Myhusband

My husband and I have found this to be very cost effective and provides easy, flavorful meal ideas when you don’t want to think about what to cook.
We will pick up 2 packages of chicken breasts from Sam’s Club, trim the fat, and cut each one in half.
I will put marinade in a freezer bag and he will put 4 pieces in each bag. I write the flavor and the date. The key is to keep the packages in the fridge for 1 day before freezing. I usually get 1 dinner and leftovers for lunch or another dinner meal depending on what I make to go with the chicken.
Then I just have to thaw and bake at 350 for about 20-30 mins., make some veggies and I’m done. We do portion out plain and I will use those for casseroles or shredding, etc. Sometimes we will already chunk the chicken to make it even easier for making stir fry, casseroles, etc.
There are 7 bags here but I had a plain in the fridge for tomorrow’s dinner. So 8 bags were less than $5/bag.

Recipe: Easy Marinated Baked Chicken with Versatile Meal Options

Ingredients:

  • 2 packages of chicken breasts (from Sam’s Club)
  • Marinade ingredients (your choice, see suggestions below)
  • Assorted vegetables for roasting or stir-frying
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Marinade Options: Choose one of the following or create your own:

  1. Honey Mustard Marinade:
    • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  2. Lemon Herb Marinade:
    • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
    • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley)
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  3. Teriyaki Marinade:
    • 1/4 cup soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon ginger, grated

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Chicken:
    • Trim excess fat from chicken breasts.
    • Cut each chicken breast in half to create smaller portions.
  2. Marinating:
    • In a large bowl, prepare the marinade of your choice.
    • Place the chicken pieces in a freezer bag, and pour the marinade over them.
    • Write down the flavor and date on the bag.
    • Allow the marinated chicken to rest in the fridge for 1 day before freezing.
  3. Freezing:
    • Divide the marinated chicken into portions (4 pieces per bag) and store them in the freezer bags.
  4. Cooking:
    • When ready to cook, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator.
    • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
    • Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes or until fully cooked.
  5. Vegetable Accompaniment:
    • While the chicken is baking, prepare a mix of your favorite veggies.
    • Toss the vegetables in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
    • Roast in the oven or stir-fry in a pan until they reach your desired level of tenderness.
  6. Serving:
    • Serve the baked chicken alongside the veggies for a complete meal.
    • Use the plain chicken portions for casseroles, shredding, or in other creative recipes.
  7. Meal Planning:
    • Plan for at least one dinner and leftovers for lunch or another dinner, depending on the side dishes you pair with the chicken.
  8. Cost-Effective Cooking:
    • With 8 bags costing less than $5 each, this recipe provides a budget-friendly solution for multiple meals.

Feel free to experiment with different marinades and side dishes to keep your meals exciting and varied. Enjoy your easy, flavorful, and cost-effective chicken dinners

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