How to Meal Prep Chicken in the Oven is simple marinades and a quick bake in the oven, and your chicken comes out juicy and tender, ready for any meal during a busy week.
Having healthy proteins ready to go in your fridge or freezer is SO helpful during busy weeks.
That’s the best kind of chicken to make ahead of time—4 marinades that are SO simple and full of flavor
I’ll show you how to BAKE your chicken in the oven so it’s tender, juicy, and dare I say *moist!*.
Side Note: These photos make one piece of chicken look undercooked — I promise it’s not! Shadows are a real thing… ?.
Everyone in the family will love Chicken Taco Casserole because it’s simple, tastes great, and is great for meal planning because the flavors get better over time.
Cold sesame noodles with chicken and vegetables are a tasty meal for hot weather that goes well in a lunch box or on a picnic.
Cover your meal prep chicken with buffalo sauce and serve it as tacos! These quick and easy buffalo chicken tacos with ranch and coleslaw veggies will be a guaranteed hit with your whole family.
This Greek Mason Jar Salads recipe makes 6 large, filling, and nutritious salads that are healthy, low-carb, and gluten-free! It costs $11.76 to make 6, and EACH salad costs just $1.96!
Lettuce Wraps filled with tender chicken, and rice take summer eating to a whole new level. Tangy rice, crunchy nuts, currents and olives are wrapped in soft green leaves to make a fun-to-eat meal.
Easy Chicken Fried Rice is made with a little leftover chicken and cooked rice, plus plenty of veggies! This 20 minute weeknight dinner idea is just so simple to throw together.
Meal prepping has become an increasingly popular way to save time and eat healthier By preparing meals in advance, you can ensure you have nutritious options ready-to-go when hunger strikes. Baked chicken breast is one of the most versatile and convenient proteins to meal prep. Read on to discover the ultimate guide to baking juicy, flavorful chicken breasts to use in various dishes throughout the week
Why Choose Chicken Breast for Meal Prep
Chicken breast is a healthy, protein-rich option that is great for making ahead of time. This is why you should add it to your weekly prep:
-
Chicken breast can be used in a lot of different ways, like salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta dishes, and more. It’s endlessly adaptable.
-
Healthy – Skinless, boneless chicken breast is low in fat and calories. It provides an excellent source of protein to help build muscle, fight hunger, and keep you satisfied.
-
Cheap: Buying a lot of chicken breasts and baking them yourself is a great way to save money compared to buying them already cooked.
-
Convenient – Bake once, use all week Having prepared chicken breast on hand saves you time.
-
Portion control – Pre-portioning your chicken makes it easy to control servings and protein intake.
Tips for Picking the Best Chicken Breasts
Not all chicken breasts are created equal. Here are some tips for selecting the best quality chicken for baking:
-
Go organic – Organic chicken contains no hormones or antibiotics and has superior flavor.
-
Seek out air-chilled – Air-chilled chicken (rather than water-chilled) retains more flavor.
-
Choose small – Smaller chicken breasts cook more evenly and are more tender.
-
Inspect the color – Raw chicken should be white or pale pink with no gray spots.
-
Check the smell – Raw chicken should have very little odor. Avoid any foul or ammonia-like smells.
-
Examine texture – Chicken should be firm and smooth to the touch with no sticky residue.
Following these guidelines will lead you to the juiciest, most delicious chicken breasts for meal prepping success.
Step-By-Step Guide to Baking Chicken Breasts
Baking chicken breasts requires just a few easy steps for perfectly cooked, moist protein every time.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Salt and pepper
- Herbs or spices (optional)
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Meat thermometer
Instructions:
-
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
-
Pat chicken dry and brush all over with oil. Generously season both sides with salt, pepper, and any herbs/spices.
-
Arrange chicken on the baking sheet. Make sure breasts aren’t touching.
-
Bake 20-25 minutes until thermometer reads 165°F internally. Baking time varies based on thickness.
-
Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows juices to redistribute.
-
Slice or shred chicken according to your meal prep needs.
-
Store in airtight containers in the fridge up to 4 days.
That’s all it takes for perfect baked chicken every time!
Flavor Variations
One of the great things about preparing chicken breast for meal prep is that you can bake flavors in batches to keep things interesting throughout the week.
Savory herb ideas:
- Lemon pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Rosemary and garlic
- Chili lime
- Jerk seasoning
- Cajun spice
Sweet glaze options:
- Honey mustard
- Orange ginger
- Soy sauce and brown sugar
- BBQ sauce
- Teriyaki
Get creative with the seasonings! The possibilities are endless.
Serving Suggestions
Baked chicken breast is endlessly versatile. Here are just a few serving ideas:
-
Salads – Top greens with sliced chicken, veggies, nuts, cheese, and dressing.
-
Sandwiches/wraps – Layer chicken with greens, tomatoes, avocado, hummus, etc.
-
Buddha bowls – Combine chicken with rice or quinoa, roasted veggies, seeds, sauce.
-
Soup – Shred and add to chicken noodle or tortilla soup.
-
Tacos – Warm chicken and top with salsa, cheese, lettuce, etc.
-
Pasta – Toss chopped chicken with pesto, marinara, or alfredo.
-
Stir-fry – Quickly sauté sliced chicken with veggies and teriyaki.
The possibilities are endless! Get creative.
Storage Tips
Proper storage is key to keeping prepped chicken breast fresh and safe throughout the week. Follow these guidelines:
-
Allow chicken to cool completely before packing.
-
Store in airtight containers to prevent drying out.
-
Make sure chicken is submerged in any liquid/sauce in meals.
-
Keep refrigerator temp at or below 40°F.
-
Use within 3-4 days for peak freshness.
-
Freeze shredded chicken in portions for longer storage.
Following safe refrigeration will allow you to enjoy delicious baked chicken all week long!
As you can see, baking chicken breast is one of the easiest, most versatile ways to meal prep. With a few simple tips, you’ll have tender, juicy chicken ready to transform into healthy dishes and meals on-the-go. Meal prepping with chicken breast helps simplify healthy eating while saving valuable time and money. Get ready to bake up a batch and unlock the key to meal prep success!
How do you store meal prep chicken?
I prefer to store in glass containers when I’m keeping things in the fridge.
These Pyrex containers are my absolute GO TO!
When I’m storing in the freezer, I’ll use BPA-free plastic containers. I like the ones with suction lids, just so no extra air gets in.
How do you meal prep chicken without drying it out?
If you don’t want your chicken to dry out, baste it with the pan juices in the last ten minutes on.
Because you are cooking your chicken at a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time, it’s less likely to dry out.
BAKED CHICKEN BREAST | juicy, tender, easy, and oh, so flavorful!
FAQ
Is baked chicken good for meal prep?
Baked thin chicken breasts are my favorite way to make delicious, versatile chicken. This recipe ensures tender and juicy chicken every time, whether you’re meal prepping for the week or making dinner for the family.
Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?
How to bake chicken breast without drying it out?
Pretty easy: leave a couple of chicken breasts out on the counter for at least 30 minutes to warm up. This will help them cook evenly, especially so the inside doesn’t take longer to cook than the outside, which would dry it out. Place them on a baking sheet on tin foil. Oven set at 450 degrees. Bake 20-25 min.
Should you cook chicken breasts in advance?
It’s easier to stick to a healthy eating plan when you cook chicken breasts ahead of time. This makes putting together meals quick and easy. Chicken breast is one of the cheapest proteins, especially when bought in bulk. This recipe is a great way to feed your family without spending a lot of money.
How do you cook a lot of chicken breasts at once?
How to cook a lot of chicken breasts at once with oven-baking is popular, but stovetop searing is the real deal when you crave a crispy, golden exterior. Here’s how it works: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of oil. Place seasoned chicken breasts in the hot pan. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until browned.
What to eat with chicken breast?
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.
How to bake a large amount of chicken breast?
To bake a big batch, preheat your oven to around 400°F, line a rimmed sheet with foil, and place your chicken breasts in a single layer. Drizzle oil, season generously, and pop them in for about 20-25 minutes. You might need an extra few minutes for thicker pieces.
How long do you cook chicken breast in a pan?
Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of oil. Place seasoned chicken breasts in the hot pan. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Lower heat, cover, and cook another 5 minutes or until 165°F internally. Pros: Quick browning, delicious crust. Cons: You might need multiple pans or batches if you have a ton of chicken.
What to do with chicken breast?
Serve the breasts whole or sliced as an easy main dish along with cauliflower mac and cheese and a simple side salad. Dice the cooled chicken and add it to our Mediterranean salad or our Greek salad. Shred it to use it in a mayo-based chicken salad for wraps, sandwiches, or on lettuce leaves.