I am trying to eat more protein these days. Handsome Hubby eats chicken and salsa almost every morning for breakfast. The boys are eating more and more and more…. everything.
What’s a girl to do?
Well, one of the things is to make sure there’s plenty of chicken on hand and ready to eat. This easy make ahead chicken is a life saver.
This is so easy and quick to do, and I just make up a big batch and keep it in the fridge. If healthy options are easily accessible, then you are more likely to make good choices when it comes to your diet.
I start with an econo-pack of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. These always seem to be on sale and I buy them 4 to 6 packages at a time and freeze them. I cook up one to two of these a week.
This could not be any easier. Spray a griddle or a large skillet with a low calorie cooking spray and set it to a medium high heat. Peel off the plastic, season the chicken right in the plastic tray. I sprinkle some garlic salt, fresh cracked pepper and any other mixed blend spice mixture I have on hand. Currently, it’s Emeril’s Original Essence
After about 3 minutes, remove the skillets, season the other side of the chicken and flip over. Put the skillets/weights back on. Cook 3 to 4 minutes more.
I keep these in the fridge and everybody helps themselves. As I mentioned, HH loves it for breakfast, the kids grab some and slice it up as an after school snack, and I love to be able to slice off a little bit and have a quick high protein, low fat snack when I get hungry.
(It’s also great to dice it up and mix with this salsa that I mentioned, and to make quesadillas.)
If you have good things on hand and ready to eat, you are less likely to make bad food choices. This is also waaaay more economical and prepared with fewer (to no) preservatives like some of the ready cooked chicken you can buy in the freezer or deli section of the grocery store.
Easy! (And healthy.) Enjoy!
What if I don’t have a cast iron skillet??
I just got a new stainless steel cooking set for Christmas though…I haven’t used it yet because I’m afraid I’ll ruin it!
The chicken looks delish!
I usually try to cook up a few extra “whatever we’re eating tonight” and keep it for my lunch and a snack for the girls. Extra taco meat, beef or chicken, for a fast and easy taco salad, an extra filet for a steak salad or a burger to toss on the grill. I also boil chicken breasts and dice them up for a fresh and healthy chicken salad with grapes and walnuts. My question is this…If I do all of that why I am still so fluffy? I’m sure it has nothing to do with the Captain and diet I wash it all down with right?
I can’t wait to try this, Viv! I love the idea of making a bunch in advance and having them on hand for a healthy, high-protein snack! Pinning!
Jenn
I heard that the organic no salt seasoning at Costco is pretty tastey.. cause when your making THAT MUCH chicken, youre going to need a Costco size container of seasoning. 😉