Chicken Dinner with Stuffing and Gravy under $5 (serves 4)
- gailannbrown701
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
When you're looking to serve a tasty meal without overspending, a rotisserie chicken is hard to beat. With just a few affordable ingredients, you can whip up a delightful chicken dinner that feels like a feast—all for under $5!
This recipe is ideal for busy families, weeknight dinners, or anyone looking to enjoy flavorful meals without straining their budget. Let's explore how to prepare rotisserie chicken legs, savory stuffing, and rich gravy that will impress your family and friends.
The Star of the Show: Rotisserie Chicken
Rotisserie chickens are a go-to option for many households due to their flavor and
convenience. Typically priced around $5 at stores like Costco or Sam's Club, they provide an easy protein source. For this meal, you’ll use roughly one-third of the chicken, costing about $2.
Opting for chicken legs ensures a hearty portion, and you can save the chicken breasts for future meals, such as sandwiches or salads. In fact, just one chicken can result in up to 3 family meals throughout the week, maximizing your budget.
How to Make Broth from Rotisserie Chicken Carcass
When you get your rotisserie chicken home, cut off the legs and wings (which you will serve in this meal). Next, remove the chicken breast and place it in a bag in the freezer (with endless uses — you should be able to get a couple of meals out of these oversized chicken breasts).
Then, place the back, skin, and any other bones in an Instant Pot with vegetable scraps (such as onion, carrot, celery, and any other veggies that are getting old but not rotten). Cover it all with water (at least four cups), close and set for 30-45 minutes. Release the pressure when it's done and strain the broth. Throw away the scraps. Keep the broth in the refrigerator for a few days or freeze it for several weeks. You can use most of this broth in this meal.
Crafting the Stuffing
Stuffing is an excellent way to make the most out of leftover bread. Rather than
tossing stale bread, let’s transform it into a delicious side that enhances your meal. Keep a Ziplock bag in your freezer for stale bread. As bread goes stale, cube it and place it in the bag. When you have at least 4 cups, it's time to make stuffing. Ideally, I like to have about 6 cups.
Ingredients for Stuffing:
Leftover Bread: 4-6 cups. Don’t throw it away!
Onions and Celery: 1 cup of each, diced medium. Approximately $0.60
Butter: $0.80
Egg: $0.25, beaten
Broth (hopefully made from the chicken carcass, otherwise, add 1/2 a quart carton of chicken broth).
Dried Sage and Thyme (To taste, but I like a teaspoon of each)
Salt & Pepper (To Taste).
To prepare the stuffing, start by cubing the leftover bread. Preheat oven to 350. Sauté the diced onions and celery in butter over medium heat until soft, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Add in the dried sage and thyme and let them "bloom" for a minute. Then, mix the sautéed vegetables with the bread cubes and add enough chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency. Taste and correct seasoning. Add a beaten egg to hold it all together. Place in a well-buttered baking dish and bake, uncovered, for approximately 30 minutes, until the top is well-browned.
Making the Gravy
Gravy brings everything together, and the chicken drippings are packed with flavor that can elevate your meal to the next level. The photo below shows the large amount of dripping in the typical container of chicken. Use these pre-seasoned drippings to make excellent gravy. If you happen to have homemade broth from the chicken carcass, that’s a fantastic addition!
Ingredients for Gravy:
Container Drippings: The broth and gelatinous residue at the bottom of the rotisserie chicken container make a fantastic gravy.
Broth: Approximately $0.75 (homemade from the carcass and a few veggies)
3 T of Cornstarch dissolved in 3 T of cool water (cornstarch slurry for thickening).
Salt, Pepper, or Poultry Seasoning.
To make the gravy, pour the drippings from the rotisserie chicken into a saucepan. Then, add 1-2 cups of broth, correct seasoning, and place the mixture over medium heat. After it's hot but not boiling, whisk in the cornstarch slurry and bring to a boil. Correct the salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning again before serving.
Putting It All Together
With the chicken, stuffing, and gravy prepared, it's time to assemble your meal.
Bake the Stuffing: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the stuffing in a greased baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Heat the Chicken: Warm the chicken in the oven or microwave if it is cold.
Serve with Gravy: Once everything is hot, serve the chicken legs next to the stuffing and drizzle the freshly made gravy over the top.
Not only does this meal look impressive, but it will also taste like a comforting home-cooked feast.
Optional Additions: Homemade Mashed Potatoes
To elevate your dinner experience, consider making homemade mashed potatoes. Use 1 to 1/2 pounds of russet potatoes, peel and cube them, and boil until they are pretty tender. Place in a bowl and mash or put through a food mill. (Don't whip with a mixer as it makes mashed potatoes gummy.) Add 1/2 a stick of butter and milk until the potatoes reach the desired consistency.
A Simple Budget Breakdown
In total, here’s a quick cost summary for serving four people:
Rotisserie Chicken: $2
Stuffing Ingredients: $1.65 (Onions, Celery, Butter, Egg)
Gravy Ingredients: $0.75 (Broth ingredients)
Optional Mashed Potatoes: $1.50
This brings the total to approximately $4.40, excluding mashed potatoes, $5.90 with mashed potatoes, making it an economical choice for a hearty dinner.
Wrapping It Up
Creating a fancy chicken dinner with stuffing and gravy for under $5 is not only achievable, it's downright easy. With a few simple ingredients, you can prepare a meal that feels special without breaking the bank.
This recipe is an excellent option for families looking to enjoy home-cooked meals while being mindful of their budget. Plus, it effectively reduces food waste by utilizing leftover bread and chicken bones. Next time you're at Costco or Sam's Club, don’t hesitate to grab a rotisserie chicken and impress everyone with this budget-friendly feast!
If you want to add a vegetable, opt for either green beans or peas, for an extra $1 or so (if you use frozen microwavable beans or peas).
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