Here are 10 healthy meals you can cook for under $25.00 with 1 chicken (and other ingredients of course!)
INGREDIENTS:
*1 spaghetti squash ($2.97)
*1 whole chicken roasted (large) OR 8-10 chicken breasts ($8.17)
*large can of diced tomatoes, drained ($.54)
*3- 32 oz box of chicken broth ($3.19)
*1 jalepeno ($.42)
*1 onion ($.76)
*1 can white beans ($.97)
*Corn Tortiallas (or white, IF YOU MUST!) ($1.89)
*Lettuce ($1.02)
*Pre-diced Veggie assortment (central market- $2.99 for a large)
*2 packs Mushrooms ($1.86)
*1 large head of broccili ($1.18)
*1 can low sodium cream of chicken soup ($.89)
*1 can storebought pizza crust (use pilsbury or other fresh kind of dough in a can- $1.12)
*Thai peanut sauce ($2.02)
* Carrots ($.88)
*Green onions ($1.02)
*1 red pepper ($.69)
*Celery ($.95)
*2 c of egg noodles ($2.14)
=$35.67
**Cook chicken on low in large crockpot for 4-5 hours or until shreds apart with a fork. Use an even mixture of water and chicken broth to cook it in. Season with salt & pepper. Store shredded chicken in fridge to use with recipes!**
1. Spaghetti Squash with Chicken alfresca -
Slice spaghetti squash in half, fill middle with water, place on large tray and microwave until spaghetti squash easily comes out in strands with a fork. Season with salt, pepper, add tomatoes with a little bit of oilve oil and basil, throw in some shredded chicken, whoila! Best part about it, is it tastes just like pasta without all the added carbs & fat! =)
2. White Chicken Chili-
((*hint* the key to making chili thick is heating everything through first, and then adding the cornstartch/water mixture 20-30 minutes before serving!). Depending on how spicy you want yours, finely dice 1 jalepeno (optional), 2 cloves garlic, and 1 onion. In a pan with oilve oil, saute garlic, onion, jalepeno and add cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix in 2 c chicken broth, some shredded chicken, and white beans. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 10-15 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk 3-4 teaspoons of cornstarch with 3-4 teaspoons of COLD water. Add to soup mixture, whisking in, and then let simmer for 20-30 mintues or until thick. Serve with cheese or any other garnish!
3. Chicken Quesadillas-
Lightly spray each side of 2 tortiallas (i prefer corn for its whole-earth heart healthy effects!) and in a saute pan, add chicken and any other toppings on top of quesadilla (i like peppers, jalepenos, beans, tomatoes and a LITTLE bit of cheese to make it all stick together!). Top with other tortialla and mash down sides. Carefully flip over and heat through other side. Slice up and serve!
4. Chicken with Brown Rice Bun Bowl-
You can use any flavored sauce for this (i make my own, but if you really are in a bind of time you can buy canned teriakyi, sweet n sour, etc sauce..but WATCH FOR SODIUM! sodium plays a huge role in metabolism and weight loss...dont forget that when salting your food next time! haha). Boil rice until cooked. Saute any veggies that you would like to add (i add bok choy, mushrooms, and green bell pepper). Warm shredded chicken. Add all to a bowl, top with bean sprouts (optional) and add a little of whatever flavor sauce you like. I use this home-made sauce here .
5. Shredded chicken wtih BBQ sauce and stuffed mushrooms-
Easy as it sounds. Heat chicken, and dip in BBQ sauce. For stuffed mushrooms, there are so many variations, here is one I have cooked before Stuffed Mushrooms
6. Good ol Chicken Salad-
Choose your lettuce base- i use arugula and spinach, top with any of your desired toppings, shredded chicken, and salad dressing (DONT use ranch! Ranch defeats the whole purpose of a salad BTW..(avg 83 calories per 1 TABLESPOON, and no one-ever- uses 1 tablespoon...more like 4 or 5...) I keep an array of salad dressings in my fridge like balsalmic, low calorie asian seasame, raspberry vinegrette, etc!
7. Chicken & Broccoli Casserole-
The recipe can be found here !
8. Shredded Chicken Fajitas-
As easy as it sounds! Top those corn tortialla babies off with chicken, low sodium refried beans, and lots of veggies! Pile them on! If you have it handy, throw on a little homemade pico or salsa!
9. Easy Thai Chicken Pizza-
Unroll crusts and and top with peanut sauce. Cover pizza with a little cheese blend (a LITTLE!), shredded chicken, green onions, sliced red pepper, and shaved carrot pieces. Bake in 425 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until crust is crispy! Mmmmmmmmmmm SO GOOD!
10. Chicken Noodle Soup-
In a pot, sautee with oilve oil the finely chopped celery and carrots (about 2 stalks of each). Add 1 diced onion and some mushrooms, until onions are sweating. Add salt & pepper (for a kick, add some cayenne, which is what i do!). Add 2 boxes of broth, and boil. Add egg noodles and cook 8-9 minutes or until done. Add shredded chicken until just hot, continue to season to taste. Serve up & eat!
There ya have it! And of course, almost most of those meals you will have leftovers (these meals are for two! but most make for 3 or 4) so use those for lunches, etc!
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