To save money on groceries, each month our family plays our version of “Chopped.” We eat solely from our pantry, fridge, and freezer. Whoever comes up with the best, most creative pantry raid recipe wins the game and we cook their idea for dinner.
Now if you ask me, “Guy’s Grocery Games” totally needs a pantry cooking challenge using 5 ingredients or less! They have a “Budget Battle” and a “Watch Your Weight,” which limits the items the contestants can use, but it would be such a creative thing to have them cook with no more than 5 ingredients as part of a pantry challenge.
Update: Well Looky There!
Look who decided to put “5 ingredients or less” as a challenge on Guy’s Grocery Games on the newest episode tonight (4/26/15)…thank you Food Network. 🙂
If you’re stuck on what to make in a pinch, there are a ton of fantastic recipes in the Dining On A Dime Cookbook that my friend Tawra created. Not only will the recipes in Jill and Tawra’s book save you money, but you’ll also find great recipes like these…5 chicken recipes that only use 5 ingredients or less!!! Find it here! Boo-yah!
And here’s how to do some serious pantry cooking using 5 ingredients or less.
Pantry cooking using 5 ingredients or less
Roasted Chicken
Ingredients:
- Chicken pieces
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Butter
- Salt/Pepper to taste
Directions:
Lay chicken in a greased pan. Sprinkle with spices. Bake at 300 – 350 degrees for 30 minutes to an hour until the meat falls away from bone easily or the juices run clear. The cooking time depends on how big the pieces are, the temperature you use, and your oven. Sometimes, half-way through the cooking, I will place a small dab of butter on each piece or brush with butter.
Creamy Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 bag (2.5 to 3 lbs.) of frozen chicken breasts
- 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a crockpot and cook 8 hours on low heat. Come home to a delicious meal!
Mexican Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 bag (2.5 to 3 lbs.) of frozen chicken breasts
- 1 package cream cheese
- 1 large jar salsa
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a crockpot and cook 8 hours on low heat. Another great recipe to cook while you’re away from home.
Chili Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup orange marmalade
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 8 chicken drumsticks or thighs
Directions:
Mix the first 3 ingredients in a zip top bag. Add chicken to the bag and shake to coat. Place on a pan lined with foil that is well greased. Pour the extra marmalade mix on the chicken. Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until done.
Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken, cut into strips
- 1 Egg, beaten
- Parmesan cheese (the stuff that is already grated in the green can)
- Oil to fry
Directions:
Roll strips of boneless, skinless chicken in beaten egg and Parmesan cheese (the stuff that is already grated in the green can) and fry in your favorite oil.
Get these and 1,200+ recipes and money saving tips in the Dining on a Dime Cookbook.
