One Chicken 2 Meals really is possible – you CAN stretch a chicken and save money!
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One Chicken 2 Meals
Cooking meals at home is not only healthier, but it’s a whole lot more frugal with the family budget too. I don’t know about you, but I love a challenge. When I come across a sale on whole chickens, I like to stock up on them for the freezer, and then find ways to make more than one meal out of each of them. As chicken is one product that we have a lot in this house, I figured that it might be worth looking at other ways to make use of it. From learning how to smoke chicken quarters, incorporate it in a stir-fry, or just roasting it, there’s so much you can do with chicken to create delicious meals.
I’m learning to stretch the budget by learning to stretch a chicken!
Preparation
One way to stretch a chicken is to start by boiling it. Pull apart the meat after boiling and use the broth for the first meal. Chicken bone broth is particularly healthy – see more about that here.
After you have pulled apart the meat – separate it into two parts. Throw 1/2 of the chicken back into the pot of broth. You may need to strain the broth first to make sure there are no bones or unwanted parts left in it. Season broth with a spoon of coconut oil, red pepper flakes, garlic to taste. We usually only add salt individually. Add a pinch of pepper to broth if everyone likes it.
Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe Here
One Chicken 2 Meals
Meal One – Chicken and Dumplings
KETO friendly changes: Make dumplings KETO friendly by using low-carb noodles or low-carb Bisquick.
This recipe is a great way to stretch a chicken or use bone broth. If you prefer, you can use noodles instead of dumplings.
Ingredients
- 1 pot broth (or enough cups to feed the family)
- 1/2 pulled chicken meat
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 stalks celery chopped
- 1 can or 2 cups corn (optional)
- 2 cups chopped carrots (optional)
- 1 can biscuits (or 1 cup mix for drop biscuits)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the pot except biscuits.
- Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat to simmer.
- Cook uncovered for 30 minutes – 1 hour stirring regularly.
- Cut up canned biscuits (you may roll them out flatter or as is)
- Drop biscuit pieces into broth
- Cover and cook 10 minutes or until dough is cooked.
*Prep time listed does not include chicken boiling and broth making (that adds 30 – 40 min)
Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 – 60 minutes
Meal 2 – Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole
KETO friendly: cheesy casserole by using Arrowroot thickener for sauce and low-carb noodles OR cauliflower florets instead of regular pasta! (broccoli, or riced cauliflower can also be substituted)
Cook package of noodles or pasta as per directions.
Make cheese sauce:
- Use a Tb of olive oil or coconut oil in a pan with a pat of butter – mix in 2-3 Tbs of flour
- Add in 1 cup of milk and stir until smooth as possible and then add another cup of milk do same
- Add 2 cups of grated cheese – sharp cheddar makes a great sauce
- Mix until med thick consistency – salt and pepper
Casserole
Add cheese sauce to the pasta and stir. Mix 2nd half of pulled chicken (see top of post) to the cheesy pasta. Stir together. Add veggies if desired (cooked broccoli is a good choice, or spinach with liquid squeezed out). Pour cheesy chicken and pasta into 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with Durkey onions or smashed Ritz crackers and bake in oven at 350 for 15 – 20 minutes or until onions are browned. Salt and pepper to taste.