These 15 Low-Carb Dinners Are Perfect For Those Nights When You Have No Time to Cook
If you're eating low-carb, fast, flavorful dinner recipes are essential — and that's exactly what you'll find on this list. These meals run the gamut from lettuce wraps to soups to one-dish wonders, but they all have two things in common: they're ready in 30 minutes or less, and they'll help keep you within your daily budget for carbs.
All 15 of these dishes are packed with veggies, protein, and delicious sauces and spice blends to give them tons of flavor so you never grow tired of sticking to your plan. As a bonus, they'll likely be a hit with everyone at the table, if you're usually cooking for a crowd. Let's dig in.
Lightened-Up Chicken Salad
If you have leftover or canned chicken, you can have this tangy chicken salad on the table in minutes. Serve it on a bed of greens or between two slices of whole-grain bread.
Get the recipe: lightened-up chicken salad
Cauliflower Risotto With Chicken and Asparagus
Risotto isn't known for being quick or low-carb, but in this version, riced cauliflower is cooked with canned chicken and asparagus for a creamy 25-minute meal.
Get the recipe: cauliflower risotto with chicken and asparagus
Spicy Beef Lettuce Wraps
This one-pan beef recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, and since you won't be using forks, cleanup will be a breeze.
Get the recipe: spicy beef lettuce wraps
Garlic Butter Shrimp Zucchini Noodles
This colorful dish is light on carbs but not on flavor. Butter, garlic, lemon, and parsley give it a bright, summery taste you'll crave no matter the season.
Get the recipe: garlic butter shrimp zucchini noodles
Taco Soup
Soup recipes can be time-consuming, but not this one-pot taco soup. Ditch the tortilla strip topping for sour cream, avocado, or shredded cheese.
Get the recipe: taco soup
Sheet-Pan Eggs
Is there anything better than breakfast for dinner? To cut down on time in the kitchen, make a double batch of eggs and have the leftovers the following day (or freeze for later).
Get the recipe: sheet-pan eggs
Baked Italian Chicken With Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes add a burst of flavor to this herb-rubbed chicken. While it's cooking, spiralize some cucumber or zucchini noodles to serve on the side.
Get the recipe: baked Italian chicken with cherry tomatoes
Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps
The savory peanut sauce makes these simple and speedy lettuce wraps feel truly special.
Get the recipe: Thai turkey lettuce wraps
Sheet-Pan Fajitas
A ready-made fajita seasoning helps get these sheet-pan fajitas on the table in just 20 minutes. While the chicken and peppers are cooking, heat up a bag of cauliflower rice and mash some avocado for a tasty fajita bowl.
Get the recipe: sheet-pan fajitas
Slow-Cooker Mexican Chicken
With only three ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, you can throw this in the slow cooker in the morning and return home to a fully cooked meal.
Get the recipe: slow-cooker Mexican chicken
Caprese Breakfast Egg Cups
They're not just for breakfast. Try whipping up these delicious egg bites on a busy weeknight.
Get the recipe: caprese breakfast egg cups
One-Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies
This one-pan dish combines chicken, asparagus, tomatoes, and carrots with a dreamy balsamic dressing for a low-carb dinner that can feed a whole family.
Get the recipe: one-pan balsamic chicken and veggies
Keto Ranch Chicken Thighs
Alongside a big green salad, these keto ranch chicken thighs make for a delicious dinner in a flash.
Get the recipe: keto ranch chicken thighs
Keto Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups
Weeknights call for quick, simple meals, but that doesn't mean you should have to sacrifice flavor. Serve this Asian chicken in lettuce cups or stuff the filling into jicama tortillas.
Get the recipe: keto Asian chicken lettuce cups
Chicken and Avocado Pesto Salad
Most chicken salads are made with yogurt or mayo, but this one uses a creamy pesto base. Cook your chicken breasts ahead of time in the slow cooker or Instant Pot to pull this meal together in a snap.
Get the recipe: chicken and avocado pesto salad