Gena, over at HSBPublisher, asked for dinner ideas for feeding a family of 6 for $20. As I was planning dinner this evening, I decided to write up a little something for her list of ideas. Here are some of my favorite chicken meals.

~ Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup ~

1 whole chicken, 3 leg quarters or 2 chicken breast

6c water

1/2 c chopped onion or 1 tbsp of dried chopped onion

2 tsp salt

1 tsp poultry seasoning or adobo all-purpose seasoning

1 tsp season salt

1 tsp sage

1/4 tsp black pepper

16oz dried egg noodles

In a large pot combine chicken, water, onion, and seasonings. Bring to a boil ; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for about 2 hours or until tender. Remove chicken from broth; when cool remove meat from bone and cut into bite size pieces; skim fat from broth. Bring broth to boiling. Stir in noodles; simmer, covered, for about 8 minutes then stir in chicken; heat through, about 10-15 mins.

Serve with green leaf salad and homemade cornbread.

~ Homemade Cornbread ~

1 1/2 c cornmeal

1 c flour

1/2 c sugar

2 1/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 c milk

1/4 c cooking oil

2 eggs

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients in bowl. In large measuring cup, stir liquid ingredients well, then whisk into dry mix. Pour into loaf pan or spoon into muffin tin. Bake for about 15-20mins or until done. You can test with a toothpick inserted into center of loaf or one muffin.

~ Homemade Italian Dressing ~

1/2 c balsamic vinegar

1/2 c olive oil

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

In a dry jar, put in salt and powder then add vinegar, then the olive oil. Stir or shake. Doesn't need to be refrigerated, just shake before each use.

* you may substitute the balsamic vinegar for cider if needed.

~ Curry Chicken ~

1 whole chicken, 3 leg quarters, 10 wings, or 2 chicken breast

6 c water

1/2 c chopped onion or 1 tbsp of dried chopped onion

5 medium potatoes, cubed (optional)

2 tsp salt

1 tsp poultry seasoning or adobo all-purpose seasoning

1 tsp season salt

1 tsp sage

1 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp black pepper

3 tbsp curry powder

2 tbsp cooking oil

1/2 c water

2 tbsp cornstarch

3 c hot cooked rice (basmati or white)

In a large pot combine chicken, water, onion, and all seasonings except curry powder. Bring to a boil ; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for about 2 hours or until tender. Remove chicken from broth; when cool remove meat from bone and cut into bite size pieces; skim fat from broth and pour into a mixing bowl. Set aside. In same large pot, heat oil over medium heat. When hot, add chicken and curry powder, mix well and heat for about 5 mins. Stir in the broth *along with potatoes and bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered for 15 minutes. In a small bowl stir the 1/2 c of water into cornstarch; stir into meat mixture. cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 more minutes.

Serve over hot cooked rice w/a salad and raita.

~ Raita ~

1 medium size tomato, chopped

1 cucumber, chopped

2 c plain yogurt

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Cover and chill until serving time.

 ~ Mushroom Chicken ~

1 whole-cut up chicken, 6 leg quarters, or 20+ wings or legs

2 can of mushroom soup

3c hot cooked rice

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large baking dish, arrange chicken. Season to taste - season salt, pepper, poultry seasoning and sage, then pour mushroom soup over top. Cover with foil and bake for about 1hr or until chicken is complete done.

Serve over hot cooked rice with veggies (green beans and corn)

Grilled Chicken Tortillas

3 Chicken breast

1ea green and red pepper, sliced thin

1 medium onion, sliced thin

1tsp cooking oil or olive oil

season salt and montreal chicken seasoning

3 c hot cooked rice

15 tortillas (store bought or homemade)

2 green leaf lettuce, bunch

2 8oz cans of corn

Make tortilla dough and prepare skillet to cook them. (we use Sam's Choice Tortilla flour and follow instructions on pkg)

Season chicken breast to taste, then grill (I use a foreman grill). Once done, cut chicken into bite size pieces or thin strips. Heat or cook tortillas. In a frying pan, sautee peppers and onions in oil over medium heat for about 5mins. Then stir in chicken pieces and heat for about 5 - 10 mins longer until hot.

Serve with taco or soy sauce, hot cooked rice, a salad and corn.

We like to put the rice in the tortilla with the chicken, then add sauce and chow mein noodles. *leftover tortillas are used for breakfast.