31 Easy 500 Calorie Recipes (2024)

Trying to keep the calorie count on the low side? With these delicious500 calories meals, your taste buds will also be pleased!

But that doesn’t mean eating boring foods and tracking every morsel. You can still eat healthy and delicious meals and be full.

Want to know how? By sticking to 500-calorie dishes. That is the perfect balance between shedding pounds while staying full.

For a well-rounded meal that will satisfy your palate, check out these 31 yummy dishes.

1. Salmon Stir Fry

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Umami, sweet, and Asian-inspired! This salmon stir-fry is rich in protein and gluten and dairy-free.

The dish consists of three parts.

The salmon. Which is cooked in a wok until golden.

The veggies. This consists of carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, and red onions.

And the sauce which is used to smother the veggies and salmon to give them the best possible flavor.

2. Creamy Tomato Chicken Skillet

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If you love creamy tomato sauces, this dish is definitely for you. Skillet chicken, soaking up delicious Italian flavors. How’s that for a satisfying dinner?

The sauce is loaded with garlic, canned tomatoes, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Plus, it is flavored with Italian seasoning for some authentic Mediterranean notes.

3. Chicken Salad Meal Prep

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Meal prep chicken salad! The perfect choice if you are a busy worker. This will ensure that you have nutritious and filling meals for lunch days in advance.

Well-seasoned chicken is pan-fried, then paired with fresh veggies. That includes lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and avocados.

Everything is tossed with a sweet and tangy honey mustard dressing.

4. Chipotle Chicken Salad

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A single portion of this yummy and creamy chicken chipotle salad will give you 39 grams of protein.

A healthy chipotle version that consists of skillet-cooked chicken, veggies, and a sweet and fruity dressing.

The dressing includes chopped mangoes, garlic, honey, lime, and spicy seasonings.

All of that combined? That results in a tasty, meaty, and crisp bowl that you will gladly come back to.

5. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

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Chicken fajitas from the oven? Yum!

This is a convenient sheet pan recipe that includes strips of chicken breasts, bell peppers, and onions.

Seasoned with paprika, chili, garlic, and cumin. And served in corn shells.

The recipe also includes juiced limes and chopped cilantro for freshness. Top these fajitas with some sour cream, guacamole, or even salsa.

6. 3-Ingredient Honey Chicken Wings

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Sweet and crispy chicken wings that are perfect for your game night parties. This is a great last-minute dish.

The only thing you need to do is preheat your oven to 450 F, coat the wings in Italian seasoning, and bake for about 40 minutes.

Then, you simply drizzle them with honey when straight out of the oven and serve.

7. Lemon Chicken with Veggies

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Lemon-flavored chicken with veggies on the side. This dish is nutritious and filling. And just bursting with flavors.

The chicken, broccoli, and sweet potatoes are roasted in the oven. While the cherry tomatoes are simply combined with dill.

The chicken is also marinated in a lemon and garlic mixture. And yes, it is as yummy as you can imagine.

8. Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Honey

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These are not your ordinary chicken thighs! They are sticky, glazed, sweet, savory, and a bit spiced.

The thighs are flavored with garlic, oregano, chili powder, and honey. It is best to leave the meat marinating for at least 30 minutes.

And that’s not even the best part. The chicken is also combined with Brussels sprouts, carrots, peppers, and onions.

9. Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (479 kcal)

Bring authentic Mexican flavors into your kitchen while still eating a healthy diet. These comforting stuffed sweet potatoes are super easy to make and delicious to eat.

The perfect healthy, filling meal everyone in the family will love. Perfect for the dinner parties, too as you can fill these up with whatever you want.

Per Serving:

Calories: 479
Fats: 19g
Protein: 16g
Carbs: 67g
Fiber: 20g
Sugar: 11g

10. Shrimp Tacos (492 kcal)

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These tacos add a coastal spin to your taco night. Spicy shrimp are paired with a creamy, velvety sauce.

The sauce balances out the heat of the jalapeno peppers. And the white wine vinegar adds acidity.

To add flavor to your shrimp, you’ll be marinating them with spices. So, have your measuring spoons handy.

These measuring spoons are heavy-duty and make measuring spices a breeze.

Per Serving:

Calories: 492
Fats: 22g
Protein: 43g
Carbs: 32g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 2g

11. Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Mexican Style (485 kcal)

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Tired of regular stuffed peppers? Have these instead.

They’re loaded with black beans, which are packed with protein.

Now you will be using a lot of spices- 8 to be exact. But to make things easier, you can use this Taco Bell Seasoning Mix instead.

Check out more healthy pantry meals here.

Per Serving:

Calories: 485
Fats: 23g
Protein: 26g
Carbs: 46g
Fiber: 13g
Sugar: 10g

12. Cranberry Rosemary One Pan Chicken (532 kcal)

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this one-pan chicken dish is elegant, festive, and decadent- you’ll think you’re cheating on your diet.

The tartness of the cranberries offers a nice contrast to the maple syrup. And the fresh rosemary adds a nice finishing touch to the juicy chicken thighs.

Once your dinner guests are gone, you can just kick back and relax. Now that’s my kind of dish.

Per Serving:

Calories: 532
Fats: 39g
Protein: 31g
Carbs: 10g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 6g

13. Vibrant Curry Cashew Chickpea Quinoa Salad (492 kcal)

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A lot of us are turning to a plant-based diet. It is good for your immune system and reduces inflammation.

This curry cashew chickpea quinoa salad is colorful and tasty. Aromatic spices like curry and turmeric add warmth.

Cashews are good for you too. They’re a good source of plant-based protein. If you’d like to pick some up, you can get some here.

Per Serving:

Calories: 492
Fats: 17.8g
Protein: 16g
Carbs: 68.5g
Fiber: 12.2g
Sugar: 15.5g

14. Peanut Tofu Buddha Bowl (510 kcal)

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Tofu is another excellent source of plant-based protein. And unlike most other plant-based protein sources, it is a complete protein.

But when tofu is not seasoned correctly it can be pretty bland.

This Peanut Tofu Buddha Bowl is anything but bland. Nicely seared tofu is tossed in a tasty peanut sauce that makes it spicy, sweet, savory, and umami.

Per Serving:

Calories: 510
Fats: 21.7g
Protein: 24.4g
Carbs: 59.3g
Fiber: 10.5g
Sugar: 17g

15. Teriyaki Salmon with Broccoli & Rice (539 kcal)

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This Teriyaki Salmon dish tastes just like takeout. Flaky, tender salmon is coated in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce and topped with crunchy sesame seeds.

Besides being tasty, eating salmon may help you lose weight.

What’s even better? This dish takes only 30 minutes to make.

So, it’s even faster than takeout.

Per Serving:

Calories: 539
Fats: 23g
Protein: 35g
Carbs: 56g
Fiber: 10g
Sugar: 12g

16. Tempeh Buddha Bowl (523 kcal)

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This Tempeh Buddha Bowl is brimming with color and flavor.

Besides being yummy, this dish is perfect for weight loss. Tempeh is rich in soy protein, which helps you feel full and reduces your hunger.

Besides being nutritious, this dish is perfect for meal prep.

17. Lemon-Chili Shrimp Quinoa Bowls (484 kcal)

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You can eat these Shrimp Quinoa Bowls hot or cold- perfect for a weekday lunch.

The shrimp have just a hint of heat from the crushed red chili flakes.

Quinoa is really good for you too. It’s rich in protein which makes it filling.

It also contains flavonoid antioxidants which have health benefits. If you’d like to stock up on some, you can get some here.

Per Serving:

Calories: 484
Fats: 17.5g
Protein: 37g
Carbs: 44.5g
Fiber: 9g
Sugar: 8.5g

18. Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (493 kcal)

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These taco-stuffed sweet potatoes are a dish your whole family will love.

That’s because of the sweetness of the sweet potatoes. But there’s plenty of savory flavors too for the adults.

And since they only take 20 minutes to make, they’re quite convenient. You will definitely want them on your weekly meal rotation.

Per Serving:

Calories: 493
Fats: 6g
Protein: 31g
Carbs: 80g
Fiber: 13g
Sugar: 19g

19. Vegan Sweet Potato & Black Bean Burrito Bowl (503 kcal)

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This bowl has a ton of delicious flavors. You’ve got the sweetness of the sweet potatoes, caramelized red bell peppers, and corn.

This is balanced by the savory of the black beans and creamy avocado.

Meanwhile, the cilantro lime rice adds a nice tang that is balanced by the spicy tahini dressing…your taste buds will be happy.

Per Serving:

Calories: 503
Fats: 17.5g
Protein: 14.5g
Carbs: 64g
Fiber: 13.6g
Sugar: 5g

20. Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad (492 kcal)

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This is a salad you won’t want to miss. The crunchiness of the cabbage goes well with the tender juiciness of the chicken.

The jalapeno peppers in the creamy dressing add a nice kick- you’ll want this dressing on everything.

Once you’re done marinating your chicken breasts, simply place them on your grill.

Don’t have a grill? You can use a grill pan like this instead.

Per Serving:

Calories: 492
Fats: 20.9g
Protein: 37.8g
Carbs: 45.2g
Fiber: 7.6g
Sugar: 14.1g

21. Beef & Veggie Bowls (556 kcal)

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And talking about getting more veggies into your diet, this dish is another great choice.

You have a medley of fresh veggies- broccoli, brussels sprouts, and red bell peppers that are well caramelized.

The veggies are tossed with nicely seasoned ground beef and a “Comeback” sauce that will keep you coming back for more; it’s that addictive.

Per Serving:

Calories: 556
Fats: 38g
Protein: 33g
Carbs: 24g
Fiber: 8g
Sugar: 7g

22. BBQ Ranch Chicken Quinoa Bowls (551 kcal)

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On the menu is smoky, tangy, sweet barbecue chicken and creamy black beans.

This is balanced by crispy, crunchy red cabbage. Jalapeno peppers ramp up the heat, which is countered by the coolness of the avocado.

To get the chicken juicy and tender, you’ll be slow-cooking your chicken. If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can get a high-quality one at an affordable price here.

Per Serving:

Calories: 551
Fats: 11.7g
Protein: 37.5g
Carbs: 77.2g
Fiber: 14.2g
Sugar: 16.5g

23. Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa (472 kcal)

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When it’s hot outside, the last thing you want to do is turn on the heat in your kitchen. This dish is great for times like those.

It’s sweet, spicy, and savory. And the fresh herbs add a nice finishing touch.

Cook your chicken breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This meat thermometer is a great choice!

Per Serving:

Calories: 472
Fats: 26.5g
Protein: 31.2g
Carbs: 33.3g
Fiber: 7.3g
Sugar: 10.5g

24. Coconut Lime Chicken (502 kcal)

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On the other hand, when it’s chilly outside, you want to cozy up the fireplace. And you want to eat some comfort food.

This Coconut Lime Chicken is exactly what the doctor ordered. It’s creamy, luscious, and oh so comforting.

And the delicious Thai flavors are sure to transport you to Thailand- exactly where you want to be.

Per Serving:

Calories: 502
Fats: 31g
Protein: 50g
Carbs: 6g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g

25. Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet (473 kcal)

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There’s nothing flavorless about this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet. It’s perfectly seasoned with paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

Naturally turkey has fewer calories. And it contains choline which you need to make DNA.

And the melted mozzarella cheese adds ooey-gooey goodness.

With a dish like this, you’ll be saying: “More, please!”

Per Serving:

Calories: 473
Fats: 30g
Protein: 33g
Carbs: 18g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 6g

26. Crockpot Chicken & Rice (508 kcal)

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This Crockpot Chicken and Rice dish is so tasty.

And since it’s packed with protein, it’s excellent for your whole family.

Now your slow cooker will be doing most of the work. However, make sure you brown your chicken first in a skillet for best results.

This gives your chicken a nice crust and locks in the flavors.

Per Serving:

Calories: 508
Fats: 18g
Protein: 42g
Carbs: 59g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 2g

27. Healthy Chicken Alfredo with Spaghetti Squash (489 kcal)

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Craving some Italian food? Try this Chicken Alfredo.

The reason it’s so rich yet so light is that you’re replacing the noodles with spaghetti squash.

Spaghetti squash is rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin C. These antioxidants fight free radicals, substances that damage your cells.

Place your ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. This one here is great for smoothies, sauces, and dips.

Per Serving:

Calories: 489
Fats: 28g
Protein: 35g
Carbs: 27g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 6g

28. Baked Italian Chicken & Vegetables (548 kcal)

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Here is another Italian-inspired dish. After all, you can never have enough Italian food, right?

This dish offers a nice spin on your traditional chicken dinner. It’s bursting with delicious Italian flavors, from the salty artichoke hearts, sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, Italian herbs, and zucchini.

And the melted cheese makes the chicken breasts juicy and tender. Buon appetito!

Per Serving:

Calories: 548
Fats: 29g
Protein: 59g
Carbs: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 2g

29. Chicken Burrito Bowls (517 kcal)

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Craving Mexican takeout? Have these Chicken Burrito bowls instead.

They’re colorful and delightful. The tanginess of the cilantro lime cauliflower rice complements the sweetness of the corn and cherry tomatoes.

And the Greek yogurt sauce tames some of the heat of the Chipotle sauce. However, if you don’t like the heat, you can definitely skip the sauce- it will still taste amazing.

Per Serving: