A high-protein, budget-friendly meal prep box with juicy chicken and ultra-creamy mac and cheese.
Prep & Cook Time
- Prep: 15 min
- Cook: 20 min
- Total: 35 min
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the mac and cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1½ cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Season sliced chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Cook in a skillet 5–7 minutes until browned and juicy.
- For the mac and cheese, melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk until smooth and thickened.
- Stir in cheddar, parmesan, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Fold in cooked macaroni until creamy and fully coated.
- Assemble meal prep containers with mac and cheese and sliced chicken.
Nutrition Facts (approx per box)
- Calories: 640
- Protein: 42 g
- Carbs: 54 g
- Fat: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
Quick Facts
- High protein
- Great for weekly meal prep
- Kid-friendly flavor
- Budget-friendly
- Comfort + balance
Tips
- Add broccoli or spinach for extra greens.
- Use chicken thighs for even more juiciness.
- Add a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.
- For another make-ahead idea, check out this Chicken and Shrimp Recipes collection that’s also perfect for prepping in batches.
Variations
- Replace chicken with turkey or shrimp.
- Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack for a creamier melt.
- Add garlic or onion powder to the sauce for extra depth.
- If you’re into high-protein comfort dishes, this Creamy Beef Pasta Skillet is another one to keep in your rotation.