Cook up and shred up some chicken and use these 4 yummy lunchbox ideas using shredded chicken to keep lunchbox packing fast and easy!
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Making the back to school transition!
We have had the *best* summer! Just the right balance of lazy summer days and all the summer fun on-the-go traditions and activities! Right around mid-August, I think we all start getting the itch to get back to routine, though. I always trying to ease into the new school routine, and I have a great lunchbox hack for you to get your year off to a great start!
Easing into the lunchbox routine in the best way
The most sure-fire way to lunchbox burn-out is to go into the week trying to make up lunchbox ideas out of thin air. It just takes too much time and brain power to do it that way. Instead, having a bit of a framework and routine to food prep helps me have the components I need to make school lunches fast.
Less than 10 minutes…
Yep. That is my lunchbox packing goal. No more than 10 minutes. Because if it is fussy and time consuming, it is really hard to stick with it.
My lunchbox prep secret weapon
So how do I ensure having real food ready to go each week so that lunchbox packing is only taking 10 minutes? For the last 5 years, I’ve made the habit of cooking a whole chicken to shred up like lunchmeat every single weekend. Most weekends this is happening on a Sunday afternoon. But, really, any time during the weekend can work. Having this shredded chicken on hand makes for easy lunchbox choices that are fast to make.
How to make a whole chicken – the non-intimidating way!
If managing a whole chicken sounds intimidating to you, hop over to this post to read about how to cook it in your Instant Pot pressure cooker. It is so fast and easy, not to mention will save you so much money on your lunchmeat budget!
Lunchbox Idea #1 :: Classic Chicken Sandwich
It doesn’t get any easier than this! You can do the sandwich grilled like a panini style, tossed with mayo for chicken salad sandwiches, or just shredded on fresh bread with mayo, mustard, and your favorite sandwich toppings. This particular lunchbox also has some butternut squash soup that I had prepped for lunch over the weekend, setting us up for thermoses of soup all week too! The rest of the sides are easy and fast – apples and pretzels!
Lunchbox Idea #2 :: Rice Bowls!
Dinner leftovers are a game changer! If you are having a rice bowl night, double up that rice and roasted veggies! You can scoop from it all week and add your shredded chicken! My kids don’t mind a cold rice bowl, but you can use a thermos if yours prefer it hot. This lunchbox also has some easy side add-ins – strawberries, macadamia nuts, and coconut rollers from Costco.
Lunchbox Idea #3 :: Quesadillas!
These simple quesadillas take just minutes to make! I just pile on cheese, shredded chicken, and more cheese onto a Seite almond flour wrap, then top with another wrap. Toast each side of the quesadilla in a buttered pan for a couple minutes, salt the top, and slice into triangles. It is one of my kids’ favorite lunches! You can pack salsa or guacamole cups on the side too. This particular lunchbox also has easy freezer mixed veggies, pistachios, a dried fruit bar, pretzels, and apples.
Lunchbox Idea #4 :: Easy dippers!
I mean, this is as simple as it gets, and your little ones at home will love a dippers lunch! We love the guacamole cups at Costco and Sam’s Club, but hummus cups, liver pate, aioli, or honey mustard works too. This lunchbox also has Simple Mills crackers, almonds, apples, and leftover broccoli from dinner.
Looking for some great lunchbox packing tips to get your school year off to the right start?
Let’s face it, the pencils, paper, and backpacks are usually first on the back to school list! But what about a plan for making sure your kids are fed well to make it through the school day? Come check out my veteran momma tips for back to school lunchbox packing so you don’t burn out, and those lunchboxes come home eaten!
In search for the perfect lunchbox gear for how you pack lunches?
Look no further! I’ve done the work for you and put together a guide filled with different lunch gear brands and types so you can pick out a box for the way YOU pack lunches!
Need more school lunchbox ideas?
My cookbook, The Little Lunchbox Cookbook is packed with 60 different lunchbox concepts! There is something for everyone! You can find it at any bookstore, or on Amazon here!
