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Easy Chicken Meal Prep


  • Total Time: 35-40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Say goodbye to monotonous work lunches with this delicious and easy chicken meal prep recipe. It’s designed for busy individuals and families, offering tender, seasoned chicken that can be paired with various sides for flavorful, wholesome meals throughout the week. This recipe focuses on simple, satisfying ideas that are quick to prepare and perfect for healthy eating on the go.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, romaine, spring mix)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup your favorite vinaigrette dressing
  • optional: 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice for serving
  • optional: 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or shredded cheddar cheese

  • Instructions

    1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. Place them on a clean cutting board.

    2. Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides. Rub the spices into the chicken, ensuring it’s well coated.

    3. Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C) and the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. If using thicker breasts, you might need to reduce the heat slightly after the initial sear and continue cooking until done, or finish them in a preheated oven at 375 F (190 C) for an additional 10-15 minutes.

    4. Rest and Slice: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes. Slice the chicken into strips or dice it into bite-sized pieces.

    5. Prepare the Vegetables: While the chicken is cooking or resting, wash and prepare your vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion.

    6. Assemble Your Meal Prep Containers: Divide the cooked chicken, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion among your meal prep containers. If using, add a portion of cooked quinoa or brown rice to each container. Keep the dressing separate in small individual containers.

    7. Add Optional Toppings: If desired, sprinkle some crumbled feta or shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken and vegetables just before sealing the containers.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
    • Category: main dish
    • Method: skillet cooking
    • Cuisine: american

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 meal prep container

    Keywords: chicken, meal prep, healthy, easy, lunch, dinner, weeknight, protein, salad, quick