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High-Protein Meal Prep for Busy Weeks


  • Total Time: 45-50 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x

Description

This high-protein meal prep strategy is designed to make your work week smoother and your healthy eating goals much more achievable. It focuses on creating versatile, satisfying dishes that are simple to prepare in advance, perfect for busy individuals and families looking to eat healthier and save time.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
  • 46 meal prep containers

  • Instructions

    1. Prepare the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400 F (200 C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

    2. Roast the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C) and the chicken is no longer pink in the center. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing or dicing. This helps keep the chicken juicy.

    3. Prepare the Vegetables: While the chicken roasts, toss the broccoli florets and sliced bell peppers with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper on a separate baking sheet.

    4. Roast the Vegetables: Add the seasoned vegetables to the oven during the last 15-20 minutes of the chicken’s cooking time, or until they are tender-crisp and slightly charred. You want them cooked through but still retaining some bite.

    5. Assemble the Meals: Once the chicken and vegetables are cooked and slightly cooled, it’s time to assemble your meal prep containers. Divide the cooked quinoa evenly among 4-6 containers.

    6. Add Protein and Veggies: Distribute the sliced or diced chicken over the quinoa in each container. Then, add a generous portion of roasted broccoli and bell peppers. Top each container with halved cherry tomatoes and a drizzle of lemon juice. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

    7. Cool and Store: Allow the assembled meals to cool completely before sealing the containers and refrigerating. This prevents condensation and helps maintain freshness.

    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
    • Category: meal prep
    • Method: roasting
    • Cuisine: american

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 meal

    Keywords: meal prep, high protein, chicken, healthy, easy, weeknight, lunch, dinner, quinoa, vegetables