Rice is an indispensable staple that can be used in numerous delicious meal prep recipes – from zesty Cilantro Lime Rice inspired by Chipotle to hearty All-In-One Rice Bowls!
Note that meal-prepped rice should never be left sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours as this can allow bacteria to quickly multiply. Always store in your refrigerator or freezer in airtight containers to ensure optimal freshness and quality.
Chicken and Rice
This chicken and rice meal prep is a filling way to satisfy hunger throughout the week. The overnight marinated chicken provides delicious flavors while brown rice provides fiber to make you feel full. Serve alongside a big leafy salad and protein-rich vegetables for a well-rounded meal!
Chicken and rice is an evergreen classic that never goes out of fashion. It makes perfect sense; chicken provides essential proteins to fill you up, while rice provides carbs to fuel you throughout the day. Plus it’s simple to prepare in both your slow cooker or instant pot; simply dump all of your ingredients into either device, let it cook away until chicken falls off its bones, then serve with your preferred salad dressing (Balsamic Dressing or Honey Mustard are some popular choices in my house!) to enhance its nutritional and tasteful benefits!
This creamy chicken and rice dish makes an easy family dinner or quick lunch on-the-go, naturally gluten-free and ready quickly thanks to cooked brown rice. For an alternative option, use quinoa instead for this healthier recipe option!
This versatile recipe offers endless customization possibilities; use any herbs and spices you desire for maximum flavor! Try pairing thyme or rosemary with celery and onions for an herbier flavour, or combine multiple combinations to craft your own signature dish! Additionally, this is also an effective way to use up leftover vegetables.
To save time when making this recipe, using long grain brown rice that has already been precooked will significantly shorten its preparation time. Once the rice has been prepared, this dish comes together quickly once all its components have been assembled; alternatively you could also form it into a casserole and bake it instead!
Lentil Tabbouleh
This light and irresistible lentil tabbouleh recipe offers a delectable way to enjoy healthy plant-based proteins. Easy to prepare ahead, it makes an excellent side dish or main meal when packing lunch or picnic baskets or is enjoyed as part of Middle Eastern mezze platter with fattoush salad (Persian cucumber onion tomato salad).
This lentil tabbouleh is vegan and gluten-free, perfect for making in a flash! Made with either dried or canned lentils, small green ones such as Puy Lentils or whole Masoor Dal are recommended as they hold their shape well while being cooked, remaining firm even after being fully submerged into liquid. Alternatively canned ones provide much simpler solutions since no further cooking steps are needed – all the work has already been done to perfection for your convenience!
To make tabbouleh salad, combine cooked lentils, mint, parsley, and scallions in a large bowl and mix. Next add dressing and season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper before covering and refrigerating for at least 4 hours for optimal flavor blending.
Tabbouleh is often prepared using only tomatoes as its only vegetables, but you can easily make this vegan dish more vegetable-packed by adding finely chopped cucumbers or bell pepper slices for extra crunch and nutrition. Furthermore, sumac-marinated red onions add even more flavor and color!
Although this dish is straightforward and straightforward, its ingredients make it so irresistibly delicious that many consider it the Mediterranean equivalent of pasta salad! Additionally, this versatile salad allows you to customize it according to your own personal tastes; add extra lemon juice if you prefer your salad more tangy; if you like spicy flavors add cumin or paprika for some spicy heat! Best yet? Make it ahead of time; it keeps fresh for three days when stored in the fridge!
All-In-One Rice Bowls
Rice bowls offer an easy, delicious and flexible dinner solution that can be tailored to any palette. Perfect for weeknight meals or entertaining purposes alike, you can customize this meal prep according to any individual’s taste – be it protein, vegetables or anything else you desire! While traditional bases for these dishes include white or brown rice, you could also experiment with using bulger, barley or cauliflower rice!
For this all-in-one rice bowl recipe, the dish combines rice, roasted vegetables, chicken and sauce into layers for maximum impact. All the components can be assembled ahead of time for maximum shelf life in your refrigerator – or reheat in the microwave before serving if you prefer hotter meals!
An ideal rice bowl requires selecting an array of proteins, vegetables and sauces – not only can any kind of fish, chicken or ground meat be used, but you could also experiment with plant-based proteins like tofu tempeh seitan or tofu tempeh (instead of dairy) as well as black bean kidney beans edamame beans as an addition. Drizzling olive oil or tahini sauce provides depth while fresh herbs or spices add dimension.
Add some flair to a basic rice bowl by including sauteed mushrooms or sliced radishes, garnishing it with boiled eggs or Sriracha, and serving alongside leafy green salad such as kale, spinach or collard greens – and your creation can even be easily made ahead and heated back up in the microwave when necessary for quick weeknight meals or party appetizers!
TikTok fans may have seen Emily Mariko whip up her delicious Salmon and Rice Bowl recipe in 15 minutes or less! Perfect for parties or gatherings, each person can customize their plate by layering CAVA style ingredients to create their own personal dish!
Mexican Rice Bowls
These rice bowls, also known as Tex Mex bowls, provide lean proteins from black beans and ground turkey, healthy fats from avocados and olive oil, and antioxidant-rich vegetables like tomatoes and red bell peppers. In addition, their unique Tex Mex flavor comes from fresh salsa, sour cream, and cilantro – adding another delicious layer to every bite!
Begin by making some rice; I recommend The Kitchn’s easy cilantro lime rice recipe as an ideal base. While that is cooking, prepare all the other ingredients for your bowls – more or less in advance is fine; just be sure everything stays separated so as not to become soggy!
Make a simple tomato and onion salsa, but feel free to experiment with other ingredients for more flavor! For spicy eaters, chopped serranos or jalapenos may add spice, while you could also top your dish off with cheese (crumbled Queso Fresco or Feta are popular choices), sour cream, guacamole and cilantro leaves as desired.
If cilantro isn’t your cup of tea, consider switching it out with tzatziki — made from Greek yogurt with cucumbers, garlic and lemon juice — for something with more bite. Harissa is another option which uses Tunisian hot chili pepper paste made of roasted red peppers mixed with other herbs such as cumin seeds caraway seeds coriander.
Add texture and flavor by including some steamed vegetables such as grated carrots, grated cabbage or spinach leaves or chopped radishes for extra texture and flavor. Or if you want something even more ambitious try grilling canned or frozen black beans/corn.
Finally, spoon the rice into bowls and arrange the toppings accordingly before serving and enjoying! Mexican rice bowls make an ideal party food because guests can customize their bowl exactly how they’d like it. Plus, these easy dinner ideas can even be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge so when company comes over for dinner there will be an easy, stress-free dinner ready!