Budget-Friendly and FAST

Here are some of my survival dietary mainstays while drawing unemployment.  Maybe this will give you some ideas that you can use or tweak to your liking.   

It all starts with a ROTISSERIE CHICKEN from the store (or cook your own!).  Fry's has just come out with a Colossal rotisserie chicken for only a few dollars more.  If you're health conscious, stores like Sunflower Market and Whole Foods sell a hormone- and antibiotic- version that is more expensive. 

Since I live alone, these are for a single person.  Obviously, the more hungry mouths you have to feed the less you can stretch out a single chicken.  (What a visual!  LOL)

Since the dark meat doesn't dry out as quickly I focus on the white meat first, but of course do whatever you wish with your chicken.  (Yet another interesting visual!  LOL)

Meal #1:  Middle Eastern

Warm pulled chicken breast accompanied by hummus (I like the Meditteranean hummus from Trader Joe's that has pinenuts and spices), toasted flat bread or warm pita chiips, celery sticks, Greek salad or just black olives.

Meal #2:  Italian, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Pulled breast and wing meat is heated in a saucepan with bottled alfredo sauce, which is served over linguine and topped with grated Italian cheese.  Great with a Caeser salad.

Meal #3:  Soup

Pulled white (if there's any left!) and dark meat go into a stock pot.  Make homemade chicken soup or use a mix (I like Cugino's Chicken Noodle Knockout soup mix, available at Walmart for $3, which makes 1/2 gallon or 8 servings -- just add 1 lb. chicken and 7 cups of water.)

Meal #4:  Mexican Goulash

A new favorite of mine that is incredibly versatile!  I used to cook chicken breasts and the other ingredients in a CrockPot but now am using this quicker version.

Place pulled white and dark meat into a pot.  Add 1 can drained corn (since corn is usually GMO I pay a little more for the organic), 1 can drained and rinsed black beans, as much bottled salsa as you wish (I ilke El Pinto All Natural salsa, medium, available at Fry's, Wal-Mart, etc.).   Heat through.  This is full of fiber and delicious!  Try it:

*  Served over rice, topped with grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions.

* Served over corn chips with the same toppings.

*  Wrapped in a tortilla.

* As a soup.  (Add more salsa and some chicken stock and water.)

I hope this is helpful. 

Please chime in here with your own ideas!  :)