Peanut Chicken Noodle Meal Prep (Printable version)

High-protein chicken and noodles in creamy peanut sauce with fresh vegetables, ideal for make-ahead lunches.

# What you'll need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Noodles

05 - 9 oz whole wheat noodles (spaghetti or soba)

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 2 medium carrots, julienned
08 - 2 cups broccoli florets
09 - 3 spring onions, sliced

→ Peanut Sauce

10 - 4 tbsp natural peanut butter
11 - 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
12 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
14 - 1 tbsp lime juice
15 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
16 - 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
17 - 3-4 tbsp warm water (to thin sauce)

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tbsp roasted peanuts, chopped
19 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
20 - Fresh cilantro, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 6-8 minutes until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
03 - Add bell pepper, carrots, and broccoli to the same skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
04 - Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and enough warm water to create a smooth, pourable sauce.
05 - Add cooked noodles, chicken, and vegetables back to the skillet. Pour over the peanut sauce and toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through.
06 - Divide the mixture into 4 meal prep containers. Garnish with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, and cilantro.
07 - Allow to cool before sealing and refrigerating. Keeps well for up to 4 days.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You will actually look forward to lunch instead of begrudgingly eating yet another sad desk meal
  • The sauce transforms completely in the fridge overnight, making day two and three taste even better than the first
  • Everything cooks in one pan which means minimal cleanup on Sunday meal prep days
02 -
  • The sauce thickens significantly in the refrigerator so err on the side of making it slightly thinner than you think you need
  • Rinsing the noodles with cold water is nonnegotiable for preventing them from becoming a gummy mess in your lunch
03 -
  • Double the sauce recipe and keep the extra in a separate jar for drizzling over bowls throughout the week
  • Prep all your vegetables the night before to make Sunday cooking feel effortless instead of overwhelming

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