CHEAP & EASY EATS:

A Variation of Mom’s Chicken with Rice—

Classic Comfort Food That Costs Next to Nothing

By Andrew Newhart

          Chicken with rice is my favorite comfort meal. My mother used to serve it with a killer cream sauce, which she knew would get me to the table, no matter what crazy things were going on in my life. I‘d eat it, and all would be right with my world again. This variation of my childhood favorite will feed up to two people, comfortably. Mom not included.

Ingredients

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, thawed and cut into bite-size chunks 

($1.50 to $1.75 each)

1 package Rice-a-Roni (the Herb & Garlic variety adds great flavor to this dish!)   (99 cents to 1.19 each)

Total cost: $2.49 to $2.94 per serving

Directions

          To save money, I purchase my boneless chicken breasts frozen, in bulk (well, at least five to 10 at a time, anyway).  When I was laid off and living on less than $25 a week, I’d purchase a bag of Tyson’s frozen boneless chicken breasts. They usually come four or five breasts per bag, and they are very large—much larger than the other frozen brand-name chicken breasts or even the fresh ones you’ll find in the poultry section of your grocery store. A bag here in the western suburbs of Chicago costs around $9, give or take 50 cents, which makes them about $1.50 to $ 1.75 per breast.

          My secret ingredient is that trusty “San Francisco treat, ” Rice-a-Roni’, which I store in abundance in my pantry. Simply follow the directions on the box. When it’s time to add the rice to the boiling water, butter, and seasonings, toss in your thawed chunks of chicken, as well.

         The chicken and rice cook in 20 minutes, leaving the chicken moist and tasty. You end up with a “hungry man’s meal” for one, or a decent-sized meal for two, costing less than $2.50 per person. Even McDonald’s can’t beat that!

 _______________________________________

IT consultant Andrew Newhart designed  MAKING BREAD’s Web site.

Click on covers to read reviews and order books.