Healthy Make-Ahead Recipes: Chicken Breast, Spaghetti Squash & More (2024)

FAQs

Can you cook chicken breasts ahead of time? ›

Chicken is one of the best meats for meal prep because it's inexpensive and lasts for up to four days in the fridge after you've cooked it, so we're here to make sure that when it comes to chicken, your prep is perfect.

Package your chicken in an airtight container. Place containers in the fridge for use later that week or pop them in the freezer for long-term storage. Reheat chicken for a super quick and easy chicken dinner!

Soups, stews, and chili are the ideal meal prep because they last a little longer than most meals (up to five or six days) AND they're extremely freezer-friendly. If you're new to meal prep and are nervous about how foods taste after a few days, I recommend starting with a soup, stew, or chili.

Add several tablespoons of chicken stock or water—just enough so that there's a very shallow layer of liquid in the pan. Then cover the pan tightly with a double layer of foil. The steam created by the water will help ensure the meat stays nice and moist.

They're a great staple for quick, healthy lunches, too. Fortunately I have one method that makes unfailingly juicy and tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Simply heat the chicken breasts quickly on the stovetop then let them poach from the inside out in their juices in a covered pan.

When Is Chicken Still Safe to Eat? According to the USDA, you should eat cooked chicken within 3 to 4 days. Pretty simple. What if it's been longer—say, 5 days?

Make a meal plan of about four days of safe storage in the fridge and about four months of safe storage in the freezer. Watch for changes (smell, color, texture, and mold) to your meal prep food as a sign that it's gone bad. If you're unsure if food has spoiled: when in doubt, throw it out.

This depends on the type of meal prep food. Meal-prepped soups and stews can last up to four days in the fridge. Chicken and rice can last up to five days in the fridge. Meal prep salads can last up to three days in the fridge.

What food will keep me full all day? ›

Whole, unprocessed foods that are high in protein and fiber will generally leave you more sated, which means you feel full for a longer period of time. Some of the most filling foods include boiled potatoes, oatmeal, eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, and popcorn.

It is argued that the single, most complete food a human needs to survive is human breast milk. Other foods may be nutritious but inevitably lack certain vitamins, minerals, etc.

Never brown or partially cook meat or poultry to refrigerate and finish later because any bacteria present would not have been destroyed. It is safe to partially cook meat and poultry in the microwave or on the stove only if the food is transferred immediately to the hot grill to finish cooking.

Chicken is no different from other meats, and you can reheat it safely two or more times. When you reheat chicken, it is important that you properly heat it the whole way through. Pieces of chicken must be steaming in the middle.

The trick is to keep as much moisture in when you cook it as possible. Are they chicken breasts or a whole chicken? Just cook them as normal then let the chicken (if whole) rest properly under some foil, till it is cold. For breasts, once cooked let cool slightly and then wrap tightly in cling film till cold.

Cooking meat before its use by date doesn't extend the date, but it does give you longer to eat it. It will give you up to three days to enjoy cold cuts rather than having to throw the raw meat in the bin, which is a win for avoiding food waste.