When chilly winter evenings demand comfort, these high-protein dinners deliver. Every recipe packs at least 15 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber while keeping calories low, to help support healthy weight loss if that is your goal. Plus, with delicious winter produce like kale, broccoli, spinach and sweet potatoes, you’ll take advantage of the season’s freshest ingredients. Try options like our Garlicky White Bean & Kale Stew and our Kale & Sweet Potato Salad with Chicken for a cozy and satisfying meal.
Garlicky White Bean & Kale Stew
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
This lemony kale and white bean stew offers bright, hearty,and comforting flavors all in one pot. Tender carrots, onion and lacinato kale simmer with creamy cannellini beans, some of which are mashed to thicken the broth. A sprinkle of Parmesan and parsley adds a fresh zesty finish.
Kale & Sweet Potato Salad with Chicken
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
Roasted sweet potatoes, massaged kale and a creamy tahini dressing set the stage for a mix of feta, golden raisins and crunchy almonds. Shredded chicken makes it a satisfying main, but leftover turkey can be used in its place.
Creamy Spaghetti with Brussels Sprouts
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
Here, pasta simmers directly in broth for a starchy, full-bodied base that gets coated in a creamy Asiago sauce with a subtle kick of red pepper. Brussels sprouts and shallots add caramelized sweetness and earthy depth, while fresh basil brightens the final dish. It’s a one-pan dinner that’s perfect for a weeknight meal when the cozy vibes are calling.
Chicken Fajita Rice Bake
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
Juicy chicken thighs mingle with a pantry-friendly mix of beans, tomatoes with green chiles and quick-cooking brown rice. A generous layer of melty cheese ties it all together. It’s a weeknight-friendly recipe that also doubles as a crowd-pleaser—you’ll want to keep this one on repeat.
White Bean Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
Sweet onion, tomatoes and garlic form a rich, savory base for creamy white beans. A handful of spinach adds freshness and color, and a sprinkle of Parmesan ties everything together with salty richness. Served alongside toasted whole-wheat baguette slices for dipping, it’s a fast, satisfying dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a simple weekend supper.
Garlic-Miso Chicken Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
This chicken-miso soup is a nourishing bowl that’s fresh and comforting. Sweet carrots, tender chicken and plenty of spinach simmer in a light broth, then get a savory boost from umami-rich white miso stirred in at the end.
Chickpea Casserole with Spinach & Feta
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This cozy casserole combines tender spinach, chickpeas and brown rice with a touch of cream cheese and tangy feta. Fresh dill, nutmeg and lemon juice brighten the flavors, while a hint of red pepper adds gentle heat. Baked until bubbling and topped with lemon zest, it’s a comforting and vibrant dish.
Creamy Skillet Chicken with Apples
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
This apple-Dijon chicken skillet is a cozy, one-pan dinner that captures the best flavors of fall. Golden seared chicken cutlets are simmered in a creamy Dijon sauce with sweet-tart Honeycrisp apples and caramelized onions, creating a balance of savory depth and gentle sweetness.
Marry Me White Bean Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
Here, the flavors of Marry Me Chicken (sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream and Parmesan) are transformed into a hearty, soul-warming vegetarian soup. Finished with basil and extra cheese, it’s cozy, crowd-pleasing and sure to win hearts at the table.
Loaded Broccoli & Chicken Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This cozy, one-pot meal has all the flavors of a classic baked potato with a fresh, hearty twist. Tender potatoes, rotisserie chicken and broccoli simmer into a creamy base. Cheddar and sour cream give it that signature “loaded” flavor, along with a finishing touch of crispy bacon and scallions.
Chicken Parmesan Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay
This chicken Parmesan soup combines the rich flavors of a traditional chicken Parm with the warmth and comfort of a soup. We love the punchy burst of flavor that Parmesan crisps offer as a garnish, but feel free to add freshly grated Parmesan in their place.
Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
This cozy dish will remind you of broccoli-Cheddar soup, but in a convenient skillet. Tender butter beans add creaminess and plant-based protein, making the dish filling enough for a main course. Broccoli florets bring color, while sharp Cheddar cheese melts in for that classic flavor.
Rotisserie Chicken, Mushroom & Rice Casserole
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Pheobe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
Tender shredded rotisserie chicken is combined with earthy mushrooms, rice and a creamy sauce that brings everything together. A layer of melted cheese on top adds a golden, bubbly finish.
Marry Me Chickpea Soup with Kale
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This creamy soup was inspired by Marry Me Chicken, a dish that features chicken and sun-dried tomatoes. We gave this dish a plant-based spin by swapping out the chicken for chickpeas and kale to create a cozy, warming meal perfect for cooler weather.
High-Protein Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This skillet is a hearty, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chunks of sweet potato and shredded chicken combine with store-bought enchilada sauce for a flavorful shortcut.
Spaghetti with Mushrooms, Spinach & Ricotta
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.
Earthy mushrooms, spinach and garlic flavor the pasta alongside whole-milk ricotta that creates a creamy sauce. You can elevate the flavor even more by using wild mushrooms for a deeper savory flavor and finishing with a squeeze of lemon to brighten everything up.
Spicy Chicken & Cabbage Stir-Fry
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.
This stir-fry is a quick, bold dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender strips of chicken are cooked then tossed with crisp cabbage and spicy chili-garlic sauce that brings just the right amount of heat.
Baked Creamed Spinach Pasta
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This crowd-pleasing dish combines the velvety richness of creamed spinach with tender pasta, all baked to bubbly perfection. It’s an easy, satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Spinach, Broccoli & Mushroom Quiche
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This quiche is a high-protein dish that works for any meal of the day. You can enjoy it as a hearty breakfast, a light lunch with a side salad, or even a satisfying dinner alongside roasted vegetables. It’s the best way to get your veggies and protein all in one easy dish!
Weight-Loss Sheet-Pan Chicken & Broccoli
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist; Joshua Hoggle
This sheet-pan miso-garlic chicken and broccoli dinner is low in calories, but high in protein to keep you satisfied. Plus, it uses only one baking sheet to make a complete meal, with a full serving of protein and plenty of roasted veggies.
Broccoli, White Bean & Cheese Quiche
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This quiche skips the crust but keeps all the savory goodness in the filling, featuring protein-packed white beans and savory roasted broccoli. Pair it with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies for a delicious meal anytime.
Creamy Caramelized Cauliflower Pasta
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
With simple ingredients and quick prep, this creamy cauliflower pasta is a satisfying dish that feels fancy. Add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of chile flakes to elevate this easy, comforting classic even more!
Spinach & Artichoke–Stuffed Butternut Squash
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Tender roasted butternut squash halves are filled with a cheesy spinach-and-artichoke mixture. A sprinkle of crushed red pepper adds heat, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a tangy-sweet flavor contrast that ties it all together.
Creamy White Chili with Cream Cheese
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
This comforting soup is fiber-packed with great northern beans and chicken in a deliciously creamy broth of garlic, onions, green chilis and smoky cumin. The cream cheese adds a tang and melts into the broth. We finished it with punchy cilantro.
Roasted Root Veggies & Greens over Spiced Lentils
Ali Redmond
This earthy bowl of lentils is topped with leftover roasted root veggies from a large batch for an easy weeknight dinner. Keep it vegan or add a drizzle of plain yogurt for extra richness.
