This meal prep cashew chicken bowls are an easy, flavorful, and filling. Tender chicken in a rich sauce, with cashews and bell peppers. Served over steamed or cauliflower rice with roasted broccoli. The sauce is super easy to make – soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and more reduce to a thick flavorful sauce. Perfect for dinner or lunch, even better these are good all week!
Tools I used for this recipe:
- Glasslock Glass Food Storage Containers – the square containers are the perfect size for lunches, stain proof, and they are dishwasher safe
- Tongs – a must have kitchen tool!
- USA Pan Half Sheet Pan – my go-to sheet pans, these are truly non-stick and clean up nicely
Highlights of this easy meal prep recipe:
- Quick & easy
- Customizable flavor
- Kid friendly
- Stays fresh all week
- Nutritious
- Budget friendly
- Spice can be customized
If you like this easy chicken meal prep recipe, you’ll love…
Meal Prep Sticky Sesame Meatballs
Honey Soy Pork Tenderloin Bowls
Meal Prep Sweet Sriracha Meatball Bowls
Variations:
- Serve over cauliflower rice
- Serve with roasted asparagus or shelled edamame
- Make extra sauce and serve over top
- Cook chicken breasts and slice instead
- Add in chilies for extra spice
Cost Breakdown:
- Broccoli – $2.17
- Bell peppers – $3
- Thai Basil – $.80
- Chicken – $5.74
- Rice – $.94
- Cashews – $2.25
- Olive Oil – $.27
- Salt/Pepper – $.08
- Sesame Seeds – $.15
- Soy Sauce – $.45
- Honey – $.67
- Fish Sauce – $.07
- Rice Wine Vinegar – $.05
- Garlic – $.37
Total: $17.01
Per serving (5 servings): $3.40
What is cashew chicken sauce made of?
This sauce is super quick to make. Soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, hoisin, fish sauce, sesame oil, and a little sambal make a thick, sweet & spicy sauce. Perfect for coating the chicken and cashews.
Can I meal prep chicken for a week?
Absolutely. I do 5 days of meal prep, I always make it on Sunday and it is good through Friday. Make sure when you cook your food, you allow it to cool completely before sealing and storing.
What type of chicken is good for meal prep?
Boneless skinless chicken breast is the best for meal prep since it is low in fat. It is a great source of protein that can be used in many different recipes.
Instructions for this simple meal prep:
Rice:
- In a large sauce pan combine the rice and water, stir well. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling cover and reduce heat to low. Cook on low for 30 minutes. Remove lid, and fluff with a fork. Set aside to cool.
Broccoli:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Transfer broccoli to a large sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, and pepper. Toss to combine. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes until slightly tender. Set aside to cool.
Sauce:
- In a measuring cup combine the soy sauce, honey, fish sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, hoisin, and sambal. Whisk to combine.
- In a large sauté pan heat oil over medium-high heat, once hot add in the chicken, season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add in the red pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add in garlic and cashews, sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the sauce, stir to combine, reduce heat to medium and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. The peppers should be tender and the chicken cooked through, or temping at 165 degrees F.
- Portion the rice and broccoli evenly into the 5 containers. Top with the cooked chicken mixture, spoon over any extra sauce, top with fresh Thai basil. Allow to cool completely, seal, and store.
Meal Prep Cashew Chicken Bowls
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 1/2 – 2 lbs. Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 1 Red bell pepper, sliced thinly
- 2-3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Cashews, roasted & unsalted
- Thai basil, optional as garnish
For the rice:
- 2 cups Brown rice, dry
- 4 cups Water
For the broccoli:
- 2 – 2 1/2 lbs. Broccoli, cut into florets
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
For the sauce:
- 1/3 cup Soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 1 tsp Fish sauce
- 1 tsp Rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- 1 tsp Sambal
- 1 tsp Hoisin
Instructions
For the rice:
- In a large sauce pan combine the rice and water, stir well. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling cover and reduce heat to low. Cook on low for 30 minutes. Remove lid, and fluff with a fork. Set aside to cool.
For the broccoli:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Transfer broccoli to a large sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, and pepper. Toss to combine. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes until slightly tender. Set aside to cool.
For the sauce:
- In a measuring cup combine the soy sauce, honey, fish sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, hoisin, and sambal. Whisk to combine.
- In a large sauté pan heat oil over medium-high heat, once hot add in the chicken, season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add in the red pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add in garlic and cashews, sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the sauce, stir to combine, reduce heat to medium and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. The peppers should be tender and the chicken cooked through, or temping at 165 degrees F.
- Portion the rice and broccoli evenly into the 5 containers. Top with the cooked chicken mixture, spoon over any extra sauce, top with fresh Thai basil. Allow to cool completely, seal, and store.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @theheartylife on Instagram and hashtag it #theheartylife.