She Strengthens

The Ultimate Guide to Cooking a Family-Size Pack of Chicken Breasts

Why Stock Up on Chicken Breasts?

Chicken breasts are the ultimate weeknight dinner staple. They’re versatile, easy to cook, and pair well with almost anything. But with a short shelf life of just 1-2 days, it can be challenging to use up a large pack before it goes bad.

Meal Planning to the Rescue!

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. With a little planning, you can turn a 5-pound pack of chicken breasts into a variety of delicious meals that will last you all week.

How to Store Your Chicken

To make your chicken last, it’s essential to store it properly. Remove 1 pound of chicken from the pack, wrap it tightly in foil or freezer-safe wrapping, and stash it in the freezer. Keep the rest in the refrigerator. Cooked chicken lasts longer than fresh, so we’ll focus on cooking most of the meat early in the week and using it in recipes throughout the next few days.

Early in the Week: Get Cooking!

Let’s start with two delicious recipes that use fresh chicken breasts.

• Slow-Cooker Shredded Chicken: This simple recipe uses 3 pounds of chicken breast and makes 6 cups of shredded chicken. Perfect for using in future meals!
• Paleo Breakfast Casserole with Chicken: Use your remaining pound of fresh chicken in this hearty breakfast casserole that combines poultry with veggies and bacon.

Midweek Freshness: Using Up Your Precooked Poultry

Now that you’ve prepped your chicken, it’s time to get creative with these tasty recipes.

• Avgolemono Soup: This traditional Greek dish uses 2 cups of chicken and is ready in just 30 minutes.
• Chicken Tetrazzini with Mushrooms and Kale: This lightened-up version of the classic pasta dish uses 4 cups of chicken and adds a nutrient boost with kale.

Wrapping Up the Week: Thawing Out

Finish off the week with an easy Asian-inspired dinner using your frozen pound of chicken.

• Sheet Pan Sesame Chicken and Veggies: This healthy sheet pan meal pairs a sweet and savory sauce with chunks of white meat, broccoli, red bell pepper, and snap peas.

With these recipes, you’ll be able to use up your entire 5-pound pack of chicken breasts and enjoy a variety of delicious meals throughout the week. Happy cooking!