10 High-Protein Dinners That Cook Themselves

Imagine walking into your kitchen and having dinner nearly ready without lifting a finger. That's where these high-protein dinners come in! Whether it’s slow-cooked meats, baked casseroles, or one-pan wonders, each dish is full of protein to keep you satisfied and energized. They’re perfect for busy weeknights when time and energy are in short supply. Stay on track with your fitness goals and let these meals do all the work!

Paleo-Friendly Honey Garlic Chicken

Paleo honey garlic chicken shredded on white rice in a bowl. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Tender, juicy bites of shredded chicken simmered in a paleo honey garlic sauce. This 5 ingredient crockpot chicken makes for the perfect weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Savory BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

barbecue chicken legs inside a crockpot — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Juicy bites of kitchen coated in a savory, seasoned sauce, these crockpot BBQ chicken legs are perfect for busy weeknights or potluck dinners. Made with just 3 ingredients these slow cooker drumsticks are a budget-friendly way to feed a crowd.

Get the recipe: Crockpot BBQ Chicken Legs

Air Fryer Juicy Steak Bites

Close up of air fryer steak bites with parsley on them with soy sauce and more parsley around it. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Cooked in just 10 minutes these air fryer steak bites come out tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned! With a blend of cumin and garlic, these steak cubes work just as well as a game-day appetizer as they do as part of a busy weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Steak Bites

Maple Balsamic Chicken Breast

Large chicken breast in a white bowl with rice and lime. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Tender, juicy chicken breasts with just 5-minutes of prep! This slow cooker gluten-free balsamic chicken is as easy as it gets for a weeknight dinner. Soaked in maple balsamic dressing and cooked slowly over the day, this chicken recipe makes the perfect busy mom, weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe: Maple Balsamic Slow Cooker Chicken

Orange Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

Seasoned chicken breasts on a baking tray lined with tin foil and roasted brussels sprouts around them — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Made with an orange garlic sauce, this one pan chicken and potatoes is a 30-minute dinner recipe that's tasty for the whole family. The juicy chicken and soft brussels in a sweet orange drizzle that's a sure-fire way to light up your taste buds. To learn more: One Pan Chicken and Potatoes

Veggie-Packed Beef Casserole

Beef and zucchini casserole topped with zucchinis in a baking dish. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Weeknight dinners just got better with this veggie-packed, high-protein, beef and zucchini casserole. Lean ground beef coated in a rich and creamy tomato sauce spread of zucchini and sweet potato noodles. You can make this dairy-free casserole in advance as well making busy weeknights that much easier. To learn more: Beef and Zucchini Casserole

Boneless Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Cooked teriyaki chicken thighs in sauce in a glass baking tray with green onions on top and a spoon holding one chicken thigh up from the tray — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Super tender, this baked teriyaki chicken is coated in a sweet, gluten-free teriyaki sauce. This gluten-free dinner recipe uses boneless chicken thighs to make for easy weeknights! To learn more: Teriyaki Baked Thighs

Dairy-Free Tuscan Chicken

White bowl with tuscan chicken, rice, leeks and sundried tomato in it with fresh basil beside it. — Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A creamy, dairy-free Tuscan chicken recipe made in the slow cooker. Infused with garlic, leek, and basil undertones, this crockpot Tuscan chicken could be right out of Italy. Made with a base of coconut milk and bone broth, this easy weeknight dinner is also paleo and whole30 approved.

Get the recipe: Dairy-Free Tuscan Chicken

Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie

Wooden spoon scooping our dairy-free chicken pot pie from a slow cooker. — Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Thick, creamy, comfort food made all in just one slow cooker. This dairy-free chicken pot pie has all the traditional pot pie flavors but with a healthy gluten-free twist. And because it’s made in a slow cooker, it’s a great option for chilly, busy weeknights.

Get the recipe: Chicken Pot Pie In The Slow Cooker

30-Minute Honey Chicken Thighs

Honey and lemon baked chicken thighs with parsley on top in a baking dish. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes with these ultra-juicy, honey-baked chicken thighs. Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free this busy weeknight dinner comes together with just a handful of ingredients and makes for a burst of sweetness in every bite.

Get the recipe: Honey Baked Chicken Thighs