Cilantro Lime Chicken—ah, the zest and freshness of it can make your taste buds do a happy dance. Imagine coming home after a long day (you know, when the world feels like it’s spinning a bit too fast), craving something nourishing yet vibrant. This dish brings that perfect balance, almost like a mini-vacation on a plate, and yes, it’s simple enough to prep while you’re catching up on the latest episode of your favorite show.
Steps
- Prepare the cilantro lime chicken drumsticks by seasoning them with lime juice and cilantro, then bake them in the oven until cooked through.
- Cook the taco rice according to the package instructions, ensuring it’s fluffy and well-seasoned.
- Rinse and drain a can of black beans, then mix with an equal amount of frozen corn kernels, adding a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of cumin for flavor.
- Divide the cooked chicken, taco rice, and corn and black bean mix into meal prep containers, approximately 1.5 cups of rice and 3/4 cup of the corn and bean mix per container.
- Allow the rice to cool completely before freezing any extra portions to ensure food safety and quality.
Ingredients
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Drumsticks (4-6 drumsticks)
- 4 cups Taco Rice
- 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained, about 1.5 cups)
- Frozen fire roasted corn kernels (about 1.5 cups) or regular frozen corn kernels
- Pinch of salt
- Light sprinkle of cumin
- Green onions (for topping)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
FAQ
- Can I substitute the Taco Rice with something else?
- Yes, you can substitute Taco Rice with Chili Roasted Sweet Potatoes if you’re looking to reduce refined carbohydrates. They can be roasted in the oven simultaneously with the chicken.
- What can I use if I don’t have access to fire roasted corn?
- If fire roasted corn isn’t available, you can use regular frozen corn kernels or omit the corn entirely and use two cans of black beans. Consider using “seasoned” canned black beans for added flavor.
- How do I prevent food from becoming soggy during meal prep?
- While leftovers won’t taste identical to freshly cooked food, each meal will include tips to maintain its flavor and texture over four days. However, if you’re sensitive to changes in food texture, meal prepping might not be suitable for you.
- What should I do if I don’t like eating the same meal multiple days in a row?
- Meal prep may not suit everyone, especially if you prefer meal variety. Consider prepping for just a few days or mixing in meals from your freezer stash to add variety to your diet.
- Can I freeze the Cilantro Lime Chicken and Taco Rice?
- The Cilantro Lime Chicken may not reheat well if frozen due to the bone, but Taco Rice freezes well. Ensure the rice is cooled quickly to avoid food safety issues, then freeze in portions.
Tips
- If you want to reduce refined carbs, consider swapping the Taco Rice with Chili Roasted Sweet Potatoes, which can be roasted simultaneously with the chicken for convenience.
- Enhance the flavor of your corn and black bean mix by using frozen fire roasted corn kernels, but if they’re unavailable, regular frozen corn or even just seasoned canned black beans can be a flavorful and easy alternative.
- When dealing with meal prep containers, choose ones with tight-fitting lids to keep food fresh. Glass containers with steam vents are a great option for reheating and maintaining food quality.
- To ensure food safety, especially with rice, cool it quickly after cooking and freeze any extra portions promptly to avoid the risk of food poisoning.
Equipment
- Glass Meal Prep Containers: These are useful for storing and portioning the meals. The ones mentioned are rectangular with tight-fitting lids and a steam vent for reheating.
- Food Scale: This can be helpful for accurately portioning ingredients like rice and corn & black bean mix, especially if sticking to a budget or meal plan.
- Baking Sheet or Roasting Pan: Necessary for roasting chicken drumsticks or sweet potatoes in the oven.
- Large Mixing Bowl: Useful for mixing ingredients like the corn and black bean mix.
- Rice Cooker: If you prefer not to cook rice on the stovetop, a rice cooker can be a convenient option for preparing Taco Rice.
