perfectly with prosecco for sipping. Chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert make the meal extra special.
14of 31Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato SoupView RecipeLeslie Grow |Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato SoupMaya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, upgrades this popular budget-friendly combo. “Adding veggies to a classic sandwich—in this case, broccoli, zucchini and red bell pepper—boosts the nutrient density of the meal,” says Feller.
14of 31
Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Leslie Grow |Veggie Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Maya Feller, M.S., RD, CDN, of Brooklyn-based Maya Feller Nutrition, upgrades this popular budget-friendly combo. “Adding veggies to a classic sandwich—in this case, broccoli, zucchini and red bell pepper—boosts the nutrient density of the meal,” says Feller.
15of 31Chopped Salad with Chicken & Creamy Chipotle DressingView RecipePhotography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Melissa Gray / Kay ClarkeThis chopped salad with chicken is smoky and zesty thanks to the creamy chipotle dressing. Cilantro adds a pop of freshness to each bite.
15of 31
Chopped Salad with Chicken & Creamy Chipotle Dressing
Photography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Melissa Gray / Kay Clarke
This chopped salad with chicken is smoky and zesty thanks to the creamy chipotle dressing. Cilantro adds a pop of freshness to each bite.
16of 31Gochujang-Glazed Salmon with Garlic SpinachView RecipeJacob FoxGochujang, a Korean red chile paste, and honey give this salmon a little bit of sweetness and a whole lot of spice.
16of 31
Gochujang-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Spinach
Jacob Fox
Gochujang, a Korean red chile paste, and honey give this salmon a little bit of sweetness and a whole lot of spice.
17of 31One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli PastaView RecipeJennifer CauseyThis creamy chicken and broccoli pasta makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. We opt for small shells in this recipe, but any other small pasta, like orecchiette, would work, too.
17of 31
One-Pot Chicken & Broccoli Pasta
Jennifer Causey
This creamy chicken and broccoli pasta makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. We opt for small shells in this recipe, but any other small pasta, like orecchiette, would work, too.
18of 31Turkey, Cheese & Veggie PlateView RecipeThis colorful picnic dinner idea features tasty munchies you don’t need utensils for and mild flavors that kids prefer, like deli meat, cheese and crunchy raw veggies. It’s easy to assemble this complete menu, and adults will enjoy it as much as the kids. The menu calls for store-bought hummus and cookies, but you can easily make them yourself.
18of 31
Turkey, Cheese & Veggie Plate
This colorful picnic dinner idea features tasty munchies you don’t need utensils for and mild flavors that kids prefer, like deli meat, cheese and crunchy raw veggies. It’s easy to assemble this complete menu, and adults will enjoy it as much as the kids. The menu calls for store-bought hummus and cookies, but you can easily make them yourself.
19of 3120-Minute Chicken Cutlets & Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Tomato SauceView RecipeThis low-carb chicken dinner whips up in only 20 minutes, thanks to thin-cut chicken breast and packaged zucchini noodles. If you have a spiralizer and want to make your own zucchini noodles, use two medium zucchini.
19of 31
20-Minute Chicken Cutlets & Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Tomato Sauce
This low-carb chicken dinner whips up in only 20 minutes, thanks to thin-cut chicken breast and packaged zucchini noodles. If you have a spiralizer and want to make your own zucchini noodles, use two medium zucchini.
20of 31Green Goddess Salad with ChickenView RecipeFor this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chicken salad recipe, a healthy green goddess salad dressing recipe gets its creaminess from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. Any extra dressing is delicious served over grilled chicken or flaky white fish, such as cod or flounder.
20of 31
Green Goddess Salad with Chicken
For this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chicken salad recipe, a healthy green goddess salad dressing recipe gets its creaminess from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. Any extra dressing is delicious served over grilled chicken or flaky white fish, such as cod or flounder.
21of 31Easy Chicken Tinga Rice BowlsView RecipeJacob FoxLeftover chicken tinga, pinto beans and bell peppers combine to make a hearty, flavorful rice bowl. Finish with your favorite toppings like avocado and lime wedges.
21of 31
Easy Chicken Tinga Rice Bowls
Leftover chicken tinga, pinto beans and bell peppers combine to make a hearty, flavorful rice bowl. Finish with your favorite toppings like avocado and lime wedges.
22of 31Lemon-Garlic Pasta with SalmonView RecipeWondering what to do with leftover salmon? This is a delicious and easy way to turn it into another quick weeknight-friendly dinner. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water—its starch thickens the lemon-garlic pasta sauce and makes it silky-smooth.
22of 31
Lemon-Garlic Pasta with Salmon
Wondering what to do with leftover salmon? This is a delicious and easy way to turn it into another quick weeknight-friendly dinner. Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water—its starch thickens the lemon-garlic pasta sauce and makes it silky-smooth.
23of 31
Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Green Beans
24of 31Skillet Ravioli LasagnaView RecipeJasmine ComerThis easy inside-out ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food—no layering or mixing bowls required. Feel free to swap in ground turkey for the beef. Look for fresh mozzarella balls (also called “pearls”) in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.
24of 31
Skillet Ravioli Lasagna
Jasmine Comer
This easy inside-out ravioli lasagna is the ultimate weeknight comfort food—no layering or mixing bowls required. Feel free to swap in ground turkey for the beef. Look for fresh mozzarella balls (also called “pearls”) in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.
25of 31
Ground Beef & Snap Pea Rice-Noodle Stir-Fry
26of 31Spinach & Feta Scrambled Egg PitasView RecipeThis meatless dinner comes together in only 15 minutes, thanks to the convenience of frozen chopped spinach and crumbled feta. We’ve added a flavorful burst of sun-dried tomato tapenade to spread over the whole-wheat pita before nestling the scrambled eggs inside. If you can’t find it, basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto also works well.
26of 31
Spinach & Feta Scrambled Egg Pitas
This meatless dinner comes together in only 15 minutes, thanks to the convenience of frozen chopped spinach and crumbled feta. We’ve added a flavorful burst of sun-dried tomato tapenade to spread over the whole-wheat pita before nestling the scrambled eggs inside. If you can’t find it, basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto also works well.
27of 31Quick Shrimp PuttanescaView RecipeBecause refrigerated fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, this Italian pasta dish will be on the table lickety-split! Puttanesca, traditionally made with tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies and garlic, gets a makeover with shrimp for extra protein and artichoke hearts to boost the vegetable servings (and the fiber!). If you can’t find frozen artichoke hearts, sub in drained canned artichoke hearts.
27of 31
Quick Shrimp Puttanesca
Because refrigerated fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, this Italian pasta dish will be on the table lickety-split! Puttanesca, traditionally made with tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies and garlic, gets a makeover with shrimp for extra protein and artichoke hearts to boost the vegetable servings (and the fiber!). If you can’t find frozen artichoke hearts, sub in drained canned artichoke hearts.
28of 31Fruit, Veggie & Cheese PlateView RecipeThis healthy fruit, veggie and cheese plate is easy and affordable to pull together for a fun snack-style dinner at home or can be packed up and enjoyed as an outdoor picnic.
28of 31
Fruit, Veggie & Cheese Plate
This healthy fruit, veggie and cheese plate is easy and affordable to pull together for a fun snack-style dinner at home or can be packed up and enjoyed as an outdoor picnic.
29of 31Teriyaki-Glazed Cod with Cauliflower RiceView RecipeThis healthy fish recipe comes together fast with just three ingredients you most likely always have on hand in your freezer and fridge. Store-bought teriyaki glaze makes a great marinade for cod that doubles as a sauce for the cauliflower rice.
29of 31
Teriyaki-Glazed Cod with Cauliflower Rice
This healthy fish recipe comes together fast with just three ingredients you most likely always have on hand in your freezer and fridge. Store-bought teriyaki glaze makes a great marinade for cod that doubles as a sauce for the cauliflower rice.
30of 31Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus DressingView RecipeThis hearty vegan salad is loaded with plant-based power ingredients: chickpeas, quinoa and hummus. We love the crunch of the sunflower seeds and the unexpected flavor of roasted peppers.
30of 31
Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Dressing
This hearty vegan salad is loaded with plant-based power ingredients: chickpeas, quinoa and hummus. We love the crunch of the sunflower seeds and the unexpected flavor of roasted peppers.
31of 31One-Pot Chicken Pasta with Cajun SeasoningsView RecipePhotography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia BaylessThis one-pot chicken pasta dish with Cajun seasonings is a snap to whip up. Here we use the technique of stirring often to help the starches release for natural creaminess. We love the spicy flavor profile of Cajun seasoning, but you can substitute different spices depending on what you have on hand.
31of 31
One-Pot Chicken Pasta with Cajun Seasonings
Photography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia Bayless
This one-pot chicken pasta dish with Cajun seasonings is a snap to whip up. Here we use the technique of stirring often to help the starches release for natural creaminess. We love the spicy flavor profile of Cajun seasoning, but you can substitute different spices depending on what you have on hand.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
