Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely, Swap the chicken for pressed extra-firm tofu (just pat it dry and pan-fry until crispy) or tempeh. Both give you that satisfying chew and keep the protein count high - my tofu version still hits about 48g protein.

How long does meal prep take?

If you're starting from scratch, budget about 35 minutes total. But here's my trick - cooking quinoa and grilling chicken in bulk on Sundays cuts daily prep to just 5 minutes of assembly. That's faster than waiting for takeout.

Will broccoli make this soggy?

Not if you store components separately. I always pack veggies fresh - they stay crisp even overnight. If reheating leftovers, microwave broccoli separately for just 30 seconds.

Can I freeze these bowls? Honestly?

I don't recommend it fully assembled - quinoa gets mushy and veggies lose their crunch. But grilled chicken freezes beautifully for up to 3 months - just thaw overnight in the fridge.

What if I don't like quinoa?

No worries, Brown rice works great (though it's slightly lower in protein). For maximum protein without quinoa, try bulgur or farro - just adjust cooking times accordingly.

55g High Protein Lunch Magic to Crush Your Afternoon Slump -

Name: 55g High Protein Lunch Magic to Crush Your Afternoon Slump
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked quinoa (8g protein); 1 grilled chicken breast (30g protein); 1/2 cup black beans (7g protein); 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 cup steamed broccoli (3g protein); 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (7g protein)

55g High Protein Lunch Magic to Crush Your Afternoon Slump

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

High-protein lunch ideas to keep you energized and focused throughout the day, with each meal containing at least 50g of protein.

Author: RecipeZest
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Yield: 1 serving
Category: Lunch
Method: Grilling, Steaming
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Calorie

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup cooked quinoa (8g protein)
1 grilled chicken breast (30g protein)
1/2 cup black beans (7g protein)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup steamed broccoli (3g protein)
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (7g protein)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
Grill chicken breast until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Steam broccoli for 5-7 minutes until tender.
Heat black beans in a small saucepan.
Assemble all ingredients in a bowl, top with cheese, and drizzle with olive oil.

Notes

Meal prep chicken and quinoa in advance for quicker assembly.
Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option.
Add hot sauce or salsa for extra flavor.

Find it online: https://recipeszest.com/high-protein-lunch-ideas-quinoa-chicken-bowl/