These meal prep Asian miso chicken salad bowls are healthy, satisfying, and perfect for lunch or dinner! (dairy-free, gluten-free)
Do y’all have a least favorite meal? I know most people have a favorite meal. Mine is breakfast. I’d eat it 3 times a day (Actually I sometimes do.) My husband’s is probably dessert. But a least favorite? I know mine for sure. It’s lunch.
Lunch is just so…meh. I don’t really get excited about it because my lunch is usually so predictable. Toss whatever leftovers are in the refrigerator on top of whatever green things are in the refrigerator before heading out the door. Then noon rolls around and I end up feeling, well, sad, about my #SadDeskLunch.
But lately I’ve been trying to plan ahead and prepare lunches that I can get excited to eat (like this Brown Rice Sushi Bowl) so I don’t feel like lunch was a meal wasted on food that’s just meh. That’s why this month’s Recipe ReDux theme is so great. It’s all about lunch this month, and it’s helped me to get a little more creative so I can use my mid-day meal as an opportunity to not only get lots of different nutrients, but to also get excited about eating something #NotSad. So my lunch recipe that I’m sharing with you today is these healthy but super delicious meal prep Asian miso chicken salad bowls.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because I’ve already posted my Miso Chicken. (What, you didn’t think I was going to do lunch completely free of leftovers, did you?) This way, it’s easy to prep an extra chicken breast when you cook miso chicken for dinner and make a fabulous lunch for the next day!
All you have to do is chop some veggies, put them all in a container, and add the cooled chicken. Then top with some fun toppings. You can’t forget the toppings. I love adding nuts, and edamame for some extra healthy fat and protein in addition to the chicken. Plus the salad dressing is extra-delicious. You could even get really fancy and add sesame seeds or some crispy chow mein noodles if you want.
All of the bright colors and flavors in these meal prep Asian miso chicken salad bowls are oh-so tasty and provide tons of healthy nutrients, which, hello, is the purpose of lunch – to keep you going through the day. And you will definitely feel happier once you open your Pyrex and compare your happy lunch to your neighbor’s leftover cold pizza. #Winning.
PrintMeal Prep Asian Miso Chicken Salad Bowls
An Asian-inspired salad with Miso Chicken and lots of healthy toppings is a delicious, satisfying, gluten- and dairy-free lunch that is easy to prep ahead for the next day!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: salad
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 4 cups bok choy, Napa cabbage or baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 6 oz Miso Chicken
- 1/2 cup edamame, cooked and shelled
- 1/2 cup mandarin oranges, drained
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1/4 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 cup snap peas
- optional: fresh herbs such as mint or cilantro
For the dressing:
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tsp peanut butter or almond butter
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp low sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
Instructions
- Divide greens between 3 meal prep containers. Divide remaining salad ingredients containers.
- Mix dressing ingredients. Add to small dressing containers. Cover and refrigerate until ready to eat.
- Pour dressing over salads before eating.
Notes
You may also omit the cucumbers and heat up bowls before serving. I like to add everything, including the dressing, to a nonstick skillet and sauté for a few minutes until warmed.
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nutritioulicious says
April 22, 2016 at 8:32 amI’m totally with you on the leftovers over greens for lunch and needing to spice it up. This salad looks like the perfect way to do just that! Yum!
Kaleigh M says
April 22, 2016 at 6:17 pmIt so easy to get in a rut of doing that every day. Glad I have so many RR recipes to try now! 🙂
Regan @ Healthy Aperture says
April 22, 2016 at 9:41 amGorgeous, Kaleigh!
Kaleigh M says
April 22, 2016 at 6:17 pmThank you, Regan! 🙂
rdkarolina says
April 22, 2016 at 7:04 pmThis sounds delicious! I love your photography, too.
Kaleigh M says
April 23, 2016 at 9:12 amThank you so much, Karolina!
thecrowdedtableblog says
April 24, 2016 at 8:28 amSuch a pretty salad. It looks delicious! 🙂
Kaleigh M says
April 24, 2016 at 5:05 pmThank you, Kalee! (PS- my computer auto-corrected your name to ‘Kale’. 🙂
Sarah Grace Spann says
April 24, 2016 at 9:31 pmloveeee the looks of this! simply because like you, lunch is so mehhh to me. Its usually something rushed. But THIS looks delicious. I love me some good pb dressing…and lately I have been crazy about edamame. Talk about a filling salad! 🙂
xo
Kaleigh M says
April 25, 2016 at 8:45 pmThanks Sarah! I hope it makes your lunch time a little less meh!