Chicken Meals on a Budget

Cheap Meal Ideas Using Chicken

Sep 17, 2009 Kathy Jackson

Sometimes chicken takes a bad rap as being a dry flavorless meal. Planning ahead by researching what types of chicken meals would appeal to the family makes menu planning easier and more appealing. With the variety of ways chicken can be prepared, having the white meat on multiple days should not cause a ruckus at the table.

Easy Chicken and Rice Casseroles

A perfect potluck idea on a budget is a Chicken and Rice Casserole. Many recipes are available by doing a simple search engine inquiry. This one is easy, budget friendly, and loved by many.

Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole

• 1 cup Boiling Water
• 1 package dry onion soup mix
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup rice
• 1/4 cup white cooking wine
• chicken thighs
• 1/2 stick butter

1. Pour boiling water over dry soup in a 9 X 13 casserole dish.
2. Add all other ingredients except chicken and butter.
3. Place chicken over rice. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, seasoning salt.
4. Cut butter and place on chicken pieces.
5. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 1/4 hours.

Dumpling Type Cheap Chicken Meal

Chicken and Dumplings is a favorite southern meal but may be hard to prepare if done from scratch. This quick cheap chicken meal substitute for the scratch version of can be made on the open campfire or grill in addition to the oven.

Hobo Chicken and Dumplings

• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 2 carrots, small pieces
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut in half inch strips
• 1 1/2 cups biscuit mix
• 3/4 cup water
• Heavy duty aluminum foil
• Salt, pepper, garlic

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. Make 4 foil packets 12 X 12. Spray with cooking spray or rub with butter.
3. Mix soup, seasonings, carrot, and onion. Divide on the 4 pieces of foil.
4. Top with chicken.
5. Mix the biscuit mix and 3/4 cup water. Spoon on top of chicken.
6. Fold foil sheet into a pouch and, and double fold each end to form a packet.
7. Do not make the folds tight, air needs to move in the packet for cooking
8. Bake at 450*F for 20 minutes.. Makes 4 servings.

Cheap Chicken and Dumpling Thigh Recipes

• 6 boneless chicken thighs
• 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough

1. In a large pot over high heat, cover chicken with water and boil for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Reserve 3 cups in the pot.
3. Pull chicken off bone when cooled. Return to pot.
4. Add the cans of soup and heat over medium temperature. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Pull the biscuit dough into pieces, and add to boiling broth.
6. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until the dough is cooked through.

Chicken and Pasta Meal Ideas

Looking to reduce the grocery budget? Add more pasta and less meat. Chicken Noodle Casseroles allow use of a small amount of meal for each meal.

Chicken Noodles Casserole

• 2 Chicken Thighs, remove bone and skin
• Egg Noodles, 6 oz
• Frozen Mixed Vegetables (Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots) 3.5 cup
• 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1. Cook thighs in boiling water until no longer pink.
2. Cook noodles. When noodles are almost done, add veggies to water.
3. Dice thigh meat, drain noodles and add soup.
4. Bake at 325 for 20 min until all items are heated through. Serves 6

Looking for cheap meal ideas to cut grocery costs doesn’t have to mean sandwiches, spaghetti or Ramen noodles. A little planning lets chicken meals become part of the budget menu plan.