20 Restaurant Copycat High-Protein Recipes (Make at Home)

Your favorite restaurant meals at home with more protein, fewer calories, and lower cost. These 20 copycat recipes recreate popular dishes from Chipotle, Panera, Cheesecake Factory, and more - but with 30-45g protein and complete control over ingredients. From $18 restaurant bowls to $6 homemade versions, every recipe includes cost comparisons and photo tracking tips.

Fast Casual Copycat Recipes

Popular chain restaurant meals made healthier at home.

Recipe 1: Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl (Copycat)

Calories: 485 | Protein: 42g | Carbs: 52g | Fat: 12g Restaurant: 750 cal, $12 | Homemade: 485 cal, $5

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast, 6 oz (grilled with chipotle seasoning)
• Cilantro-lime rice, 1 cup
• Black beans, 1/2 cup
• Corn salsa, 1/4 cup
• Cheese, 2 tbsp
• Lettuce, 1 cup

Secret: Marinate chicken in chipotle peppers in adobo for authentic flavor.

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Recipe 2: Panera Bread Green Goddess Cobb Salad (Copycat)

Calories: 445 | Protein: 40g | Carbs: 24g | Fat: 22g Restaurant: 560 cal, $14 | Homemade: 445 cal, $6

Ingredients:

• Grilled chicken, 6 oz
• Mixed greens, 3 cups
• Hard-boiled eggs, 2
• Avocado, 1/4
• Bacon, 2 strips
• Tomatoes, cucumber
• Green goddess dressing (Greek yogurt base)

Secret: Make dressing with Greek yogurt, herbs, lemon, garlic.

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Recipe 3: Subway Protein Bowl (Copycat)

Calories: 365 | Protein: 38g | Carbs: 28g | Fat: 12g Restaurant: 450 cal, $10 | Homemade: 365 cal, $4

Ingredients:

• Deli turkey, 6 oz
• Mixed greens, 3 cups
• Cucumber, peppers, tomatoes
• Cheese, 1 oz
• Olives, pickles
• Italian dressing, 2 tbsp

Secret: Layer ingredients like Subway - vegetables first for crunch.

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Recipe 4: Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Nuggets (Copycat)

Calories: 385 | Protein: 42g | Carbs: 18g | Fat: 16g Restaurant: 400 cal, $8 | Homemade: 385 cal, $4

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast, 8 oz (cut into chunks)
• Pickle juice marinade, 2 hours
• Light breading (panko + seasonings)
• Oil for pan-frying

Secret: Pickle juice marinade creates signature Chick-fil-A flavor.

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Recipe 5: Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl (Copycat)

Calories: 465 | Protein: 36g | Carbs: 52g | Fat: 14g Restaurant: 550 cal, $15 | Homemade: 465 cal, $6

Ingredients:

• Roasted chicken, 6 oz
• Kale, 2 cups (massaged)
• Roasted sweet potato, 1 cup
• Wild rice, 1/2 cup
• Apples, goat cheese
• Balsamic vinaigrette

Secret: Massage kale with olive oil to soften.

Fast Casual Secrets

Chain restaurants use high-quality ingredients - replicate at home. Marinades make the difference - plan ahead. Buy spice blends that match restaurant flavors. Batch cook proteins Sunday for week's worth. Homemade saves 50-60% cost, controls calories and protein.

Casual Dining Copycat Recipes

Sit-down restaurant favorites reimagined with more protein.

Recipe 6: Cheesecake Factory Louisiana Chicken Pasta (Copycat)

Calories: 625 | Protein: 45g | Carbs: 58g | Fat: 22g Restaurant: 1,900 cal, $22 | Homemade: 625 cal, $8

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast, 6 oz (blackened)
• High-protein pasta, 2 oz
• Light cream sauce (Greek yogurt base)
• Mushrooms, peppers, onions
• Parmesan, 2 tbsp

Secret: Use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream - same texture, way more protein.

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Recipe 7: Applebee's Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp (Copycat)

Calories: 565 | Protein: 52g | Carbs: 42g | Fat: 18g Restaurant: 800 cal, $18 | Homemade: 565 cal, $9

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast, 5 oz
• Shrimp, 4 oz
• Bourbon glaze (reduced with less sugar)
• Mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup
• Vegetables

Secret: Reduce bourbon glaze until thick - authentic flavor without excess sugar.

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Recipe 8: Olive Garden Chicken Marsala (Copycat)

Calories: 485 | Protein: 46g | Carbs: 38g | Fat: 16g Restaurant: 770 cal, $20 | Homemade: 485 cal, $7

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast, 6 oz (pounded thin)
• Mushrooms, 2 cups
• Marsala wine sauce
• Pasta or mashed potatoes

Secret: Pound chicken thin for quick cooking and tender texture.

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Recipe 9: Red Lobster Grilled Shrimp (Copycat)

Calories: 425 | Protein: 42g | Carbs: 35g | Fat: 14g Restaurant: 650 cal, $19 | Homemade: 425 cal, $10

Ingredients:

• Shrimp, 8 oz (large)
• Garlic butter (light)
• Rice pilaf
• Broccoli, 2 cups

Secret: Broil shrimp instead of sauté - less oil, same flavor.

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Recipe 10: TGI Friday's Jack Daniel's Chicken (Copycat)

Calories: 545 | Protein: 48g | Carbs: 52g | Fat: 16g Restaurant: 850 cal, $19 | Homemade: 545 cal, $7

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast, 6 oz
• Jack Daniel's glaze (reduced sugar version)
• Mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup
• Green beans

Secret: Make glaze with whiskey, brown sugar substitute, soy sauce.

Casual Dining Hacks

Restaurant portions are 2-3x normal - cut to single serving. Cream sauces = Greek yogurt + protein powder for thickness. Reduce glazes more = less sugar, more concentrated flavor. Ask for recipe inspiration from servers. Make Friday night special without $100 bill.

International & Specialty Copycat Recipes

Popular international dishes with protein boost.

Recipe 11-20: More Restaurant Copycats

PF Chang's Mongolian Beef

• 485 cal, 38g protein vs 1,200 cal restaurant
• Lean beef + cauliflower rice saves 700 calories

Qdoba Chicken Queso Bowl

• 525 cal, 42g protein vs 800 cal restaurant
• Light queso with protein powder added

Panda Express Orange Chicken (Healthier)

• 465 cal, 40g protein vs 820 cal restaurant
• Baked not fried, less sugar in sauce

California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza

• 485 cal, 36g protein vs 1,100 cal restaurant
• Thin crust, extra chicken, light cheese

Outback Steakhouse Victoria's Filet

• 445 cal, 48g protein vs 650 cal restaurant
• Skip butter topping, add more vegetables

Maggiano's Chicken Parmesan

• 565 cal, 52g protein vs 1,300 cal restaurant
• Baked not fried, marinara not alfredo

Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp

• 385 cal, 35g protein vs 750 cal restaurant
• Grilled shrimp, Greek yogurt sauce

Texas Roadhouse Grilled Chicken

• 425 cal, 46g protein vs 600 cal restaurant
• Skip rolls, double vegetables

Longhorn Steakhouse Salmon

• 465 cal, 42g protein vs 700 cal restaurant
• Grilled not pan-fried in butter

Cracker Barrel Sunday Chicken

• 485 cal, 44g protein vs 900 cal restaurant
• Baked chicken, controlled portions

Restaurant Recreation Strategy

Search 'copycat recipes' + restaurant name online. Reddit and YouTube have authentic recipes from former employees. Buy spice blends that match restaurant profiles. Invest in cast iron for restaurant sear. Presentation matters - plate like restaurants. Make ahead and freeze for convenience. Cost comparison: $15-25 restaurant meal vs $5-8 homemade. Calorie savings: 30-60% fewer calories at home.

Conclusion

Restaurant meals at home deliver better nutrition and bigger savings. These 20 copycat recipes prove you can recreate favorites with 30-45g protein for 50-70% less cost and calories. The secret is smart substitutions: Greek yogurt for cream, grilled instead of fried, controlled portions, more protein. With photo tracking, you verify your homemade versions hit protein goals without restaurant guesswork. Whether you're craving Chipotle, Cheesecake Factory, or Chick-fil-A, these recipes deliver restaurant quality with home-cooked control. Try 3-4 favorites this week and watch how easy it becomes to skip expensive takeout.