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Cooked Chicken: The Easiest Way to Add Protein to Any Meal
You want to eat well and hit your protein goals, but after a long day at work you don’t feel like preparing fresh chicken, waiting for it to cook, and dealing with the washing up that comes afterwards. That’s where pre-prepared, cooked chicken comes in. Ready when you are, steam cooked, freezer stored options take the effort out of high protein diets, providing a balanced meal in minutes.
Why High Protein Meals Matter
Protein is a macronutrient that provides your body with the amino acids it needs to form healthy cells, tissues, muscles, and bones. Protein intake is vital for maintaining a well-balanced diet, supporting key functions, such as:
- Building and repairing tissues
- Muscle growth and maintenance
- Immune system support
- Hormone health
- Weight management
- Blood sugar regulation
The British Heart Foundation states that adults of a healthy weight should aim for 0.75g per kg of body weight each day. For a 60kg woman that’s 45g a day. For a 75kg man, this works out to 55g daily. However for people who are active, taking part in more sport or are following exercise nutrition, 1.8g – 2.2g protein per kg of body weight is the ideal amount of protein.
Most of us know how important a protein-rich diet is, the hard part is achieving our ideal intake when life gets busy. That’s why cooked chicken comes in handy. Not only does it provide a great source of protein, but it also offers great versatility and a means of putting together a satisfying plate with minimal effort.
What is Ready Cooked Chicken?
Ready cooked chicken, sometimes referred to as pre-cooked chicken, is fully cooked before it reaches your freezer. Having pre-cooked chicken to hand is convenient, allowing you to take what you need, when you need it. Plus, instead of spending valuable time preparing and cooking raw chicken, you can simply reheat it for ease. Steam cooked chicken also retains moisture and guarantees more consistent cooking for optimum texture and taste.
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How to Add Protein to Any Meal with Cooked Chicken
The beauty of pre-cooked chicken is that it can be added to a variety of meals. This provides a great tasting protein boost for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which is important considering that protein intake should be spread evenly throughout the day.
Cooked Chicken: Breakfast Ideas
Stir Panko Breaded Chicken Bites through scrambled eggs or fold Spicy Fajita Cooked Chicken Bites into a breakfast wrap with your favourite vegetables. Think spinach, peppers, and mushrooms. Alternatively, set yourself up a super speedy bowl of cooked chicken bites with avocado and a poached egg. Not only are these options far more filling than toast, but they are also much tastier and quick to prepare for mornings on the move.
Cooked Chicken: Lunch Ideas
Ideal for lunches, ready cooked chicken offers an easy to assemble, healthy meal option with minimal preparation. This is perfect for a busy day when you’re low on time but need a protein-rich dish that leaves you satisfied until home time.
Check out our cooked Chicken Noodle Soup recipe for a warming, autumnal lunch. If you prefer a lighter option, take a look at this Cobb Salad for some inspiration. If grab and go is more your style, cooked chicken bites will elevate your standard lunchtime sandwich, wrap, or bagel.
Cooked Chicken: Dinner Ideas
If you want high protein, low calorie dinners, but can’t face preparing and cooking meat from scratch, pre-cooked chicken can give you your evenings back. All you need to do is heat it through, which means less time at the hob and consistent results every time.
Ready Cooked Chicken Breasts offer the perfect base to create a meal to your tastes. Think stir-fries, pasta dishes, curries, and traybakes made easy.
For some inspiration, find some of our creative, yet simple chicken-based recipes, here:
How to Prepare Cooked Chicken from Frozen
Reheating and defrosting cooked chicken from frozen couldn’t be easier. GSN’s range of chicken breasts and chicken bites can be prepared in the microwave, air fryer, or conventional oven. Always follow the instructions on the pack and make sure the chicken is piping hot all the way through before serving. You can use as much or as little as you like and return the rest to the freezer to avoid waste.
Make Hitting Your Protein Effortless with Cooked Chicken
Prioritising high protein meals doesn’t have to mean more time in the kitchen. With cooked chicken in your freezer, you can create a balanced breakfast, lunch, or dinner within minutes. This allows you to boost your intake without added fuss, preparation, and cooking time.
GSN’s range of cooked chicken is designed to offer nutrition and convenience without a compromise on taste. From Ready Cooked Chicken Breasts to pre-cooked Chicken Bites, GSN provides a variety of options delivered to your door, supporting you to achieve a healthy, balanced diet.
