Budget High Protein Meal Prep (Print Version)

Five days of budget-friendly, protein-rich meals with roasted chicken, brown rice, beans, eggs and mixed veggies.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed and cut into bite-sized cubes
02 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
04 - 6 large eggs

→ Grains & Starches

05 - 2 cups brown rice (uncooked)

→ Vegetables

06 - 2 cups broccoli florets
07 - 2 large bell peppers, diced
08 - 1 large red onion, diced
09 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 large zucchini, diced

→ Flavorings & Pantry

11 - 3 tbsp olive oil
12 - 2 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
14 - 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional

17 - Hot sauce, to taste
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
19 - Lemon wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - Prepare 2 cups brown rice according to package instructions; fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly.
03 - In a large bowl, combine chicken cubes with 1 tbsp olive oil, smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, and salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly.
04 - Spread the seasoned chicken in a single layer on one prepared baking sheet, leaving space between pieces for even browning.
05 - In a separate bowl, toss broccoli, bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini with 2 tbsp olive oil, the remaining 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, remaining 1/2 tsp dried oregano, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
06 - Spread the vegetable mixture in a single layer on the second prepared baking sheet to promote even roasting.
07 - Place both baking sheets in the oven and roast for 18–22 minutes, turning once halfway through, until chicken registers 165°F and vegetables are tender and lightly caramelized.
08 - Place eggs in a saucepan, cover with cold water, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath, cool completely, peel, and halve.
09 - Divide the cooked brown rice evenly among five meal-prep containers as the base for each portion.
10 - Top each container of rice with equal portions of roasted chicken, roasted vegetables, black beans, chickpeas, and two egg halves.
11 - Add optional hot sauce, cilantro, or a lemon wedge if desired. Seal containers and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It feels like a secret trade with a friend because each container is ready to grab and genuinely keeps you full through busy days.
  • The flavors stay bright and forgiving so you can swap proteins or grains without losing the point of the meal.
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the baking sheets or you will steam the vegetables instead of roasting them to a caramelized finish.
  • Let the rice cool slightly before dividing so the containers do not get soggy and the portions stay neat.
03 -
  • Use one tray for protein and a second for vegetables so each item cooks at its best.
  • Parboil denser vegetables if you want everything to finish at exactly the same moment.
Go Back