Budget Meals: One Pot South-Western Chicken Pasta

9/5/2018

Budget Meals: One Pot South-Western Chicken Pasta

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This family favorite makes a huge pot of flavor packed chicken and pasta that is definitely in budget.

 

The Recipe

1 lb DryPasta, your favorite shape.
2lb Chicken strips (We used thighs but breast meat will work equally well)
2x 10 oz cans Rotel Tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
1 Green Pepper, cut into strips or diced
2 cups frozen Sweet Corn
1/2 a Red Onion sliced
1 Pkt Taco Seasoning
1 qrt Chicken Stock
1 16 oz can Black Beans
1 cup Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
1 tsp Salt
Olive oil for sauteing chicken
Cilantro for garnish, optional

In a large pot over moderate to high heat add the Olive oil and saute the chicken until cooked.

Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside

Add the dry pasta, Rotel canned tomatoes, green pepper, red onion, corn, salt and taco seasoning to the pot.

Pour in the chicken stock, stir and cover.

Simmer, stirring occasionally until the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid had been absorbed. Approximately 12-15 minutes depending on your pasta.

Remove from heat and return chicken to the pot with the pasta mixture. Stir in black beans and shredded cheese until warmed through. Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve.

The Finances

This meal came to $18.32 but makes a huge amount of food. Far more than an average family of four would eat in one dinner…so left-overs!  Here's how it breaks down:

$1.88 Fusilli pasta
$3.97 Chicken strips (We got these on special for half price)
$3.38 Rotel Tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
$0.88 Green Pepper, cut into strips or diced
$1.25 Frozen Sweet Corn (1/2 bag)
$0.54 Red Onion sliced (1/2 onion)
$1.19 Taco Seasoning
$2.79 Chicken Stock
$1.19 16 oz can Black Beans
$1.25 Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend (1/2 bag)
1 tsp Salt
Olive oil for sauteing chicken
Cilantro for garnish, optional

Grand total: $18.32

 

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