19 Meaty Mains That Will Have Everyone Licking Their Plates Clean

Ready to up your dinner game with some seriously satisfying meaty mains? These recipes are all about big flavors and happy bellies, featuring everything from zesty chicken wings to tender, pull-apart carnitas. Whether you’re wielding an Instant Pot or an air fryer, there’s a dish in this lineup to make your meal prep a breeze. Perfect for any night of the week, these meals promise to leave everyone at the table reaching for seconds. Dive into these delicious options that are guaranteed to keep your plates sparkling clean.

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Overhead shot of a plate of chicken adobo with rice and scallions on the side. — Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo brings the rich, tangy flavors of the Philippines right to your table, with tender chicken falling right off the bone.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Thai Turkey Meatballs

Thai Turkey Meatballs are a lively twist on a classic, bursting with herbs and spices that promise to clear any dinner table fast.
Get the Recipe: Thai Turkey Meatballs

Instant Pot Ham

Sliced ham with oranges and mint. — Instant Pot Ham. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Ham makes your holiday or Sunday dinner easy and delicious, giving you a juicy, succulent main dish that’s sure to disappear quickly.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Ham

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Basket of fried chicken with chilies and garlic. — Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings offer a crispy, flavorful snack that’s perfect for game day or a family treat. You can’t stop at just one!
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Char Siu

Char Siu, or Chinese BBQ pork, is sticky, sweet, and full of flavor, perfect for slicing and sharing.
Get the Recipe: Char Siu

Instant Pot Kalua Pork

Low angle shot of kalua pork on a white plate with pineapple and pepper chunks. — Instant Pot Kalua Pork. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Kalua Pork captures the slow-cooked Hawaiian flavor in a fraction of the time, with smoky, tender pork that melts in your mouth.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Kalua Pork

Air Fryer Carnitas

Low angle shot of 3 carnitas tacos on a white plate with lime wedges. — Air Fryer Carnitas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Carnitas deliver that irresistible pull-apart texture with a crispy finish, making your taco or burrito night extra special.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Carnitas

Instant Pot Pho

Overhead shot of bowls of pho. — Instant Pot Pho. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Pho brings the complex flavors of this beloved Vietnamese soup to your table quickly, with aromatic broth and tender meat that soothe the soul.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pho

Chicken Biryani

Chicken Biryani is a feast for the senses, with spices and tender chicken layered with fragrant rice, all cooked to perfection in one pot.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Biryani

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Two bowls of hot and sour soup. — Chicken Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Want to save this recipe?

✨ We'll send it straight to your inbox! ✨

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup warms up any meal with its bold, tangy flavors and hearty chicken pieces, perfect for those chilly evenings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Chicken 65

Chicken 65 is a spicy, deep-fried delight from India, packed with flavor and perfect for anyone who loves a good crunch.
Get the Recipe: Chicken 65

Hoisin Beef

A white bowl with rice and hoisin ground beef and chopsticks on the side. — Hoisin Beef. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Hoisin Beef brings a sticky, sweet sauce together with tender slices of beef, making it a quick favorite for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Hoisin Beef

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Stacked taquitos on a plate. — Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are crispy on the outside and packed with juicy chicken on the inside, ideal for dipping and snacking.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps

Closeup of a chicken shawarma wrap. — Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps are filled with spiced, tender chicken and fresh veggies, all wrapped up for a handy, delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps

Chicken Karaage

Overhead shot of karaage chicken with noodles on the side. — Chicken Karaage. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Karaage, Japanese-style fried chicken, is marinated to perfection then fried until golden, offering a crispy treat that’s hard to resist.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Karaage

Instant Pot Country Ribs

Country pork ribs on a plate next to an instant pot. — Instant Pot Country Ribs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Country Ribs are the shortcut to deeply flavorful, fall-apart pork ribs that you can serve up in less than an hour.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Country Ribs

Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Beef bulgogi in a bowl with rice and cucumbers. — Beef Bulgogi Bowls. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Beef Bulgogi Bowls feature tender, marinated beef with a mix of fresh vegetables over rice, creating a balanced, satisfying meal that’s both delicious and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bulgogi Bowls

Beef Birria

low angle shot of shredded beef in a bowl with a fork. — Beef Birria. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Beef Birria is rich and hearty, perfect for stuffing tacos or enjoying as a stew with a side of lime and fresh cilantro.
Get the Recipe: Beef Birria

Spicy Miso Ramen

A bowl of ramen with karaage chicken. — Spicy Miso Ramen. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Spicy Miso Ramen is a bowl full of comfort, featuring tender noodles in a rich, spicy broth that’s loaded with flavor and perfect for sipping and slurping.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Miso Ramen