21 High-Protein Dinners For People Who Are Sick Of Chicken Breasts

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Chicken breasts get the job done, but eating them on repeat gets boring fast. If you’re ready for something with more flavor and variety, these high-protein meals bring real options to the table. Beef, seafood, turkey, and even elk step in to break the routine without making dinner complicated. These recipes are straightforward, packed with protein, and actually worth cooking.

Grilled tomato slices seasoned with herbs and spices.
Flank Steak Pinwheels. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Venison Meatballs

Venison meatballs in tomato sauce on a plate with pasta.
Venison Meatballs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These baked venison meatballs are hearty, packed with protein, and don’t have any gamey taste. Serve them with your favorite sauce and pasta for a meal that feels classic but delivers more protein than beef.
Get the Recipe: Venison Meatballs

Greek Shrimp Skillet

Shrimp skillet dinner with kalamata olives, tomatoes and feta.
Greek Shrimp Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Tomatoes, feta, olives, and fresh oregano bring bold flavors to this 30-minute shrimp skillet. High in protein and packed with Mediterranean goodness, this is an easy way to shake up dinner.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Skillet

Dijon Almond Crusted Tilapia

Almond crusted tilapia with fresh herbs.
Dijon Almond Crusted Tilapia. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A crispy, nutty crust gives this pan-fried tilapia extra crunch and flavor. Ready in 10 minutes, this high-protein meal keeps things light but still satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Dijon Almond Crusted Tilapia

Tuna Sushi Bowl

Tuna sushi bowl with wasabi avocado dressing.
Tuna Sushi Bowl. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

If sushi takeout is getting expensive, make this instead. Fresh tuna, crisp veggies, and a spicy avocado-wasabi dressing bring big flavor and protein without the hassle of rolling anything.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Sushi Bowl

FDL’S 75 Best Bites

FDL's best bites tasty recipes.
FDL’S 75 Best Bites. Photo credit: Food Drink Life.

Our cookbook with 75 tasty recipes will be your go-to kitchen companion for easy dinners with ad-free recipes right at your fingertips. Crafted by experienced chefs and recipe developers, this collection offers a treasure trove of tried-and-true dishes that make mealtime a breeze.
Get the Recipe: FDL’S 75 Best Bites

Indian Steak Kabobs

Indian yogurt steak and potato kabobs.
Indian Steak Kabobs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These marinated steak kabobs bring bold Indian flavors and tender bites of steak straight to your plate. Served with potatoes and a yogurt dip, they make a high-protein meal that actually excites.
Get the Recipe: Indian Steak Kabobs

Air Fryer Ribeye

Air fryer ribeye on a plate with potatoes and butter.
Air Fryer Ribeye. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A juicy ribeye steak in the air fryer? Absolutely. It cooks up tender with a flavorful crust, making it one of the easiest ways to get a high-protein dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Ribeye

Grilled Ham Steak

Grilled fresh ham steak with rosemary dijon maple glaze.
Grilled Ham Steak. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Ham steaks are an underrated protein that deserve more attention. This version is grilled and glazed with rosemary, maple, and Dijon for a rich, smoky flavor that beats another bland chicken dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Ham Steak

Burger Bowls

Burger bowl with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and special sauce.
Burger Bowls. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

All the flavor of a great burger without the bun. Piled high with toppings and drizzled with a homemade special sauce, this bowl keeps things fresh while giving you plenty of protein.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls

Elk Burgers

Elk burger sliced in half with cheese, tomato and lettuce on a bun.
Elk Burgers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Elk meat is lean, packed with protein, and a great break from the usual beef. A few simple seasonings and a little grill time make these burgers juicy and flavorful without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Elk Burgers

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

A plate with air fryer salmon bites, rice, broccoli and sauce on it.
Air Fryer Salmon Bites. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These garlic-ginger marinated salmon bites cook up crispy outside and tender inside. Served with a flavorful dipping sauce, they’re a quick and protein-packed dinner that’s far from boring.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salmon Bites

Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon

Baked sockeye salmon with herb caper crust and lemon slices on a sheet pan.
Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This wild sockeye salmon is baked to perfection with an herbed garlic caper crust. It’s rich in protein, full of bold flavors, and ready in just over 10 minutes—faster than waiting for takeout.
Get the Recipe: Baked Wild Sockeye Salmon

Blackened Cod

Blackened cod served with tri color quinoa.
Blackened Cod. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A simple spice rub and a quick pan-sear give this cod a crispy crust and tons of flavor. It’s fast, protein-packed, and a great alternative when you need a break from chicken.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Ground beef stir fry in a skillet.
Ground Beef Stir Fry. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Ground beef and fresh vegetables come together in a garlic-ginger stir fry sauce that’s better than takeout. Quick, easy, and loaded with protein, this one belongs in the weeknight rotation.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Ground beef cabbage stir fry in a bowl with chopsticks.
Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one-pan meal brings together ground beef, cabbage, and bold spices for a quick high-protein dinner. The mix of textures and flavors makes it far from your usual stir-fry.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Blackened Mahi Mahi

Blackened mahi mahi over white rice.
Blackened Mahi Mahi. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

If you need something quick, easy, and not another dry chicken breast, this blackened mahi mahi delivers. A homemade seasoning blend and a few minutes under the broiler make it a no-fuss dinner.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Mahi Mahi

Beef Kafta

Beef Kafta on a plate with veggies.
Beef Kafta. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Packed with bold Middle Eastern spices, this beef kafta is a great way to switch up your protein routine. Serve it with rice, a fresh cucumber-tomato salad, and a dollop of hummus for a meal that’s full of flavor and far from boring.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kafta

Pesto Salmon

Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Oven-baked salmon coated in fresh pesto comes together in less than 25 minutes. It’s loaded with protein, full of flavor, and a great way to skip another boring chicken dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

White skillet with buffalo ground turkey and cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Turkey steps in to break the monotony of chicken in this skillet meal. Spicy buffalo sauce and hearty cauliflower keep things interesting while delivering plenty of protein in a single pan.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Turkey Cauliflower Skillet

Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas

Shrimp and steak fajitas with peppers and onions.
Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Steak and shrimp in one meal? That’s how you level up from chicken fatigue. Everything cooks on one pan in under 20 minutes, making this a go-to for quick, high-protein dinners.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Steak & Shrimp Fajitas

Flank Steak Pinwheels

Flank Steak Pinwheels. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Stuffed with pesto, Parmesan, prosciutto, and spinach, these steak pinwheels bring bold flavors and serious protein to the table. Great for special occasions or just when you want a break from the usual.
Get the Recipe: Flank Steak Pinwheels

General Tso Shrimp

Homemade general tso shrimp with broccoli and rice in a bowl with chopsticks.
General Tso Shrimp. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Skip takeout and make this quick, one-skillet shrimp dish instead. Coated in a sticky, sweet-and-spicy sauce, this meal is packed with protein and big on flavor.
Get the Recipe: General Tso Shrimp

1 thought on “21 High-Protein Dinners For People Who Are Sick Of Chicken Breasts”

  1. If you want something good to eat try Irish pub meatloaf to make it you need a pound of ground chuck a pound of ground sirloin, one red yellow, red and one yellow, bell pepper, Vidalia, onion, green onion, two eggs and club crackers, crush mix well form, drizzle ketchup, brown sugar put it in the oven 350 for 30 minutes and then drop the temperature to 300 and cook for one hour be the best meatloaf you’ll ever have.

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