5 Easy High Protein Chicken Recipes for Every Day

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to prepare nutritious meals that support your fitness goals can be challenging. That’s where high protein chicken recipes come to the rescue! Chicken is not only versatile and tasty but also one of the top sources of lean protein available. Whether you’re looking to build muscle, lose weight, or simply maintain a healthy diet, these easy high protein chicken recipes will become your new weekday staples.

Why Choose High Protein Chicken Meals?

Before diving into our mouthwatering recipes, let’s talk about why high protein chicken dishes deserve a spot in your regular meal rotation:

• Complete protein source: Chicken provides all nine essential amino acids your body needs
• Low in fat: Especially chicken breast, making it ideal for those watching their fat intake
• Budget-friendly: More economical than many other protein sources
• Versatile: Works with countless flavors and cooking methods
• Meal prep friendly: Maintains quality when stored properly in the refrigerator

Now, let’s explore five delicious high protein chicken recipes that are simple enough for everyday cooking yet packed with nutrition and flavor!

1. Mediterranean Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep

This bright, zesty chicken dish delivers approximately 35g of protein per serving while transporting your taste buds to the Mediterranean coast.

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Total time: 35 minutes

• Difficulty level: Easy
• Servings: 4
• Nutritional Information: 320 calories, 35g protein, 14g fat, 8g carbs, 2g fiber, 550mg sodium

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lemons (juice and zest)
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup cooked quinoa per serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Add chicken breasts to the marinade, ensuring they’re well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor).
3. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. In a large skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
5. Remove the chicken from the marinade (be sure to reserve the marinade) and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
7. In the same pan, add the reserved marinade, cherry tomatoes, and olives. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
8. Serve sliced chicken over quinoa (if using), topped with the tomato-olive mixture and fresh parsley.

This easy high protein chicken recipe is perfect for meal prep—portion into containers and enjoy throughout the week!

2. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

This creative dish combines the heat of buffalo sauce with the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes for a balanced, high-protein meal that’s surprisingly simple to make.

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 55 minutes | Total time: 65 minutes

• Difficulty level: Easy
• Servings: 4
• Nutritional Information: 380 calories, 30g protein, 12g fat, 32g carbs, 5g fiber, 720mg sodium

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ⅓ cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste)
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup blue cheese or feta, crumbled
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• Optional: celery sticks for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash sweet potatoes and pierce several times with a fork. Arrange them on a baking sheet and bake for 45-55 minutes until they are tender.
2. In the meantime, cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes and season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes).
4. Remove the pan from heat and toss the chicken in buffalo sauce until it is well-coated.
5. When sweet potatoes are done, slice them lengthwise and gently press the ends to open them up.
6. Fill each sweet potato with the buffalo chicken, then top with Greek yogurt, crumbled cheese, and green onions.
7. If desired, return the filled sweet potatoes to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

With approximately 30g of protein per serving, this high protein chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors.

3. One-Pan Pesto Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

This simple sheet pan meal requires minimal prep and cleanup while delivering maximum flavor and nutrition with about 33g of protein per serving.

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes

• Difficulty level: Easy
• Servings: 4
• Nutritional Information: 340 calories, 33g protein, 16g fat, 12g carbs, 4g fiber, 480mg sodium

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ⅓ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Position the chicken breasts on one side of the baking sheet. Spread 2 tablespoons of pesto evenly over the chicken.
3. In a large bowl, toss vegetables with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Arrange the seasoned vegetables on the other side of the baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and vegetables are tender with slightly charred edges.
6. Remove from oven and spread the remaining pesto over the chicken. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
7. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

This easy high protein chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a nutritious meal with minimal effort.

4. Protein-Packed Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

This modern twist on traditional chicken salad replaces mayo with Greek yogurt for extra protein and fewer calories, resulting in about 28g of protein per serving.

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 0 minutes | Total time: 15 minutes (+ 30 min chill time)

• Difficulty level: Very Easy
• Servings: 4
• Nutritional Information: 290 calories, 28g protein, 13g fat, 11g carbs, 1g fiber, 410mg sodium

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or full-fat)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ cup red grapes, halved
• ⅓ cup walnuts, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Mixed greens, whole grain bread, or wraps for serving

Instructions:

1. Combine Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and garlic powder in a large bowl.
2. Add the shredded chicken, grapes, walnuts, celery, red onion, and dill. Stir until well combined.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Let the flavors meld by covering and refrigerating for a minimum of 30 minutes.
5. Serve over mixed greens, between whole grain bread slices, or wrapped in a tortilla.

This high protein chicken recipe is perfect for meal prep, as the flavors actually improve after a day in the refrigerator.

5. Thai-Inspired Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

This vibrant stir-fry brings together exotic flavors with lean protein, offering approximately 32g of protein per serving.

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Total time: 35 minutes

• Difficulty level: Medium
• Servings: 4
• Nutritional Information: 310 calories, 32g protein, 11g fat, 18g carbs, 4g fiber, 890mg sodium

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup snap peas
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 small head broccoli, cut into florets
• 4 green onions, sliced

For the sauce:

• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions:

1. Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until thoroughly mixed. Set aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Cook the chicken for approximately 5 to 6 minutes, ensuring it is no longer pink. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Add remaining tablespoon of coconut oil to the pan. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant, stirring constantly.
4. Add bell pepper, snap peas, carrot, and broccoli. Sauté vegetables for 3-4 minutes until they are crisp-tender.
5. Return chicken to the pan. Pour sauce over everything and stir to coat.
6. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and everything is well-coated.
7. Garnish with green onions and serve over brown rice or cauliflower rice for additional protein.

This colorful easy high protein chicken recipe brings exciting flavors to your dinner table in less than 30 minutes.

Tips for Perfect High Protein Chicken Recipes

To ensure your high protein chicken recipes always turn out delicious:

1. Don’t overcook your chicken: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) without drying out.
2. Marinate when possible: Even 15-30 minutes in a marinade can significantly enhance flavor and tenderness.
3. Rest before cutting: Let cooked chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
4. Batch cook: Prepare extra chicken during weekend meal prep to use in various dishes throughout the week.
5. Mix up your protein sources: While these high protein chicken recipes are fantastic, incorporating other protein sources like fish, beans, and tofu provides a wider range of nutrients.

Conclusion

These five easy high protein chicken recipes prove that nutritious meals don’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation methods, you can enjoy delicious, protein-rich meals that support your health and fitness goals.

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week ahead or looking for a quick dinner solution, these versatile recipes will become regular features in your kitchen. The best part? They’re easily customizable—feel free to switch up the vegetables, spices, or side dishes based on what you have available or what you’re craving.

Achieving your health goals relies on consistent nutrition, and these delicious high-protein chicken recipes can make that consistency easier to maintain and more pleasurable. Happy cooking!

Additional Resources

5 Easy Chicken and Bell Pepper Recipes for Busy Weeknights

5 Quick & Healthy Chicken Breakfast Recipes For You

chicken dishes