Cooking with chicken is a great way to save money on your grocery bills. Chicken is one of the most affordable meats available, and it is a versatile protein that can be used in a variety of dishes. In this article, we will explore some budget-friendly chicken recipes that you can add to your frugal meal plan.
This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight when you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. To make slow cooker chicken taco bowls, you will need:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 jar of your favorite salsa
- 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can of corn, drained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Place the chicken breasts in your slow cooker and cover with the salsa. Add the black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Serve over rice or with tortilla chips.
Chicken thighs are an affordable cut of meat that are full of flavor. To make lemon garlic chicken thighs, you will need:
- 4 chicken thighs
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish and pour the lemon garlic mixture over them. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy.
Stir-fry is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and create a healthy, budget-friendly meal. To make chicken and broccoli stir-fry, you will need:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Add the broccoli, bell pepper, and garlic to the pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken back to the pan and pour the soy sauce mixture over the top. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the vegetables are tender.
Casseroles are an easy and affordable way to feed a crowd. To make chicken and rice casserole, you will need:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 can of cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked rice, shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
These budget-friendly chicken recipes are perfect for a frugal meal plan. They are easy to make, delicious, and won't break the bank. Whether you're cooking for a family or just for yourself, these dishes are sure to please. So next time you're looking for a budget-friendly meal idea, give one of these chicken recipes a try!
1. Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Bowls
This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight when you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. To make slow cooker chicken taco bowls, you will need:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 jar of your favorite salsa
- 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can of corn, drained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Place the chicken breasts in your slow cooker and cover with the salsa. Add the black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Serve over rice or with tortilla chips.
2. Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are an affordable cut of meat that are full of flavor. To make lemon garlic chicken thighs, you will need:
- 4 chicken thighs
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish and pour the lemon garlic mixture over them. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy.
3. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Stir-fry is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and create a healthy, budget-friendly meal. To make chicken and broccoli stir-fry, you will need:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Add the broccoli, bell pepper, and garlic to the pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken back to the pan and pour the soy sauce mixture over the top. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the vegetables are tender.
4. Chicken and Rice Casserole
Casseroles are an easy and affordable way to feed a crowd. To make chicken and rice casserole, you will need:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 can of cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked rice, shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Conclusion
These budget-friendly chicken recipes are perfect for a frugal meal plan. They are easy to make, delicious, and won't break the bank. Whether you're cooking for a family or just for yourself, these dishes are sure to please. So next time you're looking for a budget-friendly meal idea, give one of these chicken recipes a try!
