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Chicken Katsu Bento Box Meal Prep Ideas

When I think about comfort food that still feels smart for weekday lunches, chicken katsu always lands at the top. It has that golden, crispy bite that makes you forget you're eating something prepped ahead, and honestly, that's rare. I like to tuck it into a bento box with a scoop of rice, a bit of salad, and maybe some pickles if I’m feeling fancy. This way, it feels like a mini restaurant meal that traveled right into my fridge. The beauty of this dish lies in its balance. The crunch of the chicken, the warm fluffiness of rice, and the cool crisp veggies make every bite feel complete. It's not heavy, it’s not too light—it’s just right for a mid-day pick-me-up. And let’s be real, having meal prep ideas like this means fewer random snack raids at 3 p.m. when hunger sneaks in. So if you’re after easy healthy meal prep, the best meal prep recipes often have one thing in common: they taste like food you actually want to eat. That’s where recipes meal prep really shines. For me, this one’s on repeat because it checks every box: easy healthy meal prep recipes that don’t feel boring, recipe meal prep that doesn’t take all Sunday, and meal prep chicken recipes that make me look forward to lunch instead of dreading it.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Japanese
Keywords: best meal prep recipes, Easy Healthy Meal Prep, easy healthy meal prep recipes, meal prep chicken recipes, meal prep ideas, recipe meal prep, recipes meal prep
Servings: 2 bento boxes
Author: Lila

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • 2 cups cooked white rice
  • 1/2 cup shredded cabbage
  • 1/4 cup pickled vegetables
  • Tonkatsu sauce for serving

Instructions

  1. Pound chicken breasts until even thickness and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Dredge each piece in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat with panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
  4. Drain on paper towels and slice into strips.
  5. Pack bento boxes with rice, shredded cabbage, pickled vegetables, and sliced chicken.
  6. Drizzle with tonkatsu sauce just before eating.