healthy and filling

This vegetarian low-calorie chickpea curry makes a wonderful, easy after-work meal, and is ready in less than 20 minutes. It's also vegan if you leave out the egg. 

Each serving provides 441 kcal, 26g protein, 92g carbohydrates (of which 8.5g sugars), 20g fat (of which 3.5g saturates), 15g fibre and 0.6g salt. 

With a GI of 45 this meal is <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/diets/high_protein_low_GI_diet">high protein, low GI</a>.

Chickpea, spinach and egg curry

eggs

olive oil

tsp cumin seeds

tsp black mustard seeds

tbsp medium curry powder,

garlic

ginger

tin chopped tomatoes

tin chickpeas,

lemon juice

milliliters/3½fl water

baby leaf spinach

salt and black pepper

tbsp chopped fresh coriander, to garnish

A twist on the classic New York-style Waldorf Salad with chicken and a creamy, but low-calorie, garlic dressing. This is a little over 500 calories, so if you are dieting pair it with a lower calorie breakfast or lunch to make sure your intake is no more than 1200–1500 calories.

Each serving provides 515 kcal, 55.5g protein, 42g carbohydrates (of which 42g sugars), 12.5g fat (of which 2.5g saturates), 5.5g fibre and 0.8g salt. 

With a GI of 58 this meal is <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/diets/high_protein_low_GI_diet">high protein, low GI</a>.

New York chicken and apple salad

crunchy red apples,

½ lemon, juice only

level tsp runny honey

grams/5½oz

celery sticks, thinly sliced

spring onions, thinly sliced

Little Gem, leaves separated, roughly torn

x 150 grams/5½oz cooked chicken breasts, skin removed, roughly torn

1–2 tbsp chopped toasted walnuts

200 grams/7fl oz fat-free natural yoghurt

garlic clove, crushed

tbsp cider vinegar

level tbsp wholegrain mustard

2–3 tbsp chopped fresh dill

A comforting, healthy and creamy dish that’s ready in a flash. This light version of beef stroganoff is a little over 500 calories so it is recommended you pair it with a lower calorie breakfast or lunch on a diet day to ensure your calorie intake doesn't exceed 1200–1500.

Each serving provides 546 kcal, 41g protein, 64g carbohydrates (of which 9g sugars), 14g fat (of which 3.5g saturates), 8g fibre and 1g salt. 

Healthy beef and mushroom stroganoff

grams/5½oz brown basmati rice

shallots, finely chopped

tsp sweet smoked paprika

red pepper, seeds removed,

200 grams/7 ounces chestnut mushrooms, thinly sliced

garlic cloves, finely chopped

150 milliliters/5fl oz beef stock

sirloin

milliliters/3½fl oz fat-free plain fromage frais

level tbsp roughly chopped gherkins

tbsp finely snipped fresh chives

This high-protein chicken dhansak curry with lentils is the perfect weekday supper to warm you up. 

With a GI of 50, this meal is <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/diets/high_protein_low_GI_diet">high protein, low GI</a> and provides 457 kcal per portion.

Chicken dhansak

low-calorie cooking spray

onions, finely chopped

chicken

garlic cloves, crushed

ginger,

tsp garam masala

½ tsp hot chilli powder

600 milliliters/20floz chicken stock, chicken stock cube

100 grams/3½oz dried red split lentils, rinsed and drained

bay leaves (optional)

200 grams/7 ounces wholegrain long grain rice

150 grams/5½oz fat-free natural yoghurt

coriander leaves

These protein-packed stuffed peppers make a filling vegetarian meal. If you don’t like goats' cheese these they also work well with feta. 

With a GI of 41 this meal is <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/diets/high_protein_low_GI_diet">high protein, low GI</a> and provides 373 kcal per portion.

Stuffed peppers 

grams/1¾oz wholegrain long-grain rice

red and 1 yellow pepper

onion,

courgette, diced

grams/2½oz cherry tomatoes, halved

tsp cumin

tsp coriander

grams/¾oz almonds

½ orange, zest only, finely grated

tbsp roughly chopped fresh flat leaf parsley (or coriander)

grams/3½oz

This healthy noodle salad is packed with vegetables and flavoured with a spicy, low-fat soy dressing. This is ideal for lunch if you’re on a low-calorie diet of 1200–1500 calories a day. 

Each serving provides 404 kcal, 30g protein, 45g carbohydrates (of which 16.5g sugars), 10g fat (of which 2g saturates), 7g fibre and 2g salt. 

Chicken noodle salad

grams/2½oz egg noodles

grams/1¾oz frozen soya beans peas

carrot, peeled

red pepper, seeds removed, sliced

75 grams/2¾oz mangetout, trimmed and halved lengthways

chicken breast (about 125 grams/4½oz)

spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced

long red chilli, finely sliced (deseeded if preferred)

grams/½oz coriander leaves

mint leaves

grams/½oz roasted cashew nuts, roughly chopped

water

tsp caster sugar

½–1 tsp dried chilli flakes, to taste

tsp dark soy sauce

sesame oil

Healthy chicken breasts and butter beans get a flavour boost from a little bit of cooking chorizo and red wine. Green beans are excellent when in season, but you can also use broccoli, green cabbage or kale on the side.

With a GI of 58 this meal is <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/collections/high-protein_low-gi_recipes">high protein, low GI</a>.

Each serving (without rice) provides 352 kcal, 13g protein, 18.5g carbohydrates (of which 10.5g sugars), 13g fat (of which 4g saturates), 9g fibre and 1.7g salt. 

Easy Spanish chicken 

tbsp extra virgin olive oil

chicken breasts (each about 150 grams/5½oz), sliced

onion, thinly sliced

yellow pepper, seeds removed,

courgette, trimmed, halved lengthways and cut into 1cm/½in slices

grams/3½oz cooking chorizo, sliced

100 milliliters/3½fl oz red wine

tin butter beans, drained and rinsed

tomato purée

oregano

½ tsp dried chilli flakes

chicken stock cube

160 grams/5¾oz long-grain rice

green beans, trimmed (optional)

flatleaf

sea salt and black pepper

This mushroom curry by Dr Rupy is so easy to whip up for a midweek dinner, and it contains 3 of your 5-a-day. Go the extra step and make your own chapatis and the whole meal will cost under £1 per portion.

Each serving provides 646 kcal, 25g protein, 79g carbohydrate (of which 11g sugars), 22g fat (of which 8.5g saturates), 14g fibre and 1.4g salt. 

Mushroom, chickpea and spinach curry

flour

grams/1¾oz butter, melted

salt

olive oil,

mushrooms,

onion, roughly chopped

grams/1 ounces piece root ginger, grated

grams/1 tomato purée

tbsp garam masala

½ tsp smoked paprika

250 grams/9 ounces frozen spinach, defrosted

grams/3½oz natural yoghurt

coriander,

This mushroom curry by Dr Rupy contains 3 of your 5-a-day.

This super-simple one-pot healthy chicken casserole has a rich and spicy tomato sauce studded with black olives, with spinach stirred in just before serving.

Each serving provides 333 kcal, 36g protein, 16.5g carbohydrates (of which 10.5g sugars), 12.5g fat (of which 2.5g saturates), 5g fibre and 1.2g salt.

Healthy chicken casserole

red onion, chopped

red pepper, seeds removed, thinly sliced

red chilli, diced

garlic cloves, sliced

tsp hot smoked paprika

cayenne pepper

tbsp sun-dried tomato purée

chicken thighs

100 milliliters/3½fl oz chicken stock

grams/3½oz black olives

lemon, juice only

½ large orange, juice only

baby spinach

Filling your plate with vegetables is a nutritious way to feel full without piling on the calories. Here they are drizzled with an easy dressing of tahini and Greek-style yoghurt. If you're not on a diet, try a drizzle of pomegranate molasses in place of the lemon juice. This is a slightly over 500 calories, so could be paired with lower calorie breakfast and dinner so your daily calories don't exceed 1200–1500.

Each serving provides 545 kcal, 22g protein, 62.5g carbohydrates (of which 7.5g sugars), 19g fat (of which 3.5g saturates), 16.5g fibre and 0.2g salt. 

Baked potatoes with Middle Eastern beans and greens

potatoes

garlic cloves, thinly sliced

chard,

tin cannellini beans, drained

cumin seeds cumin

½ lemon, juice only,

grams/3½oz Greek yoghurt

tahini

½ garlic clove, crushed

This high protein creamy chicken and mushroom dinner for two is really satisfying, but surprisingly low in calories. It's quick and easy to cook too, making it perfect for a weekday treat.

Each serving provides 391 kcal, 58g protein, 10.5g carbohydrate (of which 7g sugars), 11.5g fat (of which 6g saturates), 7.5g fibre and 1.1g salt.

Top 11 healthy and filling recipes from across the web

The most viewed healthy and filling recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Chickpea, spinach and egg curry

New York chicken and apple salad

Healthy beef and mushroom stroganof...

Chicken dhansak

Stuffed peppers

Chicken noodle salad

Easy Spanish chicken

Mushroom, chickpea and spinach curr...

Healthy chicken casserole

Baked potatoes with Middle Eastern ...

Creamy mushroom chicken

Top 11 healthy and filling recipes from across the web

The most viewed healthy and filling recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Chickpea, spinach and egg curry

New York chicken and apple salad

Healthy beef and mushroom stroganof...

Chicken dhansak

Stuffed peppers

Chicken noodle salad

Easy Spanish chicken

Mushroom, chickpea and spinach curr...

Healthy chicken casserole

Baked potatoes with Middle Eastern ...

Creamy mushroom chicken

The most viewed healthy and filling recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine