12 Low-Carb Dinners Under 500 Calories

12 Low-Carb Dinners Under 500 Calories

The failure mode of low-carb cooking is a plain chicken breast and regret. These twelve dinners stay under 500 calories and light on carbs while still being food you'd cook on purpose — pan sauces, roasts, and skillets with actual flavor.

Each lists protein and cost per serving, because low-carb shouldn't mean high-budget.

The list

Cajun Grilled Chicken

1. Cajun Grilled Chicken

39g protein310 cal$1.90/serving25 min

Smoky, spicy blackened chicken breasts with a squeeze of lime, big flavor from the pantry.

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Lemon Pepper Chicken

2. Lemon Pepper Chicken

38g protein360 cal$2.00/serving20 min

Bright, buttery, and boldly peppery, this crispy-edged skillet chicken tastes like sunshine on a weeknight.

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Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

3. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

45g protein420 cal$2.40/serving45 min

Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy garlic and spinach filling that oozes out with every slice.

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Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

4. Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

46g protein440 cal$2.50/serving45 min

Everything you love about broccoli cheddar soup tucked inside a juicy baked chicken breast.

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Smoky Dry Rub Wings

5. Smoky Dry Rub Wings

39g protein470 cal$2.20/serving55 min

No sauce needed, just a bold smoked paprika and brown sugar rub baked into shatteringly crisp skin.

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French Onion Chicken Bake

6. French Onion Chicken Bake

46g protein480 cal$2.60/serving55 min

Sweet caramelized onions and melty Swiss cheese turn baked chicken into everything you love about the famous soup.

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Rosemary Roasted Pork Tenderloin

7. Rosemary Roasted Pork Tenderloin

44g protein350 cal$2.50/serving40 min

Tenderloin crusted with rosemary and garlic and roasted to a blushing 145, elegant enough for company on a Tuesday budget.

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Beef and Cabbage Skillet

8. Beef and Cabbage Skillet

28g protein320 cal$1.60/serving25 min

Browned beef and sweet tender cabbage in one savory skillet, the humble budget dinner that always over-delivers.

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Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake

9. Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake

45g protein480 cal$2.60/serving45 min

Juicy chicken baked under a blanket of creamy spinach artichoke dip and browned mozzarella, dinner and appetizer in one.

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Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

10. Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

34g protein370 cal$2.00/serving25 min

Zesty marinated chicken thighs seared until juicy and charred, ready for tacos, bowls, or eating straight from the pan.

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Baked Lemon Pepper Wings

11. Baked Lemon Pepper Wings

39g protein490 cal$2.30/serving55 min

Crackly baked wings hit with bright lemon and cracked pepper butter, zesty enough to steal the show.

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Spicy Cajun Wings

12. Spicy Cajun Wings

39g protein480 cal$2.30/serving55 min

Wings coated in a punchy paprika and cayenne spice blend, baked crisp and finished with a squeeze of lemon.

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Keep going

Every recipe above comes from the Anychef library of 1,700+ recipes, each with cost per serving and full macros — browse the low-carb collection and the healthy collection. Or skip the browsing entirely: scan your fridge with the Anychef app and get recipes built from what you already have, macros and grocery list included.

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