10 Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes for $7 or Less (2024)

Why spend a fortune taking the family out for dinner every night when you can make dinner for the entire family for just $7? Here are 10 delicious and easy chicken dinner recipes you can make for $7 or less and they’re quick and easy!

10 Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes for $7 or Less (1)

10 Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes for $7 or Less

These easy chicken dinner recipes are some of our favorite recipes to help give you an easier start to dinner. For me just thinking of what to make is the hardest part of dinner, so picking the recipe is a major step to done! These recipes are cheap, easy and fast so pick one and have it for dinner tomorrow!

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Easy Roast Chicken Recipe

10 Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes for $7 or Less (3)

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This easy roast chicken recipe is a tasty chicken dinner recipe you can make with just 5 minutes prep time! Add sliced veggies like potatoes, carrots, peppers and onions for a complete one-pan meal!

  • Author: Jill Cooper

Ingredients

Chicken pieces
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
Butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Lay the chicken pieces in a greased pan, uncovered.
  3. Sprinkle with spices.
  4. Bake at 300 – 350° for 30 minutes to an hour or 8-10 hours at 170°, until the meat falls away from the bone easily or the juices run clear.

The cooking time for this chicken recipe depends on how big the pieces are, the temperature you use, and your oven. Sometimes, halfway through the cooking I will place a small dab of butter on each piece or brush with butter.

Notes

  • You can also add your favorite veggies like carrots, potatoes, onions or peppers to this recipe for an easy one-pan meal!
  • You can use whatever kind of chicken you like for this recipe. It works well with boneless or bone-in chicken, so if you find something on sale, this recipe will work great!

(This roast chicken recipe is from Dining On A Dime Cookbook, Volume 1.)

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Garlic Roasted Chicken Recipe

3-5 lb. chicken
salt
pepper
paprika
3 Tbsp. minced garlic
about 1/4 lb. butter
1/2 cup chicken broth

Sprinkle the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika. Rub the bird inside and out with garlic. Place in the crockpot. Lay a couple of pats of butter on top of the breast and pour in broth. Cook on Low for 6-8 hours. Serve with the garlic butter sauce.

10 Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes for $7 or Less (5)

Maple Glazed Chicken Recipe (from Dining On A Dime)

1/4 cup maple syrup
4 tsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
Salt and pepper (to taste)
4 pieces chicken

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix maple syrup, lemon juice, and butter together in a small saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes. Spray a baking dish and place chicken in it. Add salt and pepper to the chicken. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove chicken from oven and pour on glaze. Bake 15 minutes more or until juices run clear.

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Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe

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Make this warm and comforting soup withyour chicken leftovers. The roasted chicken adds a little different and yummy flavor. Don’t be frightened by all the ingredients. You can chop a lot of it the day before you make it and just dump and add the rest.

  • Author: Jill Cooper

Ingredients

Units

1 cup onions, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp. olive oil or canola oil
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. thyme
8 cups chicken broth
4 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tsp. salt (adjust to taste)
2 cups chicken, cooked and diced
2 cups wide egg noodles
1/2 cup evaporated milk

Instructions

  1. Sauté* the first 4 ingredients in oil in a large Dutch oven (big pot or pan).
  2. Stir in flour, oregano and thyme.
  3. Gradually add chicken broth, potatoes and salt.
  4. Bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
  6. Add chicken and noodles and simmer 10 more minutes.
  7. Reduce heat and add milk. Do not boil.

Notes

*Saute means to stir and cook until tender, usually about 3-5 minutes.

You can change this recipe to suit your taste:

  • Add other veggies like peas, corn or broccoli.
  • You can leave out the potatoes or substitute them with something like sweet potatoes or squash.
  • You can leave out the milk (but the milk makes a nice creamy soup) and/or add more or less broth.
  • You can also adjust the spices, for example you might add a little Tabasco sauce to give it a little kick.

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3 Ingredient Chicken Tacos

4 bonelessskinless chicken breasts
taco seasoning to taste (homemade or 1 packet)
1 can Rotel tomatoes*

Place all of the ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred and use in tacos, burritos, enchiladas or in a salad. You can also serveit hot or cold so it would be great as leftovers to take in a lunch.

*Rotel tomatoes are canned tomatoes with chopped green peppers or jalapenos.Any brand that is labeled “tomatoes and green chilies” should be OK or just used canned tomatoes and add the kind of peppers you would like.

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Parmesan Chicken Tenders Recipe

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This easy 3 ingredient parmesan chicken tenders recipe makes light and crispy fried chicken tenders perfect for families! This is a quick and easy chicken dinner recipe you can make fast. Our teenagers love this recipe and often request that I make it for dinner!

  • Author: Tawra Kellam

Ingredients

Boneless, skinless chicken, cut into strips
1 egg, beaten
Parmesan cheese (the stuff that is already grated in the green can)
Oil for frying (I usually use canola or vegetable oil.)

Instructions

  1. Cut boneless, skinless chicken into strips.
  2. In a bowl, beat the egg.
  3. Place the Parmesan cheese into a separate bowl.
  4. Place about 2 Tbsp. oil into a frying pan.
  5. Dip each strip of boneless, skinless chicken into the beaten egg. Turn to coat.
  6. Then dip it into the Parmesan cheese and turn to coat the other side.
  7. Fry in your favorite oil.

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You can adjust this next recipe to your taste. Cut back on the cheese, add a cooked pasta for a more substantial meal or add a few black olives. Salt and/or season to taste.

Chicken Cacciatore Recipe (fromDining On A Dime Cookbook, Volume 1)

2-3 lbs. chicken pieces
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cans (14 oz.) stewed tomatoes
2 cups mushrooms sliced
1 cup zucchini, sliced
1 tsp. fresh basil, crushed or 1/4 tsp dried basil
salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups pasta, cooked

Brown chicken in oil, 10 minutes, turning occasionally; drain. Add the rest of the ingredients except pasta. Cover and simmer 25 minutes. Serve over pasta.

10 Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes for $7 or Less (10)

Apricot Chicken Recipe

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. oil, olive or vegetable
1/2 cup apricot preserves
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. onion soup mix

Cook chicken in garlic and oil until brown. Place in an 8 inch baking dish. Combine everything else and pour over chicken. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes until juices run clear. Serve over rice.

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Summer Chicken Fruit Salad Recipe

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  • Author: Jill Cooper
  • Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

Salad:

Spinach leaves

1 cup chicken chunks, cooked

1 cup mixed fruit (strawberries, grapes, oranges, kiwi, blueberries, apples), sliced

1/4 cup celery, sliced

1 Tbsp. nuts (walnuts, sliced almonds)

1 Tbsp. green onion, sliced

Dressing:

2 Tbsp. mayonnaise

4 tsp. orange juice

Instructions

  1. Arrange spinach leaves on 2 plates.
  2. Layer the other ingredients in order.
  3. Mix the mayonnaise and orange juice.
  4. Drizzle over salad.

10 Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes for $7 or Less (12)

Oven Fried Chicken With Biscuits

4 -5 Tbsp. margarine (not butter)
4-6 pieces of chicken
1/2 cup baking mix
Salt and pepper
1 can refrigerator biscuits

Melt the margarine in a 9×13 pan. Pour the baking mix on a plate or in a plastic bag. Roll the chicken in the margarine, then into baking mix and place back into the pan. Salt and pepper to taste. Bake at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes, until the juices run clear.

About 5-10 minutes before the chicken is done, push the pieces of chicken tightly against one side of the pan and lay the biscuits into the pan on the opposite side. Finish baking until the biscuits are brown.

Note: It’s okay to lay the biscuits in the margarine and all in the bottom of the pan. That makes the biscuits margarine soaked and crispy. Oh, yum!

You can make EASY and delicious meals at home in less time than eating out! You’ll save a ton of money on food and your family will thank you!

Click here to get our Dining On A Dime Cookbooks 25% Off NOW! They’re filled with tasty recipes and tips to make your life easier!

10 Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes for $7 or Less (2024)

FAQs

How do you feed a family of 5 for $10? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  1. Spanish Rice Soup. ...
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  3. Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  4. Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
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Apr 2, 2023

What is the cheapest thing to make for dinner? ›

65 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
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Dec 21, 2023

How to make the cheapest meal? ›

Legumes (beans, lentils, dried peas), tofu and peanut butter offer great tasting protein at a good price. Here are a few tasty plant-based meal idea recipes: The Ultimate Mixed Bean Salad, Chickpea Tikka Masala, and Quick Quinoa and Veggie Casserole. Don't forget about canned fish, like tuna and salmon.

How to feed 12 people cheaply? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  1. Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
  2. Meatballs. ...
  3. Butter Chicken. ...
  4. Lasagna. ...
  5. Chili. ...
  6. Homemade Pizza. ...
  7. Baked Pasta. ...
  8. Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

How to feed 6 people cheaply? ›

Budget meals for large families
  1. Orzotto with pancetta & peas. ...
  2. Double bean & roasted pepper chilli. ...
  3. Halloumi flatbreads. ...
  4. Slow cooker ratatouille. ...
  5. Easy sausage casserole.
  6. Courgette & tomato soup. ...
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  8. Vegetable curry for a crowd.

What is the cheapest meal you can live by? ›

The Cheapest Meals to Make on an Incredibly Tight Budget
  • Scrambled Eggs or Omelets.
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  • Mac and Cheese.
  • Pancakes.
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  • Even More Cheap and Quick Meal Ideas.
  • Cookbooks for Cheap Meals.
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Mar 2, 2023

What to make for dinner when you don't have much food? ›

15 Delicious Things to Throw Together When You're Pressed for Food Options
  1. Buttery, gooey grilled cheese. ...
  2. PB&J because duh. ...
  3. Tuna melt tostadas. ...
  4. Pancakes! ...
  5. Scrambled eggs. ...
  6. Waffles. ...
  7. A Hagrid-size bowl of cereal. ...
  8. Spaghetti carbonara.
Apr 28, 2020

How to cook for a lot of people cheap? ›

Create a “Bar” and feed everyone cafeteria-style

There are lots of bar ideas out there, such as the Nacho bar, Baked potato bar, Burrito bar, Hot dog bar, Root Beer float bar, Hawaiian Haystacks bar, Sandwich bar, etc. All of these can be done on the cheap, and links to all these ideas can be found below.

What meals can I make to save money? ›

7 thrifty dinner recipes to help you save money all week
  • Any Vegetable Instant Pot Soup.
  • Smothered Chicken.
  • Potato-Bean Stew.
  • Bacon and Egg Fried Rice.
  • Chili Lime Black Bean Tacos.
  • Savory Chicken Sausage and Vegetable Cobbler.
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Apr 17, 2023

How to make cheap meals for 4? ›

SHEET PAN DINNERS
  1. Sheet Pan Kielbasa, Potatoes, and Green Beans.
  2. Sheet Pan BBQ Meatballs.
  3. Sheet Pan BBQ Meatloaf Dinner.
  4. Sheet Pan Pizza.
  5. One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta.
  6. Cheesy Sausage Pasta.
  7. Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet.
  8. One Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Rice.
Mar 31, 2023

What is the most easiest thing to cook? ›

17 Of The Easiest Recipes Of All Time (Seriously)
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  • Scrambled Egg Tacos. ...
  • 15-Minute Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. ...
  • One-Pot Chicken and Rice with Artichokes.
Jan 2, 2019

What is the most simple thing to cook? ›

Easy staples of mine:
  • Eggs - scrambled and over easy.
  • spaghetti with meat sauce (brown meat and add a jar of sauce)
  • hamburgers on the grill.
  • tacos (hamburger meat and seasoning packet)
  • Bake a chicken breast with seasoning and microwave a bag of frozen veggies for side.
Jan 17, 2018

What is a normal food budget for a family of 5? ›

Creating a budget can help keep costs in check. On average, a family of five spends anywhere from $922 to $1,488 a month on groceries, according to USDA monthly food plans.

How much does a family of 5 spend on food a week? ›

Weekly grocery prices vary widely across the country, the study found, and California topped the list of most expensive places to buy food with a household average of $297.72 per week, or $27.51 more than the average for the 48 continental states.

How can a family of 5 save money on groceries? ›

How to Save Money on Groceries
  1. Redefine dinner. ...
  2. Crunch some numbers while you shop. ...
  3. Round up your grocery cost estimates. ...
  4. Raid your pantry. ...
  5. Think before you buy in bulk. ...
  6. Know when to shop. ...
  7. Start freezing and storing meals now. ...
  8. Pay with cash.
Jan 18, 2024

How much food to feed 5 people? ›

Aim to provide around 6-8 courses of small bite size food per person. Each course should have enough for 1-1.5 pieces of food per person. When choosing recipes, consider whether you could eat it with one hand in one or two bites.

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