Guest post from Lauren of Mommy’s Getting Strong
When I was pregnant with each of my children, one of the things I did to prepare for the chaos of having a new baby was to make dinners ahead of time and freeze them. I didn’t know too much about having kids, but I knew that I wouldn’t want to be spending hours slaving over the stove when I had a newborn!
Since that time, other chaotic seasons of life have demanded that I carefully meal plan or risk having nothing to eat for dinner. I’ve found that marinated chicken is by far one of the easiest and most time-effective ways to meal prep for the freezer, and I am constantly on the lookout for new flavor combinations to spice it up.
Chicken freezes exceptionally well, and the extra marinating time in the freezer and as the meat thaws allows for the marinade to soak in and be extra flavorful.
Here are my top 5 favorite make ahead marinating chicken recipes:
1. Honey Dijon Grilled Chicken
This chicken is so flavorful and moist that it even elicited a compliment from my husband, who is usually less enthusiastic about grilled chicken. The citrus flavor is perfect for summer and pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted vegetables.
2. Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken
Though this one does take a little bit of extra prep work after the chicken is frozen, the flavor is worth it! Freeze the chicken in the marinade, and then when you are ready to eat it (or up to 3-4 days in advance), mix up the bruschetta topping. The topping can also be used as a salsa in wraps or pita sandwiches if you have any leftover.
3. Blackened Chicken Fajitas
I like to make this seasoning mix and coat the chicken. I chop the chicken up into then strips along with some onions and peppers, and freeze them all together. The day of eating, thaw them all together and cook in a large skillet until the chicken is done. Voila!
4. Honey Lime Chicken Skewers
Though this is not originally a “freezer recipe,” the marinade for this dish can be mixed up and frozen along with the chicken in a gallon-size freezer bag. The flavor really pops, and makes this a perfect dish for hot summer days!
5. Rosemary Chicken Breasts
Though the ingredient list is fairly simple, these chicken breasts are delicious and savory. Fresh rosemary will add extra flavor, but dried can be used as well. The leftovers go great in a pita or wrap for an easy on-the-go meal.
By pairing each of these dishes with vegetables, a salad, and a whole grain like quinoa or brown rice, you’ll have a delicious and very healthy meal ready for your family in around 30 minutes!
What are your favorite make-ahead freezer meals?
Lauren Keplinger is a health and fitness enthusiast, as well as an Army wife and mom to 2 toddlers. She talks about meal planning, finding a healthy balance, and striving to meet your goals while juggling parenthood over at Mommy’s Getting Strong.
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