18 Chicken Meal Prep Recipes You’ll Actually Look Forward To Eating

Chicken is the meal prep MVP for a reason — it is affordable, high in protein, and accepts almost any flavor profile. But eating the same thing five days in a row gets old fast. Here are eighteen chicken meal prep recipes designed to keep things interesting all week.

18 Chicken Meal Prep Recipes

1. Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs

Marinate bone-in thighs in lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, and olive oil. Roast at 425°F for 35 minutes. Crispy skin, juicy meat, good hot or cold.

2. Honey Garlic Chicken Breast

Sear chicken breast, glaze with honey, soy sauce, and garlic, and finish in the oven. Sweet, savory, and pairs with everything.

3. Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Chicken breasts plus a jar of salsa in the slow cooker for 6 hours on low. Shred and use in tacos, bowls, nachos, and salads all week.

4. Buffalo Chicken for Bowls

Toss shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and a little butter. Use in lettuce wraps, grain bowls, or quesadillas. Reliably exciting at 7pm on a Wednesday.

5. Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

Marinate chicken in soy sauce, mirin, honey, and ginger. Grill or pan-sear. Slice and serve over rice with steamed broccoli. Classic meal prep for good reason.

6. Mediterranean Baked Chicken

Bake chicken with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and feta. Serve over orzo or in a pita. Distinctly un-boring.

7. Thai Peanut Chicken Noodles

Cook rice noodles and toss with shredded chicken, peanut sauce, shredded cabbage, and spring onion. Serves cold or warm, making it perfect for meal prep.

8. Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas

Fill corn tortillas with shredded chicken, black beans, and cheese. Pour enchilada sauce over the top and bake. Freeze individual portions for weeks ahead.

9. Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders

Coat chicken strips in seasoned panko, bake at 425°F until golden. Pre-baked chicken tenders reheat well and are reliably the most popular item in any meal prep week.

10. Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry

Pre-cook the chicken and vegetables separately, then combine with sauce when reheating for maximum freshness. Use oyster sauce, garlic, and ginger as the base.

11. Chicken Tikka Masala

A spiced tomato and cream sauce that freezes beautifully. Make a double batch and freeze half. Serve over rice or with naan for one of the most satisfying freezer meal prep options.

12. BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Bake sweet potatoes and fill with pulled chicken tossed in BBQ sauce, topped with cheddar and spring onion. Prep the components separately and assemble at eating time.

13. Chicken Caesar Salad Jars

Layer dressing, parmesan, romaine, croutons, and grilled chicken in mason jars. Keep the dressing at the bottom and shake before eating. Four-day freshness.

14. Lemongrass and Coconut Chicken Curry

A Thai-inspired curry with lemongrass, coconut milk, lime leaves, and fish sauce. Complex in flavor, simple in execution, and completely transformative over jasmine rice.

15. Chicken and Quinoa Power Salad

Roasted chicken, cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potato, kale, dried cranberries, and a tahini dressing. Works as a meal prep salad that stays fresh for four days without wilting.

16. Sheet Pan Fajita Chicken

Chicken strips, sliced bell peppers, and red onion tossed with fajita seasoning on a sheet pan. Roast until slightly charred. Use in tortillas, over rice, or on salads.

17. Chicken and White Bean Stew

A one-pot stew with chicken, white beans, garlic, kale, and chicken broth. Ten minutes of active time, thirty minutes of simmering. Six to eight servings of comfort food.

18. Cold Sesame Noodle Chicken

Toss shredded poached chicken and cooked noodles with sesame paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili oil. Serve cold. Better after sitting overnight. One of the best meal prep lunches in existence.

FAQ

How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?

Cooked chicken lasts three to four days refrigerated in an airtight container. Freeze any portions beyond four days and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

What is the best way to keep meal prepped chicken from drying out?

Store chicken with some of its cooking liquid or sauce. Avoid overcooking — internal temperature of 165°F is the target. Chicken thighs reheat better than breast without drying out.