10+ Meal Prep Recipes Chicken for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Meal prepping with chicken is a great way to save time and eat healthier. These recipes allow you to prepare delicious meals in advance. They help you stick to your nutrition goals without the daily hassle of cooking. By having chicken ready to go, you can easily create balanced lunches or dinners that fit your busy lifestyle.

Whether you’re looking for quick lunches for work or easy dinners for the family, chicken meal prep ideas can be versatile and satisfying. With a little planning, you can enjoy a variety of flavors while making the most out of your ingredients.

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken is a tasty and healthy choice for meal prep. It’s easy to make and full of fresh flavors. You’ll love how the marinade brings out the best in the chicken.

To start, pound the chicken to an even thickness. This helps it cook evenly.

Next, mix together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and your favorite herbs for a bright marinade.

Coat the chicken in the marinade and let it sit. This allows the flavors to soak in.

When you’re ready, grill the chicken at 400°F (204°C) for about 6-7 minutes on each side until it’s fully cooked.

This dish is perfect for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. You can serve it with grains or veggies for a well-rounded meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Pound chicken to 3/4 inch thick.
2. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.
3. Coat chicken with the marinade and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
4. Preheat grill to 400°F (204°C).
5. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through.

2) Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are a tasty option for your meal prep. They combine sweet and savory flavors that make your meals exciting. Plus, they are easy to prepare.

For this recipe, you will need chicken thighs, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and some sriracha for a kick. These ingredients come together to create a delicious sauce that you’ll love.

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and sriracha.
3. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat, then add chicken thighs skin-side down.
4. Cook for 5-7 minutes, then flip.
5. Pour the honey mixture over the chicken and bake for 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Enjoy your meal!

3) Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Teriyaki chicken stir fry is a simple and tasty meal you can prepare in a flash. You can use skinless chicken breasts for this dish. It cooks quickly and is packed with flavor.

First, chop your chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Then, sauté them in a pan over medium-high heat. Add fresh vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas for a colorful touch.

For the sauce, mix soy sauce, honey, and garlic. Pour this over the chicken and veggies. Cook until everything is well-mixed and the chicken is fully cooked.

Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal. Enjoy your delicious teriyaki chicken stir fry!

Ingredients

• 2 skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon garlic, crushed
• Cooked rice or noodles

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and cook until browned.
4. Add broccoli and bell pepper.
5. Mix soy sauce, honey, and garlic in a bowl.
6. Pour the sauce over the chicken and veggies.
7. Cook until chicken is done and veggies are tender.
8. Serve over rice or noodles.

4) Buffalo Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Buffalo Chicken Meal Prep Bowls are a tasty and filling option for your weekly meals. The combination of spicy buffalo chicken, fluffy rice, and fresh veggies makes these bowls a crowd-pleaser.

To prepare, you can use rotisserie chicken or make your buffalo chicken from scratch. It’s quick and easy, perfect for busy days.

Simply cook the chicken with buffalo sauce and prepare your rice. Add in veggies like bell peppers or broccoli for extra color and nutrition. Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing to enhance the flavor.

These bowls are not only delicious but also high in protein. Each serving is satisfying and great for meal prep.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups cooked buffalo chicken
• 1 cup fresh veggies (bell peppers, broccoli, etc.)
• 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare your rice according to package directions.
2. Cook chicken with buffalo sauce on medium heat for about 10 minutes.
3. Chop your veggies while the chicken cooks.
4. Assemble the bowls by layering rice, chicken, and veggies.
5. Drizzle with dressing before serving. Enjoy!

5) Chicken Fajita Meal Prep

Chicken fajita meal prep is a simple and tasty option for your weekly meals. You can make it in about 30 minutes. It’s a great way to enjoy healthy, homemade lunches.

Start by slicing chicken, bell peppers, and onions. You can cook these in a skillet, bake them in the oven, or grill them. All methods work well and enhance flavors.

To serve, divide the chicken and veggies into meal prep containers. You can add grains like brown rice or quinoa. Garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime for extra flavor.

These meal prep bowls last up to four days in the fridge. Enjoy them heated up or cold!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken thighs or breasts
• 2 bell peppers
• 1 onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
• Cilantro
• Lime

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Slice the chicken, bell peppers, and onion.
3. Toss the chicken and veggies in olive oil and fajita seasoning.
4. Cook for 20-25 minutes in the oven or 10-15 minutes in the skillet until done.
5. Divide into containers and garnish with cilantro and lime.

6) Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast

Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Breast is a simple and tasty meal prep idea. It’s juicy and packed with flavor, making it a favorite for busy days. You can easily make this dish in about 30 minutes.

To start, you’ll need to season your chicken breasts with salt and pepper. This step is important for enhancing the natural flavors.

Next, prepare a garlic butter mixture by combining melted butter, minced garlic, and some herbs like thyme and parsley.

Pour the garlic butter over the seasoned chicken in a baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20 to 30 minutes. Make sure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safety.

This dish pairs well with rice or vegetables, making it a versatile option for your meal prep.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Salt
• Pepper
• Butter
• Garlic
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh parsley

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Mix melted butter, garlic, thyme, and parsley in a bowl.
4. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
5. Bake for 20-30 minutes until cooked through.

7) Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Asian chicken lettuce wraps are a fun and healthy meal prep option. They’re easy to make and packed with flavor. You can use ground chicken or any leftover chicken you have.

To make these wraps, start by preparing a delicious sauce. You can mix hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and a little bit of sesame oil. This combination adds a tasty kick.

Then, cook your chicken in a skillet until it’s browned. Add some garlic and onions for extra flavor.

Once cooked, mix in the sauce and let everything combine nicely.

Serve the chicken mixture in fresh lettuce leaves. You can add extra toppings like peanuts or green onions for some crunch.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• Lettuce leaves

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat (around 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add olive oil and sauté the onion until soft.
3. Add the garlic and ground chicken, cooking until the chicken is browned.
4. Stir in hoisin and soy sauce.
5. Serve in lettuce leaves. Enjoy!

8) Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowls are a great way to enjoy healthy flavors. These bowls include juicy chicken, fluffy quinoa, and fresh vegetables. They are perfect for meal prep and easy to make.

To start, cook some quinoa according to package directions. While it cooks, grill or bake chicken breasts. Season them with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs.

Once the chicken is done, chop it up and mix it with colorful veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. Add feta cheese for a creamy touch and a squeeze of lemon for brightness.

Drizzle a light dressing over the top, and your meal is ready to enjoy! These bowls can be stored in the fridge for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 cucumber
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1 lemon
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake chicken for 25-30 minutes.
3. Let the chicken cool, then chop it into pieces.
4. Mix quinoa, chicken, chopped vegetables, and feta in a bowl.
5. Squeeze lemon and drizzle olive oil over the mixture.
6. Serve and enjoy!

9) Coconut Curry Chicken Meal Prep

Coconut curry chicken meal prep is a tasty way to enjoy healthy meals all week. This dish combines tender chicken with a rich, creamy coconut sauce. It’s easy to make and perfect for busy days.

Start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll need chicken breasts, coconut milk, curry paste, and some vegetables like bell peppers and broccoli. These add flavor and nutrition.

To prepare, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Sauté it in a pan until it’s fully cooked. Then, add the coconut milk and curry paste. Stir until well mixed. You can also toss in your veggies at this stage.

Once everything is heated through, divide the meal into containers for easy storage. It can last in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat when you’re ready to eat!

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Coconut milk
• Curry paste
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 180°C).
3. Add chicken and cook until fully cooked.
4. Stir in coconut milk and curry paste until combined.
5. Add chopped veggies and heat throughout.
6. Divide into meal prep containers.

10) Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a tasty and filling meal prep option. This dish combines pasta, chicken, and fresh veggies with a classic Caesar dressing. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

Start by cooking your favorite pasta until al dente. While it cooks, grill or bake chicken breasts and shred them into bite-sized pieces. You can use rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.

In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and croutons. Add your favorite Caesar dressing, and toss everything until well coated.

This salad can be stored in individual containers for easy grab-and-go meals. To keep it fresh, add the lettuce and dressing just before serving.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked pasta
• 1 cup shredded chicken
• 2 cups chopped lettuce
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup croutons
• ½ cup Caesar dressing
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.

2. Grill or bake chicken breasts until fully cooked, then shred.

3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and croutons.

4. Then, add dressing and toss well.

5. Portion into containers for meal prep.