13 High-Protein, Low-Carb Dinner Recipes to Make This Spring

Reviewed by Dietitian Madeline Peck, RDN, CDN

Credit: Jacob Fox

The shifting season means a new harvest of delicious spring produce, including spinach, broccoli, asparagus and peas. Each dish is low in carbs with at least 15 grams of protein per serving to support healthy metabolism and maintaining muscle mass. Whether you opt for our easy Sheet-Pan Balsamic Salmon & Asparagus or our Fontina & Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken with Spring Vegetables, these dinners will leave you feeling satisfied.

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Sheet-Pan Balsamic Salmon & Asparagus

Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.
Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.

This Sheet-Pan Balsamic Salmon & Asparagus is an easy, flavor-packed dinner that comes together quickly. Salmon, asparagus and red onion roast in a savory balsamic-soy glaze with garlic and Dijon for a perfect balance of tangy and rich. Finish with a squeeze of lemon for a bright, fresh touch.

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Fontina & Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken with Spring Vegetables

Credit: Jacob Fox
Credit: Jacob Fox

Layering fontina and prosciutto on top of butterflied chicken breasts then folding them closed gives you gooey cheesiness in every bite. A little half-and-half stirred into this one-pan dish at the end of cooking creates a creamy sauce to coat the chicken and veggies. Serve with rice and a glass of chardonnay.

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5-Ingredient Everything Bagel–Crusted Salmon

Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.

For this 20-minute dinner, we turn to everything bagel seasoning to create a crisp, savory crust on salmon. A creamy garlic-yogurt sauce and some chopped cucumber add balance, making this five-ingredient entree feel special enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight.

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Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Skillet

Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.

This creamy garlic chicken-and-broccoli skillet dinner comes together in just 20 minutes. Tender chicken cutlets are paired with crisp-tender broccoli in a light garlic cream sauce. A splash of white wine adds depth, while fresh parsley adds a pop of color and flavor.

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Ginger-Scallion Salmon

Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

This simple ginger-scallion salmon is a dish that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Steamed until tender and finished with sizzling ginger, scallions and a fragrant soy-sesame sauce, it highlights the natural richness of the fish while keeping the prep quick. Serve this dish for a small, at-home celebration for Chinese New Year.

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Garlic-Butter Pork Chops with Spinach

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

Tender, juicy garlic-butter pork chops are seared to golden perfection, then paired with bright lemony spinach in this easy one-pan dinner. The garlic-and-herb seasoning adds bold flavor, while a touch of lemon zest and juice gives the dish a fresh, vibrant finish. It’s ready in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal.

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Sheet-Pan Salmon with Broccoli

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

Fresh, fast and full of flavor, this sheet-pan salmon with broccoli is a healthy weeknight winner. Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and support heart health. A zesty mix of lemon, garlic and olive oil brings brightness to both the tender salmon and the roasted broccoli. Everything roasts together quickly, so cleanup is minimal and dinner is on the table in no time.

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Sheet-Pan Shrimp & Asparagus

Credit: Photography / Fred Hardy, Styling / Ruth Blackburn
Credit: Photography / Fred Hardy, Styling / Ruth Blackburn

This sheet-pan shrimp and asparagus is a complete meal all on one pan! The shrimp and asparagus cook perfectly together. Crushed red pepper adds a dash of heat while lime juice brightens the dish.

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09 of 13

One-Pan Chicken Florentine

Credit: Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.
Credit: Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.

Classic chicken Florentine—creamy spinach served alongside sautéed chicken—is a fast and easy meal. This recipe uses cornstarch to thicken the cream instead of cheese. This chicken recipe is simple enough for weekdays but also elegant enough for a dinner party.

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Roasted Cauliflower Steak & Spanakopita Melts

In this genius carb swap recipe, we take all the flavors of the Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, and put it on a low-carb roasted cauliflower steak. Plus, because you don’t have to deal with the fussy layers of phyllo, it’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

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Lemon & Panko-Crusted Salmon

Credit: Jacob Fox
Credit: Jacob Fox

Mayonnaise helps the dill-infused panko crust stick to salmon fillets in this ultra-quick recipe. A squeeze of lemon along with the mayo adds tanginess to the crispy crust.

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Meyer Lemon Chicken Piccata

Freshen up a classic chicken dish by using Meyer lemons for the sauce.  These lemons have a great tangy aroma and are sweeter and less acidic than regular lemons.

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Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Salmon

Credit: Photographer / Brie Passano Styling / Annie Probst / Holly Raibikis
Credit: Photographer / Brie Passano Styling / Annie Probst / Holly Raibikis

For this quick and easy dinner for four, the vegetables and sauce come together in one skillet in a matter of minutes while the salmon broils. Plus, salmon is swimming in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and loaded with vitamins and nutrients like B vitamins and potassium.

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