We’re moving away from the usual dinners and taking a look at dinner ideas that are not chicken. These 23 recipes are great for those looking to add different proteins to their meals. They’re easy to prepare and perfect for bringing variety to your dinner table.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
This hearty soup is a great alternative to chicken-based meals. With just an hour of cooking, it blends the rich taste of sweet potatoes with the gentle warmth of red peppers. Simple to prepare and perfect for any busy evening, this soup adds a nutritious twist to your dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
This seafood dish is a fantastic change from the usual chicken dinners. In just 30 minutes, you can serve perfectly cooked shrimp together with fresh grape tomatoes and spinach in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. Add some smokey paprika and top it off with a pinch of red pepper flakes to kick it up a notch. It’s an impressive and delicious dinner that will have everyone coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
On those evenings when you want a warm and hearty meal — that doesn’t involve chicken — this soup is a fantastic choice. In 45 minutes and using only one pot, you’ll have a creamy, mushroom-rich soup that’s perfect for a comforting dinner. If you have leftovers or are making this for meal prepping, store it in the fridge or freeze it for another day. This soup will taste just as great the day after and is a convenient grab-and-go soup for hectic weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Sausage Curry
Sausage Curry is an Indian-inspired dish. It’s made with sausages, carrots, sweet potato, and other wholesome ingredients simmered in a rich and creamy curry sauce. This dish is a great way to break from the usual chicken recipes and introduce new flavors to your dinner routine. Plus, everything cooks together in just one pan and you can serve this in just 30 minutes, making it a great recipe for busy households.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
For a cozy evening meal, this potato casserole is a perfect option. Packed with potatoes, bacon, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, it’s an easy-to-make comfort food that doesn’t require too much effort to pull off. Make it the day of, or in advance, and reheat it when you’re ready to serve.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
The rich, nutty flavors of this soup will make you forget about chicken in a snap. The rice cooks while you simultaneously cook the other ingredients, so you can prep and serve the soup as quickly as possible. The flavors and textures from the mushrooms and wild rice pair together perfectly, making it a great choice for a cozy family dinner or busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
This veggie-packed casserole will make you forget your chicken cravings immediately. Ready in just 30 minutes, broccoli and cauliflower come together with cheese and bacon for a warm, oven-baked dinner. It’s a great way to incorporate more veggies into your dinners, without skimping on flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
This dish is a lifesaver for busy weeknights. Roast sausages and a variety of vegetables on a single sheet pan for a meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. This sheet pan dinner is also very versatile. You can customize it by adding or replacing the veggies with whatever you have on hand. With everything cooked on a single sheet pan, it also simplifies your post-dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner
Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon
Skip the chicken and enjoy asparagus in a whole new way. In this recipe, fresh asparagus is peeled into noodle-like strips, mixed generously with a creamy Alfredo sauce, and then topped with crispy bacon. This dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it one of the best recipes to have on hand on busy evenings when you’re looking for something quick and filling.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Noodles with Alfredo Sauce and Bacon
Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs
Switch up your dinner menu with a dish brimming with Thai-inspired flavors. Ground turkey meatballs are simmered in a rich coconut curry sauce, making it a great alternative to the usual chicken dinner. Ready in 30 minutes, with easy-to-follow steps and simple ingredients, it’s a great way to bring a taste of international cuisine to your busy weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Thai Turkey Meatballs
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Here’s another convenient and hearty alternative to chicken-based dishes. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish features ground beef, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, heavy cream, and cheddar, all cooked in one pan. It’s perfect for those evenings when you need a quick and filling dinner with both protein and vegetables. Plus, using only one pan means less cleanup afterward.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
This casserole is a hearty alternative to traditional chicken recipes. In this recipe, browned ground beef, onions, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese are baked all together until golden and bubbling. Ready in 30 minutes from start to finish, it’s a meal that combines ease of preparation with the pleasure of a home-cooked dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole
Switch up your usual chicken dinners with this Philly Cheese Steak Casserole. Combining steak with peppers, onions, mushrooms, and a generous layer of melted provolone, this dish is a hearty and comforting option. It’s an inventive way to enjoy the beloved classic, making it a perfect dinner option for those looking for variety in their protein choices.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
This soup features ingredients like Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy whipping cream for a warming and hearty meal — without chicken. Ready in just 30 minutes and made in just one pot, this recipe simplifies cooking and makes sure you don’t have a pile of dishes waiting for you after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup
Lemon Garlic Scallops
In only 30 minutes, you can enjoy a seafood dish that’s both simple to make and delicious. Scallops are surprisingly easy to cook at home. In this recipe, scallops are seared until golden and then cooked in a tangy lemon garlic sauce.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
If you’re looking for an easy dinner option, this sheet pan meal is just the ticket. Butternut squash, cauliflower, and bacon come together effortlessly on one tray for a simple yet flavorful combination, perfect for busy evenings. Ready in under an hour, this meal is a great way to mix up your dinner routine and a fantastic alternative to chicken.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon
Bacon Cheeseburger Salad
Ready in 45 minutes, this salad reinvents the classic flavors of a bacon cheeseburger in a fresh and wholesome way. Bacon, ground beef, pickles, and salad greens are tossed together in a homemade Big Mac sauce and topped with shredded cheddar cheese. It’s an easy but flavor-packed alternative to chicken, that’s perfect for a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger Salad
Crock Pot Taco Soup
On those days when you’re juggling a busy schedule, this soup is a real gem. Prep time is just 20 minutes, and once you have tossed everything in the Crock Pot, the slow cooker does the rest. It’s a lifesaver for hectic evenings.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
These mini spicy salmon patties will instantly curb your chicken cravings once you try them. They are so easy to make, thanks to canned salmon, and can be served in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want a quick and light dinner option, these spicy bite-sized patties are always great option.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup
This soup proves that a hearty dinner can be both easy and delicious. In this dish, cauliflower blends seamlessly with a creamy broth, made with ingredients like butter, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese, and then topped with crispy bacon for that perfect finish. Ready in just 30 minutes and made in a single pot, this soup is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to prepare. Perfect for those evenings when you need a break from chicken-based soups.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Made with just a few ingredients, namely cabbage and bacon, this dish surprisingly delivers big flavors and will surely turn anyone into a cabbage lover. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s the perfect recipe for those busy evenings when you want a quick, easy, and flavorful recipe that’s different from the usual chicken fare.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Keto Zuppa Toscana
This Keto Zuppa Toscana is a low-carb version of the classic Olive Garden favorite. Ready in about an hour, this version uses radishes instead of potatoes for a keto-friendly approach. Italian sausage, kale, and Parmesan cheese also simmer together in a single pot, creating a hearty and warming soup that’s perfect for those looking for a comforting meal without chicken.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana
Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili
Spice up your dinner plans with a pot of warm bacon and turkey chili. Made in just one pot and ready in just over an hour, this recipe combines the hearty flavors of ground turkey and bacon with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. It’s a filling and flavorful alternative to chicken dishes, perfect for warming up your family dinners or gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili