Elevate your weeknight dinners with this incredibly simple and flavorful Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep. This recipe is your secret weapon for healthy, delicious, and time-saving meals, proving that delicious can also be incredibly convenient.
Key Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 1-2 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Your favorite meal prep sides (e.g., roasted vegetables, quinoa, brown rice, sweet potato)
How to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep
Get ready for a fuss-free culinary win! This Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, boasting a bright, zesty taste that’s both satisfying and healthy. With a quick prep time of just 15 minutes and a cook time of 20-25 minutes, you’ll have delicious, protein-packed meals ready for days.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: If using chicken breasts, you can either pound them to an even thickness for quicker and more uniform cooking or leave them whole. If using thighs, simply trim any excess fat. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or leave them whole, depending on your preference for meal prep.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined.
- Coat the Chicken: Add the prepared chicken pieces to the marinade. Toss gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or for a deeper flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Stovetop Method: Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken in a single layer (you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the chicken to steam rather than sear). Cook for 5-7 minutes per side for whole breasts, or 4-5 minutes per side for cut pieces, until cooked through and golden brown.
- Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes for whole breasts, or 15-20 minutes for cut pieces, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Slice (if necessary): Once cooked, remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. If you cooked whole chicken breasts, slice them against the grain for tender results.
- Assemble Your Meal Prep: Divide your cooked Lemon Garlic Chicken among your meal prep containers. Add your chosen sides like roasted broccoli, steamed asparagus, fluffy quinoa, or brown rice. Ensure containers are food-safe and microwaveable.
- Garnish (Optional): Before sealing your meal prep containers, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for an extra burst of freshness and visual appeal.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep
You’ll adore this Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep for its wonderfully bright and zesty flavor profile that dances on your palate, reminiscent of a sophisticated restaurant dish but oh-so-easy to recreate at home. The tender, juicy chicken infused with garlic and lemon is a culinary delight that will have you looking forward to your lunches or quick dinners all week long. This recipe is a fantastic money-saver compared to buying pre-made meals, offering a healthy and budget-friendly way to enjoy delicious food without breaking the bank.
Unlike a heavy, cream-based chicken dish, this lemon garlic version is refreshingly light yet incredibly satisfying, making it perfect for a healthy lifestyle. The simple yet powerful combination of lemon and garlic creates a sauce that’s both tangy and aromatic, a flavor pairing that’s hard to resist. Forget complicated techniques; this meal prep gem is designed for busy individuals seeking wholesome, flavorful food without the fuss. Give this Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep a try and experience the joy of delicious, home-cooked meals with minimal effort!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Allow the cooked Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep to cool completely before sealing airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then place in freezer-safe bags or containers. Frozen Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep will last for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating:
- Microwave: Reheat individual portions in a microwave-safe dish on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through.
- Oven/Toaster Oven: Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This method can help retain a bit more texture in any accompanying sides.
- Stovetop: For the chicken only, you can gently warm it in a non-stick skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep is a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly spectacular for your week. Embrace the ease and flavor, and enjoy a week of delicious, healthy meals without the daily cooking stress. Give it a try – your future self will thank you!
Lemon Garlic Chicken Meal Prep
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If using chicken breasts, you can either pound them to an even thickness for quicker and more uniform cooking or leave them whole. If using thighs, simply trim any excess fat. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or leave them whole, depending on your preference for meal prep.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined.2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 cloves garlic, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the prepared chicken pieces to the marinade. Toss gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or for a deeper flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Stovetop Method: Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken in a single layer (you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the chicken to steam rather than sear). Cook for 5-7 minutes per side for whole breasts, or 4-5 minutes per side for cut pieces, until cooked through and golden brown.Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes for whole breasts, or 15-20 minutes for cut pieces, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. If you cooked whole chicken breasts, slice them against the grain for tender results.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Divide your cooked Lemon Garlic Chicken among your meal prep containers. Add your chosen sides like roasted broccoli, steamed asparagus, fluffy quinoa, or brown rice. Ensure containers are food-safe and microwaveable.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, Your favorite meal prep sides
- Before sealing your meal prep containers, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for an extra burst of freshness and visual appeal.Fresh parsley