Meal Prep Lunch: Chicken Salad Two Ways

And, wow! It has been entirely too long since I posted. It's been an interesting last year or so since I sat down to write. I became a Barre3 instructor, accepted and quit a job, sent a child to kindergarten and cooked about 1,ooo healthy meals, many of which should have ended up here...and hopefully still will in the not too distant future.

I have been getting quite a few questions lately about meal prepping,mainly from followers of my Instagram account. For me, like I've told so many folks, meal planning and prepping is essential for me. Not only does it keep me sane when our schedule seems so hectic, but it also saves our family money. Going to the store with a plan keeps me from throwing extra food into the cart that we will inevitably toss in the trash. I mean, who among us has not pulled that wilted bag of yellowing and slimy bagged lettuce out of your veggie drawer and thought Dang! I totally forgot I bought that or Man! We should have eaten out one less time this week. It hurts even worse when the "bag of lettuce" is actually an $8 package of out-of-date chicken breasts.

Planning our meals out for the week takes a little effort over the weekend, but because I've made so many meal plans over the past couple of years, we've settled into a comfortable rotation of favorites that work for our family. I like to throw something new in here and there to keep it form getting totally monotonous, but we definitely have meals that just always seem to work. Some newbies make the cut and a whole lot don't. Don't beat yourself up when a meal goes wrong. Two weeks ago I made what was most definitely the nastiest textured chili to ever come out of a crock pot. I can't really even say what went wrong...think chili flavored baby food. Or don't. You probably shouldn't. It was that gross.

But back to why you're here--a meal prep recipe. In the spirit of keeping life simple, here are two of my favorite lunch meal preps. These are my go-to chicken salads. Simple, fresh, healthy and delicious---prep one of these recipes tonight and you'll have lunch for the next week ready and waiting in the fridge. I suggest portioning the salad out into individual containers to keep serving size in-check and ensure that your prep lasts you through the week. Plus, portioning out your servings eliminates excuses. You have a last minute meeting...forgot that dentist appointment? There is no reason to hit the drive thru when you can borrow your kid's lunchbox from last year (the one that obviously will not work for him this year, you know, because it already kept his food cold for an entire school year) throw in an ice pack and take that meal with you. Both of these salads taste great at your kitchen table or in the DMV parking lot.

Hope you enjoy! I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions!

Cran-Apple Chicken Salad:

16 oz of cooked, shredded chicken breast
3/4c plain Greek yogurt (add an additional 1/4c of yogurt if you prefer a creamier salad)
1 tbsp grain mustard or Dijon Mustard (optional)
1 med apple, diced (I prefer Fuji or Honeycrisp)
1 rib of celery, diced
2 tbsp dried cranberries (I prefer Ocean Spray 50% less sugar cranberries)
1oz toasted walnuts, rough chopped
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Serves 4-5.

Sante Fe Chicken Salad:

16oz of cooked, shredded chicken breast
1/4c plain greek yogurt
1/4c light or regular sour cream
1/3c mild chunky salsa
1/2c sweet corn kernels
1/2c black beans
1/2c reduced fat or regular shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tbsp garlic powder
1/4 tbsp red pepper flakes
1 rib of celery, chopped
a handful of fresh cilantro, de-stemmed and rough chopped
Juice of 1/2 a lime
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Serves 4-5.

I like these salads best on a Joseph's pita bread or toasted Ezekiel bread. I find the pitas at Wal-Mart in the deli section. I'm hoping more retailers will begin to carry Joseph's products, but for now its the only place I can find them. Either salad is also great on its own or on a bed of romaine. Enjoy!