Carbs are essential in your diet, but restricting them can help improve insulin resistance and blood sugar levels. Check out these diabetes-friendly dinner recipes with less than 15 grams of carbs per serving for dinner inspiration!
No need for chicken nuggets–make this delicious stuffed chicken breast with ham and cheese instead for an elegant low-carb dinner that feels special! Serve alongside leafy greens to complete this balanced meal plan.
1. Spaghetti Squash Soup with Pumpkin Seed-Pine Nut Crunch
Roasted spaghetti squash makes an elegant substitution for noodles in this Vietnamese-inspired soup, providing lots of flavorful depth. Olive oil helps the squash noodle-like form caramelize during roasting while fragrant herbs like thyme, rosemary and oregano add aromatic aroma.
This easy grilled chicken recipe provides an accessible take on classic chicken cordon bleu. A creamy filling made up of ham, provolone cheese and chopped peanuts combines perfectly with basil and parsley for an irresistibly crunchy crunch!
Just what we need – an effortless sheet pan dinner! Turkey kielbasa and veggies (such as asparagus and tomatoes) can all be cooked together on one pan for an easy weeknight dinner that is Keto, Whole30, and gluten-free! Additionally, our creamy chicken and mushroom skillet is inspired by cream of mushroom soup and ready in just 30 minutes; plus vegetarian and vegan friendly too – creating the ultimate cheesy comforting healthy meal!
2. Bacon-Wrapped Fish
Serve this delectable fish dish with a crisp green salad boasting fragrant herbs and grapefruit chunks for an enticing meal that’s low in carbs but big on flavor!
This easy marinade recipe makes grilling fun! Packed full of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic and fresh herbs for flavorful marinade-marinated shrimp kebabs that is ready in just minutes using foil packets that can easily be heated back up later on!
This lighter chicken dinner is an accessible spin on chicken cordon bleu. Ham and Prosciutto are stuffed into bell peppers and covered with melted cheese for maximum flavor without all of the carbs associated with traditional recipes. Plus it comes together in just minutes and pairs well with salad or steamed vegetables!
3. Stuffed Chicken Breast with Ham
No matter if it’s for weeknight dinner or special occasions, these high-protein recipes offer quick solutions with satisfying flavors without adding carbs. These tasty meals rely on pantry essentials and flavor enhancers for delicious flavors without the extra carbs.
These delicious ham and cheese-stuffed chicken breasts come coated in a delicious buttery lemon sauce that’s sure to please. A slit in each chicken breast holds the ham and Swiss cheese filling while they’re browning in a skillet before being finished off in the oven, keeping them juicy and tender throughout their cook-through.
This delicious spaghetti squash soup is low in carbohydrates but full of flavor! With caramelized veggies and pumpkin seed-pine nut crunch adding texture, this meal makes an ideal way to settle in on the couch while watching movies or connecting with friends on TikTok.
4. Pot Roast with Asian Black Bean Sauce
Stir frying is an integral part of Chinese home cooking and this stir fry dish features ultra tender beef with bell peppers, snow peas and ginger in a delicious black bean sauce. Although traditional recipes call for salted fermented black beans (Douchi or Touchi), which are widely available at Chinese grocery stores, to complete it you can easily eliminate them for a vegetarian alternative dish.
Eating less carbs is one way to manage blood sugar and lose weight, and these recipes keep carbs to 15 or fewer grams per serving. They also feature lean proteins, nonstarchy vegetables and healthy fats for maximum nutrition and success.
Cold-water fish like tuna, salmon and halibut contain omega-3 fatty acids which may help lower triglyceride levels, slow plaque buildup in coronary arteries and reduce inflammation according to the American Diabetes Association. When grilling or broiling this seafood for optimal results pair it with fresh salad of lettuce leaves, pepper strips, cucumber and red onion for maximum benefit.
5. Cauliflower Fried Rice
If you love Asian-inspired meals but are looking to lighten them up a bit, cauliflower fried rice could be just what’s needed! With vegetables combined with lighter condiments like soy sauce and sesame oil – plus it’s easily vegan-friendly too!
Add cooked chicken, ham or shrimp to this recipe easily to increase its protein content and make a more substantial meal. Simply stir it all together after you’ve chosen your protein of choice has been added at the end.
Cajun seasoning adds an irresistibly spicy kick to this skillet dinner featuring mushrooms and leeks seasoned with thyme, rosemary and oregano – perfect for weeknight dining! Our Mighty Health nutrition team loves serving this delectable skillet dish alongside sauteed zucchini and spinach as a side.
6. Cheesy Chicken Cutlets
This quick and cheesy dinner is the ideal weeknight dinner solution, coming together in 15 minutes or less and using up some of your favorite vegetables! Try serving it over pasta such as fettuccine or zucchini noodles, alongside steamed vegetables or even with rice as part of a complete meal!
This recipe calls for chicken cutlets, but you can easily create your own from whole breasts using a meat mallet and some flour, egg and breadcrumb mixture as needed. Make a breading station by coating each piece in flour mixture followed by egg/breadcrumb combination before tapping off any excess.
Choose your cheese of choice when creating this tasty recipe – blue cheese or pepper jack will do well as options. Plus, the sauce goes great with broccoli or cauliflower rice for an all-in-one meal!
7. Thai Red Curry Soup with Cauliflower
Serve up creamy comfort food without breaking your diet with this Whole30 and Paleo-friendly soup recipe! Roasting cauliflower gives it great flavor while also helping prevent its florets from dissolving into the broth too quickly.
Pot roast is an easy weeknight dinner option that’s great for busy nights, while this Asian black bean recipe adds a delicious Asian flair while making it more healthy. Perfect for entertaining guests who may be watching their carb intake!
This variation on classic chicken cordon bleu is easier than you might imagine and boasts tons of flavor! When making this dinner low-carb friendly, use almond flour.
8. Grilled Meat Loaf
A delicious blend of barbecue sauce and mustard gives this meatloaf its zest, but each serving only contains 5 grams of carbs! Serve alongside salad and steamed vegetables to complete an enjoyable low-carb dinner for all the family.
Cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, and halibut can play an integral part in maintaining a healthy lifestyle by helping to lower triglycerides and lessen plaque build-up in coronary arteries.
This delicious grilled dish is easy and delectable! The toppings add depth of flavor, but the true star of this meal is tender seasoned chicken that even non-carb eaters will devour in seconds! For optimal carb counting results serve alongside a crisp salad for maximum enjoyment!
9. Pork Tenderloin with Chili Peppers
Make this flavorful pork recipe for a quick, easy and filling weeknight dinner that packs under 10 grams of carbs per serving! Add fresh vegetables, whole-wheat dinner rolls and fresh fruit for an ideal meal that keeps carbs at a minimum.
Preheat the oven to 450 F and combine brown sugar, allspice, cloves, onion powder, cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a bowl until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over each piece of pork before rubbing into its surfaces with your fingertips. Heat some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat before adding your pork pieces – cook turning occasionally until all sides have turned browned before placing back in the oven to finish cooking.
Return the skillet to the heat (careful, the handle may still be HOT!) and stir in the fig jam, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce and Tamari. Bring back up to a boil before reducing heat and simmer until thickened – around 10-12 minutes.
10. Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
On cold days, nothing beats a comforting bowl of soup! This Thai coconut chicken soup features all of your favorite flavors while remaining easy to prepare.
This meal features an easier version of chicken cordon bleu with its ham and cheese stuffing – an ideal recipe to keep on hand for busy weeknights!
This chicken and vegetable casserole captures all of the cheesy deliciousness of pizza night, but with only 10 grams of carbohydrates per serving! Perfect for family-friendly dining or work lunches.
Add garlic, ginger, galangal paste, lemongrass stalks, shiitake mushrooms, chillies and shredded chicken to a large pot. Combine coconut milk with other ingredients, and bring to a simmer before taking off of heat. Afterwards add fish sauce, sugar, lime juice and cornflour/water slurry (if necessary) as thickeners before skimming off any surface fat or oil that rises to the top.