How to Cook Healthy Meals for the Week in Under an Hour

Create Your Healthy Meal Prep Grocery List

Many people choose to do their weekly shopping and cooking ahead on Sunday, but you can do your meal prepping whenever you have an hour or so to spend in the kitchen. Before you begin to prepare your week's worth of healthy meals, you need to have all of your ingredients. Here are some essentials to add to your grocery list:

• 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Your meals should contain 3–6 ounces of lean protein. If you don't like chicken, choose lean pork, fish, or lean beef. If you are a vegetarian, consider hearty beans or tofu.
• 1–2 pounds green vegetables: You can use any green, low-calorie veggie that can be steamed on the stovetop, such as green beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and asparagus.
• 1 pound brightly colored vegetables: Add a pop of color to your meal with a colorful vegetable. Carrots are a great option because they are cheap, easy to cook, and nutritious.
• 6 medium potatoes: Buy the kind of potato that you prefer. For instance, try Yukon gold potatoes, russets, or red potatoes. You can also try butternut squash or sweet potatoes.

You'll also need six resealable containers to store your meals, such as Ziploc 3.5 cup round containers. Look for a container that creates a good seal and can be easily stacked in the refrigerator.

Wash and Steam the Veggies

The first step in preparing your meals is to get your vegetables ready for cooking.

1. Wash all your vegetables.
2. Trim the ends off of the green beans and throw them in a colander.
3. Rinse the beans under the faucet.
4. Peel and slice your carrots.
5. Steam each of your vegetables separately on the stovetop.

It should only take about 10 minutes for vegetables to cook. To avoid mushy veggies, make sure not to overcook them. You'll know they're done when you can pierce them with a fork.

Wash and Steam the Potatoes

While your green veggies are steaming, you can get to work on prepping your potatoes. These will also be cooked on the stovetop, but separate from your veggies. The potatoes will also take more time to cook.

1. Scrub the potatoes.
2. Pierce each potato with a knife.
3. Steam on the stovetop for about 20 to 30 minutes.

If you don't like potatoes, you can also use a healthy grain like wild rice, couscous, or flavored quinoa.

Roast and Slice the Chicken

To prepare the chicken breast, start by laying each breast out on a baking sheet.

To add flavor, sprinkle with salt and pepper. If you want to add some crunch, try sprinkling flavored bread crumbs. You can also drizzle on some balsamic vinegar for a more savory taste.

1. Place the baking sheet into an oven that has been preheated to 375 degrees.
2. Roast for 20–30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
3. Cut each breast into thick slices.

You can use other parts of the chicken if you prefer. While often more expensive than other parts, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are generally the leanest cuts and require the least amount of prep work to prepare.

Keep in mind that nutrition facts for different parts of the chicken can vary. Be sure to factor this in when you're calculating the overall calories of your meal.

Assemble Your Meals

Once all of your ingredients are cooked, it's time to assemble your healthy meals for the week. Stocking a well-organized refrigerator leaves you plenty of space for healthy protein snacks and drinks.

1. Place one potato in each resealable container.
2. Add a big handful of greens and a few colorful vegetables.
3. Toss in a few slices of chicken breast.
4. When your meal is laid out, tightly seal each container.
5. Stack the containers in your fridge or freezer. 
   

Keep a few meals in the refrigerator to use in the next couple of days, and the rest in the freezer for later in the week.

If you feel that the meals are lacking in flavor, consider making a vinaigrette dressing, tahini dressing, or a green goddess dressing to top your meal with after it is reheated. This will add flavor and healthy fat and make the meal more satiating.

Reheat Prepped Meals

To reheat your healthy meal, simply grab a container from the refrigerator and pop it into the microwave.

1. Cook on 70% power for 1 minute. Or reheat it on the stove by steaming it.
2. Remove the container from the microwave and place the chicken on a separate, microwave-safe plate.
3. Heat the remaining ingredients in your container on high for 2–3 more minutes.
4. Add the remaining ingredients to your plate and you're ready to eat!

To prepare a frozen meal, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the freezer overnight. Then follow the same instructions (above) for reheating.