Chicken Meal Prep Salad (Printable Version)
Fresh grilled chicken with mixed greens and vegetables for make-ahead lunches.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.1 pounds)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Salad Base
07 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, spinach, arugula blend)
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
10 - ½ cup shredded carrots
11 - ½ red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 1 avocado, sliced
13 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
→ Dressing
14 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
15 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
16 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
17 - 1 teaspoon honey
18 - Salt and pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly coating both sides.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - Evenly divide salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, red onion, and avocado among four meal prep containers.
06 - Top each salad with sliced grilled chicken and sprinkle with feta cheese if desired.
07 - Drizzle dressing over salads just before serving, or pack dressing separately in small containers to maintain salad crispness.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You will actually look forward to your lunch break instead of ordering takeout
- The flavors get better after a day or two marinating together
02 -
- Letting the meat rest is nonnegotiable for juicy slices
- Packing the dressing separately is the only way to avoid a sad wilted salad by Thursday
03 -
- Invest in good quality glass containers that do not retain stains or odors
- Double the dressing recipe and keep it in a jar for salads throughout the week