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Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Meal Prep - Easy, Flavor-Packed Lunches for the Week

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken: 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
  • Red enchilada sauce: 2 cups, preferably low sugar
  • Low carb tortillas or zucchini ribbons: 6 low carb tortillas (6-inch) or 3 medium zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
  • Bell peppers: 2 medium, thinly sliced
  • Onion: 1 small, thinly sliced
  • Cauliflower rice: 4 cups, fresh or frozen
  • Cheese: 2 cups shredded Mexican blend or cheddar
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Spices: 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper: to taste
  • Fresh cilantro: 1/4 cup, chopped (optional)
  • Lime: 1, cut into wedges
  • Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, Greek yogurt or sour cream

Method
 

  1. Prep the chicken. In a large bowl, toss shredded chicken with half the enchilada sauce and all the spices. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside to soak up the flavor.
  2. Sauté the veggies. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and bell peppers. Cook 5–7 minutes until soft and slightly caramelized. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove to a plate.
  3. Cook the cauliflower rice. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the cauliflower rice. Cook 5–6 minutes, stirring, until tender and steamy. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime. This will be your base.
  4. Par-cook zucchini if using. If you’re skipping tortillas, quickly sauté zucchini ribbons in a dry skillet for 1–2 minutes per side to soften and release moisture. Pat dry with paper towels.
  5. Assemble the layers. Lay out 5–6 meal prep containers. Spoon 3/4 cup cauliflower rice into each. Top with a portion of peppers and onions. Add a layer of chicken. Drizzle the remaining enchilada sauce over the chicken so each container gets some sauciness.
  6. Add the cheese. Sprinkle about 1/3 cup shredded cheese over each container. A little extra never hurts, but keep it balanced.
  7. Include your wrap element. If using low carb tortillas, you can slice them into strips and tuck into each container, or roll a quick enchilada and place it on top of the rice. For zucchini, layer a few ribbons over or under the chicken for the vibe of an unrolled enchilada.
  8. Bake or melt (optional). For gooey, bubbly cheese, place containers (oven-safe only) on a sheet pan and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes. If your containers aren’t oven-safe, microwave each for 30–60 seconds to melt the cheese before chilling.
  9. Finish with freshness. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Let cool completely before sealing.
  10. Store. Seal and refrigerate up to 4 days. Keep cold toppings like avocado or yogurt separate and add right before eating.