10 Easy Lunches to Bridge the Summer-to-Fall Transition
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That awkward in-between season – when it’s chilly in the morning but hot by lunch – makes meal planning infinitely harder than it should be. Too hot for soup, too cold for salad? This time of the season calls for easy lunches that are quick to prepare, pack well for work or school, and won’t leave you tired and hungry by midday. The trick to transitional meals is balance, and 10 these lunch recipes bridge that weird summer-to-fall weather whiplash, offering the best of both worlds.
Grilled Chicken Wrap
When in doubt, grill some chicken. Grilled chicken in itself is a perfect lunch, but wrapped in a tortilla with some chipotle mayo drizzled over it? Heavenly! Add some crunch and crisp by mixing the chicken with some greens and veggies before wrapping it all up. Full Recipe: Grilled Chicken Wrap
Grilled Balsamic Chicken
A quick and easy marinade for chicken is balsamic vinaigrette. A chicken breast piece only needs a minimum of half an hour of soak time in this strong, tangy vinaigrette before it is ready to be grilled. For meal prep, you can even marinate it overnight. That’s it. Simple and easy! Full Recipe: Grilled Balsamic Chicken
Vegetable Fritters
When the day starts with a crisp fall morning but turns into a hot summer day by noon, throw in any vegetable you can find in a pan to sauté them lightly, toss in with flour and eggs, and cook the mixture in batches. There! A Lifesaver – 25 minutes and complete with all the nutrients available in your kitchen. Full Recipe: Vegetable Fritters
Bacon and Leek Quiche
If you have some pie crust available, then you must try this bacon and leek quiche for a light lunch. The buttery and flaky pie crust is filled with buttery, crunchy leeks and smoky bacon for a crumbly, buttery lunch. The best part? Any leftovers can be reheated beautifully the next day, making this a perfect, make-ahead dish. Full Recipe: Bacon and Leek Quiche
Greek Chicken Bites
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Since marinated chicken is all the rage, you must try these chicken bites marinated with traditional Mediterranean flavors. These chicken bites are seared in a pan for a golden, caramelized crust, perfect for a light lunch. Full Recipe: Greek Chicken Bites
Sweet Potato Frittata
Fancier than a simple omelet but simpler than a quiche, this frittata is a perfect balance between ease and luxury. The rich flavor of the eggs combines with the sweetness of the potatoes to give a perfectly balanced, tender yet firm frittata – perfect for a quick light lunch with a hint of fall. Full Recipe: Sweet Potato Frittata
Mandarin Chicken Salad
Juicy chicken, crunchy toasted almonds, romaine lettuce, and orange ginger dressing set the stage for this fresh and light salad. This salad has everything, from healthy nutrients to vibrant colors and a combination of textures, making this a perfect summer lunch for days with a hint of crisp fall air. Full Recipe: Mandarin Chicken Salad
Tofu Wrap
Looking for a light vegan lunch to power you through the entire day? Enter tofu wrap! The crisp yet tender tofu, flavored with tamari sauce, and tossed with veggies of your choice, is wrapped in a tortilla for this simple lunch that you can take with you anywhere – from office to shopping sprees. Full Recipe: Tofu Wrap
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Juicy, spicy, and crunchy – this salad is perfect for days when you’re craving a spicy yet healthy lunch. All you need to do is combine some cooked chicken and the greens, and toss them in spicy buffalo sauce. The best part? It all comes together within 30 minutes. Full Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
The full culinary potential of cauliflower is achieved when the florets are seasoned and then roasted. The roasted chickpeas complement the roasted seasoned cauliflower, with their earthy flavor and crunchy texture. The tahini dressing seals the deal, making this a wonderful light lunch for a summer(ish) day. Full Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Salad
