Meal Prep Shredded BBQ Chicken Salad Bowls

Meal Prep Shredded BBQ Chicken Salad Bowls | Food & Nutrition | Stone Soup
Photo by Emily Cooper, RDN

Oh, meal prep. Sigh. Who feels me?

Here’s the thing, I am an A+ student when it comes to the planning part. The execution, though? We’re pushing a solid D+, extra credit included. But, taking the extra time to prep some meals like these BBQ Chicken Salad Bowls for the week saves me time, stress, and embarrassing loud stomach rumbles at 3 o’clock.Meal Prep Shredded BBQ Chicken Salad Bowls -

Why This Recipe Works

Using leftover rotisserie chicken makes this recipe super quick to prep; add whatever veggies you have on hand or prefer and make a few of these salads at a time to have lunch for the week.

How to Make These BBQ Chicken Salad Bowls

Start by chopping a large sweet potato into cubes, leaving the skin on. Roast them in the oven or use my favorite method of an indoor grill for those awesome grill marks.

Combine shredded chicken with ½ cup of BBQ sauce. If I don’t have time to bake chicken ahead of time, I’ll pick up a rotisserie chicken instead. I also look for a low-sugar BBQ sauce, since a lot of them can be high in added sugars and corn syrups.

In three meal-prep bowls, add chopped romaine, fresh or frozen (and thawed) corn, the grilled sweet potatoes, and BBQ chicken. Now you have three meals ready to go for the week!

Pro Tips

Cook and shred chicken ahead of time or use a rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time. Prep a batch of the grilled sweet potatoes for these meal prep bowls and the week ahead!

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Do I Have to Use Chicken? Absolutely not! Swap it out for ground turkey, lentils, tofu, or whatever protein you’re feeling (or is on sale that week).
  2. How Long Do These Stay Good For? These salads can stay good for up to four days in the refrigerator. Keeping the chicken away from the lettuce helps prevent it from getting soggy, too.

Money-saving Tips for these BBQ Chicken Salad Bowls:

  • Buy in bulk. If you’re going to prep more of these, or eat chicken regularly, buy the big package. The family packs cost less per pound, so is a better deal. You can also freeze what you don’t cook if you have the room.
  • Prep yourself. Rotisserie chicken is the exception since they are often relatively inexpensive. Buying pre-chopped romaine lettuce, however, can be more pricey. Save a few extra $$, and wash and chop it yourself.
  • Use frozen. If fresh corn isn’t on sale, or doesn’t look good, opt for frozen. Not only is it convenient, but inexpensive, and just as nutritious.

Meal Prep Shredded BBQ Chicken Salad Bowls

Serves 3

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • 5 cups romaine, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 large sweet potato, cubed

Instructions

  1. Prepare sweet potato by cooking on indoor grill or bake in oven at 400-degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken and BBQ sauce. Set aside.
  3. In preferred meal prep bowls, divide lettuce evenly.
  4. Top with prepared sweet potatoes, chicken, and corn.

Notes

  • Add avocado for even more filling power.
  • Make this recipe plant-based by substituting chicken for grilled tofu or your favorite plant protein.
  • Use rotisserie chicken to make this meal even faster to prepare.
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Emily Cooper
Emily Cooper, RDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist based in central New Jersey. Read her blog, Sinful Nutrition, and connect with her on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram.


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