If you’re the type of person who HATES eating the same thing 4-5 days in a row, I have a hack for you…with shredded chicken at least. 

You can absolutely prep 1 protein (like shredded chicken) and eat it 5 different ways throughout the week! And yes, your prep time is still very minimal on busy nights!

Step 1: meal prep your shredded chicken.

You can do this a few different ways, but my hands-down favorite method is with the slow cooker. You can put 3-4 large breasts in with ~1 cup of water or chicken broth. Then be generous with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. 

Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. It should be very easy to shred with a fork. Once cooled, store your chicken in the fridge for later. 

Step 2: When it’s time for dinner, get your prepped chicken and pick your preferred recipe below on any night!

*these are all single servings! Double, triple, etc. as needed if you’re feeding your family!

Most ingredients are probably things you keep on hand, nothing special here. While this does require a little assembly, it takes 10 minutes max the night of and keeps your meal rotation more interesting.

Buffalo Chicken Bowl

• 4-6 oz shredded chicken
• 2 Tbsp preferred buffalo/hot sauce (we love Frank’s)
• 1 Tbsp cream cream
• ¼ c mozzarella cheese

Directions: mix all the ingredients together in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 1-2 minutes. To complete the meal, enjoy with your preferred veggie and optional starchy carb!

Pro tip: prepare your choice of starchy carb like roasted potatoes, brown rice, or quinoa the same day you prep the shredded chicken!

BBQ Chicken Bowl

• 4-6 oz shredded chicken
• 2 Tbsp preferred BBQ sauce (we love Primal Kitchen!)
• 2-4 Tbsp frozen corn
• 2-4 Tbsp black beans
• ¼ c shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional: ½ c white rice or quinoa

Directions: mix all the ingredients together in a microwave safe dish and heat for 1-2 minutes. To complete the meal, add a non-starchy vegetable of choice on the side. 

Pro tip: roast a sheet pan of broccoli or cauliflower with olive oil, salt, & pepper in the oven at 350F for ~30 on the same day you prep the shredded chicken.

Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Bowl

• 4-6 oz shredded chicken
• ¼ c shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ c steamed broccoli florets (can use steamable bags of broccoli for quick prep)
• ½ c rice
• Optional: add in some splashes of chicken broth as needed for moisture

Directions: mix all the ingredients together in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 1-2 minutes. 

Tex-Mex Chicken Bowl

• 4-6 oz shredded chicken
• 1-2 Tbsp preferred taco seasoning
• 2-4 Tbsp frozen corn
• 2-4 Tbsp black beans
• ¼ c preferred shredded cheese
• Optional: ½ c of rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice

Directions: mix all the ingredients together in a microwave safe dish and heat for 1-2 minutes. Complete the meal with an additional non-starchy vegetable as desired. Optional: top with salsa, fresh cilantro, sour cream, or diced avocado. 

Easy Chicken Salad

• 4-6 oz shredded chicken
• ¼ – ⅓ c nonfat, plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp cream cheese
• Handful of halved grapes
• 2 Tbsp sliced almonds
• 2 Tbsp sliced green onion

Directions: mix all the ingredients together and eat right out of the bowl or dip with high-fiber crackers. Complete the feel with an additional non-starchy vegetable like some sliced cucumber or baby carrots.

For simple recipes like these, I love using Pyrex bowls like these. They are perfect for warming up in the microwave and the lid is a bonus if you are able to prepare ahead of time for dinner.

Since we’re on a roll with shredded chicken, here are even more ideas for you:

• Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
• Slow Cooker Spicy Italian Chicken
• White Chicken Chili
• Cold-Killer Chicken Soup
• Slow Cooker Thai Chicken

Happy prepping!

– Elle, MM Coach