One of the best things you can do while pregnant is make ahead freezer meals. Check out our compilation of some of the best chicken freezer meals for new moms.
One of the best things a mama can do while she is still pregnancy is make ahead freezer meals. Whether you’re on baby #1 or baby #10 (but especially #1), once you have your little bundle of joy, you won’t want to cook. It’s for good reason too. You little just gave life to a whole human being.
Not only are you exhausted and physically drained, but it takes a lot out of you emotionally also. Pair that with the fact that all you literally want to do is lay and stare at this new life you created, and it’s no wonder that you don’t feel like ending into the chicken.
Make ahead freezer meals allow you to have meals already prepared and just need to throw into a crockpot or the oven. It takes all the prep work out of meals, while still allowing you to get wholesome full dinners on the table for your family.
Today, we’re rounding up some of the best chicken freezer meals for your family.
How long do chicken make ahead freezer meals last?
The best reason that you want to make chicken freezer meals is because of how long they last. Even if you don’t use one of your prepped freezer meals everyday during the first month postpartum, these chicken freezer meals will last a long time for you. Uncooked chicken meals will last 9 months for breasts or 12 months for whole chicken as long as it stays in the freezer. Make ahead freezer meals where you cook chicken prior to freezing, will last 4 months in the freezer. As you can see, that’s a long time to be able to grab and go.
How many make ahead freezer meals should I make?
One thing recommended to new mothers about make ahead freezer meals is that they make as many as their freezer can hold and they think they can eat within 4-6 months. No matter if your freezer can only hold five meals, that’s five times after your baby is born that you don’t have to worry about what is for dinner that night.
Ideally, if you have plenty of freezer space, we’d recommend that you make at least 30 freezer meals. If you have storage, make even more. The reason for 30 is because that will allow you to adjust with enough meals for the first four weeks of your baby’s life.
You could even stretch that on night’s that you do feel like cooking by adding in breakfast for dinner meals or tried and true 30 minute meals.
I already had my baby. How can I make ahead freezer meals?
How do you prep so many make ahead freezer meals?
There are two ways that you can prep as many make ahead freezer meals as you can before baby arrives.
1- You can spend a day and make as many meals as you can. This way is typically called Once A Month cooking. Even if you aren’t pregnant, you can do once a month cooking where you make 30 freezer meals in one day and then you don’t have to worry about prepping meals for the rest of the month.
2- The other option you have is to double up on the meals that you are already making. For example, if you were making lasagna for dinner tomorrow night, you would just make two casserole dishes of lasagna. One, you would cook as normal. The other you would freeze.
What do you need to fix make ahead freezer meals?
No matter which option you choose, there are definitely some make ahead freezer meals essentials that you are going to want to have on hand. They will help you when batch cooking large portions to make the best freezer meals. The freezer meal essentials are:
- Good set of knives
- Set of cutting boards
- Ovenware
- Timers
- Food Processor
- Plastic Freezer Bag Holder
- Freezer bags
- Foil Tins
- Permanent Makers
- Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
- Large Stock Pot
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Large Skillet
- Crockpot
Make Ahead Chicken Freezer Meals
We hope you love these freezer meal recipes? Have a favorite that’s not included? Have tips or tricks about getting it done faster? Share those in the comments below!
This is so smart – I really need to do this and quit getting tired and eating out!
Thanks for reading Natasha! It was so easy! And definitely cheaper and healthier than eating out! Good luck!
I moved across country when I was 38 weeks pregnant, so I didn't get the opportunity to do anything like this. Next time though…next time, I will! Looks great!
Elisebet! OMG I couldn't imagine moving let alone across the country at 38 weeks! Thanks for reading!
Thanks for posting not only the recipes but how to prepare then to freeze AND cook. I did this with my first child and it was a huge help. I need to make sure to do it before #2 comes as well 🙂
Thanks for this post. I've been wanting to prep & freeze for some time now & just haven't done it. I think it would be fun to take a few days & prepare a different meat on each day & then stock the freezer.
This is an awesome recipe for moms on the go!! Thank You!! I love this and will have to try it as soon as possible.
You just might be my hero! Love the whole chicken recipe…thanks!!!