Figuring out what to eat for dinner on the autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet can be stressful. If you're feeling overwhelmed or burnt out when it comes to recipe creation, we've got you covered. From one pan meals to breakfasts and soups, we’ve got you covered. These AIP diet recipes are easy, quick, delicious, and of course, AIP compliant.
Remember, while following the AIP Diet you want to eliminate inflammatory foods, emphasize nutrient-dense food, and after a period of strict elimination, slowly start reintroducing them to yourself.
Here is a quick reminder of what you can and cannot include in your meal planning on the AIP Diet.
What you can eat on the AIP diet: mostly fruits and vegetables, grass fed/organic meat, fish, healthy fats and oils, coconut products, and grain/nut-free starches and flours.
What you can’t eat on the AIP diet: nightshades, nuts, seeds, alcohol, eggs, anything artificial, cane sugar, cacao, caffeine, alcohol, gums, legumes, dairy, and grains.
1. Lemon and Asparagus Chicken Skillet
Ingredients:
- Chicken Breast
- Asparagus
- Garlic, green onion, salt and pepper
- Lemon Juice
- Chicken Broth
- Coconut Aminos
- Arrowroot Starch
AIP sheet pan recipes are some of our favorite protocol recipes. This one-pan meal comes together in under 45 minutes and offers you a light, fresh, and flavorful meal.
Grab the Lemon and Asparagus Chicken Skillet recipe over at Unbound Wellness.
2. Sweet Potato Chicken Poppers
Ingredients:
- Ground Chicken
- Sweet Potato
- Coconut Flour
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Green Onion
These poppers are AIP, gluten free, paleo free, AND egg free, all while still being so delicious that people on no diet at all will want to devour them. They’re veggie packed and offer you a more mature version of those classic chicken nuggets everybody knows and loves.
Grab the Sweet Potato Chicken Poppers Recipe over at Unbound Wellness.
3. Cozy Instant Pot Chili
Ingredients:
- Ground Meat
- Onion
- Garlic
- Root Veggies
- Herbs
- Spices
- Pumpkin Puree
- Bone Broth
Who doesn’t love a good comforting pot of chili? You probably thought you can’t eat chili on the AIP diet because you should avoid eating tomatoes and beans; however, think again! This delicious and cozy recipe is tomato and bean free. Packed with various veggies and flavors, this is sure to keep your taste buds and gut happy.
Find the recipe for Cozy Instant Pot Chili on Food by Mars.
4. Tropical Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- Chicken Breasts
- Red Lettuce
- Mango
- Red Onion
- Avocado
- Lime Juice
- Cilantro
- Plantain Chips
- Unsweetened Coconut
If you’re looking for a refreshing summertime meal, look no further than this tropical chicken salad. Filled with ingredients like chicken, mango, lime, cilantro and avocado, this is going to be your new favorite meal. It’s extremely delicious and only takes 8 minutes to throw together. It really doesn’t get much better than this.
Find the recipe for Tropical Chicken Salad on Food by Mars.
5. One Pan Chicken Pesto
Ingredients:
- Chicken Thighs
- Carrots
- Zucchinis
- Broccoli Florets
- Red Onion
- Sea Salt and Pepper
A great one pan dinner option that’s delicious yet easy. This recipe also features a simple homemade pesto sauce you’ll want to top everything with!
Grab the One Pan Chicken Pesto Recipe over at Unbound Wellness.
6. Beef and Kale Casserole
Ingredients:
- Ground Beef
- Celery
- Kale
- Nomato Sauce
- Coconut Milk
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Tapioca Starch
- Turmeric
Find the Beef and Kale Casserole Recipe at Heal Me Delicious.
7. Gluten Free Copycat Hamburger Helper
Ingredients:
- Ground Beef
- Canned Coconut Milk
- Tomato Sauce
- Onion
- Seasoning
- Elbow Pasta
Another healthy and delicious one pan meal to make your life easier! This meal is nutrient dense and comforting with an unbeatable taste. Completely nut-free and dairy free, egg-free, grain-free, AIP, paleo and Whole30 compliant, this recipe is hard to beat.
Find the recipe for Gluten Free Copycat Hamburger Helper at Unbound Wellness.
8. Easy Dump and Bake General Tso’s Chicken
Ingredients:
- Chicken Breast
- Broccoli Florets
- Coconut Sugar
- AppleCider Vinegar
- Nomato Sauce
- Coconut Aminos
- Fresh and Ground Ginger
- Crushed Garlic
- Salt
If you love Chinese takeout, this is a great recipe for you. Extremely fast to assemble and cook, this casserole dish makes a no-fuss, healthy and fresh weeknight meal.
Find the recipe for Easy Dump and Bake General Tso’s Chicken at Eat Beautiful.
9. AIP Tacos
Ingredients:
- Pork Lard
- Onion
- Ground Beef
- Carrot
- Black Olives
- Avocados
- Red Onion
- Lime
Sometimes tacos are difficult to eat on the AIP diet due to various restrictions in toppings and the meat, but we found the perfect recipe to solve all those problems. Quick and easy, everyone loves a good taco.
Find the recipe for AIP Tacos at The Honest Spoonful.
10. Pork Tenderloin with Blueberry Sauce
Ingredients:
- Pork Tenderloin
- Citrus Juice
- Olive Oil
- Dried Rosemary
- Garlic Powder
- Ginger Powder
- Sea Salt
One of our favorite meals on this list because of the tender, juicy, and flavorful bite of food this dish has to offer. The combination of baked pork tenderloin with a rich decadent blueberry sauce makes for an easy but special dinner.
Find the recipe for Pork Tenderloin with Blueberry Sauce on Eat Beautiful.
11. One Pan Apple and Cinnamon Chicken with Bacon
Ingredients:
- Chicken Thighs
- Bacon Slices
- Apples
- Cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamom
- Rosemary
- Sage Leaves
- Sea Salt
This dish may sound like the perfect fall meal, and it is, but it's perfect year round too. Warm, comforting, and packed with flavor this is another favorite recipe of ours on the list. With simple ingredients full of nutrients, I’d be eating this meal on a weekly basis.
Find the One Pan Apple and Cinnamon Chicken with Bacon recipe on Real Food with Dana.
12. Orange Chicken with Rice
Ingredients:
- Organic, Pasture-Raised Chicken Breasts
- Arrowroot Flour
- Dry seasonings
- Broccoli Rice
- Scallions
- Olive Oil
It’s kinda like fast, hot, savory takeout… but better. This homemade orange chicken dish is healthy, organic, and of course AIP friendly. Fast food is pretty much a no-no when it comes to following this diet, so why not make an even better version of this at home?
Find the recipe for Orange Chicken with Rice on Food by Mars.
13. Pulled Pork Stuffed Squash
Ingredients:
- Squash
- Pulled Pork
- Avocado
One of the easiest recipes to make, this recipe is perfect when you’re having a super busy day and don’t want to put a lot of time or energy into your dinner. And I’ll be the first to say, this pulled pork squash does not disappoint.
Find the Pulled Pork Stuffed Squash Recipe on Real Food with Dana.
14. Simple Salmon Cakes
Ingredients:
- Wild Salmon
- Carrots
- Green Onions
- Lemon
- Coconut Flour
- Garlic Powder
- Fresh Dill
Salmon is one of the best proteins you can eat while on the AIP diet. These salmon cakes are not only simple to make, but they’re more than delicious. Made with carrots instead of egg, these are a healthy and versatile meal that can be eaten at any time of day.
Find the recipe for Simple Salmon Cakes on Food by Mars.
15. Roasted Garlic and Cauliflower Soup
Ingredients:
- Cauliflower
- Sweet Potato
- Garlic
- Yellow Onion
- Ghee
- Olive Oil
- Turmeric
- Sea Salt
- Chicken Broth
This list would not be complete without some soup, and this is as delicious as it gets. This dish offers an incredible depth of flavor and healthy ingredients that will leave you feeling on cloud 9.
Find the recipe for Roasted Garlic and Cauliflower Soup on Real Food with Dana.
16. Green Banana Fries
Ingredients:
- Green Bananas
- Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
Although this may not necessarily be a full blown meal, green banana fries are one of the best AIP diet snacks. While sweet potato fries are delicious it’s hard to get them as crispy as regular fries. That’s where these green banana fries come into the picture. Crispy and delicious, you’ll hardly know they’re not real potatoes.
Find the recipe for Green Banana Fries on Heal Me Delicious.
17. Old Fashioned Original Beef Jerky
Ingredients:
- Beef
- Water
- Seasoning
Now, stay with us for a second. We know Beef Jerky isn’t necessarily a recipe; however, it is one of the best snacks out there for the AIP diet. From its healthy ingredients to its simplicity and ease, you can snack on this or use it as a meal replacement. Either way, you thank us later.
Find our best-selling Beef Jerky on People’s Choice Beef Jerky.
18. Meatballs over Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti Squash
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
Made with only 3 ingredients and cooked under an hour, we absolutely love this recipe. Squash is filled with all sorts of nutrients that you should be looking for while following the AIP diet. Quick and easy to prepare, throw some meatballs over your spaghetti squash and have yourself an appetizer or a full blown dinner.
Find the recipe for Meatballs over Spaghetti Squash on Food by Mars.
19. Turmeric Zucchini Soup
Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil
- Onion
- Seal Salt
- Zucchini
- Garlic
- Curry Powder
- Turmeric Powder
- Vegetable Stock
- Coconut Milk
- Fish Sauce
- Lime Juice
- Cilantro
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory spice that also has an incredible taste to it. Combining that with creamy coconut milk, this zucchini soup is healing and nutritious. Light and satisfying, this soup is also paleo, vegan, AIP compliant, and gluten-free. Perfect for anyone with digestive or gut-health problems.
Find the recipe for Turmeric Zucchini Soup on Cooked and Loved.
20. Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
Ingredients:
- Onion
- Garlic Cloves
- Sweet Potatoes
- Broccoli
- Apples
- Salt
- Coconut Oil
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Perfect for breakfast or dinner, this sweet potato hash is just as delicious as it is easy. You can even easily take this on the go when you’re having a busy day or weekend. Customize this recipe by adding any of your favorite vegetables, or even throw in some apples for a unique flavor combination.
Find the recipe for Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash on Yummy Inspirations.
21. Crispy AIP Waffles
Ingredients:
- Tapioca Starch
- Coconut Flour
- Avocado Oil
- Coconut Milk
Easy and quick to make, you’ll wish you found this recipe sooner. Although these waffles are not thick and fluffy like traditional waffles, they help give you that sense of eating a normal breakfast again. Plus, they’re still delicious.
Find the recipe for Crispy AIP Waffles on Thriving Autoimmune.
22. Tuna Heart of Palm Pasta
Ingredients:
- Hearts of Palm Pasta
- Wild Canned Tuna
- Lemon Zest and Juice
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- Garlic
We know what you’re thinking… pasta? On the AIP diet? Trust us. This pasta is made from the heart of palm, a crunchy vegetable harvested from the center of the cabbage palm tree. Throw some garlic, lemon zest, and tuna on top and you’ve got yourself a delicious and quick meal.
Find the recipe for Tuna Heart of Palm Pasta on Food by Mars.
23. 24-hr Slow Cooker Chicken Broth
Ingredients:
- Cooked Bones
- Acid
- Vegetables
- Herbs
- Water
The AIP Diet is all about returning back to a healthy gut, and nothing helps that more than chicken broth. Use this as a base in smoothies or in soups, drink it by itself or turn it into a meal. No matter how you decide to consume this, it’s guaranteed to be delicious and nutritious.
Find the recipe for 24-hr Slow Cooker Chicken Broth on Food By Mars.
24. Picadillo with Plantain Rice
Ingredients:
- Onion
- Garlic Cloves
- Dried Oregano
- Cumin
- Cilantro Paste
- Broth
- Olives
- Raisins
Extremely easy to make, you really cannot go wrong with this Picadillo. With a Puerto-Rican type style to it, this dish is sure to do your tastebuds a huge favor. Serve with rice or inside things like a lettuce taco, an empanada, freeze it for later.
Find the recipe for Picadillo with Plantain Rice on Food by Mars.
25. Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins
Ingredients:
- Sweet Potatoes
- Avocado Oil
- Fine Sea Salt
- Bacon
- Mushrooms
- Red Onion
- Avocado
- Scallions
- Chopped Cilantro
- Coconut Milk
- Lemon Juice
One of our favorite recipes on the list, these stuffed sweet potato skins are nutritious, healthy, and fun to eat and share with others. This is an upgrade to those unhealthy regular potato skins we are all guilty to enjoy. Eat these as a snack or as a meal– either way you’re going to be more than satisfied.
Find the recipe for Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins on A Squirrel in the Kitchen.
Bottom Line
The AIP lifestyle may be challenging, especially when you’re in the midst of an autoimmune flare. The last thing you’ll want to do is spend your time and energy trying to find recipes you can manage. But don’t forget, however difficult things may get on your elimination diet, there are always options for you to explore.
Take our Old Fashioned Original Beef Jerky for example. It’s quick, easy, nutritious, and AIP diet compliant.
