Tag: meal prep

Simple Balsamic Beet & Kale Salad

Simple Balsamic Beet & Kale Salad

So, I’m really into beets right now. Red, golden, white, all of them. The earthy flavor mixed with olive oil, salt, and pepper–yum. Since I’ve discovered Costco’s pre-cooked pack of beets, I’ve been downing them like candy. This salad recipe is so quick and simple. 

Easy Fiber-Packed Overnight Oats

Easy Fiber-Packed Overnight Oats

Oatmeal is a classic breakfast food with so many flavor variations. Whether you like it fruity, sweet and spiced, or seasonally flavored, it’s pretty tasty any way you make it. However, it’s easy to overdo it on the sugar when making oats which can send 

30-minute Lemon Parsley Shrimp and Roasted Vegetables

30-minute Lemon Parsley Shrimp and Roasted Vegetables

When you’re looking for an easy, light, and nutrient-dense dinner ready in under 30 minutes, this customizable recipe is a must. Citrus and shrimp are a perfect flavor pair and roasted vegetables are always a good idea.

Time Saving Tips

A great way to save some time in the kitchen to chop your veggies right away when you bring them home from your grocery shopping run. This will speed things up in the kitchen if you’re short on time. To save more time on this recipe, use precooked shrimp so all you have to do is thaw and add the pan to warm up. You could also use leftover rice or quinoa from other recipes. Making a big batch of quinoa or caulirice when you are prepping your produce for the week is another great meal-prepping tip. Minimizing one step of a recipe can make a big difference.

Another benefit of using leftover rice is that you are now consuming a resistant starch. A resistant starch feeds good gut bacteria and lessens the impact starches have on our blood sugar. Chilling starches like rice and potatoes before using them actually transforms the starch content into a better version for your body! I usually make a big batch of roasted sweet potatoes the day before I want to use them or to munch all on all week. Just be sure to slowly reheat for maximum benefit or enjoy chilled.

Making This Recipe

If you’re vegetables are already chopped, toss them in avocado oil, a little salt and pepper, and dump out on a sheet pan. Preheat your oven to 375. Whiles the oven is coming to temp, thaw the frozen shrimp in a bowl of cold water or place in a strainer under a a stream of cold water for 5-7 minutes. When the oven is to temp, cook veggies for 25-30 minutes or until tender. To speed things up even more, preheat the oven to 400 and and cook for 20-22 minutes.

While the veggies are cooking, dump the frozen cauliflower rice into a small pot and steam until warmed through and softened. Next, combine all sauce ingredients and stir to combine. When shrimp is thawed, add to a small pan and saute with 3/4 of the sauce stiring to coat.

When ready to serve, drizzle the remaining 1/4 cup over the shrimp, vegetables, and caulirice.

Variations

Feel free to swap out the cauliflower rice with quinoa, regular rice, zucchini noodles, or your favorite pasta. If not already prepped, it will add more time in the kitchen, but will be just as delicious. Not a shrimp fan? Try wild-caught salmon, mahi-mahi, or organic chicken breast. If you need a vegan option, throw in some chickpeas or cannellini beans. For a more exciting flavor punch, use lime juice rather than lemon, cilantro in place of the parsley, half a teaspoon of chili powder, and add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. A little heat with the citrus is a lovely flavor combination.

Storage and Meal Prep

Portion out into food containers of your choice and enjoy an easy grab and go lunch for the next couple of days or freeze for future use.

30-Minute Lemon Parsley Shrimp and Vegetables With Cauliflower Rice

A quick, light dinner recipe ready in 30 minutes or less.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salads
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Keyword: broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, cauliflower rice, garlic, keto, lemon, low carb, olive oil, paleo, parsley, shrimp, whole30, zucchini
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 6 cups chopped vegetables of choice carrot, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, onion, corn, peppers, etc.
  • 1-2 tbsp avocado oil for roasting
  • 1 lb cooked shrimp
  • 2-3 cups cauliflower rice quinoa, rice, or pasta of choice

Lemon Parsley Sauce

  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • ¼ cup parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • dash of chili powder optional
  • extra splash of lemon and parsley leaves for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375. Toss mixed vegetables in avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes.
  • While vegetables are roasting, thaw the shrimp in a large bowl of cold water. Change out water every 10 minutes until thawed.
  • Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Next, add frozen caulirice to a small pot and steam over medium heat until tender.
  • In a skillet, add thawed shrimp with ¾ of the sauce and stir to coat. If you prefer a thicker sauce, add 1 tsp of arrowroot flour to the sauce. Heat over medium until warmed through.
  • Once vegetables are tender, plate as desired. Drizzle the remaining sauce over each plate and garnish with extra parsley or lemon. Enjoy!
Thai Chicken Salad

Thai Chicken Salad

Thai food has always been a favorite of mine. I love curries, chicken satay, and naan SO much. Although eating out at my favorite Thai place has been a treat, I rarely do it anymore because of the sneaky oils that are added to most 

Salmon Caesar Salad

Salmon Caesar Salad

Since it’s now Lent and I just got home from a Florida vacation, I have been experimenting in the kitchen with different fish and seafood recipes to help me feel like I am still sitting on the beach in the Florida Keys eating endless shrimp 

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Okay. An easy shredded chicken recipe that is done in under 20 minutes? FROM FROZEN?! Can it get any better than that?!? Chicken is definitely my go-to protein when it come to meal prep because it is so versatile, easy to cook, and freezes wonderfully after its cooked. What’s even better about this recipe? It starts with a frozen chicken breast because we all know we ain’t got time to thaw those breasts after a long day at work.

You can use fresh chicken breast if you have it on hand, just make sure to cook it for 8 minutes rather than 13 minutes. I’d recommend chicken broth for your liquid to provide a better flavor, but water works great too. The best part of this recipe is how versatile it is. Season it will literally whatever you prefer. I did a basic salt, pepper, and Mrs. Dash type seasoning blend on this batch, but feel free to throw in chopped onion, minced garlic, paprika, oregano, italian seasoning, curry powder, fajita seasoning, the options are endless! Add the seasonings after its cooked and shredded too.

How to cook the chicken:

1-2 lbs. chicken breast, 1 cup liquid, seasonings of choice, and cook. So easy. Cook on high pressure for 13-16 minutes, and a five minutes natural release. My chicken breasts were more thick than usual so I cooked them for two minutes longer than the original recipe called for. If you have thinner breasts, 13 minutes should be a perfect amount of time.

How to shred the chicken:

Here’s a trick I saw somewhere on the internet. Rather than shredding with two forks, use a hand mixer with beater attachments and pulse a few times until desired chicken is shredded to your liking. Try this super quick hack to save you even more time. Drizzle a little olive oil before seasoning with additional spices of choice before serving or freezing.

How to freeze the chicken:

I often make a big batch of this recipe, shred it with a hand mixer (pro tip!) and weigh out 1lb. portions in freezer bags to have on hand for future recipes. Soup, fajitas, stir-fry, or as a simple addition to a big bed of greens will be ready in 30 minutes or less with this quick recipe. I’d recommend thawing again in a small pot with a little extra liquid to restore the moisture. Sometimes it can turn out dry after freezing. Store the leftover chicken in the liquids for extra moist leftovers!

What are your favorite shredded chicken recipes? Drop it in the comments below!

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Quick, easy, and versatile shredded chicken to simplify your meal prep!
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time13 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Indian, Italian, Mexican
Keyword: bowls, chicken, fajitas, freezer-meal, frozen chicken, instant pot, meal-prep, salads, soups, stir-fry
Servings: 20

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker – Ninja Foodie or Instant Pot
  • Hand mixer (optional)
  • 2 forks
  • measuring cups

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs. fresh or frozen chicken breast
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth or water
  • 1 tbsp seasoning blend of choice
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Place chicken breast in the pressure cooker and top with broth/water, spices of choice, salt, and pepper.
  • Place lid on pressure cooker and set to sealed position.
  • Cook 8 minutes for fresh chicken breasts, or 13-15 minutes for frozen chicken breasts.
  • Once done, allow for a 5-minute natural pressure release.
  • After 5 minutes, do a quick release and make sure chicken is cooked through. Remove from instant pot and shred with a hand mixer for 15-20 seconds or pull apart with a fork.
  • Season with additional salt, pepper, and spices if you prefer.
  • If not serving immediately, allow to cool before freezing. Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Notes

Original recipe and other great recipes from:
https://www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes/pressure-cooker-chicken-breast-recipe-shredded-chicken/