10 Delicious High-Protein Salads to Fuel Your Lunch

A salad can be both delicious and filling when it’s packed with protein. These 10 recipes show how to create satisfying lunches that keep you energized through the afternoon. From chicken to beans and more, these salads deliver flavor and nutrition.

Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad

Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad is a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal. This dish combines tender chicken, crunchy cabbage, and a savory homemade sesame dressing that you will love.

Easy Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad

This Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad is a fantastic low-carb lunch with plenty of crisp fresh veggies, tender shrimp, and a light dressing packed with healthy fats. The cilantro lime dressing really brightens up the salad and keeps it fresh for a day or two if you want to make the salad in advance for lunches.

Grilled Shrimp, Corn, and Avocado Bowl

This Grilled Shrimp, Corn & Avocado Bowl is a quick and flavor-packed meal that makes a perfect summer lunch or light dinner. With juicy grilled shrimp, charred corn, creamy avocado, and a spicy lime mayo, it brings together everything you want in a satisfying bowl.

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

This Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad combines tender cubes of chicken with crunchy celery, walnuts and dried cranberries in a creamy mayonnaise based dressing. This is a satisfying lunch that can be served on it’s own, with bread or wrapped in a lettuce leaf. I find it really easy to take to work for lunch. We make a big batch on Sunday and have it all week.

Grilled Corn & Steak Salad

This Grilled Corn & Steak Salad is a hearty yet fresh main dish that’s perfect for summer nights. It combines smoky grilled steak, charred corn, crisp greens, and creamy blue cheese, all brought together with a tangy champagne vinaigrette. It’s the kind of salad that eats like a meal.

Spicy Thai Salad

This Spicy Thai Salad recipe, inspired by a beloved salad at Panera Bread, is packed with tender chicken breast, crunchy vegetables, and delightful toppings with a creamy peanut dressing. The grilled chicken breast, marinated in delicious peanut dressing, is incredibly juicy and flavorful, and the fresh veggies bring a refreshing crunch that’s hard to resist. From the crisp romaine lettuce to the purple cabbage and red bell peppers, every bite is bursting with vibrant flavors and textures.

Harvest Cobb Salad

This Harvest Cobb Salad is packed with all the deliciousness of fall – butternut squash, cranberries, and red leaf lettuce – with rich and robust flavors from the blue cheese and walnuts. This salad comes together pretty easily, but you do have to cook all the components separately first.

Sweet Potato Salad with Arugula, Walnuts, and Feta

This Sweet Potato Salad with Arugula, Walnuts, and Feta is both hearty and refreshing. The roasted sweet potatoes add warmth and natural sweetness, while the peppery arugula provides a fresh, crisp base. Add in crunchy walnuts and creamy, salty feta, and you’ve got a dish that’s as satisfying as it is flavorful. This salad is perfect as a light lunch, a colorful side dish, or even a meatless main course.

Flavorful Cajun Shrimp Salad

This Cajun Shrimp Salad is packed with zesty Cajun-seasoned shrimp and a refreshing mix of salad greens and vegetables. It’s perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner. The combination of vibrant colors and robust flavors makes this salad a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Plus it’s a breeze to make, so you can have something healthy and impressive for lunch in under 15 minutes.

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad with Avocado & Bacon

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad with Avocado and Bacon is both satisfying and packed with flavor. The sweet and tangy honey mustard dressing pairs beautifully with tender chicken, while creamy avocado and crispy bacon bring richness and texture to the dish.