Making Roast Chicken To-Go Economical

The other night, we were running kind of late and I didn’t feel like cooking, but we couldn’t come up with an idea for eating out that was cheap, and that we actually wanted to eat. So we decided to pick up a roasted chicken at the grocery store, along with some salad fixings and some fresh French bread, and some kaiser rolls.

Now, at 6 bucks, a roasted chicken might seem extravagant, and if you have a family of 4, 1 isn’t quite enough. You have to buy 2.

How about if you could get 3 meals out of it?

That’s why we bought the kaiser rolls. Shred or cut up the chicken, add some barbeque or spaghetti sauce, top with mozzarella cheese, lettuce and tomato – and you have some hearty sandwiches. Serve with a salad and some fruit, or pickles and olives, or a veggie tray and you have a really good meal.

Or put chucks of chicken, carrots, broccoli, onions, grated cheddar cheese, croûtons, (or chow mien noodles) and a French dressing and you have a great dinner salad.

Or make chicken wraps. Or chicken salad.

But don’t stop there! While you’re eating, take the carcass and throw it in a pot of water and let it boil to make soup. The only thing is – when used a roasted chicken, you have to be especially careful to get all of the bones out. The bones almost disintegrate after you boil them again. I’ve finally gotten better at taking my time and making sure to get all the little pieces. My friend Emily says her husband is good at it.

My daughter says my soup isn’t soup. There’s too much stuff in it. Maybe I’ll skip the noodles this time.

That’s right. The sandwiches were yummy, and there’s a pot of soup cooking right now. Just gotta wait for the carrots to get tender. It’s smelling pretty darned good… I had to sneak a taste! It will be a great lunch or dinner tomorrow.

Hey, no one gets (or stays) rich by throwing their money away, right?

We might be frugal, but darn we eat well!

Oh, you might be saying “bread and cheese and salad dressing are all fattening and not good for you.” To that I say – get away from the packaged and fast foods, drop the pop and learn how to eat great food that will keep you thin, healthy and full of energy. Eating is one of the great joys in life – when you do it right. Does it sound like we’re sacrificing or suffering? Or would you love to eat like we do? Learn how to love a healthy diet >>>