Name: Grinch Fruit Kabobs
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: Green grapes; Banana, sliced; Fresh strawberries, hulled; Mini marshmallows; Mini skewers or toothpicks

30 Minutes or Less

Meal Prep Chicken Salad Lunch Boxes

By Samantha Russo October 10, 2023

Hey there, lunch lovers! Are you tired of sad desk lunches or last-minute takeout decisions? We’ve got the solution – a scrumptious, healthy Meal Prep Chicken Salad Lunch Box that’ll have your coworkers drooling and your taste buds doing the happy dance. So, dust off those meal prep containers and let’s dive into lunchtime bliss!

meal prep chicken salad lunch boxes with crackers on the side.

For more meal prep recipes, purchase my ULTIMATE Meal Prep E-Book for just $5 HERE!

What You’ll Need to Make Chicken Salad

Chicken Breast: The star of the show! Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a lean and protein-packed salad.

Mayonnaise: Go light or use a healthier mayo option if you’re watching your calories. It’s the creamy base that ties everything together. I used Sir Kensington’s Avocado Oil Mayonnaise in my chicken salad.

Pecans or Walnuts: These crunchy nuts add a delightful texture and a hint of nutty flavor to your chicken salad. Choose your favorite!

Fresh Tarragon: Don’t skip this herbaceous gem! Fresh tarragon elevates the flavors to a whole new level.

Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice provides that zesty kick that makes your taste buds sing.

chicken salad being scooped up with a cracker.

Click HERE for a link to the meal prep lunch boxes I use in this recipe!

Tips and Tricks

The Perfect Chicken: Start with perfectly cooked chicken. You can poach it, grill it, or even use rotisserie chicken if you’re short on time. The key is to make sure it’s cooked through but still juicy. Overcooked chicken makes for a dry salad, and we don’t want that!
Balance is Key: Play around with the mayo-to-chicken ratio to suit your taste. Some like it creamy, while others prefer a lighter touch. You’re the boss of your lunchbox, so adjust to your heart’s content.
Prep for Success: This chicken salad is an MVP in meal prep. Make a big batch on Sunday and portion it into containers for the week. It stays fresh in the fridge, making lunchtime a breeze. Just be sure to keep the nuts separate until you’re ready to dive in to maintain that satisfying crunch.

5 from 1 vote

Meal Prep Chicken Salad Lunch Boxes

Hey there, lunch lovers! Are you tired of sad desk lunches or last-minute takeout decisions? We’ve got the solution – a scrumptious, healthy Meal Prep Chicken Salad Lunch Box that’ll have your coworkers drooling and your taste buds doing the happy dance. So, dust off those meal prep containers and let’s dive into lunchtime bliss!

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 25

Servings: servings

Ingredients

For the chicken salad:

1 1/2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken breast
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
1 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the lunch boxes:

crackers, I used gluten-free crackers
cucumbers or carrots, sliced
fruit, such as grapes or berries
nuts, such as almonds

Instructions

Place chicken breasts in a wide pot or deep skillet, then pour in enough water until chicken is completely submerged in water.
Bring pot to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
Remove chicken from the water, then place on a cutting board and either chop the chicken into cubes or shred the chicken with two forks.
Place chopped or shredded chicken into a large bowl and let cool completely.
Once cool, add in all remaining chicken salad ingredients. Mix everything together until well combined.

For the lunch boxes:

Add the chicken salad to the lunch boxes along with the veggies, fruit, and nuts. Then, store the crackers separately.
Store the chicken salad lunch boxes in the fridge for up to 4 days, and store the crackers separately at room temperature.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

Say goodbye to boring lunches and hello to lunchtime bliss with our Meal Prep Chicken Salad Lunch Boxes! It’s the perfect blend of protein, flavor, and convenience. Plus, with our handy tips and tricks, you’ll be the lunchtime hero of your office.

So, go ahead, whip up a batch, and let your taste buds savor the deliciousness. Your coworkers will be envious, and your taste buds will be thanking you. Happy meal prepping!

Interest In More Meal Prep Recipes? Check These Out!

View Post

30 Minutes or Less

Healthy Summer Fruit Crisp

By Samantha Russo July 25, 2023

A healthy fruit crisp loaded with fresh summer fruits! The perfect warm-weather dessert, best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Super easy to make with just one bowl, in 30 minutes.

Close-up overhead image of summer fruit crisp in a baking dish with vanilla ice cream on top.

What You’ll Need to Make Summer Fruit Crisp

Summer Fruit – I used fresh blueberries, strawberries, and peaches in my summer fruit crisp, but any fruit will work! Feel free to use whatever you have on-hand, or whatever’s on sale at the grocery store that week. The only thing to note is, whichever fruit you use, make sure it totals to about 5-6 cups for this recipe.

Maple Syrup – This healthy dessert recipe is sweetened with maple syrup! It’s refined sugar-free and honestly so healthy you could get away with eating it for breakfast.

Rolled Oats – Any type of rolled oats will do – old-fashioned, quick cook, etc. The only type of oats you’ll want to avoid for your fruit crisp topping are whole oats, steel-cut, or Irish oats.

Almond Flour – The almond flour keeps this recipe gluten-free! However, if you don’t have almond flour, or want to make this nut-free, you can replace the almond flour with all purpose flour.

Butter or Coconut Oil – Use whichever you prefer in your crisp! I typically just use whichever I have on-hand. Coconut oil is obviously the healthier option, but butter adds a bit more flavor, which I love.

Tips and Tricks

Keep this recipe simple! You’ll only need one bowl, which is used to first mix together the filling, then the crisp. There’s no need to dirty any extra dishes for this healthy dessert recipe.
This summer fruit crisp is best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream on top. Though feel free to serve it however you’d like. On its own is delicious, or with a dollop of fresh whipped cream – yum!
Store leftover fruit crisp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If enjoying leftovers, I recommend reheating in the microwave for just about 30 seconds before eating.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Dairy-Free: Use either non-dairy butter, or take the coconut oil option in the crisp.

Make it Nut-Free: For a nut-free dessert, replace the almond flour with 1/2 cup of all purpose flour.

5 from 1 vote

Healthy Summer Fruit Crisp

A healthy fruit crisp loaded with fresh summer fruits! The perfect warm-weather dessert, best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Super easy to make with just one bowl, in 30 minutes.

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings: servings

Ingredients

For the filling:

2 cups blueberries
2 cups sliced strawberries, or raspberries
2-3 peaches, pitted and sliced
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the crisp:

1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup almond flour
pinch of salt
1/4 cup butter or coconut oil, solid
1/4 cup maple syrup

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
Mix together all filling ingredients in a large bowl, then transfer to a 9-inch baking dish.
Mix together all crisp ingredients in a large bowl (you can use the same bowl you used to make the filling), then evenly sprinkle crisp over top of the filling.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until fruit is soft, then let cool slightly before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

View Post

30 Minutes or Less

Super EASY Grinch Fruit Kabobs

By Samantha Russo December 22, 2022

The easiest holiday treat of all time – Grinch fruit kabobs! Slide fruit onto skewers and you’ve got yourself a festive snack or dessert. Get the kids involved in this fun Christmas activity!

grinch fruit kabobs on a plate with green grapes, strawberries, mini marshmallows, and skewers on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make Grinch Fruit Kabobs

Green Grapes – Green, not red grapes for this Grinch-themed treat!

Banana – Slice your banana into 1/2-inch pieces before sliding onto your skewers.

Strawberries – Hull your strawberries before using in this recipe! That basically just means remove the green leaves on top.

Mini Marshmallows – The perfect little Santa hat topping!

How to Store Them

Store these Grinch fruit kabobs in an airtight container in the fridge for one day. They may last longer than a day, but the banana will begin to oxidize and turn brown – not ideal! For best results, I recommend making them right before serving.

close-up image of grinch fruit kabobs on a plate

These Grinch Fruit Kabobs Are…

Super Easy
Gluten-Free
Kid-Friendly
Dairy-Free
& Healthy!

Grinch Fruit Kabobs

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by Samantha Course: Snacks, DessertDifficulty: Easy

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

0

minutes

Total time

5

minutes

The easiest holiday treat of all time – Grinch fruit kabobs! Slide fruit onto skewers and you’ve got yourself a festive snack or dessert. Get the kids involved in this fun holiday activity!

Ingredients

Green grapes
Banana, sliced
Fresh strawberries, hulled
Mini marshmallows
Mini skewers or toothpicks

Directions

Slide a grape onto a skewer, about 2-inches down from the top of the skewer.
Then, slide a banana slice on top of the grape, followed by a strawberry, followed by a mini marshmallow.
Continue this process with remaining ingredients.

Recipe Video

Did you make this recipe?

Share it and tag @samdoesherbest on Instagram!

Like this recipe?

Follow us @samdoesherbest on Pinterest

View Post

Desserts

Easy Peach Crisp (One-Bowl!)

By Samantha Russo July 6, 2022

A delicious peach crisp loaded with fresh fruit, and an easy crump topping. Loaded with simple, good-for-you ingredients, a dessert so healthy you could even eat it for breakfast! Perfectly sweet, best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – YUM.

peach crisp in a pie dish with vanilla ice cream on top.

What You’ll Need To Make Peach Crisp

Peaches – Use fresh, not frozen peaches for this easy crisp recipe! Slice each peach in half, remove the pit, then slice them into 1/4-inch pieces. Either leave the skin on or peel them before slicing, it’s up to you!

Corn Starch – Corn starch, arrowroot starch, or tapioca starch will all work in the filling of this recipe. A tablespoon of either thickening agent will help the filling stick together.

Rolled Oats – Any type of rolled oats will work! The only oats you should avoid are steel-cut and/or Irish oats. Or, for a paleo version of this recipe, replace the oats with extra almond flour and chopped nuts!

peach crisp in a bowl with vanilla ice cream on top.

Tips and Tricks

Let the peach crisp cool for 5-10 minutes before serving! This’ll give the filling enough time to set, and prevent those peach juice from running out when served. Also, don’t forget to serve it with a big ole’ scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – it’s simply the BEST!

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Paleo: For a paleo fruit crisp, use arrowroot starch instead of corn starch in the filling, and replace the rolled oats with an extra 1/4 cup almond flour plus 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

Make it Gluten-Free: This recipe is already gluten-free! However, to ensure no traces of gluten in your peach crisp, be sure to use a gluten-free certified corn starch as well as gluten-free certified rolled oats.

Easy Peach Crisp (One-Bowl!)

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

35

minutes

A delicious fruit crisp loaded with fresh peaches, and an easy crump topping. Loaded with simple, good-for-you ingredients, a dessert so healthy you could even eat it for breakfast! Perfectly sweet, best served warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream – YUM.

Ingredients

For the filling:
4-5 peaches, pitted, pitted, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 tablespoon corn starch
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
small pinch cinnamon
For the crumb topping:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
pinch of salt
1/4 cup coconut oil, solid
1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
Add all filling ingredients to a bowl and toss to coat peaches, then transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish.
Add all crisp ingredient to a bowl and mix together until combined.
Sprinkle topping over filling and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Recipe Video

Did you make this recipe?

Share it and tag @samdoesherbest on Instagram!

Like this recipe?

Follow us @samdoesherbest on Pinterest

View Post

30 Minutes or Less

Marshmallow Fruit Dip (just 4 ingredients!)

By Samantha Russo June 20, 2022

A perfectly sweet, light, and fluffy marshmallow fruit dip! Comes together in a few simple steps with only four ingredients. This fruit dip is both gluten-free and dairy-free, perfect recipe for potlucks and/or summer parties!

overhead image of marshmallow fruit dip in a bowl with berries and sliced pears.

What You’ll Need To Make Marshmallow Fruit Dip

Egg Whites – Use your favorite method to separate four egg whites from their yolks. I use this method to separate my eggs, which takes some practice but doesn’t require any special kitchen tools. And don’t discard your egg yolks! Instead, save and add them to your morning scramble for extra vitamins and minerals.

Sugar – Either cane sugar or white sugar will work in this recipe. I used unbleached cane sugar, for the simple fact that it’s less processed than white sugar. However, feel free to use whichever sugar you have on-hand. And for a paleo option, check out the “adjust this recipe to your dietary needs” section below!

Cream of Tartar – I know what you’re thinking …cream-of-what?? Cream of tartar is a white powder, found in either the baking or spice aisle of most grocery stores. It’s a stabilizer that gives this marshmallow fruit dip it’s ultra-fluffy texture. Sure, you can make this recipe without it, but your egg whites won’t whip up as nicely.

Vanilla Extract – A touch of vanilla extract makes this fruit tip taste just like homemade marshmallow fluff! While you can certainly leave the vanilla out, it does add a nice hint of extra delicious flavor.

strawberry being dipped into marshmallow fruit dip.

Serve This Marshmallow Fruit Dip With…

Strawberries
Blueberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Sliced Apples
Pears
Grapes
Pineapple
Melon
or whatever fruit you have on-hand!

marshmallow fruit dip on a fresh strawberry, on a fork.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Sugar-Free: For a sugar-free dessert recipe, replace the regular sugar with your favorite granular sugar substitute. I recommend either granular monk fruit sweetener, or swerve.

Make it Paleo: Use coconut sugar for a paleo marshmallow fruit dip! If taking this option, your dip will appear a caramel/brown color, rather than the white you see in these photos.

Marshmallow Fruit Dip (just 4 ingredients!)

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by Samantha Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy

Servings

12

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Total time

15

minutes

A perfectly sweet, light, and fluffy marshmallow fruit dip! Comes together in a few simple steps with only four ingredients. This fruit dip is both gluten-free and dairy-free, perfect recipe for potlucks and/or summer parties!

Ingredients

4 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
fresh fruit, for serving

Directions

Place the egg whites, sugar, and cream of tarter in a large bowl.
Bring 2-inches of water in a saucepan to a simmer, then place the bowl on top of the saucepan. Do not let the bowl touch the water.
Whisk egg white mixture constantly for 3-4 minutes, or until thin, smooth, and sugar has completely dissolved. If you have a kitchen thermometer, check that the temperature has reached 160° Fahrenheit.
Remove bowl from saucepan, add in vanilla extract, then while still hot beat with a hand or stand mixer until super light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Serve marshmallow dip alongside fresh fruit.