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15+ Low-Carb High-Protein Dinner Recipes
Our special edition print issue of EatingWell was just released, and this time the focus was all about being mindful of your carb intake and amping up your protein intake. In this collection of recipes, we feature dinner recipes from that issue that meet our parameters for a low-carb and high-protein dish. The recipes featured in this collection contain nourishing complex carbs like quinoa and oats, plus versatile high-protein basics like chicken and shrimp. If you want to read more about the benefits of this eating pattern, you can subscribe to our print magazine, and discover more recipes like our 5-Ingredient Miso-Glazed Salmon or our Grilled Flank Steak with Tomato Salad.
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Creamy Skillet Chicken with Everything Bagel Spice & Spinach
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Holly Raibikis
This cozy skillet dinner combines two favorites: chicken cutlets and everything bagel spice—and it’s ready in less than 30 minutes. This meal includes a healthy portion of spinach, and a creamy sauce makes it perfect for serving over pasta or grains.
5-Ingredient Miso-Glazed Salmon
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This miso-glazed salmon is quick but jam-packed with flavor thanks to red miso, which has a stronger, more distinct flavor than sweet miso. You can easily double the recipe when serving guests without tacking on additional time. Serve with steamed broccolini and a side of brown rice.
Grilled Peach & Brie Smothered Chicken
This super-fast and healthy smothered chicken tastes best on the deck with a chilled glass of gewürztraminer. The fruity white pairs nicely with the peaches here.
Easy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
Enjoy classic shrimp scampi lightened up with zucchini noodles in place of pasta. The tomatoes add some sweetness and color, while the cheese contributes nuttiness and richness.
Air-Fryer Stuffed Chiles with Pork
These hearty stuffed chiles are packed with a savory filling made from pork, zucchini and black beans. Once stuffed, the chiles are delicate, so use caution when transferring to the air-fryer basket. A crumble of cotija cheese finishes these chiles for a satisfying main dish.
Grilled Flank Steak with Tomato Salad
Cutting the steak immediately after cooking breaks all the rules on meat cookery, but in this recipe we do it intentionally in order to capture the juices and incorporate them into the dressing. Serve this grilled flank steak recipe with crusty bread to soak up the deliciousness.
Easy Jerk-Marinated Chicken Drumsticks with Cabbage Slaw
The marinade is the star of the show in this recipe for roasted chicken drumsticks. Mila Clarke pulls from her family’s Jamaican heritage tradition by using a complex marinade made with soy sauce, ginger, lime, cinnamon and habanero peppers to create these oven-baked drumsticks that are delightfully savory but have a spicy kick. A simple cabbage slaw, which comes together in minutes, is the perfect accompaniment.
Turkey Meatballs with Green Beans & Cherry Tomatoes
The flavor of the turkey meatballs is enhanced by the Asiago and prosciutto. We love keeping this turkey meatball recipe on hand for meal prep, since meatballs can be used in sandwiches, salads, pasta and more.
Lemon-Garlic Steak & Green Beans
For a steak that’s deliciously tender, flavorful and not too fatty, we reach for strip (also known as New York strip or shell steak). It has less than half the saturated fat of a rib-eye but is more tender than leaner sirloin. Here, we cook green beans in the same pan used to sear the spiced steak. All those delicious drippings add richness to the beans—plus there’s one less pan to wash!
Stir-Fried Shrimp & Sugar Snap Peas
This shrimp stir-fry has bright flavors from sugar snap peas, garlic and ginger and comes together in less than a half-hour for a quick, healthy meal.
Pork Tenderloin “Rosa di Parma”
It’s not unusual to find a Parmigiano-Reggiano-stuffed roasted pork tenderloin like this served at special family celebrations in the Italian province of Parma, but it’s often made with beef. This version doubles down on the pork by stuffing it with prosciutto along with the cheese. You can certainly use Italian prosciutto, but consider cured American hams like La Quercia’s Tamworth Prosciutto.
Kimchi Jjigae
Kimchi jjigae (stew) is one of the most beloved jjigaes in Korea. This comforting one-pot stew is best when made with older, well-fermented kimchi. While anchovy broth is traditional, you can swap it for reduced-sodium chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth or even water (as long as your kimchi is flavorful). Feel free to add some pork belly along with the kimchi for a classic spin on this recipe.
Sheet-Pan Shrimp & Asparagus
This sheet-pan shrimp and asparagus is a complete meal all on one pan! The shrimp and asparagus cook perfectly together. Crushed red pepper adds a dash of heat, while lime juice brightens the dish.
Garlicky Grilled Steak & Kale Salad
A bright lemon, garlic and tarragon vinaigrette coats this salad topped with grilled steak. Since the grill is already fired up, we throw on some bread for homemade croutons.
Lemon-Garlic Baked Cod
This super-easy lemon baked cod is buttery and flaky, with the bright flavors of lemon and garlic bringing it all together. Fresh chopped parsley adds a fresh note.
Tomato & Squash Pizza with Cauliflower Crust
The combination of squash, tomatoes and basil gives this pizza a summery-fresh vibe. The cauliflower crust resembles a lower-carb Boboli crust with cruciferous undertones—it’s soft and tender, but has very nice caramelization. If you can’t find cauliflower rice, chop up a pound and a half of florets and process them in the food processor.
