5 minute, prep-ahead lunch that keeps me full all afternoon

Date: 2026-10-14 11:00:03

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🍜 No time for lunch? Prep this high-protein noodle jar tonight for a 5-minute lunch tomorrow!

Noodle jars are my favourite work lunch right now. You can prep a few ahead and mix and match what you’ve got. Just remember:

🧄 A flavour base, like soy sauce, garlic and chilli
🍜 Quick-cooking noodles
🫛 A legume, like edamame
🥦 Colourful veg, finely sliced
🍗 Your core protein, like cooked chicken or tofu

Keep it in the fridge until you need it. Let it sit out for 10 minutes, then add boiling water or broth, stir and cover. Give it 5 minutes, check everything’s piping hot and tuck in!

Spicy Chicken Noodle Jar with Broccoli and Pak Choy

Ingredients (makes 3 jars)

1 tbsp soy sauce
½ tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp chilli oil
1 garlic cloves, finely grated
1 vegetable stock cubes, crumbled
100g cooked chicken breast, shredded
80g broccoli, cut into 2cm florets
80g spring onion, sliced
80g pak choi, leaves separated
60g edamame (fresh)
45g vermicelli noodles
500ml boiling water
0.5 limes, juiced

Method

1. Mix the soy, vinegar, chilli oil, garlic and crumbled stock cube together in a 1 litre mason jar.
2. Add the chicken, vegetables, edamame and noodles to the jar.
3. When ready to eat, let your jar sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to prevent cracking, then add the boiling water to the jar and mix well. Cover the jar and leave to stand for 5 minutes before adding some lime juice and eating immediately.