When the day gets full, lunch needs to work harder, without making life harder! As as a healthy habits expert these high-protein lunch recipes are easy to prep and simple to pack. Every recipe is real-life tested and ready to power your week!

A large bowl of creamy chicken salad topped with diced apples, celery, dried cranberries, and walnuts.
5 stars (1 rating)

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad (Creamy, Crunchy & Make-Ahead!)

Creamy cranberry walnut chicken salad with Greek yogurt, crisp apple, and toasted nuts is fresh, crunchy, and perfect for a quick make-ahead lunch or easy light dinner.
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, shredded chicken, celery, apple, onion, dried cranberries, walnuts.
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A bowl of mixed bean salad with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, grilled chicken, feta cheese, parsley, and pita bread on the side.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Dense Bean Salad w/ Chicken (Mediterranean-Inspired!)

If you’ve ever searched for dense bean salad that’s actually filling, flavorful, and doesn’t wilt in the fridge, this is it. It comes together fast with rotisserie chicken, canned beans, and a homemade garlicky vinaigrette that makes the whole thing shine.
Ingredients You'll Need: olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, chickpeas, navy or cannellini beans, kidney beans, chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, roasted red peppers, red onion, parsley, and feta.
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Bowls of mandarins, sesame seeds, almonds, and green onions next to a dish of sesame ginger noodles with veggies and chicken.
5 stars (1 rating)

Sesame Ginger Noodle Salad (w/ Chicken!)

This sesame noodle salad has chewy noodles, tender chicken, bright crunchy veg, and a simple homemade gingery, sweet-salty dressing you’ll want to drizzle on everything.
Ingredients You'll Need: pasta, chicken, bell pepper, edamame, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds, green onions, soy sauce, lime juice, oil, sesame oil, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, salt, and sriracha.
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Corn on the cob next to a large bowl filled with pasta, charred corn, diced chicken, cotija cheese, and a creamy lime spice yogurt mixture.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Creamy Street Corn Pasta Salad (w/ Chicken!)

A fresh, flavor-packed twist on pasta salad featuring juicy chicken, sweet corn (fresh or frozen), a creamy (yogurt + mayo) lime dressing, and just the right amount of char. It’s summer in a bowl, ready in 20 minutes!
Ingredients You'll Need: pasta. olive oil, corn, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime, granulated garlic, chili powder, salt, cooked chicken, red onion, cilantro, and cotija cheese.
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Creamy shredded chicken salad topped with fresh dill in a large bowl.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Dill Pickle Chicken Salad (Quick & Easy!)

This dill pickle chicken salad is creamy, crunchy & flavorful thanks to tangy pickles + juice, Greek yogurt, and rotisserie chicken. It comes together in 10 minutes, no stove required.
Ingredients : Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, dill pickles, mustard, garlic, salt, sugar, dill, celery, red onion, and chicken.
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Close up of a chicken apple salad in a white square bowl, with a red apple in the background.
5 stars (6 ratings)

Quick Chicken Apple Salad (No Mayo + No Dairy)

Bursting with crunchy veggies and an easy, flavorful dressing, this nourishing chicken apple salad is made without mayo or dairy, and makes the perfect make-ahead salad or meal on the go. Simple to make and oh-so satisfying, you’ll want to make this one again and again!
Ingredients: cooked chicken, apple, celery, cashews, white wine vinegar, olive oil, mustard, shallot, arugula, honey, and salt.
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Overhead shot of turmeric chicken salad with vegetables on a white background.
5 stars (13 ratings)

Quick Turmeric Chicken Salad

This quick turmeric chicken salad is bathed in a tangy, creamy dressing perfectly flavored with turmeric and tahini & loaded with crunchy veggies like carrots and cabbage. You're going to fall in love this is powerhouse salad!
Ingredients: cooked shredded chicken, shredded carrots, slaw mix (or shredded cabbage), green onion, sulfite-free raisins, turmeric, tahini, garlic, honey (optional), apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and salt.
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A bowl filled with chopped chicken, bell peppers, cucumbers, and sliced lemon.
5 stars (1 rating)

Quick Curry Chicken Apple Salad (No Mayo)

This quick curry chicken apple salad is an easy, nourishing, make-ahead lunch that you can prep ahead and take on the go. Made it with chicken (or any protein you like) and no mayo, it all comes together in a matter of minutes, and only requires some simple chopping and stirring.
Ingredients: chicken, cucumber, green apple, bell peppers, green onion, sunflower seeds, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, curry powder, lemon juice, and salt.
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Overhead shot of a white bowl with micro greens, roasted pumpkin, figs, avocado slices, and lentils.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Fall Lentil Salad w/ Butternut Squash

This fall lentil salad is easy to make with brown or green lentils, simply roasted butternut squash, and an addictive homemade maple dressing. Perfect to make ahead and pack for lunch or enjoy as a light plant-based dinner, let me show you how simple it is to make!
Ingredients: lentils, olive oil, salt, butternut squash, microgreens, roasted pumpkin seeds, red wine vinegar, garlic, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard.
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Overhead shot of glass meal prep containers with egg salad, a whole apple, crackers, and chopped veggies.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Simple Dill Egg Salad

This 10-minute dill egg salad is fresh, bright, and super simple to make ahead for weekday lunches. Crunchy celery & onion plus creamy hard boiled eggs all get coated in a mouth-watering lemon-dill-mayo dressing.
Ingredients You'll Need: lemon juice, garlic, salt, mustard, dill, mayonnaise, celery, onion, and eggs.
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