4 Easy Meals I've Been Loving

Hey, guys! I do apologize for being a little bit MIA since the semester has begun, but I'm back today with some meal ideas for you of dishes I've been loving recently. I know if you are anything like me, you have zero time to cook, so these meal ideas are super easy, don't cost a lot of money to make, and can be meal prep friendly to save you time.

Taco soup--This is such a great soup that I make year-round but especially during the cooler months of the year when all I want is something warm. I got this recipe from Pinterest but I modified it a little to make it my own. 

Taco soup:

1 pound of ground beef

1 can of chili beans (not drained)

1 can of corn (not drained)

1 can of black beans (drained)

1 can of petite diced tomatoes (not drained)

1 pack of taco seasoning 

1. Cook 1 pound of ground beef until brown. Drain any excess grease. 

2. Add 1 can of chili beans (not drained).

3. Add 1 can of corn (not drained). 

4. Add 1 can of black beans (drained). 

5. Add 1 can of petite diced tomatoes (not drained). 

6. Add 1 pack of taco seasoning. 

7. Stir the mixture until thoroughly mixed together and enjoy or store in microwave-safe containers for later. 

Chicken burrito bowl--This burrito bowl recipe has been a sample for me lately and takes no time at all! It's great for days I crave Chipotle but simply cannot afford to eat out there all the time. I use a bag of diced frozen chicken because I do not like to handle raw meat but feel free to dice the chicken yourself. Please note that this recipe is a meal-prep version and can be done for a single serving but takes more time to do so. 

Chicken burrito bowl:

1 bag of diced chicken breasts

2  teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

3-4 pinches of Mrs. Dash garlic and herb seasoning 

1 can of black beans (drained)

1 can of corn

1 bag of instant ready white rice 

1 bag of Mexican style cheese 

1. Cook diced chicken in extra virgin olive oil and seasoning until golden brown around edges. 

2. Cook white rice in the microwave for 1 minute. (*Note: I use ready rice which can cook in the microwave. If you are not using ready rice, please follow directions on the package as indicated.) 

3. Take the cooked chicken and cooked rice and place into storage containers for later. 

4. Open can of black beans and drain. Then take beans and place them into a container to store. 

5. Repeat step 4 with but with the corn. 

6.  Store ingredients in separate containers in the fridge until ready for use. When ready to eat, place ingredients into a bowl, add cheese to the top, and microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds (*Note: times may vary depending on your microwave wattage.) 

Chicken berry salad--I am a big lover of salads but don't eat my greens like I should. This salad is a super-easy way for me to get the greens by body needs but still enjoy the sweetness of fruits. I do vary the kinds of fruits I add to this salad but the base remains the same. 

Chicken berry salad:

Diced chicken (see above recipe for how I prepare it) 

Baby spinach 

Frozen mixed berries or canned mandarin oranges 

Panera poppyseed dressing 

1. Cook chicken until golden around edges and place in a container in the fridge for at least 1 day after preparing to chill. 

2. Once the chicken has chilled, add onto a base of baby spinach that has been rinsed. 

3. Add fruit of your choice such as mixed berries, strawberries, or mandarin oranges to your salad. 

4. Add Panera poppyseed dressing or dressing of your choice to the salad. 

Chicken rice bowl--This is the perfect dish for when I am craving Chinese food. It's super simple and tastes amazing! 

Chicken rice bowl: 

Diced chicken (see chicken burrito bowl recipe for how to prepare)

1 bag of a frozen vegetable medley (Note: I bought a medley with peas, carrots, and broccoli) 

1 bag of instant ready white or brown rice

Soy sauce (to taste) 

1. Cook chicken until golden around edges. 

2. Cook rice in the microwave for 1 minute. 

3. Cook vegetable medley on stovetop or microwave until vegetables are soft but still crisp. 

4. Combine ingredients in a bowl and add soy sauce to taste. (Note: in image above, I forgot to add soy sauce but I would highly recommend it) 

I hope you enjoyed these easy recipes and let me know which one you want to try for yourself!