29 High-Protein Lunch Ideas Perfect for Busy Days
Finding the perfect lunch thatโs both delicious and keeps you fueled through the afternoon can be tough, but high-protein meals like these will keep you going until dinner time! Whether youโre meal-prepping for the week, working from home, or packing lunch for the office, we have ideas you’re sure to love.
Slow Cooker Turkey Squash Chili

This slow cooker butternut squash chili recipe is exactly what you need to make the next time you find yourself craving something nutritious, delicious, and super filling. It has a delicious sweet and savory flavor and is easily customizable when served with a variety of toppings.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Squash Chili.
Quinoa Black Bean Salad

This black bean quinoa salad recipe should be on the top of your recipes-to-make list! Itโs light and bright, satisfying and nutritious, and loaded with plant-based protein and fiber, all with tons of layered flavor. Because it can be made ahead, itโs a great salad for everything from picnics to summer cookouts to healthy meal prep salads to get you through the week.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Quinoa Salad.
Best Chicken Salad

The best part of this rotisserie chicken salad recipe? The TEXTURE! Instead of big chunks of chicken and celery, everything is processed together into a pate-like texture that is absolutely perfect. Itโs perfect scooped up with crackers and fresh vegetables, stuffed into tomatoes, or in between two slices of good bread for a classic sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Best Chicken Salad.
Chicken Fajita Quesadilla

Made from simple ingredients, this quesadilla fajita is incredibly flavorful and has everything you need in a meal: protein, produce, carbs, and flavor. Itโs a great weeknight meal option too since you can have it on the table in 30 minutes. Serve with fresh toppings or black beans on the side.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajita Quesadilla.
Taco Salad

If you love a classic taco salad, you will always be happy to see this recipe on the menu. It’s quick, easy, and always hits the spot. Ground beef cooks super fast, making it a great weeknight option. Put out all of the salad components and let everyone make their own salad.
Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Salad.
Poor Man’s Stew

This budget-friendly stew is both hearty, delicious, and easy as we’re cooking it in the slow cooker. Made with ground beef, potatoes, peas, carrots, and green beans, this stew requires minimal prep – simply add to the slow cooker and let it cook away. This recipe is pretty flexible, so feel free to change up the ingredients based on what you have around.
Get the Recipe: Poor Man’s Stew.
Lemon Pepper Shrimp

This lemon pepper shrimp recipe is sure to become a fave and thereโs a lot to love. Itโs full of butter-y, lemon-y, pepper-y flavor (YUM!); itโs ready in about 10 minutes; and itโs made with simple ingredients.ย Shrimp cooks SO quickly and has nearly 45 grams of protein per serving.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Shrimp.
Crockpot Salsa Chicken

This easy chicken with salsa in the crockpot makes the best protein base and then can be turned into so many simple meals. Itโs made with just a handful of ingredients and can be prepped in 2 minutes. Use cooked chicken for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, quesadillas, and more!
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Salsa Chicken.
Big Mac Salad

Skip the drive-thru and get the flavor you crave, at home. This recipe has Big Mac-inspired flavor in each bite, but with a lighter and fresher flavor. Serve with fries for a delicious and nutritious main-course salad.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad.
Ground Turkey Stir Fry

This easy recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes and is loaded with protein, veggies, and a flavorful sweet and savory stir-fry sauce thatโs made with pantry staples! Ground turkey and broccoli florets cook together and then get major flavor from the sauce. Serve over rice and your lunch is ready.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Stir Fry.
Turkey Lentil Taco Filling

Ground turkey and lentils make this a flavorful and satisfying way to stuff tacos. This recipe starts in the instant pot and becomes a protein-packed dinner option that the whole family will enjoy. You can top your turkey lentil tacos with cheese, lettuce and all of your favorite vegetables for a fast meal.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Lentil Taco Filling.
Mediterranean Dense Bean Salad

When youโre in the mood for a salad thatโs incredibly delicious, fun to eat, and super nutritious, this garbanzo bean salad is what youโre going to want to make! Made with crunchy and fresh veggies, satisfying garbanzo beans, and a homemade vinaigrette, this salad can be prepped ahead for quick and healthy lunches or served as a side dish to your favorite protein.
Get the Recipe: Garbanzo Bean Salad.
Harissa Chicken Thighs

Harissa chicken thighs are a spicy, flavorful chicken dish with a complex flavor, made using harissa chile paste. Pair them with some roasted veggies or a quick salad and pita bread for a delicious meal! Each thigh has about 20 grams of protein.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Chicken.
Mediterranean Baked Turkey Meatballs

Make these baked meatballs anytime you crave Mediterranean flavors. These start with ground turkey and a delicious blend of spices. Pair them with a simple salad, rice and cucumbers, or tuck them into a pita pocket for a tasty sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Baked Turkey Meatballs.
Buffalo Chicken Flatbread

Meet your new favorite 15-minute meal โ buffalo chicken flatbread pizza! This buffalo chicken flatbread recipe is so simple but has so much flavor thanks to the buffalo chicken, blue cheese, and fresh green onions. Drizzle with extra buffalo sauce for some extra heat.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Flatbread.
Chicken Taco Soup

This flavorful soup might taste like it took all day to simmer, but it puts a shortcut ingredient to work to make it so easy you can serve it up for lunches all week. With chicken, taco spices, and the best tomato-studded broth, this soup will have your family coming back for a second bowl. Serve with your favorite taco toppings like cheese, avocado, cilantro, and lime.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Taco Soup.
Fajita Chicken Burrito

Canโt decide between chicken fajitas or a delicious burrito for dinner? Donโt choose and just combine the two! You can have these filling, and delicious fajita chicken burritos inspired by our favorite fast-casual Mexican restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Chicken Burrito.
Ground Turkey and Cabbage Soup

Make this easy and wholesome one pot soup for a meal that is easy to prepare, can feed a crowd, and only needs one pot, for a fast clean up after dinner. With chunks of carrots, plenty of seasoned ground turkey and cabbage for a filling and delicious, budget friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey and Cabbage Soup.
Southwest Salad

The classic southwest salad gets a modern makeover! Greens are topped with spiced chickpeas, tomatoes, grilled chicken, sharp cheddar, guacamole, and tortilla chips so that each bite is full of flavor. You can make a few of the components ahead for an even quicker meal.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Salad.
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad

This salad has something for everyone! Spicy buffalo chicken, crunchy veggies, and of course some creamy ranch dressing to cool it down and bring it all together. This salad comes together in 15 minutes and has almost 20 grams of protein.
Get the recipe: Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad
Lemon Herb Chicken Patties

Ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs and a blend of herbs with a kiss of lemon, make this chicken patty recipe a keeper. These are easy, delicious and are versatile. You can make them into the star of a sandwich or wrap, or serve them with classic side options like a steamed veggie or creamy mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Herb Chicken Patties.
Creamy Chicken Ramen Noodles

You will love these creamy chicken ramen noodles with a protein boost! The egg and bone broth impart a creamy chicken flavor with more than 20 grams of protein.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Ramen Noodles.
Southwest Turkey Taco Bowls

Make these turkey taco bowls for dinner on a night that you crave southwestern flavors. With ground turkey, diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn kernels served over rice, these bowls are as easy as they are filling and delicious!
Get the Recipe: Southwest Turkey Taco Bowls.
Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet

This ground turkey taco skillet has so much going for it! Itโs incredibly tastyย with classic taco flavors that everyone loves, cheese, and some veggies.ย Itโs ready in just 15 minutes, making this easy taco skillet dinner a great meal with more than 40 grams of protein. Serve with plenty of dippers or scoop it into tortillas.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Ground Turkey Taco Skillet
Copycat Chipotle Chicken

Save your money while still getting that Chipotle chicken flavor you crave. This recipe is so easy and versatile. You can add it to a rice bowl, wrap it up in a burrito or just eat it as is! This will be a flavorful favorite with your family and it will save you a bunch of cash on take-out!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Chicken.
Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls

Give your ground turkey a tasty teriyaki flavor with this easy recipe.ย With carrots, onions, broccoli, and peas, this veggie-loaded dish is sure to satisfy your family with a balanced meal that is ready in under an hour.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls.
Chicken Vegetable Soup

Shredded chicken meat, carrots, celery, and onions with rice and spinach make for an ultra-nutritious soup! You will love this aromatic and colorful comfort food dish on cold weather days. Make it ahead so you have a filling lunch in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Vegetable Soup.
Chicken Egg Roll In a Bowl

This is one of the best recipes for chicken! It makes a wholesome and filling meal, that happens to be low-carb and incredibly easy to prepare. Grab some ground chicken and veggies like coleslaw mix to get this on the table in just about thirty minutes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl.
Ground Turkey Lettuce Cups

If you have some ground turkey and fifteen minutes, you can make these fresh and tasty lettuce cups. Thanks to premade teriyaki sauce, all this meal requires is a quick cook in a skillet and some simple veggie prep. Serve with rice or spring rolls to round it out.
Get the Recipe: Ground Turkey Lettuce Cups.