Lunch doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you’re running errands, squeezing in a lunch break at the office, or doing chores at home, it’s easy to forget to stop and eat lunch. These eleven lunch ideas are quick to pull together, easy to clean up after, and satisfying enough actually to look forward to.
Classic Chicken Salad
Recipe and photo credit: Skinny Taste

Ingredients:
- 12 ounces cooked chicken breast, finely chopped (from 2 breasts of rotisserie chicken)
- 1/3 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1/3 cup red onion, diced (or scallions or chives)
- 2 tablespoons chicken broth, optional
- 1 teaspoon Dijon
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve over salad, in a wrap, or in a sandwich
Pesto Pasta Salad
Recipe and photo credit: Tastes Better From Scratch
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces farfalle pasta, or any bite-sized pasta of your choice (we like to use chickpea pasta for extra protein and fiber)
- 3/4 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 mini cucumbers, sliced
- 3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (mozzarella pearls also work great)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Add pasta to a large bowl and stir in pesto.
- Add tomatoes, cucumber, and fresh mozzarella cubes and toss to combine. Top with Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh cracked pepper, if desired.

Sub in a Tub
Recipe and photo credit: The Real Food Dietitians

For the Salad:
- 1 small head iceberg lettuce, outer leaves and core removed, chopped (3-4 cups), or chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 small tomato or 10-12 cherry tomatoes
- ยฝ medium sweet yellow or red onion, sliced or chopped (about โ cup)
- ยผ cup sliced pepperoncini or banana peppers, chopped
- 4 slices (3 oz) provolone cheese
- 4 slices (3 oz) deli ham
- 4 slices (3 oz) deli turkey
- 4 slices (2 oz) deli-sliced salami
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Using a knife or a vegetable chopper, chop all of the salad ingredients and add them to a large bowl.
- In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, whisk or shake the dressing ingredients together.
- Before serving, pour the dressing over the chopped salad ingredients and toss until well mixed.
- Serve immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
Campisiโs Inspired House Salad
Recipe and photo credit: The Defined Dish
For the Dressing:
- 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon pepperoncini brine
- 1 tablespoon olive brine
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
For the Salad:
- 4 cups roughly chopped iceberg lettuce (from about 1 small head)
- 4 green onions, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pitted green olives
- whole pepperoncini, for serving
- whole green olives, for serving
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions:
- In a small jar or bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients and whisk (or shake) to combine.
- In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, green onions, and chopped olives. Drizzle the dressing over the lettuce and toss until well coated and combined.
- To serve, divide the salad among 4 shallow bowls. Garnish with 1 to 2 pepperoncini, a few whole olives, and more grated Parmesan cheese

Steak Fajita Power Bowls
Recipe and photo credit: Delish

Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
- 1/2 yellow onion, sliced into half moons
- 2 bell peppers, seeds and ribs removed, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb. skirt steak, cut into 1/2” slices
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 1/2 tsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. cumin
- 4 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 1 cup black beans, drained, rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed, warmed
- 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
- Sour cream, for serving
Instructions:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 Tbsp. oil. Add onions and peppers; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent and peppers are tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet over medium-high heat, heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil until very hot, about 30 seconds. Arrange steak in pan and pour lime juice over. Add chili powder and cumin; season with salt and pepper. Cook steak, undisturbed, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, to your preference, about 2 minutes more for medium. Transfer to another plate.
- Divide rice among bowls. Top with steak, onions, peppers, avocado, beans, and corn. Top with cilantro. Drizzle with sour cream.
Cowboy Caviar
Recipe and photo credit: Spend with Pennies
Ingredients:
- 3 Roma tomatoes, seeds removed, diced
- 2 avocados diced
- โ cup diced red onion
- 1 (15-ounce) can of canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can canned black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
- 1ยฝ cups frozen corn kernels thawed
- 1 bell pepper, diced, any color
- 1 jalapeรฑo seed removed, finely diced
- โ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- tortilla chips for serving
For the dressing:
- โ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
- ยผ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions:
- Combine tomatoes, avocado, onion, black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, pepper, jalapeno pepper, and cilantro in a large bowl. Toss/stir well so that the ingredients are well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Pour dressing over other ingredients and stir/toss very well.
- Keep refrigerated. If not serving immediately, be sure to toss/stir well before serving.

Chicken Pita
Recipe and photo credit: Sweet Phi

Ingredients:
- 1 package Shawarma Marinated Chicken (from Trader Joeโs), or you could use rotisserie chicken or marinated grilled chicken
- 1 cup Tzatziki Sauce – or you could make homemade tzatziki sauce.
- 4 large pitas
- 2 medium-large tomatoes, diced into little pieces
- 1 medium-large English cucumber (seedless) cut into small 1/2 moons
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray the baking dish with a little bit of cooking spray.
- Cook the chicken according to the package instructions, typically 20 min at 400 degrees, until itโs fully cooked. Or grill marinated chicken.
- While the chicken is cooking, chop your tomatoes and cucumbers. For a more refined touch, you can also dice them into smaller pieces, depending on your preference.
- To make your pita bread warm and pliable, you can quickly heat it in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 1-2 minutes per side. Alternatively, you can microwave it for 10-15 seconds or toast it in the toaster oven for a minute or two.
- Slice the cooked chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Spread a generous amount of tzatziki sauce inside each pita. Layer in the chicken, followed by the chopped tomatoes and cucumbers.
California Turkey Club Wrap
Recipe and photo credit: Tastes Lovely
Ingredients:
- 1 spinach tortilla wrap
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 2 ounces turkey lunch meat
- 2 slices of cooked bacon
- 2 ounces avocado, sliced
- 2 slices of tomato
- 1 cup of shredded iceberg lettuce
Instructions:
- If desired, warm the tortilla briefly in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Assemble the turkey wrap by layering in the order the ingredients are listed. Wrap, cut, and serve.
- See the recipe video below for the best method to wrap the turkey wrap.

Jennifer Aniston Salad
Recipe and photo credit: Iowa Girl Eats

Ingredients:
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 English cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, minced
- 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup loosely-packed fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup roasted salted pistachios, chopped
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese, 4oz
- salt and pepper, to taste
For the Lemon Dressing:
- 1/2 cup lemon juice, ~3-4 lemons
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- For the dressing: Add ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid, or a small bowl, then shake or whisk to combine.
- Add chicken or vegetable stock to a small saucepan over high heat, then bring to a boil. Add quinoa, then turn heat down to low, place a lid on top, and simmer until quinoa is tender and broth has been absorbed, 12-15 minutes. Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork, then scoop into a storage container or large mixing bowl to cool. Once cool, cover and refrigerate until chilled. Can be made a day or two ahead of time.
- Add chilled quinoa to a large mixing bowl, then add remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing, then toss to combine and serve, or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Caprese Sandwich
Recipe and photo credit: Love and Lemons
Ingredients:
- 4 (3.5-inch) squares Focaccia, sliced in half
- Handful arugula
- 1 (8-ounce) ball fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced
- โ cup Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, optional
- Pickled Red Onions, optional
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
- Assemble the sandwiches on the focaccia with the arugula, mozzarella, and tomato slices. Add the roasted tomatoes and a few pickled onions, if desired.
- Top with basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Pinwheel Sandwiches
Recipe and photo credit: Delish

Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. ranch seasoning
- 8 (10″) flour tortillas
- 8 oz. sliced American or cheddar cheese
- 1 lb. deli-sliced baked ham
- 1 lb. deli-sliced turkey breast
- 16 butter lettuce leaves
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise and ranch seasoning.
- On a clean surface, lay tortillas flat. Spread each tortilla with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise mixture. Place 2 to 3 slices of cheese on the bottom two-thirds of each tortilla. Top cheese with ham and turkey. Top meat with 2 to 3 lettuce leaves and tightly roll up.
- To serve right away, slice into 1″ rounds and arrange on a platter. To make ahead, place seam side down on a baking sheet and refrigerate up to 6 hours. Slice when ready to serve.
At the end of the day, a great lunch doesn’t have to mean a complicated recipe or a pile of dirty dishes. Whether you’re scooping up a big bowl of cowboy caviar, building a caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella and basil, or going the low-mess route with a sub in a tub, these eleven lunch ideas prove that easy and satisfying can go hand in hand. Keep a few of these lunch ideas on rotation, and you’ll never be stuck staring into the fridge wondering what to eat again.