This meal hits the spot and lends itself to make ahead and meal prep options.  The only thing I love more than healthy food, FULL of flavor, is a meal that makes the minutes in the kitchen work for me.  You will need the Brown Rice Pilaf from our last post in this recipe.  More double duty recipe use.

You also need:

• 1 1/2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken

I knew from my menu plan for the week that I was going to be having Chicken Fajita Bowls and Chicken Shish Kabob on the grill, so I bought 3 pounds of chicken breasts.

When I unpacked my groceries, I cut the chicken into 1 1/2 inch cubes and divided it into two storage bags.

For the Fajita Bowl meal, I added:

• 2 TBS of taco seasoning 
• 1 TBS minced garlic
• 2 TBS diced onion

I massaged the seasoning into the chicken and placed it in the refrigerator.  The next morning, I dumped the prepared bag into the crockpot, added:

• 1 cup water

and turned the crockpot on low.  I was going to be gone over 8 hours so I used low.  You can also cook the chicken on high for 4 hours.  When I arrived home, I could already smell the spices and was glad that dinner was so close to finished.  Dice:

• 1 c sweet pepper

Reheat the Brown Rice Pilaf and

• 1 c sweet corn

Add an additional:

• 2 TBS of taco seasoning

and pull 2 forks through the cooked chicken to separate the meat.

Layer your bowls with the Brown Rice Pilaf, Pulled Fajita Chicken, sweet corn and

• 1 c rinsed and drained black beans
• 1 cup feta cheese
• 1/2 c pico de gallo
• 1/4 c greek yogurt

You should have enough ingredients for six generous servings.

Always making the most out of my time in the kitchen, I doubled the recipe so there was plenty left over for meal prep lunches to go or a late night wrap — I have a teenage boy in the house — he is ALWAYS hungry!  I layered the ingredients in portion control bags.

Since I feed so many different appetites in my home, I made a few varieties and used a sharpie to label them. I debated about adding the fresh pepper to the bag to be frozen and then heated with the rest of the meal.  I have to admit, I really enjoyed the pepper as much warmed as fresh diced.  If you prefer, portion the diced pepper and cheese separately and store in the fridge.

Meal Prep Madness

I neatly packed them in a container that everyone in my household knows is for main entrees.  There is no guessing and you could probably grab something from that shelf in my freezer with your eyes closed and be satisfied when you opened your lunch box at noon.

They travel very well from a frozen and they stay at a safe temperature until lunch time.  Sometimes I will take them out of the freezer the night before and place them in the refrigerator to start the thawing process.  They heat nicely in the microwave.

Enjoy!

Mom Cooks Clean