15 Easy Meal Prep Ideas with Chicken

In today’s busy world, many people are looking for ways to save and money. One way that many people have been finding success is through meal prep! Meal prepping can be a great way to save time during the week, as well as spending less on food each month. In this blog post I will share 15 easy meal prep ideas with chicken so you can start prepping your own meals!

5 Best Tips to Meal Planning

• Start planning your meals by writing down a list of some quick and easy recipes you’d like to try. Keep it simple at first, but add on as time goes on!

• Plan out what days you want certain foods throughout the week so that when its meal prep day, everything is ready to go in one swoop.

• Use reusable containers, or bags if you plan on bringing your lunch to work. This keeps it simple and cuts down on waste. Using glass storage containers? Make sure they aren’t cracked as this can lead to very dangerous chemicals leaking into the food! Here is the best food storage containers you must have in your home!

• The meal prep process should be a breeze, not something that stresses you out! This is why I recommend prepping on the weekend and cooking your meal throughout the week, instead of trying to cook it all in one day.

• Last step is to enjoy your meal prepped food! Try new things and switch it up to keep yourself interested. Eventually you will find some staple recipes that work well for you, but experiment with different spices or cooking styles until then!

What is Meal Planning?

• Meal planning is a fun and effective way to save time, money, and stay healthy! It’s a great tool for people who want an organized lifestyle while staying on track with their health goals. Meal planning can be done in several different ways; there is no right or wrong way of doing it as long as it works for you!

What Makes A Good Plan?

• A good meal plan should include the following:

• Ingredients  for each recipe – think about what is in your pantry already that could be used for recipes later on. You don’t want to buy something that you already have!

• The number of servings for each recipe (doubling or tripling recipes makes it easier) – make sure all your meals add up to the correct amount depending on how many people in your household. Make extra if there are leftovers!

• A quick and easy grocery list with items grouped by where they can be found in the grocery store – this makes it so much easier when you are at the store because everything is grouped together, especially if you have multiple people in your household.

• The day of the week each meal should be eaten by – include breakfast, lunch and dinner choices for each day! This ensures that nothing gets wasted or forgotten about.

• As you can see, making a meal plan is not as hard or time consuming as it sounds. You can even go one step further and make a timetable for cooking each recipe!

Why is meal planning so hard for some people?

Meal planning can be a difficult task if you do not know what to include in your plan. It is common for people to forget certain items and go over budget because they forgot about something or bought too much of one thing! You may also find that recipes call for ingredients that are unusual, making it hard to shop for them at the grocery store.

What’s the solution to these problems?

Here are 15 easy meal prep ideas with chicken that you can start prepping today. With so many choices, there is something for everyone! These recipes are simple and delicious- perfect for busy momma’s on the go.

1: Chicken Quesadilla

This recipe takes around 30 minutes to prepare if cooking from scratch. If you want something faster, you can buy pre-made tortillas and use leftover chicken from a previous meal to save time.

Meal prep ideas with chicken like this Chicken Quesadilla are perfect for quick lunches or dinners on the go. You can even make them ahead of time and freeze, so you have a healthy meal ready to eat in no time!

• Ingredients:  Chicken Breast (boneless skinless), Cheese, Tortilla Wraps, Onion, Green Pepper, Olive Oil or Butter for cooking

• Preparation Instructions: Combine cooked chopped onion and green pepper with shredded cheese in a bowl. Place tortilla wraps on a pan or countertop and spread mixture onto the center of each wrap. Carefully fold in half, then cut into fourths with a knife to make individual portions!

• Cooking Instructions: Heat up cooking over medium heat for one minute before adding chicken breast (cut into small pieces) to the frying pan. Cook until the bottom of the chicken is golden brown, then flip and cook on other side.
• Add a tablespoon or two of water to pan if it starts to dry out during cooking process- this will prevent burning! Once thoroughly cooked, remove from heat and cut into fourths before serving.

2: Roast Chicken with Lemon and Olive Oil

When I think of lemon and olive oil, I automatically think of Italian food. What’s even better is that, this recipe is very versatile and can be used for more than just Italian dishes! Try adding your favorite spices or herbs before cooking to change up the flavors a bit- rosemary, thyme or basil are delicious additions to roast chicken.

Roast Chicken with Lemon and Olive Oil are perfect for Sunday nights or busy weeknights! This recipe takes around one hour to prepare, so it is a good idea to make extra if you want leftovers.

• Ingredients:  Chicken Breast (boneless skinless), Vegetable Oil, Salt, Pepper, Garlic (minced), Lemon Juice, Rosemary

• Preparation Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl with salt, pepper and minced garlic. Pour mixture onto chicken breast halves- coating well! Place the sprigs of rosemary on top of each half for added flavor.

• Cooking Instructions: Place chicken skin-side up in a roasting pan and cook for around 40 minutes or until juices run clear! Cut into fourths before serving.

• For those who want to make extra, this recipe is also great with potatoes! Just cut them into small cubes and coat with oil, salt and pepper before roasting in the oven alongside the chicken.

3: Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

My favorite meals are in the crock pot because they are so easy to make. The crock pot does all the work for you, making this one of my go-to recipes during busy days!

I love chicken fajitas and was happy when I found a recipe that would fit perfectly into meal prep ideas with chicken . My favorite instant pot is so versatile, you can crate every type of meal!

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas is perfect if you want to make your meal prep ideas with chicken ahead of time! This recipe takes around 30 minutes to prepare, but if you want something faster you can buy pre-made tortillas instead.

• Ingredients:  Chicken Breast (boneless skinless), Onion, Bell Pepper, Taco Seasoning Packet, Tortillas

• Preparation Instructions: Cut up chicken breast into small pieces. Place in a slow cooker with one chopped onion, taco seasoning packet and about ¼ cup of water to prevent burning. Cook on high for four hours or low for eight!

• Cooking Instructions: Shred cooked chicken using two forks- it should be fall apart tender by now! Add cooked onion and bell pepper, mix well.

• Warm tortillas in the oven or microwave for a few seconds- then fill with chicken mixture! You can also eat these fajitas on top of rice to make it more filling if desired.

4: Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

This awesome crock pot meal is so tasty you’ll want to make it again and again! The best part about this recipe is the fact that you can add any vegetables or sides of your choice- making it a great meal prep idea with chicken especially when paired with rice (it tastes like takeout, but healthier!)

And my favorite instant pot cooks it to perfection!

• Ingredients:  Chicken Breast (boneless skinless), Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning Blend or Oregano, Garlic (minced), Butter

• Preparation Instructions: Cut chicken into small cubes and season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning blend or oregano. Melt a tablespoon of butter in a frying pan over medium heat before adding garlic- cook until the bottom is golden brown. Add chicken to pan and coat well with mixture.

• Cooking Instructions: In a slow cooker, combine chicken, garlic and butter mixture.

• Cook on low for three hours or high for one hour before adding another tablespoon of lemon juice to the mix! Serve with veggies or rice if desired.

5: Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Ginger Chicken

Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I love honey on almost everything. This recipe is no exception- the honey adds a wonderful sweetness to this amazing dish. I love pairing it with brown rice and veggies for an easy meal prep idea with chicken .

As you can see instant pots are the present and the future for any meal you like and love!

• Ingredients:  Chicken Breast (boneless skinless), or Chicken Wings, Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder or Flakes, Garlic (minced)

• Preparation Instructions: Cut chicken into small cubes and season with salt, pepper and onion powder or flakes. Melt a tablespoon of butter in a frying pan over medium heat for one minute before adding garlic- cook until the bottom is golden brown. Add chicken to pan and coat well with mixture.

• Cooking Instructions: In a slow cooker, combine chicken and garlic mixture. Cook on low for five hours or high for two-three hours before adding another tablespoon of honey to the mix! Serve with veggies or rice if desired.

6: Skinny Buffalo Ranch Drumsticks (or Thighs)  

Just to hear the words buffalo and ranch I am sol, lol. I love the combination of flavors in this recipe, it’s super easy to make and is a great meal prep idea with chicken .

• Ingredients:  Chicken Legs or Thighs (boneless), Salt, Pepper, Ranch Dressing Dry Mix, Frank’s Buffalo Sauce

• Preparation Instructions: Cut chicken into bite sized pieces- or pull apart using two forks. Season with salt and pepper before placing in a slow cooker. Add half of the ranch dressing dry mix to your liking along with one cup water! Finally, add about four tablespoons of buffalo sauce for a spicy kick!

• Cooking Instructions: In a slow cooker, combine chicken and ranch mixture. Cook on low for five hours or high for two-three hours before adding more buffalo sauce to the mix if desired! Serve with veggies or rice if desired.

7: Easy Baked Coconut Curry Chicken

Now, I am not a big fan of coconut, but this combination is thebomb.com! It works well with chicken, but I find that the coconut taste is slightly more prominent when paired with white fish.

• Ingredients:  Chicken Breast (boneless skinless), Salt, Pepper, Curry Powder

• Preparation Instructions: Cut chicken into small cubes and season with salt and pepper. Melt a tablespoon of butter in a frying pan over medium heat before adding chicken and curry powder- cook until the bottom is golden brown, stirring occasionally.

• Cooking Instructions: In an oven safe dish or skillet, pour sauce mixture over chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for thirty minutes (uncovered). Serve with veggies or rice if desired.

8: Chicken Pot Pie

You can never go wrong with some gold old fashioned chicken pot pie! It’s easy to make, tastes amazing and is a great way to use up leftovers!

• Ingredients:  Pie Crust (thawed), Chicken Breast or Thighs (boneless skinless), Carrots, Celery, Onion, Garlic Cloves- minced) Butter or Margarine + Flour for Making Roux, Salt, Pepper

• Preparation Instructions: Cut chicken into small cubes and season with salt and pepper. Heat a tablespoon of butter in a pan over medium heat for one minute before adding celery, carrots and onion- sauté until the bottom is golden brown.

• Add about two cups of water to the mixture before adding chicken. Stir until well combined and let sit for about ten minutes or until warm!

• Cooking Instructions: Add soup to your baking dish along with about two cups of meat/veggie mix- stir until combined! Spread out in a casserole dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional five to ten minutes! Serve with veggies or rice if desired.

9: Buffalo Chicken Salad with Ranch Dressing

Salad is always an easy go to healthy meal, but why not spice it up a bit? This recipe is full of flavor and works well as a meal prep idea with chicken .

• Ingredients:  Chicken Breast (boneless skinless), Ranch Dressing Dry Mix, Blue Cheese Crumbles or Gorgonzola Cheese, Tomatoes, Cucumbers

• Preparation Instructions: Heat chicken in the microwave for around one minute before placing on a plate. Top with blue cheese crumbles and diced celery! Serve with ranch dressing or your favorite buffalo sauce if desired.

• Cooking Instructions: Cut cucumber, tomatoes, and onion in thin slices. Layer on top of each other before adding salt and pepper. Add chicken to your salad and top with desired amount of dressing! Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

10: Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken Bowls

Teriyaki and pineapple is the best combination and these Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken Bowls are a great meal prep idea with chicken . They’re simple, easy and delicious!

• Ingredients:  Chicken (cooked and chopped), Teriyaki Sauce, Brown Rice, Sesame Seeds, Green Onions (sliced thinly), Chopped Pineapple, Salt

• Preparation Instructions: Heat chicken in the microwave for around one minute before placing on a plate. Top with desired amount of teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds! Serve over brown rice if desired.

• Cooking Instructions: Add chicken to your bowl and top with desired amount of teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds, salt, green onions and pineapple! Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

11: Honey Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

I am the ultimate avocado lover and this Honey Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa recipe is a great meal prep idea for when I’m craving some delicious chicken

• Ingredients:  Chicken (cooked), Avocado (diced), Onion (diced), Jalapeno Pepper (seeded and chopped thinly), Lime Juice, Cilantro Leaves Chopped, Salt

• Preparation Instructions: Heat chicken in a microwave for around one minute before placing on a plate. Top with avocado, onion and jalapeno peppers- add desired amount of lime juice and salt! Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

• Cooking Instructions: Add chicken to your bowl and top with desired amount of avocado salsa, cilantro leaves chopped, lime juice and salt! Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

Avocado Salsa: Avocado, Red Onion, Cilantro Leaves- chopped finely, Lime Juice from one lime + zest of half the lime , Salt & Pepper to taste

12: Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Most BBQ is is amazing and I just can’t get enough of it, but Hawaiian BBQ is ten times better! Slow cooker meals are my favorite and this recipe is an easy meal prep idea with chicken .

• Ingredients:  Chicken (cooked), Hawaiian BBQ Sauce, Pineapple Chunks, Red Onion.

• Preparation Instructions: Heat chicken in the microwave for around one minute before placing on a plate. Top with desired amount of bbq sauce and pineapple chunks! Serve on a toasted hamburger bun with red onion slices.

• Cooking Instructions: Add chicken to your sandwich and top with desired amount of bbq sauce, pineapples chunks and onion slices! Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

13: Honey Garlic Baked Chicken with Brown Rice and Broccoli Florets

One thing I love about cooking with chicken is that you can cook it any way you like it- this baked chicken recipe is an easy meal prep idea with chicken that tastes phenomenal!

• Ingredients:  Chicken (cooked and cubed), Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Brown Rice (cooked), Broccoli Florets, Honey, Soy Sauce

• Preparation Instructions: Heat chicken in the microwave for around one minute before placing on a plate. Top with desired amount of honey and soy sauce! Serve over brown rice if desired.

• Cooking Instructions: Add chicken to your bowl and top with desired amount of honey, soy sauce and brown rice! Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

14: Moroccan Roasted Red Pepper Sauce with Chicken Thighs

Nothing wrong with adding a little sweet and spice with moroccan flavors to your chicken thighs! This is one of my favorite easy meal prep ideas with chicken .

• Ingredients:  Chicken Thighs (cooked), Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Onion (chopped finely), Garlic Cloves (minced), Salt, Pepper

• Preparation Instructions: Heat chicken in the microwave for around one minute before placing on a plate. Top with desired amount of roasted red pepper sauce! Serve over couscous or rice if desired.

• Cooking Instructions: Add chicken to your bowl and top with desired amount of roasted red pepper sauce- serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

15: Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Apples and Carrots

This salad is awesome as a meal prep idea because it can be prepped ahead of time for quick dinners during the week. This recipe takes around two hours to prepare, so it is best made on a low temperature over lunchtime!

• Ingredients:  Chicken (cooked and cubed), Carrots (shredded), Green Onion (diced small), Apples (cubed small), Raisins, Mayonnaise

• Preparation Instructions: Heat chicken in the microwave for around one minute before placing on a plate. Add desired amount of mayo and top with apples, carrots and green onions! Serve over bread if desired.

• Cooking Instructions: Add chicken to your bowl and top with desired amount of mayo, apples and carrots- serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.

Conclusion

Chicken is one of the primary meats every family has in the home and easy to run out of ideas of what to do with it. Of course you enjoyed learning about these 15 easy meal prep ideas with chicken, including the recipes!

I loved creating this blog post and giving you the recipes ideas you can use to meal prep! I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I did writing it.

Let me know in the comments, which recipe is your favorite!

Stay Positive! Stay Motivated!

Talk Soon,

Cedreka