An Affordable Chicken Jambalaya Crockpot Meal

I am always searching the web for easy and cheap crockpot meal ideas and ran across this recipe for Chicken Jambalaya in the crockpot.

I usually prepare a simple Jambalaya with instant rice and sausage.

But this recipe was delicious, full of flavor and very easy to make.

There are also many options with this recipe from meat substitution to spices!

You can keep the mild flavor per the recipe (my kind of flavor) or you can kick it up a notch or two with additional seasons (like my husband)!

This is the perfect family menu for your Sunday Dinner.

Chicken Jambalaya in the Crockpot

www.recipezaar.com

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 hours

Meal Preparation Ingredients:

  • 12 oz. boneless & skinless chicken breast
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped green pepper
  • 1 medium chopped onion
  • 2 stalks of chopped celery
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 – 14oz. can of whole tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup tomato paste
  • 1 – 10 1/2 oz. can of beef broth
  • 1 Tbs of parsley
  • 1 1/2 tsp basil
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp Tabasco sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cayenne pepper
  • 1 lb shelled shrimp
  • 3 cups cooked rice

Meal Preparation Directions:

  1. Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces.
  2. Put all ingredients (EXCEPT shrimp and rice) in crock pot.
  3. Cover; cook on low for 8 hours.
  4. Add shrimp the last 20 minutes of cooking.
  5. Stir in rice before serving.

Meal Assembly:

Serves 6 – add a small dinner salad and some fresh bread and dinner is complete.

Tip: If you budget doesn’t allow for shrimp (like mine) you can use sliced smoked sausage
Tip: Add additional spice near the end of cooking if your looking for a spicier flavor
Tip: This will be the perfect make ahead freezer meal saving time and money!!

November 21st, 2008 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: Best Crockpot Recipes | Leave a comment

Potato Shrimp Chowder For An Easy Family Meal

Creating a last minute easy family meal is on the top of my to do list today. 

It’s cold outside today and I love making soups, stews and chowders when it’s cold.

This recipe for Potato Shrimp Chowder is an inexpensive family meal that it’s so simple, the most important kitchen item you will need is the can opener!

You can substitute the shrimp in the recipe below with clam, bacon, or leave the meat out all together and still have a delicious potato chowder soup.

Potato Shrimp Chowder

By: Woman’s World
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes

Meal Preparation Ingredients:

  • 2 cans (10 3/4 oz. each) condensed Campbell’s cream of potato soup
  • 1 can (11 oz.) mexi-corn drained
  • 1 pkg. frozen broccoli spears thawed and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 8 oz. frozen cooked small shrimp thawed
  • 3 tbs. chopped fresh cilantro

Meal Preparation Directions:

  1. In medium pot combine soup, mexi-corn, broccoli and milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat stirring frequently.
  2. Reduce heat to med-low and simmer for about 5 minutes.
  3. Add shrimp and cilantro and simmer for 2 minutes.

Meal Assembly:

Serves 4 – serve with hot fresh garlic bread for a nice hot soup on a cold winter day.

Tip: Save leftovers for a freeze ahead lunch meal one day during the week!

Not your cup of tea? Try this soup recipe then, it might just be what your looking for:

Easy Cheesy Broccoli Soup

November 19th, 2008 | Tags: , , , | Category: Dream Dinners Made Cheap | Leave a comment

Creating “Big Family” Meals On A Budget

Dinner time is the menu I focus on most. I have to think cheap meals for a big family. My budget allows for me to spend about $5 per meal.

Ya, not a lot for my big family but with time and effort I have been able to create basic healthy meals that my kids will actually eat.  Most of the menu’s under the $5 family meals tab will feed a family of 4 people.

I have found simple ways to add more ingredients to make sure there is enough to feed everyone and make ahead freezer meals.

 

How To Make That Recipe Feed A “BIG FAMILY”

  • Spaghetti – I add an 1/2 extra package of noodle, 1 can tomato sauce and extra seasonings.
  • Pasta with white sauce – 1 add 1/2 extra package of noodles, 1 cup sour cream and extra seasoning.
  • Casseroles – again I add extra noodles or rice, double the can ingredients and extra seasoning.

I buy canned fruits and vegetable the case each month. The main reason being they are great fillers, the kids can have 2nd’s or even 3rd’s (yes I’m dreaming I know that such a request would never be made in my house). I only buy fresh fruits and vegetable that are in season and on sale otherwise I could not afford them.

Whenever possible I always make extra. This serves 2 purposes. First you never know who is going to stop by for a visit so there is always enough for an extra plate or two and second (a term that makes my kids cringe) LEFTOVER’S! I make ahead freezer meals for the rest of the week. I package left overs in those Ziploc plastic containers and my husband will take them for lunch the next day or I freeze them then the kids and I will eat leftovers throughout the week for breakfast or lunch depending on what the left over is.

With these suggestions dinner doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. It just takes a little planning and some effort and you will have simple cheap recipes for big families and a little extra money in your wallet.

If you have any cheap and easy dinner ideas I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment or shoot me an e-mail.

Take a look at this article for more Family Meal Tips and Tricks : Kitchen Tips and Recipe Rescues

September 26th, 2008 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Dinner Recipes, Best Crockpot Recipes, Casserole Cooking, Cooking Tricks & Tips, Dream Dinners Made Cheap, freezer meals recipes, Kids Recipes Made easy, Simply Delicious Desserts | 23 comments
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