Simple Chicken Salad Meal Prep Recipe

When it comes to chicken salad meal prep, this recipe is my absolute favorite. Using just a few ingredients it offers an amazing, natural flavor. And this flavor-packed salad stays good for three days when refrigerated which makes it a great choice for meal planning.

Total Servings: 4

Total Cost: $19.50

Cost Per Serving: $4.88

Ingredients & Costs*

1 lb thin sliced chicken breast ($5.11)
20 oz grape tomatoes ($4.46)
2 cucumbers ($1.28)
6 oz butter lettuce ($2.73)
8 oz triple cheddar shredded cheese ($2.24)
6 oz chicken broth ($1.37)
8 oz ranch dressing ($2.58)

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*Food costs may vary and can change over time. The prices listed were the current prices of these ingredients when this recipe was made at the time of this post. Almost all our ingredients are purchased from Walmart as we live in a small town without any other options. If you notice a significant price difference, please let us know at hello@freshgains.com so we can update this post.

FAQs About This Chicken Salad Meal Prep Recipe

Should I season the chicken?

In my opinion, seasoning the chicken isn’t necessary if you enjoy the natural flavors of these ingredients (which, in my opinion, go perfectly together) topped with ranch. However, if can definitely season the chicken before cooking it. Salt and pepper or a blackened chicken seasoning are great choices. You could also use the juice of a lemon while cooking the chicken to add a bit more flavor to the dish.

Can I use a different kind of chicken?

Yes, any kind of chicken is fine to use in this recipe. I prefer fresh, thin chicken breasts, but larger and/or frozen chicken breasts work just as well. Just remember, if you use bone-in chicken it will take a bit longer to cook.

How long will this salad last in the fridge?

When stored in an airtight container, this salad will last at least three days in the refrigerator.

What other veggies can I add to this recipe?

Spinach, mushrooms and carrots are my personal favorites when it comes to additions for this recipe. But, when it comes to veggies, you are only limited by your imagination. I would recommend using veggies that you don’t have to sauté or cook in order to keep this recipe very quick and easy.

Can I use cherry tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes?

Yes! You can absolutely swap out the grape tomatoes for cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes will be sweeter and juicier than grape tomatoes and are a great substitute in this dish.

Tips to Make the Perfect Chicken Salad

Use more ranch: 2 oz of ranch isn’t much – just enough to give it a bit of extra flavor. If you really like ranch, I’d plan on buying at least a 16 oz bottle for this recipe.

Use olive oil instead of chicken broth: If you cook the chicken in broth, it will be softer than if you were to cook it in olive oil. If you’re looking for a crispier chicken, then you’ll want to use olive oil. Just drizzle 1 tbsp of olive oil onto a pan over medium heat, then add the chicken. Remember to cook both sides evenly and remove when browned and fully cooked.

Tailor the taste: I previously mentioned that nearly any veggie can be seamlessly added to this dish in order to tailor it to your desired taste. The same goes for fruits, proteins and grains. Make sure you adjust the recipe as necessary by adding (or removing) ingredients!

Invest in mason jars: If you’re serious about meal prepping salads, I would recommend investing a few dollars in a set of mason jars. I use 32 oz wide mouth mason jars which can be found at Walmart or Target. If you go this route, remember to store your ingredients from bottom to top in the order of most wet to least wet. For example, these ingredients would be placed in the jar in this order: grape tomatoes, chicken, cucumbers, cheese/lettuce. You can store your dressing separately or put it in the bottom of the mason jar (before the grape tomatoes) and shake it before serving.