The Big Bag o’ Frozen Chicken

Saving money on our grocery bill is front and center in our strategy to cut spending and improve our financial situation.   No one item in the grocery store is more central to this effort than the big bag of frozen chicken.  We have five mouths to feed in our household (not counting the fish), and we make an effort to eat healthy whenever possible.  Chicken is naturally low-fat and very high in protein, and that really makes it the perfect food to build meals around.  We do mix in lean ground beef, seafood, and turkey every once in a while, but at least half of the dinner entrees that we prepare are centered around chicken.

There are many benefits to buying chicken frozen instead of fresh from your local butcher. The biggest reason of all is of course, to save money!  A big bag, like the one shown in the middle of the picture at the top of this post, will typically cost you $5.99 at your local Aldi (I have proof!).  Both Target and our other local grocery stores offer something similar in their frozen meats section for a dollar or two more, but the quality is about the same.  Be sure that you pick up the bag that says “Chicken Breast” (instead of thighs), as this is the healthiest and tastiest part.  I also wouldn’t recommend picking up the pre-cooked or pre-spiced varities of frozen chicken– as they typically have more fat, strange consistency,  and you are better off seasoning them yourself.

The second main benefit that you get from frozen chicken is versatility.  Like anyone who is trying to save money on groceries, we try to meal plan as much as possible– but things don’t always go as planned.  By having a large stash of potential “main courses” ready for use, we are always covered.  Bags of frozen chicken will stay good in your freezer for up to nine months, so if you ever see them on sale– be sure to stock up!  A bag like the one above typically has about 10 large chicken breasts inside, and this should cover you for anywhere from 3-5 meals, depending on what you are cooking and how many people are in your family.  They are almost always resealable, so when preparing a meal– just take out what you need, seal the bag back up, and put it back in the freezer for next time.

The third benefit that you can get from Frozen Chicken is actually the taste, believe it or not.  There may be some of you out there who will swear up and down that the only way to eat chicken is to buy it fresh in the never-been-frozen meat section of your local grocer.  That is fine if you can afford it, but the reality is that you can get some great tasting meals with frozen chicken as well.  You just need to cook with the correct spices and have a nice variety of go-to meals to rotate in.  Here is a look at some of my favorite spices:

 (left to right:  garlic powder, basil leaves, taco seasoning, old bay, pepper, pampered chef smokey bbq rub, sea salt, seasoned salt, oregano leaves)

I am not going to share any of our recipes in full today, but I did want to give you a general idea of some of the meals that we like to prepare with the big bag o’ frozen chicken breasts:

Grilled Chicken :  This one might seem obvious, but the seasoning really is the key.  I always use garlic and seasoning salt, and often sprinkle in the smokey bbq rub or basil (but not both).  You can also marinate the chicken ahead of time in italian dressing, or just baste a little bbq sauce on when it is almost done cooking.  We sometimes grill outside, other times we use the Foreman, or lately- we have started just baking the chicken in a glass pan filled with an inch or so of water.  The latter method is the healthiest, as it doesn’t use any oil and avoids the potential carcinogens of grilling over fire.  Anytime we grill up some chicken, we always make extras for lunches the next day.  Estimated Cost to Feed the Family For an Evening : $8 (including side dishes)

Chicken Tacos :  We actually prefer chicken tacos to beef, and this is one of our big go-to items when we have friends over for dinner.  Just cook the chicken until white in a pan, and then add in some Ortega Taco Seasoning and a cup of water.  After that, bring the water to a boil, and stir frequently.  The water will quickly evaporate and the spices will bond to the chicken in the pan.  Open up a can of re-fried beans, cut up some fresh veggies, and grab some tortillas and you have a great meal that can serve a bunch of folks.  Estimated Cost to Feed the Family For an Evening : $12

Chicken Salad :  We often take the leftovers from grilled chicken night and spin it into a nice batch of chicken salad.  Just cut up the chicken into very small pieces, chop up a couple of stalks of celery, and a few cups of red grapes.  Toss it all in a bowl with some smashed walnut pieces and a few squirts of reduced fat mayo– and you have a chicken salad that tastes better than anything you will find at a restaurant.  Estimated Cost to Feed the Family For an Evening : $6

Chicken Pasta : This one is easy, but is always a big hit.  Just grill up a few chicken breasts as shown above, and cut into small pieces.  When the chicken is done through and through, add a bag of your favorite frozen veggies, and stir regularly.  As the veggies start to thaw, just add in about a cup of your favorite tomato sauce.  At the same time, cook up a few cups of penne noodles, following the directions on the box.  When the penne noodles are done, drain them and then mix the noodles in with the chicken, veggies, and sauce.  Estimated Cost to Feed the Family For an Evening : $7

– There are of course, many other dishes that you can tackle with the big bag o’ frozen chicken, but these are a few of our favorites.  We also occasionally take on a chicken pizza, a chicken parmesan, grilled chicken sandwiches, and many more.  Does your family utilize the value and versatility of the big bag ‘o chicken, or do you have other secrets to help keep your food costs down?

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