If you’re looking for the best, easy, healthy lunch recipes to meal prep, then you’re in the right place! I’m taking the guesswork out of what to make for lunch and offering you the best lunch meal prep ideas so you can have a delicious, filling lunch every day of the week. Read on for 30+ high protein lunches to make ahead.
High Protein Lunch Meal Prep Recipes: Table of Contents
Either you feel like you don’t have time to make yet another meal, you need some ideas for lunch, or it’s something else, lunch often seems to fall by the wayside.
And while there are plenty of resources out there for packing lunches for kids, there aren’t nearly enough to help with lunch if you’re an adult.
But that ends now — as a habits expert, I’ve rounded up my best healthy lunch meal prep recipes and tips for us adults who deserve delicious, nourishing lunches just as much as kids!
Meal prepping is the key to having healthy and high protein lunches ready all week – saving you from stopping by the drive through or just snacking throughout the day.
Each of these recipes are easy to prep, keep well in the fridge or freezer, and help you feel full and satisfied so you can be productive for the rest of the day.
Interested in quick and easy high protein dinner recipes? This collection of 60+ recipes is your ultimate guide for healthy high protein dinners.
Simplified Tips for to Streamline Lunch Meal Prep
Meal prepping does not need to take a ton of time or be overwhelming. Before I share how to simplify and streamline lunch meal prep, check out my meal prep hacks that will simplify your life.
The power of one:
Start by prepping one thing, and building from there.
A little as you go:
Instead of looking to carve out an hour (or several), try prepping a little as you go.
Plan before you prep:
Having a flexible plan for the week, or a meal map, will help you prep with purpose.
Low and slow:
Let that slow cooker or pressure cooker work for you.
More of the same:
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel every single week!
The Best Lunch Meal Prep Containers & Kitchen Tools
Bursting with crunchy veggies and an easy, flavorful dressing, this healthy chicken apple salad is made without mayo or dairy, and makes the perfect make-ahead salad or meal on the go. Simple to make and oh-so satisfying, you’ll want to make this one again and again!
Ingredients: cooked chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), apple, celery, cashews, white wine vinegar, olive oil, mustard, shallot, arugula or baby spinach (optional), honey (optional) and salt.
Meal Prep Golden Glow Chicken Salad is an easy, healthy make-ahead meal that you can prep ahead and take on the go. Make it with chicken, or any protein you like!
Ingredients: chicken, cucumber, green apple, bell peppers, green onion, sunflower seeds, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey (optional), mild curry powder, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and salt.
Friends, these are the best slow cooker chicken tacos ever! I know there are a lot of slow cooker chicken taco recipes out there, but my recipe is simple, uses only 6 ingredients, and tastes incredibly fresh. The ultimate time-saving recipe, it's a dump-and-go recipe you'll turn to week in and week out.
Ingredients: garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, chicken, salsa.
A handful of simple ingredients combine in this easy, creamy chicken asparagus skillet, made up of golden chicken, tender asparagus, and a luscious garlic lemon cream sauce that includes a dairy-free modification. This recipe makes the ultimate low-effort, one-pan meal you can enjoy any night of the week!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), asparagus, chicken broth, cream (or unsweetened non-dairy creamer), olive oil, butter (traditional or plant-based), lemon juice and salt.
This wildly easy 2-ingredient crockpot bbq chicken can be prepped in no time using store-bought or homemade sauce, yielding deliciously tender and versatile pulled chicken. Perfect for meal prep on busy weeks!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs) and chipotle BBQ sauce (or store bought barbecue sauce).
This easy chicken and sweet potatoes skillet can be made quickly on the stovetop and then baked in the oven. Plus it includes a delicious honey butter & chipotle pan sauce everyone will love!
Ingredients: chicken thighs (or chicken breasts), sweet potatoes, avocado oil, honey, butter (traditional or plant-based), chipotle peppers (from canned in adobo sauce), garlic and salt.
This Easy Italian Chicken Zucchini Skillet combines chicken, zucchini, tomatoes and classic Italian flavors for an easy, one-pot dinner you can make any night of the week. I love that it's naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, whole30 friendly and ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), zucchini, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken stock, butter (optional: traditional or dairy-free), fresh basil, red pepper flakes, garlic, Italian seasoning, olive oil and salt.
Lightly crispy chicken combines with cashews and green beans in a lightly sweet sauce for a super fast last minute dinner that will keep you coming back for seconds. Just 30 minutes and one pan are all you need to make it happen!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), green beans, ginger, chicken broth, honey, green onions, cashews, coconut oil, arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) and salt.
This easy recipe for shredded chicken for enchiladas is totally simple, completely delicious and the perfect weeknight crockpot recipe. Plus this chicken recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, Paleo and Whole30 compliant too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.
This Healthy Orange Chicken Asparagus Stir-Fry is light, fresh, filling and so delicious. Full of golden-brown chicken, crisp asparagus, and a tangy naturally-sweet sauce, it's the perfect last minute dinner to make any night of the week.
15-Minute Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry (Gluten-Free)
This 15-Minute Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry is a weeknight classic full of clean, simple ingredients. Naturally gluten-free and super easy, you’ll want to make this recipe again and again.
Easy to make and oh-so satisfying, this crockpot cilantro lime chicken is perfect for stuffing into warm tortillas! It’s elevated by the most flavorful homemade cilantro lime sauce and can be made with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
With only 4 ingredients, this green chili chicken enchiladas recipe is easy to make, yields super flavorful results, and is an excellent make ahead meal.
Autumn Lentil Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing packs so much flavor and texture into every bite, yet is surprisingly simple to make. It can be prepared ahead, too, making it perfect for a busy weeknight or a stunning addition to your holiday table.
Creamy and crunchy (without dairy or mayo), Crunchy Smashed Chickpea Salad is packed with plant-based protein and fiber. It’s s snap to make, tastes delicious, and packs beautifully for lunches or potlucks.
Simple to make with pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients, Tomato Basil Lentil Salad packs beautifully for lunch on-the-go, and also makes the perfect side or potluck dish.
Autumn Meal Prep Lentil Salad is packed with nutrition and full of beautiful fall flavors. Perfect to prep-ahead and take for lunch, or enjoy as a side dish anytime. A gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan recipe.
Ingredients: lentils, olive oil, butternut squash, greens, pepitas, and an easy maple Dijon vinaigrette.
This healthy ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a fast, easy last minute dinner idea that’s so tasty you’ll want to put into your regular weeknight rotation. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, so keep this one in your backpocket for busy weeks!
Solve weeknight dinner tonight with this quick turkey taco skillet! Made with simple pantry ingredients like ground turkey, it’s a lighter meal on its own or can be used as a delicious taco or burrito filling or delectable nacho topping.
Ingredients: ground turkey, onion, garlic powder, cumin, canned black beans, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, frozen corn, olive oil and salt.
All the flavor of an egg-roll, but without the fuss. Tossed together with a tangle of veggie noodles, Egg Roll Veggie Noodle Bowls are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free, nut-free, Paleo, Whole30 and so delicious!
Ingredients: ground turkey (or ground chicken or pork), crimini mushrooms, cabbage (or slaw mix), carrots, coconut aminos, vegetable noodles (spiralized carrots or zucchini), lime juice, green onion, ginger, olive oil, and salt.
This ground turkey and green beans skillet with sauce comes together in 20 minutes using one pan! It's savory, satisfying, and packed full of Asian-inspired flavors. Asparagus or broccoli florets can easily be substituted for the green beans. My top tip? Double this quick and easy recipe. You'll want leftovers!
Ingredients: ground turkey (light or dark meat), green beans, garlic, ginger, honey, chicken stock, lime juice (or rice wine vinegar), tamari, arrowroot powder, olive oil, and salt.
Sweet Potato and Pineapple Beef Bowls with Mango Avocado Salsa
Savory pineapple beef combines with roasted sweet potatoes and fresh spinach, along with a quick mango avocado salsa, in this delicious weeknight bowl.
Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe + More High Protein Meal Prep Ideas
Servings: 2
Prep: 5 minutesmins
Resting Time: 15 minutesmins
Total: 20 minutesmins
Packed with nourishing ingredients, this healthy chicken salad recipe is perfect for lunch at home or to make ahead and take on-the-go! Plus 30+ high protein meal prep lunch recipes.
In a medium bowl, add the turmeric, tahini, garlic, honey (if using), salt, pepper, and vinegar, stirring to combine. Drizzle in the olive oil and whisk until smooth. Alternatively, add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
In a large bowl, add the chicken, carrots, slaw or cabbage, green onions, and raisins. Add the dressing, stirring to combine. Allow to sit for 15 minutes for the flavors to combine.