As a habits-expert, I know how to save you time when it comes to protein-packed meals, so I’ve gathering some of my favorites from protein chia pudding, to chicken salad, greek chicken, and so much more!

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Check out my high protein slow cooker recipes!

Breakfast

three jars of protein chia pudding topped with fresh berries on a blue and white background
4.93 stars (13 ratings)

4-Ingredient Protein Chia Pudding (Single Serve & Batch Prep!)

Packed with protein (32 grams per serving!), made with just 4-ingredients, and super-fast to prep ahead, this single-serve or batch prep protein chia pudding makes an easy, breezy protein snack or breakfast.
Ingredients: chia seeds, almond milk (or milk of choice), protein powder, and honey/ maple syrup (optional).
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two jars with overnight oats and fruit on top with white background
5 stars (5 ratings)

Protein Overnight Oats (w/ Protein Powder)

This single-serve or batch-prep ahead protein overnight oats recipe is made easy with protein shake powder. Everything comes together in a mason jar, making it the simplest meal prep situation ever, with no cooking or extra dishes required.
Ingredients: rolled oats, Greek yogurt (traditional or plant-based), chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond milk, and vanilla protein powder.
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berry protein smoothie in a clear glass with a straw on white background
5 stars (14 ratings)

Berry Protein Smoothie

This easy berry protein smoothie uses mixed frozen berries and multiple sources of protein for a filling, nourishing meal to carry you through the day. Includes simple ingredient swaps to make this nut-free!
Ingredients: frozen mixed berries, almond milk (or milk of choice), almond butter (or seed butter for nut-free), chia seeds, vanilla protein powder, and fresh lemon juice
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matcha protein shake in a clear glass with straw on a white marble background
5 stars (6 ratings)

Matcha Protein Shake (w/ Banana)

This creamy matcha protein shake is made with matcha powder, spinach, banana and protein powder for a nourishing, filling way to start your day.
Ingredients: banana, matcha powder, vanilla protein powder, spinach, ground flax seed, milk of choice, and ice (optional).
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Pumpkin protein shake in a clear glass, topped with whipped cream, with a glass straw.
4.84 stars (6 ratings)

Pumpkin Protein Shake (No Banana)

This easy, creamy pumpkin protein shake tastes just like pumpkin pie and comes together simply in less than 5-minutes by using canned pumpkin. Made without banana (because who wants their pumpkin smoothie to taste like banana?), it leans on a "secret" ingredient to add creaminess without added sugar, plus warming pumpkin pie spices for a filling, cozy pumpkin smoothie of your dreams.
Pumpkin puree, greek yogurt, pumpkin pie spice, protein powder, frozen cauliflower rice, milk.
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Side shot of a green smoothie in a clear glass with clear straw.
No ratings yet

Easiest Green Protein Smoothie

This easy green protein smoothie uses just 5-simple ingredients like spinach and protein powder, and can be made in just 5-minutes. Throw everything in the blender, give it a whir, and you'll be sipping on this powerhouse smoothie in no time. Let me show you how easy it is to make!
Ingredients: banana, spinach, vanilla protein powder, chia seeds, peanut butter, milk of choice.
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Lunch

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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close up of two shrimp stuffed avocado halves on a white plate
5 stars (7 ratings)

Quick Shrimp Stuffed Avocado

This quick avocado shrimp salad combines crunchy bell peppers, celery & shallots with a simple lemon + dill dressing. In just 10 minutes, you'll have flavorful, creamy shrimp stuffed into avocados for the perfect make-ahead lunch or weeknight dinner.
Ingredients You'll Need: shrimp, bell pepper, shallot, celery, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, salt, and avocados.
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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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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 Diary)

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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Dinner

Overhead shot of shredded chicken breast garnished with lemon slices, parsley and yogurt sauce in a slow cooker.
4.80 stars (25 ratings)

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Slow cooker Greek chicken combines just 4 ingredients like lemon, garlic and Greek yogurt to create a fresh, delicious high-protein meal you can use in a number of ways. Stuffed in pita piled with veggies or in a bowl with rice or pita, it's a Greek-inspired slow cooker recipe that you will find yourself making week after week!
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, chicken.
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Overhead shot of a plate of sliced grilled chicken topped with parsley and lemon wedges on an oval plate.
5 stars (13 ratings)

Simple Lemon Chicken Marinade (for Grilling!)

This quick and easy lemon chicken marinade gives chicken a ton of flavor with fresh lemon, garlic, and parsley. The ultimate in simple, high-protein dinner recipes, just 5-minutes of prep yields the most juicy, flavorful grilled chicken breasts or thighs you've ever tasted.
Ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, sugar, dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic, chicken.
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Close-up of person holding a slow cooker with shredded meat topped with lemon slices and fresh herbs.
5 stars (4 ratings)

Slow Cooker Greek Pork Tenderloin (Juicy & Easy)

Juicy slow cooker Greek pork tenderloin made with Greek yogurt, garlic, and lemon. So tender and flavorful for easy pitas, bowls, or wraps!
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pork tenderloin.
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Overhead shot of a serving bowl with a serving fork and cooked chicken thighs covered in red sauce and chopped fresh herbs. Bowl is surrounded by a towel; a jar of red sauce; and small bowls of coleslaw, potato chips, and chopped herbs.
5 stars (7 ratings)

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

Wondering if it’s possible to get succulent, melt-in-your mouth chicken thighs in the slow cooker, made with just 5 ingredients and prepped in under 5 minutes? Well, the answer is a resounding YES. Slow cooked and bathed in a simple BBQ sauce–this is the chicken thigh recipe you won't be able to get enough of.
Ingredients: chicken thighs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, BBQ sauce.
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An overhead shot of shredded chicken topped with cilantro and green chilis in a black slow cooker.
5 stars (14 ratings)

Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken (5-Ingredients!)

With a short list of simple, real food ingredients this slow cooker green chili chicken is an easy and flavorful meal prep protein. Plus, there are so many ways you can use this chicken, you won’t get bored!
Ingredients: chicken, tomatillo salsa, salt, cream cheese, diced green chilis
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A slow cooker with raw chicken thighs covered in a brown sauce, chopped garlic, and red pepper flakes.
4.80 stars (5 ratings)

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken

Slow cooker hot honey chicken just got a whole lot got easier! For this simplified version, chicken thighs slow cook to tender, juicy perfection in a simple 5-ingredient sweet & spicy homemade hot honey sauce. With the option to finish it under the broiler for sticky caramelization and serve with crunchy toppings in a hot honey chicken sandwich, this is a doable and oh-so delicious meal that will have you licking your fingers!
Ingredients: honey, brown sugar, white vinegar, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, chicken thighs.
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Overhead shot of slow cooker flank steak topped with fresh herbs inside of a black crockpot.
4.94 stars (43 ratings)

Slow Cooker Flank Steak

This ultra tender slow cooker flank steak recipe could not be easier to make, and yields the most delicious, tender flank steak for tacos, sandwiches and more!
Ingredients: flank steak, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, brown sugar, olive oil and salt.
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Overhead shot of raw chicken breast with buffalo sauce in a slow cooker.
5 stars (1 rating)

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Slightly spicy and oh-so delicious, this easy 5-ingredient slow cooker buffalo chicken is the ultimate weeknight crock pot recipe. It’s an easy, flavor-packed recipe that can be used in so many different ways!
Ingredients: butter, cayenne pepper sauce, honey, lime juice, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, chicken breasts (or thighs).
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Overhead shot of raw chicken tighs covered in an orange sauce in a slow cooker.
5 stars (16 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Satay Chicken (w/ Coconut Milk)

Slow cooker satay chicken is a flavorful, versatile meal made with chicken thighs, coconut milk, and curry paste. A simplified take one Thai peanut chicken, it's a delicious and easy dinner recipe that's not only quick to prepare but also a great meal prep protein option. You wont believe how flavorful the end result it!
Ingredients: chicken, salt, peanut butter, coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce.
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Slow cooker BBQ chicken in a black crockpot on a white background.
5 stars (18 ratings)

2-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken (w/ Breast Meat)

This wildly easy 2-ingredient slow cooker BBQ chicken can be prepped in no time using store-bought or homemade sauce, yielding deliciously tender and versatile pulled chicken breasts. Perfect for meal prep on busy weeks!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs) and chipotle BBQ sauce (or store bought barbecue sauce).
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Close-up overhead shot of a white oval serving plate with sliced grilled chicken breasts, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges. Plate is surrounded by small bowls of chopped parsley, lemon wedges, and yogurt.
5 stars (5 ratings)

5-Ingredient Chicken Marinade w/ Greek Yogurt + Lemon

So ridiculously good, and producing the most juicy, hyper-flavorful chicken, this Greek yogurt chicken marinade (for breasts or thighs) uses just 5 ingredients (can you ever go wrong with garlic and lemon?) and can be grilled or oven baked. Delightful flavorful and so easy!
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, chicken breasts (or thighs) and salt.
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shredded meat on corn tortillas and wooden cutting board with toppings on the side
5 stars (9 ratings)

Easiest Slow Cooker Shredded Beef (for Tacos + More!)

Perfectly spiced and incredibly easy to prepare, this slow cooker shredded beef is super versatile and makes the best beef tacos, enchiladas + more! You'll love how it saves you time (no searing required) with the most succulent, delicious results.
Ingredients: boneless beef chuck-eye roast, onion, tomato paste, cumin, mild chili powder, smoked paprika, lime juice and salt.
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Overhead image of an oval platter of chicken drumsticks.
5 stars (20 ratings)

Incredible Slow Cooker Drumsticks (4-Ingredients!)

Get delicious, fall-off-the-bone meat with this easy slow cooker drumsticks recipe that just uses 4 ingredients!
Ingredients: smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, chicken drumsticks, BBQ sauce.
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Overhead shot of chicken salad in meal prep containers.
5 stars (1 rating)

High Protein Chicken Salad + 30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes

by Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 2
Prep: 20 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
High protein chicken salad is an easy, healthy make-ahead meal that you can prep ahead and take on the go. Make it with chicken, or any protein you like! Plus 30+ high protein meal prep recipes.
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons mild curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

For the Salad

  • 2 cups cooked diced protein, such as chicken, hard boiled egg, canned + drained tuna, chickpeas
  • 1 cup diced English cucumber
  • 1 cup diced green apple
  • 1 cup diced red bell peppers
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onion
  • 2 tablespoons roasted, salted sunflower seeds

Instructions 

  • Make the dressing by whisking together the lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, mustard, honey, curry powder and salt in a small bowl. Drizzle in the olive oil and whisk until well combined.
  • Make the salad by combining the protein, cucumber, apple, bell pepper, and green onion in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat.
  • Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes for the flavors to absorb.
  • Serve and enjoy immediately, topped with sunflower seeds, or cover and store for up to 5 days, with sunflowers seeds as a topping.

Notes

Leftover chicken works really well in this recipe. I like using leftovers from slow cooker whole chicken.
Use any cooked protein you like: chicken, hard boiled egg, canned + drained tuna, or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Nutrition info will vary depending on protein source used.
Add the sunflower seeds at the end to avoid them getting soggy.
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 2), Calories: 513kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 45g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 119mg, Sodium: 602mg, Potassium: 749mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 2526IU, Vitamin C: 108mg, Calcium: 58mg, Iron: 3mg
Nutrition disclaimer
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Freezer & Storage Tips

All of these recipes will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, in a sealed container.

Many of these recipes also freeze well, stored in a sealed freezer friendly container for up to 2-3 months.

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