This Should Be Your Meal-Prepping Staple Dish, According To Giada De Laurentiis

Who doesn't love a great meal prep hack or recipe? Thank you, TikTok! Meal prepping has become increasingly popular over the last several years, and is even turning into a Sunday ritual for some. If you're a meal prepper yourself, this news may come as no surprise to you. After all, you're already familiar with the wonderful benefits of meal prepping, like how it allows you to have free time during the week to enjoy other activities you love like reading or going for a walk. Not to mention, all the money you're saving by not eating takeout or on throwaway groceries.

Time and money aside, Real Simple points out that the health benefits of meal prepping are just as crucial. For example, making your meals ahead of time can help decrease bloating and water retention, teach you about portion control and regular eating intervals, limit your added sugars intake, and most importantly, you're the only one in charge of what gets put in your body.

Food Network personality and Italian food extraordinaire Giada de Laurentiis knows very well what it's like to live a very busy life, which is why she's sharing her meal prepping staple dish with her fans. Spoiler alert: It can be enjoyed over four different ways.

Earlier this year, de Laurentiis revealed on her Instagram account that spring chicken salad is her favorite dish for meal prepping. One quick glance at the recipe card and it's easy to see why. From prep to table, the whole meal can be whipped together in just 25 minutes and last up to three days in the fridge (via Giadzy). While the ingredient list may be on the longer side, keep in mind there's no physical cooking or baking that goes into making this cold protein salad. All you have to do is buy the ingredients, measure, chop, slice, and toss.

Some things you'll need are olive oil, freshly chopped tarragon and chives, lemon zest and juice, salt, sugar snap peas, plain yogurt, and shredded rotisserie chicken. There's only two steps to this recipe and both involve mixing and tossing said ingredients. For optimal taste, de Laurentiis recommends allowing the chicken salad to chill in the fridge for up to 15 minutes prior to serving. Enjoy the spring chicken salad à la carte, on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, bowl, salad, or however you please throughout the rest of your week.