Cook Once, Eat All Week: Week 4 Base Recipes

at a glance
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 10 servings
5 from 1 vote

Every item on this page was chosen by The Fed & Fit team. The site may earn a commission on some products (read more here).

We’re kicking off Week 4 of our Cook Once, Eat All Week series with this week’s base recipes! We’re making use of shredded chicken, spaghetti squash, and spinach. Get your components prepped so that you can quickly whip up the recipes coming later this week!

meal prep spaghetti squash, shredded chicken and spinach

Cook Once, Eat All Week

If you’re new here, THIS POST is a great introduction to our Cook Once, Eat All Week series! This is an entirely FREE, Paleo-friendly meal-prep series. Each Monday, I’m sharing 3 basic meal components that involve very minimal prep (bake the squash in bulk, cook/shred the chicken, roast the veggies). Then, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I’ll be sharing a different meal recipe that makes good use of these already prepped components. Each week will result in a grand total of 10 to 15 servings, to give you a rough idea of how much food to expect if you follow our plan to the letter.

Here this week’s schedule:

  • Monday: Shredded Chicken, Spaghetti Squash, and Spinach Recipes
  • Tuesday: Chicken Carbonara Recipe
  • Wednesday: Balanced Breakfast Egg Cups Recipe
  • Thursday: Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Boats Recipe
  • Friday: the COMPLETE “Cook Once, Eat All Week” eBook (including a bonus 5th week) is sent out in advance to my newsletter subscribers!

Note: If you want to get your hands on the complete eBook for this week (which includes shopping lists, a timed meal prep guide, and bonus recipe ideas) click HERE

This week’s base recipes are once again wonderfully simple! First, we’re just going to make our shredded chicken! As in our previous posts, we’re giving you THREE different ways cook this protein up (Instant Pot, slow cooker, or stovetop). Once it’s cooked, give it a quick shred via your favorite method.

meal prep spaghetti squash, shredded chicken and spinach

The spaghetti squash is incredibly easy to prepare. Simply cut in half, scrape the seeds out, bake, and then save for the next dishes coming.

meal prep spaghetti squash

The last piece is simple spinach! You can either use frozen or fresh. Simply saute, drain, and get ready to use later this week.

meal prep spinach

Once everything is cooked, store it away for the recipes coming later this week!

Week 4 Basics: Shredded Chicken, Spinach, and Spaghetti Squash

By: Cassy
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Servings: 10 servings
We’re kicking off Week 4 of our Cook Once, Eat All Week series with this week’s base recipes! We’re making use of shredded chicken, spaghetti squash, and spinach. Get your components prepped so that you can quickly whip up the recipes coming later this week!

Ingredients  

  • 5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 10 ounce bags frozen spinach
  • 2 medium-sized spaghetti squash
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

For the Chicken:

  • Stovetop method:Dust the chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon sea salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
  • Add chicken to a large pan with a lid over medium-high heat and cover with 5 cups of water or chicken broth. Place the lid on the pan and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool, then shred with two forks or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer.
  • Slow Cooker method:Dust the chicken with 1 teaspoon sea salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
  • Place chicken in the slow cooker and cover with 5 cups water or chicken broth. Cook for 6-8 hours on low, then shred with two forks or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer.
  • Instant Pot method:Dust the chicken with 1 teaspoon sea salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
  • Place chicken in the Instant Pot along with ½ cup water or chicken broth. Close the lid of the Instant Pot, ensure the pressure valve is sealed, and set the cooker to “poultry” mode for 20 minutes.
  • Once the timer goes off, quickly release the pressure valve, open the pot once all steam has been released, and shred the chicken with two forks or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer.

For the Spinach:

  • Either microwave or steam the spinach according to the directions on your frozen spinach package. Once spinach is cooled, place in a cheesecloth or tea towel and wring out the excess moisture from the spinach. Store in an airtight container.

For the Spaghetti Squash:

  • Heat the oven to 350 F. Cut the spaghetti squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and place cut side-down on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Add 1/2 cup of water to the pan. Bake 45-60 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork.
  • Once cool enough to touch, scoop the spaghetti strands out of 2 of the squash halves and store in an airtight container. Preserve the other two spaghetti squash halves for the buffalo chicken boats and store whole in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Week 4 Basics: Shredded Chicken, Spinach, and Spaghetti Squash
Amount per Serving
Calories
319
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
7
g
11
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
 
0.03
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Cholesterol
 
145
mg
48
%
Sodium
 
413
mg
18
%
Potassium
 
1050
mg
30
%
Carbohydrates
 
13
g
4
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Protein
 
49
g
98
%
Vitamin A
 
347
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
 
7
mg
8
%
Calcium
 
57
mg
6
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe Notes


Meet the Author
Cassy Headshot

Cassy Joy Garcia

HOWDY! I’m Cassy Joy and I am just so happy you’re here. I’m the founder, Editor-in-Chief, and Nutrition Consultant here at Fed and Fit. What started as a food blog back in 2011 has evolved now into so much more.
Get to know Cassy

Show us!

Did You Make This Recipe?

Share a photo and tag us! We can’t wait to see what you make!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Nicole Manni says

    Nicole Manni —  12/31/2018 At 06:31

    Hello and happy new year! Last year I subscribed to the four week series Cook Once Eat a Week. I would love to repeat that series and wondered how I can get it again? I’m a subscriber to your newsletters.

    Any chance you a doing a new one? LOVED it! In the meantime, how can I access the printable series again?