7 Skinny Dinners Under 299 Calories (That Actually Taste Good)

Skinny up the menu with these delish dishes.

one-pot Indian black pepper chicken

Skinny dinners under 299 calories? Yes, please! I’m all about eating a little lighter without giving up flavor—or spending a million hours in the kitchen. If you’re trying to find low calorie dinners that still feel like real, satisfying meals, you’re in the right place.

I put together this list of my go-to healthy dinners under 300 calories. These are simple, wholesome, and totally doable on a weeknight. I’m talking low calorie comfort food, easy weeknight wins, and even a few slow cooker meals (because let’s be honest, sometimes the slow cooker is the only reason dinner actually happens).

Tasty Skinny Dinners Under 299 Calories

one pot indian black pepper chicken

Let’s dive into some light dinner recipes that’ll keep your taste buds happy and your goals on track.

1. Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas – 294 calories

A close-up of cheesy slow cooker chicken enchiladas topped with herbs

Cheesy, saucy, and so satisfying—these enchiladas hit all the right notes. Made with lean chicken, whole grain tortillas, and a little kick of chili powder, they’re one of my favorite low calorie meals for weight loss. Bonus: they freeze like a dream.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

2. Slow Cooker Cheesy Spaghetti – 289 calories

A bowl of cheesy spaghetti topped with melted cheese and fresh basil

Craving something cozy? This cheesy spaghetti skips the heavy meat and still delivers that carb-loving joy. It’s a quick low calorie dinner the whole family will actually eat (no eye rolls at the table!).

Try the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Spaghetti with Homemade Turkey Sausage

3. Skinny Lasagna Rolls – 240 calories

lasagna rolls in a baking dish, topped with tomato sauce and herbs makes for a tasty skinny dinner

These cute little lasagna rolls are basically portion control wrapped in pasta. Ricotta, spinach, marinara—what’s not to love? It’s one of those under 300 calorie recipes I keep coming back to.

Here’s the Recipe: Skinny Lasagna Rolls

4. One-Skillet Chicken and Broccoli – 130 calories

One-skillet chicken and broccoli in a pan with a wooden spoon

The ultimate lazy-night dinner. It’s a one-skillet wonder that comes together fast and tastes like takeout—but with fewer calories and more veggies. It’s one of my favorite low calorie dinner recipes when I need something now.

Make this Dish: One-Skillet Chicken and Broccoli Dinner

5. Southwestern Black Bean Casserole – 259 calories

A slice of southwestern black bean casserole with melted cheese on top in front of a full casserole dish.

Meatless Monday just got a glow-up. This vegetarian dish is packed with fiber, protein, and smoky flavor. It’s a great option for portion-controlled dinners that still feel hearty.

Get the Recipe: Southwestern Black Bean Casserole

6. Crock Pot Low-Fat Beef Stew – 264 calories

A bowl of beef stew with carrots, potatoes, and beef chunks in a hearty broth

Classic beef stew—but make it light. This one’s warm, hearty, and doesn’t wreck your calorie count. It’s perfect for those cool nights when you want something filling but still in the “healthy dinners under 300 calories” zone.

Try this Beef Stew: Crock Pot Low-Fat Beef Stew

7. One-Pot Black Pepper Chicken – 199 calories

Under 300 calorie chicken recipes: Black pepper chicken in a bowl with a fork with sliced red onions and herbs

Skip the takeout! This dish is packed with flavor and just enough heat to keep things interesting. It’s one of my go-to low carb, low calorie dinners when I want something fast, simple, and delicious.

Make it Tonight: One Pot Black Pepper Chicken

Reader Q&A: Let’s Talk Skinny Dinners

Popular skinny dinners: one skillet chicken and broccoli in a pan

Q: Are these dinners filling enough for the whole family?
A: Totally. I usually add a big salad, some roasted veggies, or brown rice for the extra-hungry eaters.

Q: Can I meal prep these?
A: Yep! Most of these store well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Some even taste better the next day.

Q: Do I have to count calories to enjoy these?
A: Not at all. These are clean, balanced meals made with real ingredients. Whether you’re watching calories or not, they’re good-for-you meals.

Q: Which ones freeze well?
A: The chicken enchiladas, black bean casserole, and lasagna rolls are freezer all-stars.

Q: No slow cooker—am I out of luck?
A: Nope! You can make most of these on the stovetop or in the oven. Drop a comment if you need a quick swap!

More Low Calorie Dinner Ideas

broccoli and sweet potato chicken dinner

Still hungry for more healthy, low calorie weeknight dinners? Here are some reader favorites:

And if you’re looking for fitness inspiration too, don’t miss the workout section over at Skinny Ms. Fitness. Pairing these dinners with light movement can help you feel your best.

You can also follow along on Facebook and Pinterest so you never miss out on our delicious healthy recipes!

Skinny Dinners From My Kitchen to Yours

I know how hard it can be to find skinny dinners that are actually satisfying. These are the meals I keep in regular rotation—and I hope they become staples in your kitchen too.

Keep it simple. Keep it flavorful. And most of all, enjoy the process.

— Amy

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Amy Wagner

Amy is a writer specializing in health & wellness, business, and entrepreneurship. She's a long-time martial arts teacher who has earned a 4th degree black belt in tae kwon do. When Amy's not writing or kicking, she's wrangling sons, reading fiction, or crushing on BBC actors.

More by Amy

9 Comments

    1. Jo, If you go to the individual recipes you should be able to print them from the site. The photo may not print but the recipe should. 🙂

  1. Hi, I made your black pepper chicken in work today, I work in the staff cafe of a local supermarket and I have to say, it was a huge hit, everyone loved it, it went down so well I had to make a second lot and that had gone within minutes, I will definitely be making it again, thank you for the recipe I will be trying your other recipes to ?

  2. I am so excited I found this site!! Have been printing recipes for me and my husband all afternoon, it’s hard to find easy healthy recipes that also give all the nutritional facts on each recipe!!! Can’t wait to try:)

  3. Thank you for these recipes. I went vegan for the last year thinking it was best for my autoimmune disease. Turns out plant based is not a one size fits all. My doctors have put me on a 1000 calorie 75% meat free and 25%meat way of eating instead. Can’t wait to try your recipes.

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