1 Chicken – 4 Meals – 3 People

This little beauty is all about how to get 4 meals for 3 people out of one chicken!

So, the other day I picked up a whole uncooked chicken at the supermarket for $3.50/kg.  I picked a fairly large one, I had a few things in mind with what to do with it…

chicken stock, chicken 4 ways, chicken cuts

I really have to say, that if you have space in your freezer and the budget to cover it, and the time to prepare it – if you see whole chicken at a fantastic price – don’t just buy one!  The most recent time I have purchased whole chicken, I ended up going back and buying another 4 chickens and then broke/cut them down into meal portions and froze them – including the bones for stock when I’m ready.

A couple of days before, I had seen a post on Facebook for Mexican chicken and this was the start of my inspiration.  From there, I thought about what else I could get out of a budget chicken – here’s what I came up with – 1 chicken – 4 meals – to feed the 3 of us!

Now, if any of those ideas above don’t float your boat – you could swap the Chicken with Tortilla for Chicken Schnitzel, if you do, then you will miss out on the Spiced Chicken with Rice dish as this is technically leftovers from the Chicken with Tortilla dish.
Firstly, I love my pressure cooker!  I use it all the time – I have an electric one (also have a stovetop one which I have since retired).  If you don’t have one – buy one!!

To create these dishes, there was a bit of preparation to do, and a few other ingredients to buy.  So, for your shopping list, you will need (if you don’t already have):-

  • 1 whole large raw chicken
  • half a bunch of celery
  • 4 carrots
  • 3 onions
  • 2 large tomatoes
  • 250g Philadelphia cream cheese
  • powdered burrito mix (we used Old El Paso)
  • tin of corn kernels
  • tin of black beans (in the Mexican section at the supermarket)
  • 1 small chili (to taste)
  • a packet of tortillas (or make your own – they are only flour, water and effort!)
  • angel hair noodles/pasta
  • extra vegetables for soup

For the recipes – you will need to follow the links above – happy cooking!

Chicken with Tortilla

Looking for a quick easy meal then this Chicken with Tortilla is just for you!

This recipe is part of our “1 Chicken – 4 Meals – 3 People” series.

A couple of days before, I had seen a post on Facebook for Mexican chicken – it was a post shared from My Litter by a friend – the photo belongs to My Litter, I have modified the recipe as some things are not available in Australia.  This was the start of my inspiration.  

You will need:
  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 2 large tomatoes
  • 250g Philadelphia cream cheese
  • powdered burrito mix (we used Old El Paso)
  • tin of corn kernels
  • tin of black beans (in the Mexican section at the supermarket)
  • 1 small chili (to taste)
  • a packet of tortillas (or make your own – they are only flour, water and effort!)

In either an oven proof dish, pressure cooker, or crockpot – put the whole chicken breasts in the bottom of the pot. Drain off the corn kernels and add. Drain and rinse off the black beans and also add to the pot. Add the cream cheese, burrito mix, the chili and chop up the tomatoes as well – all these go into the pot – don’t worry about mixing it, just pop it all in.

(photo from My Litter)

If you are cooking it in the pressure cooker – I cooked it on 2 curry cycles (about 22 minutes per cycle).  If you are cooking it in the slow cooker you need 4 hours on high, or 6 hours on low. In the oven, make sure its covered and bake on about 160deg for 4-6 hours (keep an eye on it).

By far, the pressure cooker is the most energy efficient and fastest way (great if you work long hours). Once it’s cooked, you will not only smell it, but the chicken will just shred with a fork when you mix it all around.
By now, your Mexican chicken will be just about ready. Remove from heat and stir with a fork to shred the chicken – if the chicken totally falls apart – its ready!  Refrigerate half of the mixture for another meal (based on serving 3 people). Serve with tortillas, sour cream and cheese – make your own tortillas, its so easy – mix plain flour, water and a dash of olive oil to make a dough, knead until smooth, rest for 10 mins, then roll out very finely – pan fry gently in some oil and serve (yes, I think I just saved you about $6 in tortillas alone).

Spiced Chicken With Rice

You can take this dish one step further over two nights – only use half of the cooked amount of mixture above – for the second dish, reheat and serve with steamed rice.

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