Okay, let’s talk about making your life SO much easier and tastier, especially if you’re trying to stay on track with your fitness goals! If you’re anything like me, you love a meal prep session that actually pays off, and these Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls are an absolute game-changer. They’re packed with all those delicious Mediterranean flavors – savory chicken, briny olives, creamy feta, all brought together with that tangy tzatziki. It’s the perfect way to batch cook your protein and have a satisfying, build-your-own bowl ready to go for lunch all week. I’m Catherine, and I just adore creating recipes that feel fancy but are totally doable after a long day, just like my mom and dad taught me.
- Why You'll Love These Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
- Gather Your Ingredients for Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
- How to Batch Cook Greek Chicken for Your Meal Prep Bowls
- Tips for Perfect Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
- Frequently Asked Questions about Greek Chicken Bowls
- Nutritional Snapshot of Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
- Share Your Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowl Creations
Why You’ll Love These Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Seriously, these bowls are the best! Here’s why you’ll be making them again and again:
- Super Easy Prep: We’re talking minimal fuss for maximum flavor. Bake the chicken, chop a few things, and you’re golden.
- Packed with Goodness: Fresh veggies, lean protein, healthy fats – it’s a total power bowl that keeps you full and happy.
- Totally Customizable: Don’t love olives? Swap ’em! Want different grains? Go for it! You’re the boss of your bowl.
- Flavor Explosion: That classic Greek combo just never gets old. It’s vibrant, fresh, and oh-so-satisfying.
Gather Your Ingredients for Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Alright, let’s get our mise in place! Having everything ready makes this whole Greek chicken bowl adventure so much smoother. You’ll want to grab these goodies:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to your taste
- 4 cups cooked quinoa or brown rice (I love using quinoa for protein!)
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, all diced up
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved (these bring that perfect briny bite!)
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (so pretty and gives a nice little zing!)
- Tzatziki sauce, for getting everything nice and creamy
How to Batch Cook Greek Chicken for Your Meal Prep Bowls
Okay, now for the fun part: putting it all together! Making these Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls is honestly so satisfying, especially when you’re batch cooking for the week. It’s all about that easy assembly line flow. Trust me, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be whipping these up in no time!
Season and Cook the Greek Chicken
First things first, let’s get that chicken seasoned up. Preheat your oven to 400°F (that’s 200°C). While it’s heating, grab a bowl and toss those chicken breasts with the olive oil, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and just a good pinch of salt and pepper. Make sure they’re all nicely coated! Then, lay them out on a baking sheet – don’t crowd them, give them a little breathing room so they cook evenly. Pop them in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. You want them cooked through, so check the temperature; it should hit 165°F (74°C). Once they’re done, let them rest for a few minutes before you dice or shred them. This little rest makes them super juicy!
Prepare Your Bowl Components
While the chicken is doing its thing, let’s get everything else ready. If you haven’t already, cook up your quinoa or brown rice according to the package directions. While that’s going, chop your romaine lettuce, halve those little tomatoes, dice up that crisp cucumber, halve your olives, and slice your red onion nice and thin. Having everything prepped makes assembling your meal prep chicken bowls a total breeze later on.
Assemble Your Macro Friendly Meal Prep Bowls
Now for the satisfying part – building your bowls! Grab your meal prep containers. Start by dividing the cooked quinoa or brown rice between them. This is your base! Next, layer on the chopped lettuce, followed by the halved cherry tomatoes and diced cucumber. Then, sprinkle over the Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese. Don’t forget those thin slices of red onion – they add such a pretty pop of color and flavor! Finally, add your delicious, diced Greek chicken right on top. These macro friendly meal prep bowls are practically begging to be drizzled with some cool tzatziki sauce. Just keep the sauce on the side until you’re ready to eat to keep everything from getting soggy!
Tips for Perfect Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Even though these Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls are pretty straightforward, a few little tips can make them even better! I’ve learned a thing or two from my own meal prep adventures, and these little tricks really help lock in the flavor and keep everything tasting fresh throughout the week. Tiny adjustments make a big difference, trust me!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
So, about those ingredients! If quinoa isn’t your jam, brown rice is fantastic, or even cauliflower rice if you’re watching carbs. For the veggies, anything goes! I sometimes toss in some chopped bell peppers or even some baby spinach if I have it on hand. And for an extra flavor boost, a little sprinkle of fresh parsley or mint always makes these bowls sing. If you don’t have Kalamata olives, a good-quality black olive will work in a pinch, though that briny punch is pretty special.
Make-Ahead and Storage for Greek Chicken Bowls
This is key for successful healthy eating: keep your wet ingredients separate until serving if you can! I like to store the tzatziki sauce in a little separate container or a small zip-top baggie. That way, your romaine lettuce stays crisp and your chicken doesn’t get soggy. The bowls themselves will last beautifully in airtight containers in the fridge for about 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, just add the tzatziki, give it a good stir, and enjoy your delicious home-cooked meal without the last-minute fuss!
Frequently Asked Questions about Greek Chicken Bowls
Got questions about these amazing Greek Chicken Bowls? I totally get it! Meal prepping can bring up a lot, but that’s what I’m here for. Let’s dish out some answers!
Can I prepare the components of these Greek chicken bowls separately?
Oh, absolutely! It’s actually my favorite way to keep things super fresh. If you keep the chicken, grains, and veggies separate and only add the lettuce and tzatziki right before you eat, everything stays perfectly crisp and delicious. It makes a world of difference!
What are good grain options for macro friendly meal prep?
For truly macro friendly meal prep, quinoa is a superstar because it’s got great protein and fiber. Brown rice is another solid choice. If you’re cutting carbs, I’ve seen people use riced cauliflower or even a mix of shredded zucchini and yellow squash, which soaks up all those yummy Greek flavors beautifully!
How long do these meal prep chicken bowls last in the fridge?
These meal prep chicken bowls are usually good for about 3 to 4 days when stored properly in airtight containers. I always recommend keeping the tzatziki sauce separate, and try to assemble the final bowl just before you plan to eat it for the best texture and flavor. Enjoy your healthy lunches all week!
Nutritional Snapshot of Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Okay, so everyone always asks about the numbers, right? These Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls are designed to be super satisfying and packed with protein. For one serving, you’re looking at roughly 550 calories, with about 40g of protein, 45g of carbs, and 25g of healthy fats. Of course, this can totally change depending on how much quinoa you use or the exact brand of feta! It’s a great way to fuel your body, especially if you’re targeting certain fitness goals.
Share Your Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowl Creations
Alright, now that you’ve got the lowdown on these amazing bowls, I’d LOVE to see what you whip up! Seriously, snap a pic and tag me or leave a comment below telling me how you personalized your Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls. Did you try different veggies or grains? Did you add a secret spice? Your creations inspire everyone, so don’t be shy!
PrintGreek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Build your own Greek chicken bowls with grilled chicken, olives, feta, and tzatziki. This recipe is perfect for batch cooking and macro-friendly lunches.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 cups cooked quinoa or brown rice
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- Tzatziki sauce for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, toss the chicken breasts with olive oil, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place the seasoned chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes, then dice or shred it.
- Assemble the bowls: Divide the cooked quinoa or brown rice among four meal prep containers.
- Top each container with chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and sliced red onion.
- Add the diced or shredded chicken to each bowl.
- Serve with tzatziki sauce on the side. Store assembled bowls in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute grilled halloumi cheese or chickpeas for the chicken.
- Add your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or spinach.
- Prepare the tzatziki sauce ahead of time or use a store-bought version.
- This recipe is great for meal planning and can be customized with different grains and vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg