On the lookout for paleo meals to fit the autoimmune protocol restrictions? Here are over 20 delicious AIP lunches and dinners to get you started. Soups, salads, seafood, chicken, beef… a little bit of everything.
AI what?
I’ve been gluten-free for yeeeears. Almost 9, to be exactish. And I’ve been doing paleo/GAPS for 6 of those years. So I’ve been around the block of healing diets. When I first learned about AIP, though, I was a little confused. What are the exact restrictions? Why are they put in place? Is AIP a long-term diet, like gluten-free or paleo, or is it a short term thing, like GAPS?
If you’re wondering the same thing, let me give you a little synopsis of what AIP stands for in the health food world…
And if you’re just here for the food, go ahead and skip this next section.
The Auto-Immune Protocol.
So yeah… you probably guessed by that title up there that AIP stands for Auto-Immune Protocol. In short the AIP diet was designed to lower inflammation. This allows the body to heal from autoimmune disease. It’s not meant to be a long-term diet, just long enough to heal. Then, like the GAPS Diet, you can slowly start adding back in foods.
AIP is similar to paleo in the fact that you can’t have grains, legumes, or dairy, but it goes a step beyond and removes other potentially inflammatory foods like eggs, nightshades, seeds, and nuts.
Here’s a short list of what you can eat on the AIP Diet:
- animal proteins (except eggs)
- vegetables (just not nightshades)
- fruits
- animal & fruit fats
- broth
- organ meats
- grain-free, non-nut flours (cassava, tigernut, tapioca, coconut, etc.)
Delicious AIP Lunches & Dinners
I know it sounds like a lot, but don’t worry. There are still plenty of delicious things you can enjoy on the AIP diet! Below I’ve put together a tasty list of over 20 delicious and nourishing AIP lunches and dinners.
Soups
Broccoli “Cheese” Soup
This Broccoli “Cheese” Soup from Wendi’s AIP Kitchen is an AIP/Paleo version of the classic. It is thick and creamy without any dairy at all!
Zuppa Toscana in the Instant Pot
This Zuppa Toscana in the Instant Pot is a comforting and hearty meal that will make you feel like you’re at a fancy restaurant!
White Chicken AIP Chili
This hearty and comforting White Chicken AIP Chili from What Great Grandma Ate comes together in 30 minutes, and it’s perfect for a delicious weeknight meal!
Creamy Squash & Apple Soup
Celebrate fall with this easyand delicious paleo, low carb, and GAPS-friendly!
Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
This Bacon Cheeseburger Soup from Unbound Wellness is dairy free, but has all of the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger! It’s Whole30, paleo, and AIP.
Salads
Big Mac Salad
This Big Mac Salad from Grassfed Salsa is about to blow you away! Reminiscent of the popular fast-food favorite, it’s as healthy as they come. This easy low carb lunch is full of wholesome ingredients. It’s Keto, Whole30, and AIP but tastes nostalgic and comforting!
Keto Pad Thai
This Pad Thai from Eat Beautiful is so good that I made it doable for all traditional diets. I want everyone to be able to make this! It’s the freshest tasting Pad Thai ever, with authentic ingredients and flavors. So whether you’re Keto, Whole30, Paleo, GAPS, AIP or even if you eat everything, this is the Pad Thai for you!
Avocado Tuna Salad
This Avocado Tuna Salad from Unbound Wellness is an easy and healthy lunch option! Whether you’re paleo, whole30, or AIP, this tuna salad will be perfect for you.
Beef
Burgers and Fries Sheet Pan Dinner
AIP Burgers and Fries Sheet Pan Dinner from Eat Beautiful shares a few secrets of how to make great burgers in the oven and how to make great AIP-friendly French fries in the oven! This recipe is also perfect for Paleo, GF, VAD and could work for Whole30.
Spinach & Garlic Meatballs in the Instant Pot
Easy, delicious, andGAPS Intro Dietfriendly, these are sure to become a family favorite. And they have the added bonus of being madein the Instant Pot!Leave off the black pepper.
Healthy Egg Roll in a Bowl
This Healthy Egg Roll in a Bowl (aka Crack Slaw) from Whole New Mom has all of the great flavor of Egg Rolls, but it’s a sure to please Easy One Pan Meal with all the taste, but without the carby wrappers.
Instant Pot Eye of Round Roast
This easy Instant Pot Eye of Round Roast is a great way to serve up a tasty meal with spending hours waiting on your roast.
Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Whether you are eating Whole30, AIP, or keto, this paleo Skirt Steak from What Great Grandma Ate is the perfect celebratory menu item that comes together quickly and easily! The chimichurri sauce adds the most wonderful flavor.
Chicken
Family Favorite Roast Chicken
This Family Favorite Roast Chicken is a simple go-to for dinner! It’s easy to make fit paleo, GAPS, keto, and Whole30 lifestyles. This recipe calls for a dash of black pepper, so be sure to leave that off.
Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken
This Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken from Grassfed Salsa is the perfectrecipe to make for an easy weeknight meal.
Chicken, Bacon, and Kale Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These paleo, AIP, and Whole30 Chicken, Bacon, and Kale Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from All the Nourishing Things are a snap to make and are perfect for meal prep! This is an easy, veggie-loaded meal, fantastic for weeknights or chaotic weekends, and is SO nourishing!
“Chicken and Biscuits” Chicken Pot Pie
My family also loves casseroles, like this AIP “Chicken and Biscuits” Chicken Pot Pie from Eat Beautiful. This recipe also features a lovely gravy, thick and brown and very umami (savory comfort food!).
Chicken Empanadas
These homemade AIP paleo Chicken Empanadas from Forest & Fauna are the real deal! A little extra prep time is involved, but they are so worth it! Such a great meal or snack for those on the autoimmune paleo protocol. Make then once, and you will be wishing you made a double batch!
Spinach Avocado Chicken Burgers
These paleo Spinach Avocado Chicken Burgers from Unbound Wellness are the ultimate healthy burger. They’re packed with healthy fats, protein, and even hidden veggies. Make them on a weeknight, or serve them at a backyard cookout. They’re paleo, Whole30, and AIP!
Seafood
Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
These paleo Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos from Grassfed Salsa are going to be an easy weeknight staple at your dinner table! These can be paired with various sauces and are perfect with slaw as a topping. These are the ultimate healthy restaurant copycat!
Crispy Coconut Pan-Fried Salmon
Easy and delicious, this Crispy Coconut Pan-Fried Salmon is a winner every time! With minimal prep and only a few paleo-friendly ingredients, you won’t mind making it often.Leave off the black pepper.
Shrimp Alfredo with Artichoke Hearts
This delicious and easyPaleo Shrimp Alfredo with Artichoke Hearts from What Great Grandma Ate is lightened up by using zucchini noodles and creamy, dairy free sauce!
Simple Herbed Red Drum
Nothing says summer like a delicious plate full of fish! Bursting with nutrients and flavor, this Simple Herbed Red Drum will be sure to please your tummy and taste-buds.
Veggies
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Risotto
This Instant Pot Butternut Squash Risotto from What Great Grandma Ate is grain free by using cauliflower rice, but you’ll never guess by how comforting and flavorful it tastes! You can cozy up with it as a main dish and it’s also a perfect holiday side.
Carrot Fettuccini
Grain-free? Miss pasta? This Carrot Fettuccini is an easy, healthy alternative for those on a paleo, GAPS, or vegan diet. Or for those who just really like carrots… Top it with myfaux alfredo sauce, a nice meat sauce, or just salt.
Rainbow Veggie Salad Rolls
I love how flavorful and refreshing theseRainbow Veggie Salad Rolls from Forest & Fauna are. They make the perfect lunch at home, at work, or on vacation.
If you’re on the auto immune paleo protocol and in need of some more fresh lunch ideas, head on over to Delicious Obsessions to check out even more recipes.
