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17 Lunch Ideas You’ll Actually Look Forward To

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These lunch recipes will make you really look forward to your midday meal. No more boring lunches, only tasty and exciting options here. From fresh salads to hearty sandwiches, these recipes are not just easy to make, but they will also brighten up your day. They are perfect for taking to work, school, or enjoying at home when you need something good to eat that doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to put together.

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Santa Fe Chicken Salad

A wooden bowl filled with lettuce, diced chicken, corn, black beans, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, and avocado slices. A small bowl with sauce is on the side. The bowl is on a light marble surface.
Santa Fe Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Healthy Mom Healthy Family.

Fast and tasty, this Santa Fe Chicken Salad is made with store-bought rotisserie chicken. An easy dressing makes it a hearty and satisfying meal ready in minutes.
Get the recipe: Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Tlacoyos

Tlacoyos are oval-shaped corn masa creations usually stuffed with refried beans. Delicious Mexican street food that you can easily make at home. By Mama Maggie's Kitchen
Tlacoyos. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Make Tlacoyos for a unique and tasty vegan meal that’s a classic Mexican street food favorite. They are easy to prepare and even easier to love.
Get the recipe: Tlacoyos

Healthy Homemade Chicken Salad Recipe (Easy + Low Carb)

Close-up of a creamy chicken avocado salad with shredded chicken, avocado chunks, chopped cilantro, and red onions. The mixture is seasoned and served in a bowl with wooden utensils.
Healthy Homemade Chicken Salad. Photo credit: My Chef’s Apron.

This Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe is a tasty lunchtime choice with a mixture of olive oil and lime juice. Tossed with sweet shallots and herbs, it’s a healthy and tasty option.
Get the recipe: Healthy Homemade Chicken Salad

Salpicon de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad)

Two tostadas of Salpicon de Pollo topped with avocado slices and surrounded by cilantro leaves and jalapenos.
Salpicon de Pollo. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Salpicon de Pollo blends tender chicken with a tangy dressing for a dish that’s anything but ordinary. It’s a refreshing and flavorful choice for lunch.
Get the recipe: Salpicon de Pollo

Kale Sweet Potato Salad (Oil-Free)

A wooden bowl filled with a colorful salad, including diced sweet potatoes, kidney beans, chopped kale, shredded carrots, purple cabbage, and sliced cucumbers. A spoon is placed on the side of the bowl.
Kale Sweet Potato Salad (Oil-Free). Photo credit: Fit Liz Kitchen.

Try this tasty Kale Sweet Potato Salad with roasted sweet potatoes and fresh kale. It’s a colorful and satisfying meal that’s full of good veggies.
Get the recipe: Kale Sweet Potato Salad

Corn Tuna Salad

Corn Tuna Salad in a large white bowl surrounded by toppings.
Corn Tuna Salad. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This easy Corn Tuna Salad uses fresh and simple ingredients for a quick lunch. It’s light, delicious, and very easy to prepare when you’re in a hurry.
Get the recipe: Corn Tuna Salad

Egg Salad Recipe

A bowl of egg salad with chopped boiled eggs, red onion, herbs, and black pepper. The creamy mixture is garnished with sliced chives, adding a pop of green to the dish.
Egg Salad Recipe. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

The Egg Salad Recipe is a simple and good choice for a fast meal any day. Pair it with crackers or in a sandwich for a protein-packed lunch that’s easy to love.
Get the recipe: Egg Salad Recipe

Ensalada de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Salad)

Ensalada de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Salad) in a large white serving dish.
Ensalada de Camaron. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This Mexican Shrimp Salad, or Ensalada de Camaron, is packed with fresh shrimp and veggies. The creamy dressing makes it a perfect recipe for a light and easy meal.
Get the recipe: Ensalada de Camaron

Torta de Milanesa (Mexican Chicken Fried Sandwich)

Torta de Milanesa (Mexican Fried Chicken Sandwich) on a wooden surface surrounded by its ingredients.
Torta de Milanesa. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Bite into a Torta de Milanesa for a tasty experience with crispy fried chicken. It’s a classic Mexican sandwich served on freshly baked bread that’s very satisfying.
Get Recipe: Torta de Milanesa

Atun a la Veracruzana (Veracruz-style Tuna)

Tuna sitting on a white plate next to tortilla chips.
Atun a la Veracruzana. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Try Atún a la Veracruzana for a simple meal made with canned tuna and pantry staples. It’s tossed in a tasty vinaigrette dressing that’s both easy and delicious.
Get the recipe: Atun a la Veracruzana

Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Just like Panera!)

A sandwich stacked with three slices of bread, filled with chicken salad, lettuce, tomato slices, and grapes. The sandwich is placed on a white plate with additional grapes on the side.
Napa Almond Chicken Salad Panera Copycat. Photo Credit: From Valerie’s Kitchen.

Recreate Panera’s Napa Almond Chicken Salad in the comfort of your own home. It tastes just like the restaurant version and is really easy to make yourself.
Get the recipe: Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Just like Panera!)

Ensalada de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad)

Ensalada de pollo, or chicklen salad, served on a plate with tortilla chips and jalapeño
Ensalada de Pollo. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Mexican Chicken Salad, also called Ensalada de Pollo, is a crowd-pleaser at any party. It’s made with tender chicken, mixed vegetables, and a tasty mayo dressing.
Get Recipe: Ensalada de Pollo

Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds {Easy & Healthy}

Close-up of a sandwich with a whole-grain bagel filled with a creamy chicken salad mixture. The salad includes grape halves, celery slices, and almond slivers on a lettuce leaf. The sandwich rests on a distressed white wooden surface.
Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds. Photo credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

This Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds is a blend of creamy, crunchy, and fresh flavors. It’s great for a gathering or a healthy lunch on busy weekdays.
Get the recipe: Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds

Ensalada de Atun

A wooden bowl filled with a creamy tuna salad, garnished with a sprig of cilantro, is placed on a wooden platter alongside square and triangular crackers. The tuna salad has visible chunks of tuna, diced tomatoes, onions, and green herbs.
Ensalada de Atun. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Enjoy a light and tasty meal with Ensalada de Atún, a simple yet delicious tuna salad. It’s perfect for any lunchtime when you want something quick and good.
Get the recipe: Ensalada de Atun

Classic Italian Sub

A sub sandwich on a white plate, filled with layers of ham, turkey, salami, lettuce, tomatoes, and mixed pickled vegetables on a crusty bread roll, garnished with black pepper.
Classic Italian Sub. Photo credit: Carolyn’s Cooking.

The Classic Italian Sub is perfection with layers and layers of tasty meats. Each bite is simply delicious and makes for a very filling lunch.
Get the recipe: Classic Italian Sub

Easy Ham and Cheese Wrap

A close-up of a sliced wrap on a wooden board. The wrap is filled with sliced turkey, shredded cheese, lettuce, carrots, and other vegetables. It's placed on a piece of brown parchment paper.
Easy Ham and Cheese Wrap. Photo credit: Caroha.

This Ham and Cheese Wrap is a simple, light, and tasty lunch idea with just a handful of ingredients. It makes a satisfying and delicious meal ready in minutes.
Get the recipe: Easy Ham and Cheese Wrap

Spicy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

A grilled cheese sandwich with a crispy, golden-brown crust, filled with melted cheese and sliced red peppers, is cut in half and placed on crumpled parchment paper.
Spicy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. Photo credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

Spicy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are sweet and spicy, making them easy to make and even easier to enjoy. They are a great twist on a classic lunch.
Get the recipe: Spicy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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