Meal prepping is supposed to make life easier, so when I meal prep I make sure to keep it SIMPLE. I use the same simple formula (protein + 2 vegetables + sauce) and change up the seasonings and sauces each time to make it new. Today’s Ranch Chicken Meal Prep is the perfect example of this formula in action. It has simple pan-fried chicken breast, roasted potatoes and broccoli, and a little ranch dressing on top. Simple to prepare and delicious to eat! 🙌

What’s in This Meal Prep

This meal prep starts with humble chicken breasts seasoned with garlic herb seasoning (you can use homemade or store-bought), with Parmesan roasted potatoes and roasted frozen broccoli on the side, plus a little ranch dressing to drizzle over top of everything. It’s simple, satisfying, and super flexible, so you can make it meet your needs.

Substitutions and Add-ins

As I mentioned above, this meal prep is super flexible. Maybe you want to add a little more to make it extra fancy, or maybe you want to swap out one of the ingredients for something you like better. Here are some ideas for substitutions and add-ins if you want to take this recipe and run with it!

• Add shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits for a little more flavor.
• Double up on the chicken or add a scoop of cottage cheese for extra protein.
• Swap out the roasted potatoes for rice or couscous cooked in chicken broth.
• Turn it into a salad: use fresh broccoli and swap the roasted potatoes for a bed of greens. Add any other fresh vegetables of your choosing.
• Use boneless chicken thighs in place of the breasts for extra tender meat.
• Add a dollop of hummus and a couple of sliced grape tomatoes.
• Swap the roasted broccoli for creamed spinach or creamed kale.

How to Store and Reheat Ranch Chicken Meal Preps

For the best flavor and texture, consume your ranch chicken meal preps within four days of preparing and make sure to store the ranch dressing separately. Keep the meal preps refrigerated until ready to eat, then reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on high, or until heated through. Pour the ranch dressing over top, then enjoy.

What Containers do You Use?

For this meal prep, I used my favorite 3-cup rectangular Pyrex containers and small metal dipping cups for the ranch dressing. The dipping cups are taller than the depth of the glass container, so I do carry them separately. The cups are shown in the containers in the photos here just to make them all fit in the frame!

How to Make Ranch Chicken Meal Prep – Step by Step Photos

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Clean and dice 2 lbs. russet potatoes into ¾” pieces. In a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup grated Parmesan, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ¼ tsp salt. Drizzle 1 Tbsp cooking oil over the potatoes, then add the seasoned Parmesan, and toss until the potatoes are evenly coated.

Spread the seasoned potatoes out over a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.

Roast the potatoes in the preheated 400ºF oven for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and tender, stirring halfway through.

Once the potatoes are in the oven, start preparing the broccoli. You can use fresh or frozen broccoli here. Place 1 lb. broccoli florets in a bowl (no need to thaw if using frozen). Drizzle 1 Tbsp cooking oil over top and add ¼ tsp salt and pepper. Toss to coat.

Roast the broccoli in the preheated 400ºF oven for about 20 minutes, or until brown and crispy on the edges, stirring once halfway through.

While the vegetables are in the oven, prepare the chicken breast. Fillet one pound of boneless-skinless chicken breast into two thinner pieces (this helps them cook quickly and evenly). Season the chicken on both sides with about 1 Tbsp garlic herb seasoning (store-bought or homemade).

Heat a skillet over medium. Once hot, add 1 Tbsp cooking oil and swirl to coat the surface. Add the seasoned chicken breast and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until browned and cooked through.

Remove the chicken to a clean cutting board and allow to cool for about 5 minutes before slicing.

Divide the potatoes, broccoli, and sliced chicken between four containers. Fill four small dressing containers with about 2 Tbsp ranch dressing each. Refrigerate until ready to eat!

When ready to eat, reheat your meal prep in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on high, or until heated through. Drizzle the ranch dressing over top and enjoy!

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