Taco Salad in 5 Minutes

Last night was one of THOSE nights... 

The family had had a long week, we had worked outside in the fresh air and when we came in everyone was HUNGRY and had no patience to wait for dinner.  

Instead of calling the local pizza place and waiting at least 30 minutes longer for dinner 

I decided to make a Taco Salad for everyone.  

I know what you are thinking, 

"by the time you take the burger out and cook it up along with veggie prep you might as well have ordered pizza."   

Fortunately, from start to finish my dinner took me 5 minutes from start to finish.

5 Minutes....you must be joking me!  

It's no joke, it can be done!

To get a meal on the table in 5 min takes a little planning but every second of pre-planning is worth 

the time you don't have to spend making dinner.

This is how I accomplished dinner in 5 Minutes:

On Thursday my family had chili for dinner.  At that time I cooked up twice the meat that I usually use for my chili.  Before adding all the goodies (beans, tomatoes, etc) after browning my meat I removed 1/2 of the meat, put it in a freezer bag (after cooled) and threw it in the freezer, this took me maybe a minute tops.

Last night all I had to do was throw the meat in the microwave to de-frost and while that was thawing I got my plates, chips, sour cream, cheese and tomatoes out and washed or plated those items (had I had lettuce I would have added that).  When the burger was done in the microwave I added it to the goodies on the plate and dinner was done.  

Fast Simple and easy!

Day #6- How to Make Your Chicken STRETCHHHH- Pasta and Chicken Alfredo

This is a very quick, simple and tasty meal

Pasta and Chicken Alfredo

1 Box Pasta

1 Cup Already Cooked Shredded Chicken

1 Jar Alfredo Sauce 

Cook your pasta to your liking, strain and place back in pan.

Mix Shredded Chicken and entire jar Alfredo Sauce in a bowl and heat until warmed through.

Mix Chicken/Alfredo combo into pasta and enjoy!

Cost of Meal:

 

1 Box Pasta: FREE (with sale and Coupons)

1 Cup Already Cooked Shredded Chicken: $1.20 

(from chicken stretchhhhh earlier)

1 Jar Alfredo Sauce: $1/jar (with Sale and Coupons)

Total Cost of Meal: $2.20

Total Cost for family of 4 with leftovers: $.55

 

Day #5- How to Make Your Chicken STRETCHHHH- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

This is a GREAT recipe for when you, your family, your friends, your neighbors....... are sick or.....just to enjoy!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

1 Cup Shredded Chicken

2 Quarts Chicken Broth

1/2 Package Egg Noodles

1/4 Cup Frozen Carrots   

Take your Chicken Broth (made from your chicken stretchhhhhh earlier) and add the shredded chicken and carrots.  

Bring this to a boil until carrots are tender.

Add the 1/2 Pack Egg Noodles and boil until they are soft (follow package directions)

Cost of meal:

1 Cup Shredded Chicken: $1.20 (used chicken from the chicken stretchhhh)

2 Quarts Chicken Broth: FREE 

(used chicken leftovers (chicken bones and such) and water to make this)

1/2 Package Egg Noodles: $.50 (on sale for $1/bag)

1/4 Cup Frozen Carrots: FREE 

(carrots were grown in the garden with seeds that were given to us)

Total cost of the Meal: $1.70

Cost per serving for family of 4 

(this serving is counted at 2 bowls for each person) $.43

Day #4- How to Make Your Chicken STRETCHHHH- Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Here is a quick meal that you can throw together for a sack lunch at work or school or on a lazy day at home.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

2 Cups Shredded Chicken

1 Cup Mayo 

(or enough to pull your ingredients together, 

do not put so much in it's runny)

1 Stalk Celery

1/4 Cup Moz or Cheddar Cheese

2 Slices Whole Wheat Bread per Sandwich

Banana

Put Chicken, Mayo, Celery and Cheese in a bowl and mix.

Place on bread and make sandwich.

Serve with Banana

Cost of Meal

2 Cups Shredded Chicken: $2.40 (2 packets of chicken from earlier $1.20 each)

1 Cup Mayo (or enough to pull your ingredients together, do not put so much in it's runny): $.42

1 Stalk Celery: $.02

1/4 Cup Moz or Cheddar Cheese: $.24

2 Slices Whole Wheat Bread per Sandwich: $.24 

(family of 4=8 slices of bread; I have a bread outlet where I can get a loaf of Whole wheat bread for $.59/loaf (approx 20 pcs) $.59/20*8=$.236)

4 Bananas: $.44

Total Cost of Meal: $3.76

Cost per Serving for a Family of 4: $.94

Day #3- How to Make Your Chicken STRETCHHHH- Broccoli Chicken Casserole

This casserole combines many of may favorite foods.  Enjoy!

 

Broccoli Chicken Casserole

 

1 Cup Shredded Chicken
2 Cups Steamed Broccoli
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 cup Water
1 TBSP Garlic Powder
1 Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1 Cup Slow Cooking Brown Rice (1 cup is before cooking)

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

You will need a 13x9 pan.  

 

You will need to combine the Cream of Chicken Soup with the 1/2 Cup Water and the TBSP Garlic Powder in a bowl.  

 

You will then layer the chicken on the bottom, and then follow with the broccoli, the soup mixture and then the Cheese.  You will Salt and Pepper to taste on your individual plate.

Cook this at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Serve over rice.  Salt & Pepper to taste.

Cost of Meal:

 

1 Cup Shredded Chicken: $1.20 

(use a packet from the Chicken STRETCHHHHING earlier) 

2 Cups Steamed Broccoli or approx 1/2 bag frozen:  

I use the Broccoli that I froze from my garden so FREE but if you use frozen from the store you can get it for as little as FREE/bag or $.99/bag if you watch your sales and coupons)

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup: $.36 (from store with sales and coupons) 

or $.17 (homemade)

1/2 cup Water: FREE 

1 TBSP Garlic Powder: $.01 (bought in bulk)

1 Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: $.47

 

1 Cup Slow Cooked Brown Rice: $.33

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Total Cost of Meal: $3.36 (this is with the $.99 Broccoli and $.36 Cream of Chicken Soup, cost can be lower with different options)

 

Cost per serving for Family of 4: 

$.84/person

 

 

Day #2-How To Make Your Chicken Stretchhhhhh- Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie is a family favorite and so easy...

Chicken Pot Pie

1 Package Frozen Pie Crust

1 Cup Shredded Chicken  

(use 1 of your 4 packets of chicken from your rotisserie or crock pot chicken)

1/2 Bag of Frozen Soup Mix Veggies

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup (or use homemade)

1/4 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese 

Place one of the pie crusts on the bottom of your pie pan.

Mix the Shredded Chicken, 

1/2 bag of Frozen Veggies and 

the Can of Cream of Chicken Soup in a bowl. 

Dump the Mix into the bottom of the pie pan (on top of crust) 

and cover with the 1/4 Cup Cheddar Cheese.

Cover this mix with the 2nd pie crust, seal edges and 

then cook according to package directions. 

Cost Break Down:

1 Package Frozen Pie Crust: $2.00 (on sale with coupon)

1 Cup Shredded Chicken: $1.20  

1/2 Bag of Frozen Soup Mix Veggies: $.50

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup: 

$.36 (on sale with coupons) or $.17 (homemade)

1/4 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese: $.24 

Total Cost of Meal:   

$4.30 with Store Cream of Soup 

or $4.11 with Homemade Cream of Soup

For My Family of 4 eat 2 large pieces each that is $1.08 or $1.03 per person depending on what you use again for the Cream of Chicken Soup.

How To Make Your Chicken STRETCHHHHHH!!!!

This week I will be touching on how you can make a rotisserie sized chicken STRETCHHHH to use in a least 5 different meals.

The rest of the week will be devoted to recipes in which you can use that chicken.

Enjoy and feel free to holler if you have any questions!