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17 High Protein Chicken Recipes

When it comes to high-protein meals, chicken is a staple in our house—and for good reason. It’s budget-friendly, super versatile, and packed with the protein I need to stay energized and support my fitness goals. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite high-protein chicken recipes using both chicken breasts and thighs.

As a busy mom who prioritizes fitness, I’m always looking for easy, high-protein chicken recipes to keep me on track—without spending hours in the kitchen. Getting 30 to 50 grams of protein in each meal helps me stay full and support my strength workouts.

Chicken is one of my go-to protein sources because it’s quick, versatile and kid-friendly. Whether I’m tossing it on a salad, into the crockpot, or adding to a sheet pan meal with veggies, it’s an easy way to supports lean muscle mass and keep me energized. 

To reach my goals, I typically follow a high protein meal plan that divides my protein across three meals. For example, if my goal is 130 grams of protein per day, I aim for at least 30 grams of protein per meal. And I highly suggest front-loading your day with a high protein breakfast.

Personally, I don’t count calories, but I do aim for at least 2,000 calories per day. Your needs may vary; for personalized guidance, consult a nutritionist or dietitian.

Difference on Chicken Breast vs Chicken Thigh:

Chicken Breast:

• Nutrition: Breast is leaner (lower in calories and fat), with higher protein and lower fat content, making it a good choice for those watching their calorie and fat intake. 
• Flavor: More subtle flavor compared to thighs; less juicy and rich and much more prone to ‘drying out’. 
• Cooking: Tends to dry out more easily if overcooked, so it’s best to cook to a lower internal temperature. 

Chicken Thighs:

• Nutrition: Higher in calories and fat, but also a good source of protein and essential nutrients like niacin, vitamin B-6, and phosphorus. Chicken thighs also contain more iron and zinc than breasts do.
• Flavor: Richer and much more flavor (due to higher fat content). 
• Cooking: Easier to cook and less likely to be overcooked or dry due to their fat content. 

I personally lean towards cooking with chicken thighs much more frequently, especially for one-pan or sheet pan meals as they never dry out. And honestly my kids enjoy chicken thighs much more!

How I Prep Shredded Chicken:

Shredded chicken is a staple protein in our house—it’s one of the few things I can count on my kids to eat without complaints. Here’s my go-to weekly prep method that keeps things simple and versatile:

I place 5–6 chicken breasts in the crockpot (I use ButcherBox chicken), then pour in about half to one cup of Kettle & Fire Bone Broth. I keep the seasoning light with just a dash of salt and pepper so the chicken can easily be used in a variety of meals throughout the week—though you can always spice it up to your liking. I let it cook on low for 8–10 hours until it’s tender, juicy, and basically falling apart. So easy, and always delicious.

High Protein Chicken Breast Recipes

1. Crockpot Chicken Fajitas Burrito Bowl

Easy crockpot chicken fajitas can be served in tortillas or over greens for meal prep chicken burrito bowls.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 34 grams

Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts
• Pico de Gallo or salsa of choice
• Bell Peppers
• Red Onion
• Black Beans
• Corn
• Brown Rice
• Taco Seasoning of choice
• Limes

2. Chicken and Chickpea Curry

An easy one-skillet dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes and full of those warming spices and coconut flavor you love in a curry recipe.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 26 grams

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breast
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Yellow onion
• Red bell pepper
• Garlic cloves
• Diced tomatoes
• Coconut milk
• Chickpeas
• Cauliflower florets
• Curry powder
• Ground turmeric
• Dried ginger 
• Fine salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh baby spinach

3. High Protein Tuscan Chicken

With high-protein cottage cheese and sweet sun-dried tomatoes, this High Protein Tuscan Chicken is the perfect one-pot dinner.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 61 grams

Ingredients

• Chicken breast 
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes 
• Ground black pepper
• Sun dried tomatoes 
• Chicken bone broth
• Heavy cream
• Cottage cheese
• Parmesan 
• Basil

4. Marry Me Chicken Pasta

This marry me chicken pasta has deliciously seasoned chicken, a homemade creamy cottage cheese sauce, sun-dried tomatoes and perfectly coated noodles. 

Grams of Protein per Serving: 58 grams

Ingredients

• Banza chickpea pasta shells
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Fresh cracked pepper
• Oil from sun-dried tomatoes
• Cottage cheese
• Chicken broth
• Garlic powder
• Parmesan cheese, shredded
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Spinach

5. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

This spinach stuffed chicken breast is stuffed with an oozy, cheesy spinach filling and baked to perfection.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 42 grams

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• White onion
• Spinach
• Cream cheese

6. Lemon Garlic Chicken

This easy lemon garlic chicken recipe is a quick skillet meal that makes a family-friendly dinner.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 27.6 grams

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts 
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dried oregano
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Garlic cloves
• Heavy cream
• Milk
• Lemon

7. Chicken with Coconut Kale

Golden, juicy, thinly sliced pan-fried chicken cooked in a creamy coconut-kale sauce.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 29.5 grams

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• All-purpose chicken seasoning 
• Avocado oil 
• Shallot
• Shredded curly kale
• Yellow curry paste
• Coconut milk
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar

8. Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken

Easy, saucy Thai Peanut Chicken is so delicious and so simple when made in a slow cooker.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 31 grams

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Yellow onion
• Red bell pepper
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Spinach 
• Limes 
• Garlic cloves, minced 
• Coconut milk 
• Natural creamy peanut butter
• Coconut aminos
• Rice vinegar
• Honey
• Toasted sesame oil
• Fish sauce 
• Ginger
• Red pepper flakes

9. Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Bake

Protein and veggie-packed healthy chicken parmesan quinoa casserole made with homemade parmesan chicken, marinara, mushrooms, and quinoa.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 57 grams

Ingredients

• Skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Yellow onion
• Green pepper, diced
• White mushrooms
• Sea salt
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning
• White quinoa
• Marinara sauce
• Chicken broth
• All-purpose flour
• Shredded parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Ground pepper
• Egg

10. Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad

This quick and easy lunchtime salad with crunchy vegetables and Asian-inspired dressing won’t disappoint.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 36 grams

Ingredients

• Diced cooked chicken
• Broccoli slaw 
• Red bell pepper
• Sliced almonds
• Green onions
• Orange zest
• Orange 
• Coconut aminos
• Almond butter
• Toasted sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Garlic clove
• Grated ginger
• Lettuce wrap
• Avocado

11. Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole

This veggie-loaded casserole is full of buffalo chicken flavor and so good right out of the oven. 

Grams of Protein per Serving: 21 grams

Ingredients

• Avocado oil 
• Cauliflower rice 
• Carrots
• Red bell pepper
• Yellow onion
• Garlic powder
• Dried parsley 
• Buffalo sauce 
• Mayo 
• Whole eggs 
• Chicken breast

High Protein Chicken Thigh Recipes

12. Sheet Pan Chicken with Roasted Veggies

The juicy roasted chicken and colorful tender vegetables is all cook at the same time on one sheet pan.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 35 grams

Ingredients

• Carrots
• Green beans
• Red potatoes
• Red onion
• Garlic cloves
• Fresh rosemary
• Fresh thyme leaves
• Olive oil
• Chicken thighs
• Fine salt
• Black pepper

13. Chicken Tacos

Just 20 minutes to get these chicken tacos on the table. Juicy, flavorful, and absolutely mindless in the best way.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 31.4 grams

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Soy sauce
• Avocado oil
• Clove garlic, grated
• Taco seasoning 
• Avocado Aji Verde
• Avocado
• Mayo
• Chunk of cotjia cheese
• Cilantro
• Clove garlic
• Limes

14. Sheet Pan Sesame Chicken

Easy sheet pan sesame chicken baked with a rainbow of vegetables and a flavorful sesame sauce.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 40.7 grams

Ingredients

• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Honey
• Rice vinegar
• Toasted sesame oil
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Sambal ole
• Ginger
• Garlic cloves
• Skinless chicken thighs
• Asparagus
• Bell pepper
• Red onion
• Cashews

15. Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Bowls

Part salad, part entree, these Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Bowls with Cilantro-Lime Dressing are hard to beat when you’ve got a hankering for an easy, takeout-inspired one-pan meal.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 33 grams

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Garlic cloves
• Ground coriander 
• Paprika 
• Ground cumin
• Ground turmeric
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Avocado Oil
• Lemon
• Red onion
• Bell peppers
• Riced cauliflower 
• Romaine lettuce
• Grape tomatoes
• Cucumber

16. Chicken and Rice

A flavorful chicken and rice recipe made with juicy chicken thighs and the most delicious rice medley you’ve ever had. 

Grams of Protein per Serving: 43 grams

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs
• Chicken seasoning
• Olive oil
• Butter
• White onion
• Cloves garlic
• White mushrooms,
• Carrots
• White rice
• Chicken broth
• Frozen peas
• Worchestershire sauce
• Salt
• Ground pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

17. Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Easy pulled chicken sandwiches topped with a sweet and tangy cabbage slaw.

Grams of Protein per Serving: 28.4 grams

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Ketchup
• Low sugar bbq sauce 
• Chicken broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Apple cider vinegar
• Yellow mustard
• Cumin
• Cayenne pepper
• Shredded carrots
• Shredded red cabbage
• Chopped cilantro
• Apple cider vinegar
• Toasted sesame oil
• Pure maple syrup
• Ground salt and pepper

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