Spicy Chicken Meal-Prep Bowls are my favorite weekly lunch staple. They’re the perfect balance of filling yet light, spicy yet so utterly comforting at the same time. I love how the tender chicken gives way to the roasted, seasoned vegetables inside.
You’ll see expensive versions in grocery stores and takeout menus during the week, but for a healthy habit (and the best deal), learn how to make meal-prep bowls at home! I’m sharing my go-to spicy chicken recipe below, along with my best tips for success.
This recipe is easy to make with just a handful of spices and fresh veggies. Make it for a reliable lunch for the office, or try it as a simple dinner for busy nights. You better bet that I will be batch cooking this on Sunday for the week ahead. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Ingredients in Spicy Chicken Meal-Prep Bowls
This ingredient setup stays practical while still bringing plenty of flavor.
How to make Spicy Chicken Meal-Prep Bowls
This recipe moves smoothly and rewards a little patience.
1. Prepare the chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and coriander. Rub the spices in so every surface gets coated. This step sets the flavor tone early
2. Sear the chicken
Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan. Add the chicken and cook until golden on both sides. Lower heat and cook until fully done, then remove and let rest so juices stay inside
3. Prep the vegetables
Chop broccoli, green beans, and cauliflower into similar sizes. Even cuts help everything roast evenly and avoid mushy spots.
4. Season the vegetables
Toss the vegetables with olive oil, garlic, onion powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper. Make sure everything gets lightly coated
5. Roast until tender
Spread vegetables on a baking sheet and roast until tender with lightly crisp edges. Stir once so they brown evenly
6. Slice the chicken
Cut the rested chicken into thick slices. This keeps it juicy and makes it easy to portion into bowls
For Mashed Cauliflower:
7. Steam the Cauliflower
Bring about 2 cups of water to a boil in a large pot, insert a steamer basket with the cauliflower, and steam covered for 6-8 minutes until fork-tender.
8. Blend the Mixture
Uncover the pot and let the cauliflower cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a blender with the garlic and blend until completely smooth.
9. Season to Taste
Move the mixture to a bowl, stir in the butter, mayo, salt, and pepper until combined, and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
10. Build the bowls
Divide vegetables between containers. Add sliced chicken on top and a small spoon of mayo if desired for richness
11. Cool and store
Let everything cool before sealing containers. Store in the fridge and reheat gently to keep texture intact
How to serve Spicy Chicken Meal-Prep Bowls
These bowls work well on their own or paired with rice or quinoa for extra fuel. The vegetables and chicken already bring enough flavor to stand alone.
For a lighter option, enjoy them straight from the container after reheating. The spices wake everything up without needing extra sauce.
They also travel well, making them ideal for work lunches or quick dinners after long days.
Recipe Tips
- Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Cut vegetables evenly for better roasting.
- Adjust crushed red pepper to control heat.
- Use a large pan to avoid crowding.
- Cool fully before storing to keep texture fresh.
Spicy Chicken Meal-Prep Bowls
Course: Meal PrepCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium4
servings15
minutes35
minutesIngredients
4 medium chicken breasts
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon homemade mayo
Salt and black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon paprika
2 cups broccoli chopped
3 cups green beans chopped
1 medium cauliflower cut into florets
1 teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic clove minced
Directions
- Prepare the chicken:
Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and coriander. Rub the spices in so every surface gets coated. This step sets the flavor tone early - Sear the chicken:
Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan. Add the chicken and cook until golden on both sides. Lower heat and cook until fully done, then remove and let rest so juices stay inside - Prep the vegetables:
Chop broccoli, green beans, and cauliflower into similar sizes. Even cuts help everything roast evenly and avoid mushy spots. - Season the vegetables:
Toss the vegetables with olive oil, garlic, onion powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper. Make sure everything gets lightly coated - Roast until tender:
Spread vegetables on a baking sheet and roast until tender with lightly crisp edges. Stir once so they brown evenly - Slice the chicken:
Cut the rested chicken into thick slices. This keeps it juicy and makes it easy to portion into bowls - For Mashed Cauliflower:
- Steam the Cauliflower:
Bring about 2 cups of water to a boil in a large pot, insert a steamer basket with the cauliflower, and steam covered for 6-8 minutes until fork-tender. - Blend the Mixture
Uncover the pot and let the cauliflower cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a blender with the garlic and blend until completely smooth. - Season to Taste
Move the mixture to a bowl, stir in the butter, mayo, salt, and pepper until combined, and adjust the seasoning to your liking. - Build the bowls:
Divide vegetables between containers. Add sliced chicken on top and a small spoon of mayo if desired for richness - Cool and store:
Let everything cool before sealing containers. Store in the fridge and reheat gently to keep texture intact






