Are you one of those people who thinks chicken tastes weird after being reheated? If yes, this is for you! I’ve gathered some of the best meal prep lunch ideas to try if you don’t like reheated chicken for lunch. From ground turkey bowls to vegan meal prep to adult lunchables, here are 20 Meal Prep Ideas for People Who Can’t Stand Reheated Chicken!
First of all, let me say that if you can’t stand reheated chicken, you are not alone! I’ve seen this complaint in almost every meal prep group I’m a part of, and even heard it in person from friends and family. I myself have no problem with reheated chicken, so it’s not something I normally think about.
Admittedly, when I first hear this complaint, I want to know how you cook your chicken, how you store your chicken, and what recipes you follow to make your chicken. Is the chicken plain or seasoned well? Do you serve it with a sauce, or eat it by itself? These factors have A LOT to do with how moist or juicy your leftover chicken will be.
But this is such a common complaint, there must be people out there who DO cook their chicken correctly, and still just do not prefer to eat it reheated. Here are some of the quotes I’ve seen regarding feelings towards reheated chicken:
- “I can’t stand reheated chicken and most recipes I see involve chicken.”
- “When I meal prep chicken breast, it tastes so different when reheated. I don’t like it.”
- “What are your favorite non-chicken lunches? I’m weird and don’t like chicken reheated lol”
- “I have a strange aversion to reheated chicken and fish.”
- “I hate the taste of warmed over reheated chicken… having a hard time eating leftovers without drenching it in ranch”
Do any of these quotes sound like you?? DON’T WORRY. I’m here with ideas! The good news is there are several other protein options besides chicken that DO reheat well, and lots of cold lunch ideas you may have never thought about! Try one of these 20 Meal Prep Ideas for People Who Can’t Stand Reheated Chicken and keep your meal prep game strong đź’Ş
Pinwheels are a super simple deli lunch you can easily make at home and turn into meal prep! Check out my tips to help you make the BEST Easy Turkey Pinwheels Meal Prep! I use turkey breast but you can of course use your favorite kind of deli meat. If you're a cheese lover, get in here! This Caprese Cold Noodle Meal Prep is a vegetarian meal prep idea I can get behind. Cold noodles are a fabulous way to change up your meal prep! Make your next meal prep session quick and easy with this Low Carb Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps Meal Prep lunch! It’s a simple three serving meal prep of tuna salad on romaine lettuce wraps paired with fruits and veggies – healthy, easy, and no heating required! This one is a quick and simple ground turkey stir fry with veggies, served over rice or whatever side you prefer. Ground turkey reheats well and doesn't change texture in the microwave. Even if you don't like your chicken reheated, you can still use cold chicken in your meal prep lunches. The best way is homemade bistro boxes like this Chicken & Hummus Plate Lunch Meal Prep! This vegetarian meal prep is the farthest thing from reheated chicken! Full of hearty chickpeas, barley and butternut squash, I bet you've never tried a lunch bowl like this one! Just because reheated chicken is a big N-O in your book doesn't mean cold chicken isn't worth a try! Especially in warmer months, cold chicken salads are an easy go-to, and you can still stay away from the microwave! Give me all the pasta salad meal preps please!! Seriously. So many options, so many ways to customize. Add chicken, or stay away completely and keep it vegetarian. You're going to want this cold lunch meal prep next time you're waiting in line for lunch on a hot day! Ditch the traditional style Philly Cheesesteak sandwich this week, and make this super quick and simple Philly Cheesesteak Meal Prep instead! Looks way healthier than the alternative and has nothing to do with chicken! This healthy Asian paleo beef recipe is made mostly in the slow cooker and is the perfect make ahead lunch or dinner! It’s paired with cauliflower “rice” and veggies and makes a great low-carb, whole30 and paleo meal prep. No chicken in sight. This simple but incredibly delicious meal prep idea is a flavorful mix of ground turkey, ginger, garlic, chili sauce, fresh cabbage, and carrots. Serve over your favorite kind of rice, quinoa, or just eat it plain for loads of veggies! Seafood is usually on the bottom of my list for meal prep, but there's nothing wrong with a delicious healthy salmon bowl. I bet this one would taste phenomenal heated up or as a cold salad! Here's a quick lesson in turning cheese and crackers into an appetizing meal! No need to buy those bistro boxes at the coffee shop - make your own Adult Lunchables at home! Seriously obsessed with the cooking method of these meatballs! Low carb, cheesy, delicious, and no reheated chicken whatsoever. Chicken salad has to be one of my favorite things to do with leftover chicken. Because there's usually a sauce or other ingredients mixed in, you can't really tell if it was a little dry or overcooked to begin with. Chicken salad is very forgiving and delicious! This meal prep lunch is super fast and simple to put together, not to mention easy on the budget! Tofu usually isn't something I'm into, but I'll have to try something like this next time I'm in a meal prep rut! Do you use your Instant Pot for meal prep? Time to start! These turkey meatballs are stuffed with cheese (drooling already) and reheat well! Serve with rice and veggies for a delicious complete meal prep lunch. This one is pretty simple, but it shouldn't be forgotten. Bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado paired with an extra veggie and a hard boiled egg. These were originally developed for my Whole30, but feel free to adapt to your tastes! Use a whole grain wrap or change up the sides. This is one of those recipes that gets better the next day, after the ingredients have had time to marinate with the dressing! It's great for warm weather, full of clean ingredients, and takes just a couple minutes to throw together! Making mini pizzas has never been easier. Here's how to make them, plus four different flavor ideas. They're surprisingly delicious straight from the fridge!20 Meal Prep Ideas for People Who Can't Stand Reheated Chicken
Easy Turkey Pinwheels Meal Prep
Caprese Cold Noodle Meal Prep
Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps Meal Prep
Meal Prep Ground Turkey Snap Pea Stir Fry Rice Bowls
Chicken & Hummus Plate Lunch Meal Prep
Chickpea, Barley and Butternut Squash Lunch Bowls
Sesame Chicken Cold Rice Noodle Salad Lunches
Orzo Salad Meal Prep
Philly Cheesesteak Meal Prep
Paleo Asian Beef and “Rice” Meal Prep
Spicy Ground Turkey & Cabbage Stir Fry Meal Prep
Honey BBQ Baked Salmon Bowls {Meal Prep Recipe}
DIY Adult Lunchables
Baked Meatball Meal Prep with Spaghetti Squash
Easy Buffalo Chicken Salad (Whole30 & Paleo)
Curried Tofu Salad Meal Prep
Meal Prep Instant Pot Italian Stuffed Meatballs
BLTA Lettuce Wraps Meal Prep
Mediterranean Cauliflower Chickpea Salad
English Muffin Mini Pizzas Meal Prep
- How to Meal Prep for Beginners
- The Best Meal Prep Containers: My Recommendations
- 10 Steps of Meal Prepping: Recipe Ideas for Beginners
- 10 Staple Meal Prep Foods Always in My Kitchen
Quick Links to Meal Prep Containers Seen in This Post:
Are you someone who can’t stand reheated chicken? Did you try one of these meal prep ideas? I’d love to know which ones look good to you! Share your meal prep with me by tagging @ProjectMealPlan or use the hashtag #projectmealplan and I’ll be able to find it!
Hey, I'm Danielle. I made Project Meal Plan because being prepared and saving time are my favorite things. It doesn't hurt that I LOVE cooking and photography too. 
Liz says
June 4, 2019 at 7:48 amI wasn’t searching for this, but I randomly came across this post on Pinterest and thought, “That’s me!” No matter how the chicken is prepared, I think it has a weird “fleshy” taste lol when it’s reheated. Thanks for this!
Danielle says
June 4, 2019 at 8:39 amHey Liz! Glad this one caught your eye. You are definitely not alone – I hear it all the time! Hope you found some good ideas here! Thanks for your comment 🙂