Quick and Tasty Chicken Stir-Fry: Perfect Meal Prep for Busy Professionals
As a busy professional, finding a balance between work and personal life can be a challenge. Cooking a healthy and delicious meal from scratch can often be put on the backburner, sacrificing quality and time for convenience and ease. However, meal prep can be a game-changer, especially when you can whip up a tasty and nutritious dish in under 30 minutes. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of quick and tasty chicken stir-fry meal prep for busy professionals, and provide you with a simple recipe to get started.
Benefits of Meal Prep for Busy Professionals
Meal prep, in itself, offers numerous benefits that can benefit busy professionals. Here are a few reasons why:
- Save Time: Prepping meals in advance frees up your time, allowing you to focus on more important things… like crushing your deadlines.
- Eat Healthier: By controlling what you put in your meals, you’re more likely to make healthier choices, resulting in a more balanced diet.
- Increased Productivity: When you know you’ve got a meal waiting for you, you’re more energized and focused, leading to better productivity throughout the day.
- Reduced Stress: Let’s face it – finding a last-minute dinner option can be overwhelming. With meal prep, you’ve got a plan, reducing stress and anxiety.
Quick and Tasty Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
So, what makes a great meal prep recipe for busy professionals? It needs to be:
- Quick (under 30 minutes)
- Tasty (hello, flavor!)
- Versatile ( adaptable to different dietary preferences and ingredients)
Our quick and tasty chicken stir-fry recipe meets these criteria:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, snap peas)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked white rice or quinoa for serving
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, followed by the sliced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the mixed vegetables and cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Pour the sauce over the stir-fry mixture and stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring everything is well coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve over cooked white rice or quinoa.
Meal Prep Tips and Variations
- Prep the stir-fry in advance, storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Swap the mixed vegetables for your favorite combination ( broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, etc.)
- Add cooked noodles, such as lo mein or rice noodles, for added carbs and fiber.
- Use different proteins, like beef or tofu, for variation.
In conclusion, quick and tasty chicken stir-fry meal prep is an ideal solution for busy professionals. With a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal on-the-go, stress-free.
