Protein Shakes!? Advice and help please for an amateur!?

Ok, so I've started working out about 4 months a go now. I do it 3-4 times a week mainly all with dumbells and body weight exercises. I've seen some not to bad results but only little. I'm a tall and slim sort of guy not skinny but athletic! But yeah like I can eat a lot and not put on loads of weight. I'm looking to take my body to the next level! I know when working out you have to be patient about a year right? I have a good diet, I try to have lots of vegetables and fruits and keep carbs and protein as high as I can :) Would a protein shake really help my progress to? Does it actually help to make you bigger if you put the work in? Also, are they safe? Is it just like the same as eating a big chicken breast when you take it or something like that? I know those cyclone ones put water on your muscle or something so I'm not keen to use that just something safe and useful! Could you eat a protein bar instead of having a shake? Thanks for your help :)