When eating gluten free on a budget, one of the most cost-effective solutions is to purchase and roast a whole chicken and reuse the leftovers in different, creative ways. Ranging from $5-8.00 per chicken, each subsequent meal breaks down to between $2-$4 per serving. So what can you do with a whole chicken? Here are five ways you can use one chicken to serve two people!

Meal 1: Roasted Chicken with ___ 

One of my favorite things about the first meal is that the combinations are endless: you can pair the chicken with roasted vegetables like I do, stuffing, a hearty salad, mashed potatoes – whatever fits for you.

Suggestion: Roast Chicken with Potatoes

Meal 2: Chicken Parmigiana (link)

Cut the recipe in half For this recipe, I filleted the leftover chicken breasts (since pounding out the raw meat isn't really an option) to produce two or four thin breast-pieces. I lightly bread the chicken in egg and breadcrumbs and pan fry until golden brown, then add the tomato sauce and cheese and serve over pasta! 

Meal 3: Chicken & ___ Soup

Again, once you have your homemade chicken stock and your leftover meat, the possibilities are endless: chicken & rice, chicken noodle, chicken & seasonal vegetables of your choice – or the penultimate in chicken-based soup recipes: Matzoh ball soup.

Meal 4: Chicken Tacos (link) or Quesadillas (link)

So many easy ways to do tacos – I usually shred the meat and briefly saute, then add water and taco seasoning and simmer for a few minutes to infuse the flavor. Grab some tortillas, salsa, shredded lettuce and sour cream and you have an instant family-friendly meal!

Not feeling the taco vibe? Place cubed or shredded chicken, cheese and salsa in half of a tortilla, fold the top over and grill or pan-fry until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is melted, turning halfway through.

Meal 5: Chicken Chili (link)

I know what you’re thinking, “Two soups? Really?” to which my response is “B-but they’re so different!” And it’s true – even though they are both cooked in a pot-like container over a heating element, these soups have next to nothing in common – besides our chicken, of course! Like all chilis, this is a hearty meal that comes together quickly and easily and won’t drain your budget!

- Kelsey Ganes

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