10 Smart Ways to Get Your Kitchen Holiday-Ready (With Chicken Doing the Heavy Lifting)

The final weeks of the holidays are busy — full calendars, packed kitchens, and plenty of meals to plan. A little preparation now can make a big difference later, especially when chicken is part of your strategy.

From weeknight dinners to holiday gatherings, these 10 kitchen-ready tips will help with holiday meal prep so that you stay organized, cook confidently, and keep meals simple, satisfying, and stress-free.

Getting your kitchen holiday-ready doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a focus on holiday meal prep, food safety, and easy chicken dinners, these tips help you stay organized and cook with confidence all season long.

1. Start Holiday Meal Prep by Cleaning Out Your Fridge & Freezer

The easiest way to kick off holiday meal prep is by clearing space in your fridge and freezer so chicken and other essentials are easy to find and use. Before restocking, review our best tips for freezing and defrosting chicken to make sure everything is stored safely and ready to use.

• Toss expired items and freezer-burned packages

• Group proteins together so meals are easy to plan

• Rotate chicken to the front so it gets used first

Knowing how to store chicken safely during the holidays makes freezer cleanouts more efficient and helps reduce food waste.

Freezer-friendly cuts like Springer Mountain Farms chicken breasts or thighs are easy to organize and use across multiple meals.

2. Take Inventory of Chicken & Pantry Staples for Holiday Cooking

Taking inventory of your chicken, pantry staples, and freezer items helps streamline holiday cooking and prevents unnecessary last-minute grocery runs.

• Count chicken in both the fridge and freezer

• Check pantry items that pair well with chicken (broth, rice, pasta, spices)

• Make note of meals you can prepare without another grocery run

Understanding proper chicken storage in the fridge and freezer helps you plan meals with confidence. This guide on how long chicken lasts in the freezer is a great reference during the busy holiday season.

3. Plan Easy Holiday Meals Around Versatile Chicken Recipes

Planning your holiday meals around versatile chicken recipes makes it easier to balance busy weeknights with special gatherings.

• Sheet-pan chicken for busy weeknights like Parmesan Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Chicken

• Slow-cooker chicken like Slow Cooker Butter Chicken for hands-off cooking days

• Roast chicken for smaller gatherings or cozy family meals like Easy Citrus Herb Roast Chicken with Vegetables

Planning meals around easy holiday chicken recipes helps streamline shopping and prep. Browse the full collection of chicken dinner ideas to build a flexible holiday menu.

Simply Superior Chicken™ works seamlessly in everything from quick dinners to festive meals.

4. Stock Your Kitchen with Chicken for Stress-Free Holiday Cooking

Keeping chicken on hand is a smart way to stay prepared for stress-free holiday cooking, whether you’re planning ahead or cooking on the fly.

• Purchase family packs and portion them out

• Use one roast chicken for soups, salads, and sandwiches

• Keep extra chicken on hand for unexpected guests

Batch cooking is a smart holiday strategy. This guide on easy chicken meal prep for the holidays shows how one weekend of prep can support an entire week of meals.

5. Save Time During the Holidays with Make-Ahead Chicken Prep

Make-ahead chicken prep is one of the simplest ways to save time during the holidays while keeping meals organized and efficient.

Freezer-friendly meals work best when chicken is handled properly — these freezing and defrosting chicken tips help maintain quality and safety.

• Marinate chicken and freeze it

• Cook and shred chicken for soups and casseroles

• Portion chicken so it’s ready when you need it

Meal prepping with frozen chicken is ideal for busy holidays — and beyond.

6. Get Your Kitchen Tools Ready for Safe Holiday Chicken Cooking

Preparing your kitchen tools ahead of time helps ensure safe, efficient chicken cooking during the busiest holiday meals.

• Test oven temperatures before roasting

• Sharpen knives for faster holiday meal prep

• Keep a meat thermometer within reach

Always use an instant-read thermometer and cook chicken to a safe internal temperature of 165°F to ensure perfectly cooked, food-safe holiday meals.

7. Organize Your Kitchen for Faster Holiday Chicken Meal Prep

Organizing your kitchen around how you prep and cook chicken can significantly speed up holiday meal prep and reduce stress.

• Store marinades and sauces near proteins

• Keep cutting boards and knives together

• Create a dedicated protein prep area

These practical chicken meal prep tips make it easier to prep multiple chicken dishes during the busiest weeks of the year.

8. Plan for Holiday Leftovers with Easy Chicken Storage Ideas

Planning ahead for holiday leftovers makes it easier to store cooked chicken safely and enjoy it in meals later in the week.

• Store cooked chicken in labeled containers

• Freeze leftovers for future meals

• Repurpose chicken into soups, salads, or wraps

If you’re wondering what to do with leftover chicken, learn how to make 4 creative dishes out of 1 roasted chicken.

9. Simplify Holiday Entertaining by Delegating Chicken Dishes

Delegating chicken dishes is an easy way to simplify holiday entertaining while keeping menus cohesive and crowd-pleasing.

• Ask guests to bring a chicken appetizer or side  👉10 tantalizing appetizers for festive holiday entertaining

• Share reliable holiday recipes ahead of time from the Springer Mountain Farms recipe collection

• Keep menus cohesive without extra stress

Point helpers toward these crowd-friendly chicken recipes that are perfect for holiday gatherings.

10. Keep Holiday Meals Simple with Chicken-Centered Dinners

Keeping holiday meals simple with chicken-centered dinners helps you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the season.

• One-pan chicken dinners minimize cleanup 👉5 Easy Dump & Bake Chicken Casseroles

• Cozy chicken soups fit winter gatherings perfectly 👉Get the Scoop on Soups

• Reliable chicken recipes free up time for what matters most

Simple chicken dinners for busy nights are perfect for keeping meals stress-free through the end of the year.

Having Simply Superior Chicken™ on hand means you’re always prepared, even on the busiest days.

No-Stress Holiday Zone

With a little planning and a well-organized kitchen, holiday meals don’t have to feel overwhelming. Chicken’s versatility, ease, and reliability make it a smart choice for everything from quick weeknight dinners to special gatherings.

Prepare now, cook confidently, and enjoy more time around the table this holiday season.

[Updated for 2025 Holiday Season]