Have you ever had one of those days where time just slips through your fingers and suddenly it’s dinner time? Yeah, me too.
But here’s the silver lining—tonight’s dinner doesn’t have to be a rushed affair. Picture this:
savory dishes packed with protein, yet surprisingly low in carbs, waiting to be devoured. It’s like a secret weapon for those of us who want to eat well without feeling weighed down.
And who knew? You might just find a new favorite among these culinary delights.
Steps
- Chicken & Zucchini Casserole: Start by preheating your oven and preparing your baking dish. Mix the chicken and zucchini with the creamy sauce and seasonings, then spread the mixture evenly in the dish. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the top is golden brown.
- Beef Stir-Fry with Baby Bok Choy & Ginger: Heat oil in a wok or skillet and quickly stir-fry sliced beef until browned. Add bok choy, ginger, and the oyster-flavored sauce, cooking until the vegetables are tender. Serve hot, garnished with additional ginger if desired.
- Shrimp & Fish Stew: Sauté onions and garlic in a pot until fragrant, then add tomatoes, broth, and spices. Stir in shrimp and fish, cooking until they are opaque and cooked through. Serve the stew with slices of crusty bread.
- Chopped Power Salad with Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Add chopped greens, chicken, and other salad toppings, tossing everything together to coat well. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors.
- Gochujang-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Spinach: Mix gochujang paste with honey and brush over salmon fillets. Broil the salmon until cooked, then sauté spinach with garlic until wilted. Serve the salmon atop the spinach for a spicy, flavorful meal.
- Cauliflower Chicken Fried “Rice”: In a skillet, cook chicken until browned, then add riced cauliflower and vegetables. Stir in soy sauce and cook until the cauliflower is tender, resembling fried rice. Serve hot with green onions or sesame seeds.
- 15-Minute Pesto Shrimp: Sauté shrimp in a pan until pink and opaque, then toss with pesto sauce. Serve the shrimp over pasta, rice, or bread, ensuring they are well coated with the sauce. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
- Braised Chicken Thighs with Olive, Orange & Fennel: Sear chicken thighs in a skillet until browned, then add olives, orange slices, and fennel. Braise until the chicken is tender and the flavors meld together. Serve with rice or cauliflower rice.
- Mushroom-Swiss Turkey Burgers: Form ground turkey into patties and grill until cooked through. Top with portobello mushrooms and Swiss cheese, allowing the cheese to melt. Serve the burgers with tomato slices and arugula.
- Pork, Mushroom & Cabbage Soup: Sauté pork and mushrooms in a pot, then add cabbage and broth. Stir in sherry for flavor and simmer until the cabbage is tender. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
- Fontina & Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken with Spring Vegetables: Butterfly chicken breasts and layer with fontina and prosciutto. Fold them closed and cook in a skillet, adding cream at the end to create a sauce. Serve with spring vegetables and rice.
- Saffron Chicken Korma: Marinate chicken in yogurt and spices, then cook in a skillet until tender. Add saffron-infused broth and simmer to develop flavors. Serve with basmati rice or naan bread for a complete meal.
- Slow Cooker Chicken, Bacon & Potato Soup: Combine chicken, bacon, potatoes, and vegetables in a slow cooker. Cook until everything is tender and the flavors are well-developed. Serve with a side salad and crusty bread.
- Meyer Lemon Chicken Piccata: Pound chicken breasts thin, dredge in flour, and cook in a skillet. Make a sauce with Meyer lemon juice and capers, then pour over the chicken. Serve with pasta or rice to soak up the sauce.
- Turkey Ma Po Tofu: Cook ground turkey with mushrooms, then add tofu and seasonings. Simmer until heated through and serve with brown rice. Drizzle with sesame oil before serving for extra flavor.
- Sautéed Striped Bass with Lemon and Herb Sauce: Cook striped bass fillets in a skillet until flaky, then remove and make a sauce with lemon and herbs. Drizzle the sauce over the fish before serving.
- Chicken with Mushroom Sauce: Sauté chicken until browned, then top with a quick mushroom sauce. Cook until the chicken is done and the sauce is thickened. Serve with your choice of sides.
- Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Salmon: Broil salmon while making a creamy spinach and artichoke sauce in a skillet. Serve the salmon with the sauce, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Slow-Cooker Beef Curry: Combine beef, Thai curry paste, and vegetables in a slow cooker. Cook until the beef is tender and the flavors are well-developed. Serve with brown rice or noodles.
- 20-Minute Creamy Skillet Chicken with Corn, Tomato & Basil: Cook chicken in a skillet, then add fresh corn, tomatoes, and basil. Stir in cream to create a sauce, and serve over pasta or rice.
- Creamy Lemon & Dill Skillet Chicken: Cook chicken cutlets in a skillet, then make a lemon-dill sauce with the drippings. Serve the chicken with the sauce, alongside your choice of sides.
- Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken: Mix goat cheese with herbs and garlic, then stuff into chicken breasts. Cook in a skillet until the chicken is done and the cheese is melted. Serve with a side salad or vegetables.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast
- Zucchini
- Cream (or a creamy sauce)
- Fry with Baby Bok Choy & Ginger
- Beef strips
- Baby bok choy
- Ginger
- Oyster-flavored sauce
- Shrimp
- Fish fillets
- Broth
- Chicken breast
- Mixed greens
- Salad dressing
- Glazed Salmon with Garlic Spinach
- Salmon fillets
- Gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
- Honey
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Chicken breast
- Riced cauliflower
- Soy sauce
- Minute Pesto Shrimp
- Shrimp
- Pesto
- Chicken thighs
- Olives
- Oranges
- Fennel
- Swiss Turkey Burgers
- Ground turkey
- Portobello mushrooms
- Swiss cheese
- Tomatoes
- Arugula
- Pork
- Mushrooms
- Cabbage
- Dry sherry
- Chicken breasts
- Fontina cheese
- Prosciutto
- Half-and-half
- Chicken
- Yogurt
- Saffron
- Cardamom
- Coriander
- Cinnamon
- Chicken
- Bacon
- Potatoes (baby red, Yukon Gold or fingerling)
- Chicken breasts
- Meyer lemons
- Ground turkey
- Tofu
- Mushrooms
- Sesame oil
- Striped bass
- Lemon
- Herbs
- White wine
- Butter
- Chicken
- Mushrooms
- Artichoke Salmon
- Salmon
- Spinach
- Artichokes
- Cooker Beef Curry
- Beef
- Thai curry paste
- Fish sauce
- Cilantro
- Lime juice
- Minute Creamy Skillet Chicken with Corn, Tomato & Basil
- Chicken cutlets
- Corn
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Chicken cutlets
- Lemon
- Dill
- Stuffed Chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Goat cheese
- Fresh herbs
- Garlic
FAQ
- What constitutes a low-carb, high-protein dinner?
- carb, high-protein dinner typically contains minimal carbohydrates, often under 14 grams per serving, and a substantial amount of protein, at least 15 grams per serving. These meals often include ingredients like leafy greens, mushrooms, and lean meats to keep you full and energized.
- Can you recommend a quick and easy low-carb dinner recipe?
- Minute Creamy Skillet Chicken with Corn, Tomato & Basil is a great option. It’s a light and tangy dish that can be prepared in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
- What is a versatile protein option for low-carb meals?
- carb meals. For example, the 15-Minute Pesto Shrimp can be served with crusty bread, pasta, rice, or even as a pizza topping, making it an adaptable choice for various meal preferences.
- How can I make a creamy dish without adding too many carbs?
- and-half or a small amount of cream, which can add creaminess without a significant carb load. For instance, the Fontina & Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken with Spring Vegetables includes a bit of half-and-half for a creamy sauce, while keeping the carb count low.
- What are some options for a low-carb fish dish?
- carb fish option is the Sautéed Striped Bass with Lemon and Herb Sauce. This dish features a flavorful wine-butter sauce and caramelized lemon notes, making it a tasty choice for seafood lovers.
Tips
- Prep Ahead for Chicken & Zucchini Casserole: To save time, chop and prepare all your vegetables in advance. This will streamline the cooking process and make assembling the casserole quicker and more efficient.
- Enhance Beef Stir-Fry with the Right Sauce: For the best flavor in the Beef Stir-Fry with Baby Bok Choy & Ginger, use a high-quality oyster-flavored sauce. Check the Asian-foods aisle for a brand with a concentrated oyster taste to elevate your dish.
- Customize Your Cauliflower Chicken Fried “Rice”: To add more flavor, consider adding a splash of low-sodium soy sauce or a dash of sesame oil while cooking. This will enhance the taste and give it a more authentic fried rice feel.
- Choose the Right Shrimp for 15-Minute Pesto Shrimp: Opt for preservative-free shrimp to maintain the best texture and minimize added sodium. Using fresh or refrigerated pesto can also add a brighter flavor to the dish.
Equipment
- Wok or Large Skillet – For the Beef Stir-Fry with Baby Bok Choy & Ginger.
- Slow Cooker – For the Slow Cooker Chicken, Bacon & Potato Soup and Slow-Cooker Beef Curry.
- Ricer or Food Processor – For making riced cauliflower in the Cauliflower Chicken Fried “Rice.”
- Braiser or Dutch Oven – For dishes like Braised Chicken Thighs with Olive, Orange & Fennel.
- Broiler Pan – For the salmon dishes, such as Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Salmon.
- Mandoline Slicer – For thinly slicing vegetables in various recipes.
- Instant-Read Thermometer – Useful for cooking meats like chicken and fish to the correct temperature.
