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These 21 Budget Chicken Recipes Hold the Grocery List Together

These 21 Budget Chicken Recipes Hold the Grocery List Together

Budget cooking gets real when chicken is the ingredient you can always rely on. These 21 recipes keep dinners steady without blowing up your grocery list, using simple staples that stretch far across the week. I lean on meals like this when I need flavor without stress or surprise costs. It’s the kind of lineup that makes planning feel lighter, and shopping feel doable again.

These 21 Budget Chicken Recipes Hold the Grocery List Together
Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole

A white plate holds a serving of cheesy casserole garnished with chopped parsley, placed on a blue-striped cloth next to a wooden spoon, an onion, and green leafy parsley in the background.
French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole is a hearty baked dinner that comes together in about 55 minutes and feels like something you’d expect from a much longer grocery list. It uses chicken thighs, rice, broth, and caramelized onions with a little cheese for depth. The flavor is rich and savory with soft rice soaking up all that onion goodness. Leftovers reheat smoothly and keep dinner simple for another night.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Wrap (Air Fryer or Pan Fried)

Two grilled wraps with visible grill marks are placed on a green plate with a yellow cloth underneath. Shredded cheese and a small bowl of sauce are seen nearby on a white surface.
Grilled Chicken Shawarma Wrap (Air Fryer or Pan Fried). Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Wrap is a fast 30 minute meal built from spiced chicken, flatbread, yogurt sauce, and fresh vegetables. The ingredients stay affordable but still bring warm Middle Eastern flavor to the table. Each bite tastes bright, lightly smoky, and a little tangy from the sauce. It works just as well for lunch leftovers the next day.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Shawarma Wrap (Air Fryer or Pan Fried)

Chicken Sorrentino

A close-up of a pan of cheesy baked lasagna with a serving being lifted out, showing melted cheese stretching from the pan and bits of fresh basil on top.
Chicken Sorrentino. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Chicken Sorrentino is a skillet style dinner that takes about 45 minutes and feels restaurant worthy on a home budget. It relies on chicken breasts, marinara sauce, eggplant, prosciutto, and melted cheese for layers of flavor. The taste lands savory, slightly sweet, and comforting without being heavy. It’s one of those dishes that stretches pantry staples into something memorable.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sorrentino

Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe

A white bowl filled with clear chicken soup, containing pieces of chicken and garnished with a sprig of dill offers a modern twist on retro one-pot classics. The bowl is placed on a white plate with a slice of brown bread resting on the plate's edge. A metal spoon is in the bowl, and a gray napkin is partially visible.
Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Classic Jewish Chicken Soup is a slow simmered meal that needs about 90 minutes but feeds several dinners without extra cost. It’s made with chicken pieces, carrots, celery, onion, and a clear broth that stays clean and simple. The flavor is gentle, warm, and deeply familiar. It’s perfect for nights when the fridge is running low.
Get the Recipe: Classic Jewish Chicken Soup Recipe

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

A dish in a black baking pan filled with baked casserole. The top is golden brown with crispy edges and garnished with sliced green onions. A portion has been removed, revealing a creamy interior.
Chicken Hash Brown Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole is a filling oven meal that’s ready in roughly 60 minutes using frozen hash browns, chicken, sour cream, and cheese. The ingredient list is short but the portions go far. The taste is creamy with crispy edges that hold up well for reheating. It’s a strong option for stretching one rotisserie chicken across multiple meals.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

Creamy Citrus Chicken With Rosemary

A roasted dish in a pan featuring various cuts of meat topped with citrus slices and rosemary sprigs. Surrounding the pan are halved grapefruits, lemons, and oranges on a blue surface.
Creamy Citrus Chicken With Rosemary. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Creamy Citrus Chicken With Rosemary takes about 40 minutes and uses chicken breasts, cream, orange or lemon juice, and fresh rosemary. The sauce keeps costs down while giving the dish a fresh lift. The flavor is bright, lightly herby, and smooth without being rich. It pairs easily with rice or pasta already in the pantry.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Citrus Chicken With Rosemary

Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks on a plate.
Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks are a 50 minute bake using drumsticks, garlic, cumin, citrus juice, and simple spices. Drumsticks stay one of the cheapest cuts you can buy. The taste comes out bold, tangy, and lightly smoky. It’s great for serving with basic sides like rice or roasted vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi Recipe with Medjool Dates and Olives

Close up on ottolenghi chicken marbella on plate.
Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi Recipe with Medjool Dates and Olives. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi Recipe with Medjool Dates and Olives cooks in about 60 minutes using chicken thighs, vinegar, garlic, dates, and olives. The mix of pantry items stretches small portions into big flavor. The taste balances sweet, salty, and sharp in every bite. It’s a smart way to turn budget chicken into something that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi Recipe with Medjool Dates and Olives

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

A plate of glazed barbecue chicken drumsticks garnished with small parsley leaves. The chicken is coated in a shiny, dark sauce, suggesting a rich, flavorful marinade. The dish is arranged to highlight the crispy, caramelized skin.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are ready in around 35 minutes using drumsticks and bottled barbecue sauce. The air fryer keeps cooking costs low and cleanup easy. The flavor is sticky, smoky, and slightly sweet. It’s a dependable dinner when groceries are thin but hunger is not.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken Pumpkin Risotto

A black bowl filled with creamy, yellow pumpkin risotto. The dish is garnished with fresh thyme sprigs and scattered pumpkin seeds. A spoon rests inside the bowl, and a blurred background shows additional thyme sprigs.
Chicken Pumpkin Risotto. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Chicken Pumpkin Risotto takes about 50 minutes with chicken, pumpkin puree, rice, broth, and a bit of cheese. Pumpkin keeps the dish filling without adding cost. The taste is earthy, creamy, and mild enough for picky eaters. It turns simple ingredients into something that feels comforting all week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pumpkin Risotto

French Onion Chicken Skillet

A close-up of a baked dish in a skillet featuring melted cheese, onions, and herbs. A serving spoon is lifting a portion, highlighting the golden-brown cheese and caramelized onions on top.
French Onion Chicken Skillet. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

French Onion Chicken Skillet is a one pan meal that’s finished in about 40 minutes with chicken, onions, broth, and melted cheese. It keeps the grocery list tight with everyday items. The flavor comes out savory and slightly sweet from the cooked onions. It works well for spooning over toast or rice already at home.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Chicken Skillet

Chicken Colombian Sancocho Recipe

A bowl of soup containing corn on the cob, cilantro, and various vegetables is placed on a woven mat. A spoon lies to the left, and an amber-colored glass with a beverage is to the right on a light-colored surface. An orange cloth napkin is underneath—this isn't just any soup; it's inspired by Grandma's Chicken Recipes.
Chicken Colombian Sancocho Recipe. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chicken Colombian Sancocho Recipe is a hearty soup that cooks in about 90 minutes using chicken, potatoes, corn, plantains, and broth. It’s built on inexpensive produce that fills big bowls. The taste is mild, savory, and steady. One pot easily feeds several meals.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Colombian Sancocho Recipe

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes

Buttermilk chicken and potatoes on a plate.
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes bakes in about 60 minutes using chicken pieces, potatoes, buttermilk, and basic spices. It relies on staple groceries most kitchens already have. The flavor is tangy, lightly seasoned, and comforting. It’s an easy way to get protein and sides from one pan.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken And Potatoes

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning

Close-up of a plate of seasoned and grilled chicken wings garnished with herbs. Lemon wedges are visible in the background, adding a hint of color. The wings appear crispy and well-cooked, resting on a dark plate.
Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning cook in about 30 minutes using wings, oil, and dried herbs. Wings are often cheaper in bulk and freeze well. The taste is crispy, herby, and savory. They double as dinner or leftover snacks.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning

Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken And Veggies

Hands holding paprika chicken and vegetables on a sheet pan.
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken And Veggies. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken And Veggies is a 45 minute oven meal built from chicken thighs, paprika, carrots, onions, and potatoes. Everything cooks together so nothing goes to waste. The flavor is smoky, warm, and filling. It’s a full dinner that only needs pantry spices.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken And Veggies

Instant Pot Chicken With Sweet Peppers

A plate of stir-fried chicken with vegetables, including carrots and bell peppers. The dish is garnished with sliced almonds and fresh cilantro. A fork is placed on the side of the plate.
Instant Pot Chicken With Sweet Peppers. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Instant Pot Chicken With Sweet Peppers is ready in about 35 minutes using chicken, bell peppers, onion, and tomato sauce. Pressure cooking keeps even tough cuts tender. The taste is lightly sweet, savory, and bright. It stretches a few chicken pieces across generous portions.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken With Sweet Peppers

Chicken And Rice Casserole

Chicken plov on a plate with a fork.
Chicken And Rice Casserole. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chicken And Rice Casserole takes about 60 minutes using chicken, rice, carrots, onion, and broth. The ingredient list stays short and affordable. The flavor is mellow, comforting, and family friendly. It reheats well for packed lunches.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Rice Casserole

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

A bowl of penne pasta topped with shredded meat and garnished with fresh basil leaves. A fork is placed in the bowl. Red tomatoes and additional fresh basil leaves are on the marble surface nearby.
Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara cooks over 6 hours using chicken breasts, jarred marinara, garlic, and dried herbs. It relies on store bought sauce to save money. The taste is classic, tomato forward, and steady. It works over pasta, rice, or even sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

A plate of shredded chicken is garnished with herbs, black olives, and sliced cherry tomatoes. Two lemon wedges and pieces of flatbread accompany the dish. A fork is resting on the edge of the plate.
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken simmers for about 6 hours with chicken thighs, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and onions. The ingredients are simple but stretch far. The flavor is tangy, herby, and bright. It keeps dinner interesting without raising costs.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

A black plate holding several pieces of golden-brown, crispy fried chicken tenders garnished with chopped parsley, set on a rust-colored cloth with sauce and herbs visible in the background.
Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are ready in about 25 minutes using chicken tenders, breadcrumbs, and a little honey with chili flakes. Tenders cook quickly and need very few extras. The taste is sweet with a gentle heat. They make budget dinners feel less boring.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs

These 21 Budget Chicken Recipes Hold the Grocery List Together
Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs cook in about 50 minutes using ground chicken, mushrooms, onion, and red wine sauce. Ground chicken often costs less than whole cuts. The flavor is savory, slightly rich, and comforting. It feels like a splurge without the bill.
Get the Recipe: Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs

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