Looking for meal prep chicken breast ideas that won't leave you bored by Wednesday? These perfectly seasoned, tender chicken breasts stay moist for days, making them ideal for everything from fresh salads to warm grain bowls!
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Making meal-prepped chicken is a great way to reduce time in the kitchen on busy days down the road. While you’ll still have to put in some leg work now, you’ll thank yourself later for having the forethought and energy to finish it.
Having chicken breasts already baked and ready to go is a great way to cut down on meal preps during a busy day or even a hot one. We all know how tiresome it can be to stand in front of a hot oven when the heat of the summer makes us miserable. Cooking can also be a luxury on those busy days when you hardly have enough time to confirm if your shoes are tied.
Why You'll Want To Meal Prep Chicken Breast
- Convenience: Meal prepping saves time during busy weeks. Cooking chicken breasts in advance allows for quick and easy meal assembly, making it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan.
- Budget-friendly: Chicken breast is one of the most economical proteins, especially when bought in bulk, making this recipe perfect for feeding your family without breaking the bank.
- Versatility: Chicken breast can be seasoned and prepared in various ways, making it suitable for a wide range of cuisines. This versatility means it can be paired with different sides, sauces, or salads throughout the week, keeping meals interesting.
🍗 Honestly, nothing beats the simplicity of Oven Roasted Chicken—it’s like the ultimate blank canvas for all your favorite seasonings and sides!
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil — You can use any oil you like.
- Sweet paprika
- Oregano
- Salt & pepper
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
How to Cook Chicken Breast in an Oven
Step 1: Combine all the ingredients, then pat dry chicken breasts and place them on a baking sheet.
Step 2: Drizzle the tops with olive oil and then sprinkle with your seasonings. Flip the chicken breasts over and repeat on the other side.
Step 3: Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160° F.
Step 4: Let the chicken rest until it’s cooled, portion the breasts and store for later use.
Recipe FAQs
Meal-prepped chicken should not be kept in the fridge for more than 4 days according to the FDA. This will help to prevent food-borne illnesses and allow you to eat fresher chicken with your meals. If you plan to prep further in advance, freeze the breasts for later use.
For best results, reheat the chicken in a microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, covered with a damp paper towel. You can also reheat in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of water or chicken broth.
I recommend baking chicken uncovered. By baking it uncovered you get a nice browning on the top and bottom. This adds to the flavor.
Cooking the chicken properly is a big part of keeping your chicken breasts nice and juicy but storage can be just as important. It’s a good idea to invest in good airtight containers for storing your cooked chicken breasts to ensure maximum freshness and no flavor loss.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Overcook: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken is safely cooked at an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Remove from the oven a few degrees early; they’ll continue cooking as they rest.
- Pound To Even Thickness: Using a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook uniformly and prevents dry, overcooked spots.
- Batch Cooking: Consider cooking a larger batch to use in various meals throughout the week—like salads, wraps, or grain bowls.
- Brine Before Cooking: A quick 30-minute brine in saltwater will make your chicken noticeably juicier and more flavorful, even days later when eating your meal prep.
- Let Them Rest: After baking, let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat moist.
Serving Suggestions
These versatile meal prep chicken breasts can be the cornerstone of countless healthy and satisfying meals throughout your week. Slice them over a bed of quinoa and roasted vegetables for a nutrient-packed lunch, or dice them into a Greek salad with crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese.
For a quick dinner, shred the chicken and toss it with your favorite pasta, or layer it in a wrap with fresh greens, avocado, and zesty chipotle mayo. You can even cube the chicken to add protein to grain bowls or stir-fries, making it simple to create diverse meals that keep you looking forward to your next bite.
A Few Other Amazing Chicken Recipes I Love
If you’re looking to expand your recipe collection, these mouthwatering chicken dishes are sure to impress.
- Herbs de Provence Chicken is a flavorful, French-inspired dish that combines aromatic herbs and tender chicken for a sophisticated yet simple meal.
- With Slow Cooked Frozen Chicken, you can effortlessly transform frozen chicken into a juicy, tender dinner without even needing to defrost it first.
- For a crispy and flavorful option, try the Herb Crusted Chicken, which features a perfectly seasoned crust that locks in all the moisture.
- When you’re craving smoky-sweet flavors, Oven BBQ Chicken delivers all the taste of outdoor grilling straight from your oven.
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Meal Prep Chicken Breast
Equipment
- Thermoworks MK4 Thermapen
- ChefAlarm
- Kitchen Tongs
Ingredients
- 4 medium sized chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F.
- Pat chicken dry and place on baking sheet, making each chicken breast as flat as possible.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with spices. Repeat on other side.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until a thermometer registers 160° F.
- Let rest until cool.
- Package for later use (along with any accumulated juices) or use right away!
Notes
- Marinate chicken in your favorite sauce or a mix of oil, acid (like lemon juice or vinegar), herbs, and spices. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for maximum flavor.
- When cutting your cooked chicken for meal prep containers, always slice against the grain. This makes each bite more tender and easier to chew, even after refrigeration.
- To keep meals interesting, vary your seasonings, marinades, or sauces each week. This way, you can enjoy different flavors without extra prep time.
- Taking the time to pound thicker chicken breasts to a more uniform size will help make sure they all get cooked through just right.
Anonymous
Poultry should be cooked to a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit
Alli
Yes, it comes up to temperature during the resting after you remove it from the oven. It is very common (and recommended) to remove meat 5 degrees shy of the doneness temperature you are going for as it will continue to cook once removed from the oven.
Marcy
Do you ever butterfly your chicken?
Alli
If the chicken is really thick I will!
Sammi Windley
This was so helpful!