Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Say hello to springtime with these delicious and energizing lunch options that will help keep you fueled and feeling your best. Each of these dishes contains at least 15 grams of protein per serving, which helps slow down digestion, keeping you feeling satisfied for longer. Plus, eating more protein can support muscle growth and repair, bone health, healthy blood pressure and more. From hearty salads to satisfying sandwiches, these lunches are bursting with seasonal produce like cabbage, broccoli and avocado. Recipes like our Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich and our Green Goddess Chickpea Bowl are nutritious and delicious options perfect for welcoming the warmer weather.
01 of 24
Herbed Chicken Salad
This quick chicken salad combines hearty rice, tender shredded chicken and crisp vegetables with a bright citrus-herb dressing. Fresh mint and cilantro add vibrant flavor, while a hint of cinnamon and cayenne brings subtle warmth to each bite. It’s a satisfying, well-balanced dish that comes together in just minutes.
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02 of 24
Loaded Bean & Broccoli Salad
This broccoli-bean salad combines crisp broccoli, creamy cannellini beans and sharp Cheddar with a tangy yogurt-mayo dressing for a satisfying lunch or dinner. Crispy bacon and fresh dill add bold flavor, while scallions bring a bright finish to every bite.
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03 of 24
3-Ingredient Egg Salad
This easy egg salad recipe proves you only need a few ingredients to make something delicious (not including salt, pepper, oil or water). Greek yogurt and olive oil create a creamy base, while chopped celery adds a crisp, refreshing crunch. Serve on toast, in lettuce wraps or with whole-grain crackers for an easy lunch.
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04 of 24
Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich
This creamy, crunchy sandwich layers salty feta, crisp cucumber and silky avocado between slices of whole-wheat toast. A simple yogurt-feta spread adds richness and tang, while spinach and red onion bring freshness and bite, perfect for a quick lunch.
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05 of 24
High-Protein Chicken Wrap with Pesto
This high-protein chicken wrap is packed with fresh flavor and comes together in just 15 minutes. A quick vegan pesto made with basil, spinach and toasted nuts coats the chicken, adding bright herb flavor without cheese. Wrapped in whole-wheat tortillas with creamy avocado and fresh greens, these wraps make an easy lunch or light dinner.
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06 of 24
Chopped Italian Chickpea Salad
This chopped Italian-inspired salad combines crisp lettuce, creamy chickpeas, juicy tomatoes and sharp provolone in a zesty red-wine vinaigrette. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own for lunch yet versatile enough to serve alongside grilled chicken or fish.
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07 of 24
Green Goddess Chickpea Bowl
This veggie-packed chickpea bowl features hearty chickpeas and quinoa topped with an herby green goddess dressing made creamy with Greek-style yogurt and avocado. It’s a satisfying vegetarian lunch or light dinner that delivers fiber, protein and fresh flavor in every bite.
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08 of 24
Cucumber & White Bean Sandwiches
This refreshing sandwich layers creamy smashed white beans with crisp vegetables and juicy tomato for a satisfying, fiber-rich lunch that comes together in just 15 minutes. A touch of dill pickle relish and Dijon adds tangy contrast, while avocado and mayo lend richness.
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09 of 24
Chickpea & Chicken Salad
This creamy chicken and chickpea salad gets fiber and protein from mashed chickpeas and a pop of brightness from fruit. A blend of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise keeps the dressing light yet rich, while celery and toasted pecans add crunch.
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10 of 24
Chicken & Sweet Potato Wrap
These hearty wraps are filled with roasted sweet potatoes, chicken and mashed avocado. Using a rotisserie chicken saves time, but any leftover cooked chicken will work well.
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11 of 24
Chickpea-Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps
These Chickpea-Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps give classic tuna salad a fresh, flavorful upgrade. Mashed chickpeas add creamy texture and extra protein, while Greek yogurt gives the salad a light, creamy base. A generous shake of everything bagel seasoning ties it all together with savory crunch. Wrapped in crisp butter lettuce instead of bread, it’s a satisfying, high-protein lunch that’s perfect for meal prep or a quick, no-cook dinner.
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12 of 24
Everything Bagel Tuna Salad
This Everything Bagel Tuna Salad gives the classic lunchtime favorite a flavorful upgrade. A mix of mayonnaise and Greek-style yogurt keeps it creamy yet balanced, while Dijon mustard and lemon juice add brightness. Capers and everything bagel seasoning bring a salty, savory punch that pairs perfectly with flaky tuna. Enjoy it on toast, piled onto greens or tucked into a sandwich for an easy, protein-packed meal.
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13 of 24
Cheese Dreams with Tomatoes
Cheese Dreams are nostalgic open-faced cheesy toasts—simple, satisfying and perfect for lunch. This version is inspired by a family favorite: juicy tomato slices layered under melted Cheddar cheese on crisp whole-wheat toast. Toasting the bread first keeps it from getting soggy under the tomatoes. Watch out: The scalding cheese-and-tomato can burn the roof of your mouth if you’re not careful. I like to eat mine with a fork and knife to cool off each bite, but feel free to eat these however you choose.
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14 of 24
High-Protein Black Bean Salad
In this high-protein salad, black beans take center stage. As the main source of plant-based protein, they make the salad satisfying, with their creamy texture pairing perfectly with sweet potato, crisp veggies and a citrusy dressing. It’s an easy, filling option for lunch or dinner—especially for those looking to add more plant-powered protein to their diet.
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15 of 24
Chickpea Grain Bowl with Feta & Tomatoes
This chickpea-farro grain bowl is a hearty dish that’s packed with plant-based protein, fiber and tons of fresh flavor. Farro, a whole grain with a nutty taste and chewy texture, forms the base and pairs perfectly with tender chickpeas and veggies. If you don’t have farro on hand, you can easily swap in quinoa, brown rice or barley.
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16 of 24
High-Protein Cucumber Sandwich
This high-protein cucumber sandwich features a creamy spread made by whipping cottage cheese with white miso, soy sauce and rice vinegar. This mixture delivers a creamy boost of protein that pairs perfectly with sliced cucumbers, which add a crisp, fresh bite.
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17 of 24
Lemony Orzo & Tuna Salad with Broccoli
This pasta-salad and tuna-salad mashup gets a boost of color and texture from broccoli. Plenty of Kalamata olives add a briny bite. Be sure to monitor the pasta-cooking carefully, as orzo can go from al dente to mush in a minute. If in doubt, drain it a little early—it’ll soften further in the lemon dressing.
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18 of 24
Canned Tuna Rice Bowl
This canned tuna rice bowl is a quick, flavor-packed meal combining a pantry staple and fresh ingredients. Flaky chunks of tuna combine with tangy kimchi and sit atop warm brown rice, paired with crunchy cucumbers, creamy avocado and toasty nori. A drizzle of Sriracha mayo brings everything together. It's easy to customize and comes together in minutes—perfect for a satisfying lunch or weeknight dinner.
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19 of 24
Grilled Cheese with Spinach & Tomato
This grilled cheese with spinach and tomato is a flavorful twist on the classic sandwich, cooked to golden perfection on the stovetop. Wilted spinach is infused with plenty of garlic. Juicy tomato slices add color and a fresh bite to the melty mozzarella filling. This sandwich makes for an easy lunch or dinner and pairs well with tomato soup or a simple green salad.
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20 of 24
No-Chicken Salad Sandwich
This no-chicken salad sandwich, made with chickpeas, is a delicious plant-based alternative to the classic chicken salad. Mashing the chickpeas creates a creamy texture that blends seamlessly with Greek-style yogurt, celery, pecans and grapes for flavor and crunch. Serve it on whole-grain bread, in a wrap, over a salad or with crackers for an easy lunch.
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21 of 24
Cucumber-Avocado-Tomato Sandwich
This tomato, cucumber and avocado sandwich is the perfect light and easy lunch. With a few fresh ingredients, you can have a satisfying meal in just 10 minutes. Creamy avocado and hummus provide plant-based protein and healthy fats, while juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers bring refreshing crunch and flavor. Layer it all on whole-grain bread for an extra boost of fiber, and you’ve got a quick and wholesome sandwich at the ready!
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22 of 24
Turmeric Chicken & Avocado Wraps
These chicken salad wraps are packed with ingredients that help reduce inflammation. Turmeric, with its bright golden hue, is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, while chickpeas add fiber and plant-based protein. Mix up the chicken salad at the beginning of the week to enjoy in a wrap or serve it over greens if you prefer.
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23 of 24
Broccoli Melts
These broccoli-cheese melts combine crisp-tender broccoli with a layer of melted cheese inside two crispy pieces of bread for a sandwich that’s rich and creamy. These 20-minute cheese melts are the ultimate comfort food—satisfying and packed with that cheesy goodness everyone loves. We crisp up these sandwiches on the stovetop, but if you have a sandwich press, you can use that instead.
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24 of 24
The Creamiest Egg Salad Sandwich
The egg salad in this sandwich gets its creamy texture from finely grating the eggs, which blends the whites and yolks together so you get a bit of both in each bite. A microplane grater is the best tool to use to get that perfect, uniform texture, but a fine-mesh sieve works well too. We top the egg salad with a little bit of Parmesan cheese and toast the sandwiches in a skillet with a little butter to make this creamy sandwich extra special.
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