Freezer Meal Prep: Chicken

Having freezer meals on hand to pull out of the freezer for dinner is SO helpful when life is busy or you just don’t have the energy to pull together all of the things for a meal. I definitely recommend making double of any freezer friendly meals when you have the time so that you can eat one and freeze one. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself when you can pull it out and pop it in the oven.

Another freezer meal tip is buying bulk packages of fresh chicken and then freezing it in portions along with marinades or dry rubs so it’s one less step for you to do when you’re making dinner later. It also helps with the decision making process of what in the world to include in your meal plan, you already have the main dish prepped and ready to go.

• Start with picking up one or more bulk packs of chicken, whatever ingredients you need for your favorite marinades or rubs, and gallon size freezer bags.
• Add the ingredients for your marinades or rubs directly to the freezer bag, no need to dirty bowls.
• Give it a shake to blend.
• Add the amount of chicken you usually use for your family.
• Press the air out of the bag, seal and label it.
• Freeze it flat in your freezer.

It might not seem like much but has definitely saved time for me when I’m prepping dinner. If you’re making a marinade or rub from scratch for this, I would definitely recommend doubling the recipe and prepping two bags of chicken with that marinade. It’s much less work to double a recipe than to have to make it twice.

Here are some ideas for rubs or marinades:

• Store bought or homemade salad dressings, think Italian, Greek, Caesar or vinaigrettes

• My favorite BBQ rub (by Carlsbad Cravings) with a tablespoon of olive oil – this adds so much depth of flavor and a little kick to BBQ chicken – then just add BBQ sauce when you grill your chicken. I typically make a large batch of this rub so I always have some on hand

• McCormick Grill Mates are quick semi-homemade marinades. Our favorite is the Zesty Herb but we also like several others.

• Store bought marinades. Some good ones: Lawry’s Herb & Garlic, Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki

• Your favorite homemade marinade or try Ina Garten’s Tuscan Lemon

• Homemade or store-bought taco or fajita marinade/seasoning.

• Chipotle marinade. I love a spicy one that Jen Hatmaker posted on her blog years ago that was a small can of chipotles in adobo, one small purple onion, 6 garlic cloves, 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp dried oregano, salt and pepper, 1/2 cup olive oil plus water to desired consistency blended in a blender – makes enough for two batches of chicken

• Freeze a bag or two with no marinade for other recipes

I hope this freezer meal kitchen tip saves you time with the daily grind of dinner prep. Having a freezer stocked with easy meals or meal components is a GREAT feeling!

Click the center of the photo below to pin these freezer meal ideas to Pinterest: