I’ve said this so many times, but lunch is the hardest meal for me. I hate eating alone. I hate eating the same thing every day. I hate making food for one person. But, especially when I’m trying to eat healthier (and save money!), going out every day is terrible in so many ways, and my fallback is usually dry cereal and sadness, wishing there was a fairy that brought tired people healthy lunches every day.
Meal prepping isn’t quite the lunch fairy I always dreamed of, but making these Make these easy Southwest Grilled Chicken Meal Prep Bowls ahead of time means I always have a healthy, protein-packed (40 grams!) lunch at my fingertips–and it’s only 7 Weight Watchers Freestyle Points!!
You’ll need chicken (our Grilled Taco Chicken or Slow Cooker Taco Chicken are both delicious. For convenience, I buy these at Sam’s Clubs back near the prepared foods and they’re delicious.)
You’ll also need drained beans (black, pinto, or kidney), brown rice or quinoa (or a mixture, like Seeds of Change), and an ounce of shredded cheese, your favorite salsa (this tomatillo salsa is delicious!), and lime wedges. If you’d like, you can also add some frozen corn and fresh avocado (but save the avocado until you’re ready to serve these.)
Place chicken, quinoa, beans, and corn in a microwave-safe storage container.
Place salsa and grated cheese in small containers (disposable or reusable depending on your preference; lidded portion cups available near the paper plates are very convenient). Add lime wedges. Store up to 7 days.
When ready to serve, if desired, transfer chicken mixture to a microwave safe bowl (or just use the storage container). Stir in salsa. Microwave 60-90 seconds or until heated through. Stir, season with salt and pepper if desired, add cheese, and squeeze lime juice over the mixture. Serve immediately.
Note: You might notice that the calories for this recipe are high–they are–but they are high-quality calories, which is why the Weight Watchers Freestyle Points are so relatively low.
PrintSouthwest Grilled Chicken Bowls
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1
Description
Ingredients
- 4 ounces grilled chicken (our grilled taco chicken is delicious here; you could also use our slow cooker taco chicken. Both are linked in the blog post.)
- 1/2 cup quinoa, brown rice, or a mix like Seeds of Change
- 1/2 cup beans (black, pinto, or kidney)
- 1/4 cup frozen corn (optional)
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1 ounce cheese, grated (cheddar or pepper jack)
- 1/2 lime, cut into wedges
- 1/4 Avocado (optional)
Instructions
Place chicken, quinoa, beans, and corn in a microwave-safe storage container. Place salsa and grated cheese in small containers (disposable or reusable depending on your preference; lidded portion cups available near the paper plates are very convenient). Add lime wedges. Store up to 7 days.
When ready to serve, if desired, transfer chicken mixture to a microwave safe bowl (or just use the storage container). Stir in salsa. Microwave 60-90 seconds or until heated through. Stir, season with salt and pepper if desired, add cheese, and squeeze lime juice over the mixture. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information (including corn, not including avocado)
Calories: 498
Fat: 14
Carbs: 55
Sugar: 6
Fiber: 11
Protein: 40
Weight Watchers Freestyle Points: 7
To make these in bulk or for 4 people, here are the proportions:
16 ounces grilled chicken (or grilled taco chicken or slow cooker taco chicken)
2 cups quinoa, brown rice, or a prepared mixture like Seeds of Change
2 cups drained beans (kidney, black, or pinto)
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup salsa
4 ounces shredded cheese
2 limes, cut into 8 wedges
1 avocado (don’t cut until you’re ready to eat)
- Prep Time: 5
Questions & Reviews
I made this last night. My husband and I had it for our lunches today. It was delicious! We will be making this again. Thank you!
I too, struggle with what to make myself for lunch. This was a fantastic idea! I made a close variation of this for my lunch today and it was the best lunch I’ve had in a long time! Please keep these simple, healthy lunch ideas coming.
Just made this with Costco rotisserie chicken and your Brazilian black beans-YUM!
Ugh I’m the same way! Lunches are the hardest for me-and I enjoy cooking! Breakfast and Dinner I can usually plan fairly well, but lunches…got me pulling my hair out. Haha These look great! I have been on a Chipotle kick lately and this reminds me of their amazing chicken bowls. I am wondering why these will stay good for 7 days because doesn’t poultry go bad by 3-4 days ? Just curious! Thanks again for a great recipe!
Ooh, I’ll have to look for that chicken at Sam’s! We just bought a roasted boneless turkey breast from Costco on Sunday ($4/lb) and I sliced it up when we got home. It has been really enjoyable to just pick a few pieces out and make a quick lettuce wrap sandwich or to eat plain. If our Sam’s has that chicken I’ll start getting that, too.
Yum! I made your IP chili lime chicken earlier this week (totally a staple and favorite at my house) and will use that in here!
I love the idea but I despise microwaved leftover chicken. Any tips?
You could heat it in a skillet if you have one handy! 🙂
You could eat it cold on top of some lettuce as a salad
Looks like thise ingredients would also make an excellent wrap if you used a low carb wrap.
Absolutely!
Love this!! Lunch is so stressful for me as well! I hate just having to think about it. I will definitely be making these! Thanks for the tip about the chicken at Sam’s club.