Frozen and processed foods can be costly, lacking in nutrients and unappetizing. Preparing your favorite chicken meals and freezing them for later can provide you with a quick and healthy meal choice full of protein when you are pressed for time. Adding other ingredients like vegetables and whole grains to your chicken dishes will form a balanced meal for you and your family. When freezing your meals, let them cool before placing them in freezer-safe containers or bags, labeled with their preparation date.
Chicken Alfredo
Chicken Alfredo has the potential to be a very rich dish with a large amount of fat when made with heavy cream. Use skim milk instead, and cut the fat to about 2.7 g per serving. Other common ingredients found in chicken Alfredo are pasta, chicken broth, garlic and Parmesan cheese. Add broccoli, carrots, celery, peas or other vegetables to provide a source of fiber and more nutrients to your meal. Consider whole grain pasta for another good source of fiber, according to Mayoclinic.com. Your meal preparations will consist of cooking the chicken, preparing the sauce, boiling the pasta and steaming or frying the vegetables. To avoid mushy pasta upon reheating, boil the pasta until it is barely al dente.
Chicken Stir Fry
Chicken stir fry is typically made with either thin noodles or rice. Brown rice or whole grain pasta are a nutritious choice for your dish. Vegetables generally form a large part of a stir fry. Broccoli, carrots, celery, bell peppers, spinach, green onions and ginger are a few options for your meal. Skinless boneless chicken breast will provide you with a lean source of protein, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Combined with the flavors of low sodium soy sauce, chicken bouillon or sesame oil, your meal is complete. To prepare, cook either brown rice or whole grain noodles, fry the chicken and vegetables until tender, add sauce and serve with the whole grain pasta or rice. Freeze the meal in portions for a quick and easy serving of food when needed.
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie consists of a crust and a thick sauce with vegetables and chicken. Frozen or fresh peas, carrots, celery, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, mushrooms and chicken are some ingredients that may be found inside a pot pie. A sauce made with low-sodium chicken broth provides a tasty base of flavor. Prepare the crust with unbleached or whole grain flour, a small amount of butter or non-hydrogenated margarine, and water or low fat milk. Bake your chicken pot pie until the crust is golden brown. Seal your pot pie in a freezer-safe container to avoid freezer burn.
Chicken Chili
Chicken chili is made with lean ground chicken breast or chopped boneless, skinless chicken breast. The main components of chili are tomatoes, beans and spices. Tomatoes can be added fresh or canned and found in low sodium or salt-free versions. Common choices of tomatoes are stewed, crushed or diced. Types of beans used for chili are red kidney beans, white kidney beans, cannelini beans, pink beans and garbanzo beans. Spices and herbs to flavor your chili include paprika, cumin, cilantro, pepper, onion and garlic. Add hot sauce, cayenne pepper or chilies if you enjoy a spicy flavor. Carrots, celery and green pepper can be added for a healthier meal and for texture and color. Cilantro and low-fat or fat-free sour cream make a tasty garnish. When chili is placed in containers for freezing, leave room at the top for expansion.
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