Chicken cheats

When you run out of time and out of meal ideas simultaneously, it’s not good. It’s even worse when this combination occurs near dinner hour.

This is probably the number one reason why you hit the drive thru or pick up the phone.  But that kind of last-minute mentality is not doing your wallet or your waistline any favours.

While cooking from scratch is almost always the way to go, especially if you are trying to keep to a budget, there are a few convenience foods that can help you “cheat” a little. You’ve no doubt seen those pre-cooked rotisserie chickens at your deli counter at the supermarket, which actually have many uses.

 

Roast Chicken

While it’s not Sunday dinner, it looks a lot like it. While you are picking up the chicken at the deli, also grab a bagged salad and a baguette to complete the meal.  You can quickly whip up a pot of rice when you get home. Dinner is served.

Chicken Tacos

Shred the chicken with two forks. Warm tortillas in the microwave. Mix together about a ¼ cup of mayo with a couple of teaspoons of lime juice. Place shredded chicken along with shredded cabbage (you can pick this coleslaw mix up in at your supermarket as well). Top with mayo mixture and some chopped cilantro.

Hot chicken sandwich

Does it get any easier? Place the chicken on two pieces of bread and top with gravy (you can make it in the microwave in minutes). Whip up some mashed potatoes with a side of green peas and dinner is done.

Chicken Pot Pie

Take all the meat off of the rotisserie chicken, chop and place in a 9×13 baking dish. Chop up four cups of your favourite veggies. Add two cans of cream of mushroom soup (add milk as needed so that the sauce thins out, but not too much). Unroll a frozen sheet of puff pastry, poke some holes in the crust and bake for about 30-45 mins (or until sauce is bubbly).