20+ High-Protein, Anti-Inflammatory Winter Dinner Recipes
Chilly winter weather calls for a dinner that’s both comforting and satisfying. Each serving of these cozy dinner recipes offers at least 15 grams of protein, from foods like chicken, salmon and tofu, to help you stay full for longer. Plus, you’re getting seasonal vegetables like broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes, with anti-inflammatory properties that may help fight symptoms of chronic inflammation like digestive issues, joint pain and mental fog. Recipes like our Chickpea Casserole with Spinach & Feta and Maple-Mustard Salmon with Veggies are flavorful meals that can help you feel your best.
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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.
Maple-Mustard Salmon with Veggies
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
Here, salmon is coated in a sweet and tangy maple-mustard glaze that caramelizes beautifully as it broils. Surrounding the tender fish is a mix of seasonal vegetables, including broccoli and potatoes, that roast to perfection.
Creamy Lemon-Parmesan Broccoli & White Bean Casserole
photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
This hearty dish combines tender broccoli and creamy white beans in a velvety lemon-Parmesan sauce with a bubbly, cheesy top. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad for a meal that feels like a warm hug on your plate.
Sheet-Pan Salmon with Bok Choy & Rice
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.
Tender salmon fillets roast alongside crisp-tender bok choy, soaking up the savory miso glaze as they cook. A bed of rice catches all the delicious flavors, turning into the perfect base for this five-ingredient dinner.
Fajita-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
These fajita-stuffed portobello mushrooms are the mash-up you’ve been waiting for! This flavorful vegetarian dish fills roasted portobello mushroom caps with fajita-style veggies and black beans, giving them a boost of fiber and protein. Top it off with melted cheese and Greek-style yogurt for a satisfying dinner.
Honey Salmon with Potatoes & Spinach
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco.
With only five ingredients, this salmon dinner comes together fast without sacrificing flavor. The salmon is seared to a golden crust and glazed with honey for a sweet and savory finish. Tender roasted potatoes and garlicky spinach round out the plate.
High-Protein Veggie Soup
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This plant-based soup features lentils, which offer plenty of protein and fiber to make this soup satisfying. Together, with anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric and sweet potato, you’ll get a balanced soup that’s warming and comforting, all in one delicious bowl.
One-Pot Garlicky Shrimp & Spinach
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist:Christine Keely, Food Stylist:Chelsea Zimmer
This shrimp and spinach cooks quickly for a simple one-pot weeknight dinner. A fast pan sauce gets life from lemon juice, crushed red pepper and parsley.
Honey-Garlic Salmon Skillet
Photographer: Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
This delicious, one-pan meal brings tender salmon, hearty brown rice and crisp broccoli together with a sweet and savory glaze. After a quick sear on the stovetop, the salmon is transferred to the oven, where everything finishes cooking together.
Marry Me White Bean & Spinach Skillet
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
By swapping in fiber-packed white beans and spinach as the main ingredients, we’ve given Marry Me Chicken a vegetarian spin. You’ll want to sop up every last bit of sauce, so serve this with a nice hunk of crusty whole-grain bread.
Anti-Inflammatory Salmon Salad with Crispy White Beans
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This hearty main-dish salad is a delicious meal that delivers big on flavor. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, while the beans provide a nice texture. A quick soy-sesame-ginger dressing completes this salad, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Bibimbap-Inspired Bowls
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
From dark green spinach to shredded red cabbage, these plant-based bibimbap bowls deliver plenty of vegetables and a wonderful balance of textures and flavors. They’re topped with a perfectly cooked fried egg and a tangy mayonnaise-based drizzle that adds richness and a satisfying creamy element to the dish.
High-Protein Lemon & Turmeric Chicken Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Turmeric, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, gives the soup its vibrant yellow hue. It’s the perfect meal for when you’re sick or simply warming up on a chilly day. We love tender-crisp baby kale, but chopped kale or baby spinach can be used in its place.
Sweet Potato-Black Bean Stuffed Peppers
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
These delicious stuffed peppers are an easy anti-inflammatory meal, thanks to the combination of sweet potatoes, black beans and bell peppers, which are all packed with antioxidants. This vegetarian dish calls for microwaveable brown rice for ease, but you can also use leftover brown rice if you have it on hand.
One-Pot Lentil & Vegetable Soup with Parmesan
This hearty soup is packed with kale and tomatoes for a filling, flavorful main dish. The Parmesan cheese rind adds nuttiness and gives the broth some body.
Roasted Broccoli & Kimchi Rice Bowl
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Christina Brockman
This well-rounded kimchi rice bowl is packed with fiber and probiotic foods like kimchi and yogurt to support a healthy gut. Prebiotic foods like edamame and garlic add flavor and additional gut-healthy benefits.
Broccoli & Quinoa Casserole
This broccoli-quinoa casserole makes a hearty vegetarian main dish. As the quinoa absorbs water and cooks, it creates the perfect amount of steam for cooking the broccoli. The broccoli is crisp-tender and adds texture to contrast with the creamy, cheesy quinoa. Swap in tricolor quinoa, if you prefer.
Thai Red Curry with Cod & Sweet Potatoes
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
The combination of tender sweet potatoes, peas and omega-3-rich cod makes this dish a powerhouse for reducing inflammation. Black cod’s rich, buttery texture makes it a standout choice for this dish, offering a luxurious mouthfeel that pairs perfectly with the curry.
Cheesy White Bean & Rice Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This cheesy skillet is the ultimate one-pan wonder. The rice forms a crispy golden layer at the bottom, adding a satisfying crunch to every bite. Aromatic seasonings combine with tender white beans, while a blanket of melted provolone on top brings on ooey-gooey perfection.
Chickpea & Sweet Potato Grain Bowls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This nutrient-dense bowl is rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants. Sorghum is a gluten-free ancient grain that pairs well with the deliciously tangy yogurt-based drizzle.
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