Chicken and veggies marinated with olive oil, herbs, and spices and packed in zipper bags. These easy to pack bags make it super easy to cook lunch or dinner in minutes and last up to 2 months in the freezer!
I’m always up for meal-prepping because it makes life so much easier. This week, instead of meal prepping cooked meals, we will make chicken and veggie freezer packets. They freeze well and make a great lunch or dinner in minutes and can be packed into quart or gallon size freezer bags to feed 1 person or up to 4 people!
The star of the chicken and veggies is the chicken, but shrimp also works very well too. Next, pick your favorite quick-cooking vegetables like thinly sliced peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, sliced onions, or broccoli. Everything should be cut into thin strips or small cubes. Divide the chicken and veggies into individual freezer bags or into a large gallon size bag.
Now you can use your favorite marinade and turn these chicken and veggies into your favorite flavor profile or use my favorite simple Italian marinade recipe below. To cook the chicken and veggies, simple sautee them in a skillet or oven roast on a sheet pan for 15-20 minutes and you’re done!
Chicken and Veggie Freezer Packs
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 large zucchini, cut into slices
- 2 medium bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
- 1 medium yellow onion, halved and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
- 1/2 cup of your favorite marinade, or use recipe below
- 4 quart size of 2-gallon size ziplock bags
- For the marinade:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika, optional
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Divide chicken and veggies into 4 quart size or 2 gallon size ziplock bags.
- In a small bowl, Whisk the olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Divide marinade equally into the ziplock bags, seal and shake to fully coat the chicken and veggies. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- To cook, Heat skillet to medium-high heat and pour 1 bag into skillet and saute for 10-15 minutes or until tender and cooked. Alternatively, Pre-heat oven to 425F. Line a sheet pan with foil and pour chicken and veggies onto foil and roast for 15-20 minutes.
Can you use frozen veggies?
I live alone, recent widow and have not cooked for one. This will be a healthy start . Thanks
Sorry for your loss Judy
Are they veggies crisp or really soft? we usually cook ours fresh to just tender, not mushy. Was curious after freezing once cooked really soft or some crispness. Thanks.
The veggies will be soft but should regain crispness once cooked!
How many large Ziploc bags does this recipe fill?
You can fill about 4 quart size bags.
The blurb at the top of the article says the packs can be frozen for up to 6 months and the recipe says up to 2 months. Which is correct?
It’s 2 months!
Hi this looks amaZing. Can I dump this frozen into the air fryer? How would you adjust cook time? I love the idea of your 10min healthy air fryer chicken and veggies and would love to premake packets!!
Yes! I would just keep an eye on them and remove them once they’re cooked through!
Do you thaw BEFORE COOKING, OR DO YOU SAUTÉ OR ROAST FROM FROZEN?
I had the same question 🤷🏼♀️
I have the same question too?
The ingredient list states ‘1/2 c. marinade’ and you include a recipe for a marinade, but it appears to only be 1/4’s worth. Is that correct? Are we to double the marinade recipe?
thank you!
CouLd you add some cooked riCe to the chx and veggie freEzer packs and
Then Follow the saute cooking instructions ??
I would not recommend adding cooked rice to raw chicken. I would just place the rice in separate bags and add them to the chicken and veggies just before they are finished sauteeing.
Is the chicken added to the bags raw or cooked?
Wow the answer to my Big postpartum freezer Meal prep prayers! I’ve Made a bunch OF meals already, but SO many contain tomato sauce/canned Tomatoes And I’m looking For variety. I’m going to prep a bunch Of these, using whatever veggie i still have or Is for sale. I’m Thinking this MIGHT work with Sliced sausage as well!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Can u put raw chicken/ any other raw meat in same bag with veg
this is my hesitation as well….
Yes, I made a bunch of freezer meals for my parents and it has all been fine and worked out great!
How long can this be frozen for?
That is included in step #2. You can freeze the packs for up to 2 months.
instructions state can be frozen for up to 6 months
Love the idea, making a batch now.
I would like to make a Spanish bag with chorizo and was wondering
Can you potatoes in?
Yes, I don’t see why not. I would dice or slice them very thin so they cook with the chicken and veggies!
I’ve read over and over that freezing raw potatoes isn’t a good idea – they’ll be mushy. So, parboil them and you’ll have no problems!
Is the cook time from frozen or do you thaw first?
Could I put this all in the crock pot?
I haven’t tried, but I don’t see why not!
These looks so simple and delicious. Would you thaw them before cooking?
I would thaw them for at least 10 minutes on the counter but if you’re in a rush, cooking them frozen will work too.
I’ve researched that freezing raw veggies like this turns out gross amd they need to be blanched first. Do the raw frozen veggies turn out okay?
Yes, they should be fine without blanching!