4 Easy Ways to Meal Prep Chicken

Recipes developed by Emily Weinberger for Food Network Kitchen

Text by T.K. Brady for Food Network Kitchen

Meal prepping is an easy way to keep your eating habits on track during the week. We love to cook big batches of protein, grains and vegetables to mix-and-match throughout the week so we're not bored by the time Wednesday rolls around. Chicken is one of the easiest proteins to prep if you know all the different ways to cook it. These four methods to meal prepping chicken will give you 16 different meals to choose from for salads, sandwiches, grain bowls and more all week long.

Meal Prep Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Your Instant Pot is your meal prep BFF. When it comes to whipping up batches of shredded meat, there's no easier method. This shredded chicken recipe comes with four different flavor profiles and can be used to top salads, prep tacos, stuff sandwiches and more.

What to Make: Meal Prep Chicken Tacos

Grab some square containers and fill them with tacos for a fun kid's lunch. Get your kiddo involved the night before to have them choose their toppings, so they'll be even more excited to eat lunch the next day.

Meal Prep Chicken Bites

These bite-sized chicken pieces are super easy to add to a salad or a whatever-you-have-in-the-fridge bowl. Make a batch in your chosen flavor on Sunday and watch as they see you through the week.

What to Make: Meal Prep Chicken Bite Bowl

If you like your lunches to have clear components, chicken bites work well because they're not covered with a sauce that seeps into other parts of the meal. Pack your chicken, starch and veggie in a rectangular container for a well-rounded meal.

Meal Prep Roasted Chicken Thighs

For some people, chicken breast just doesn't have enough flavor. Roasted chicken thighs solve that problem and are ideal for topping a hearty grain bowl. Using a sheet pan, roast chicken thighs in the flavor of your choice until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and you're good to go.

What to Make: Curry Chicken Bowls

Use the roasted chicken thighs to top a bowl of curried lentils and roasted carrots. Add a dollop of yogurt on the side to cool it all down.

Meal Prep Sesame Chicken Breasts

These chicken breasts are coated in sesame seeds for a crunchy exterior that holds up to travel. Make a batch on Sunday night and you can use it to top a salad, add to fajitas or even stir into mac and cheese.

What to Make: Cashew-Chicken Salad

The sesame crust on the chicken adds great flavor to a classic cashew-chicken salad. This is an easy salad to prep for a day at the office or lunch at home.

Related Links:

Recipes That Make Meal Prep a Breeze

Healthy Chicken Recipes

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