by Debra Frank

Created on: January 14, 2009   Last Updated: January 28, 2009

In these tight-budget times, chicken remains one of the most affordable meats. Not only is chicken easy on the pocket, it is versatile and quick to prepare. You can mix up a casserole and have dinner on the table in less than an hour! It's a perfect meat for busy households.

It is easy to create mouth-watering casseroles with simple things from your pantry and one to two cups of cooked chicken. If you don't have the time, you do not even have to cook the chicken. Simply, use 2 cans of chicken or remove the bones and skin from a rotisserie chicken. If you are trying to be as economical as possible, you can prepare chicken on a day you have more time. In this case, remove the skin and bones and freeze the cooked meat in 1-2 cup portions in a freezer bag.

Too create a flavorful 5 ingredient chicken casserole, simply choose one item from the each of the four lists below. The items in the columns leave you with plenty of choices! You can decide which flavors will tickle your family's taste buds. You can opt of fat-free, sodium-free, or sugar-free choices. If you prefer spicy chiles instead of mild, go for it.

List One

* One Can of Cream Soup

* 3/4 Cup Jam, Jelly, or Preserves

* One Can Cheddar Cheese Soup

* 3 Tablespoons Peanut Butter

* 1/2 Cup Ketchup

List Two

* 1-1/2 Cups Pasta, prepared

* 1 Cup of Rice, Prepared

* One Package of Instant Stuffing, Prepared

* One Package of Instant Couscous, Prepared

* One Can of White Potatoes, Drained

List Three

* One Small Bag of Frozen Vegetables

* One Can of Diced Tomatoes

* One Small Diced Onion

* One Can of Sliced Water Chestnuts

* One Can of Beans or Chick Peas or Baked Beans

List Four

* One Package of Dry Onion Soup Mix

* 2 Tablespoons of Minced Garlic

* One can of Diced Chiles

* 2 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce

* One package of Taco Seasoning

Combine your cooked chicken and one item from each of the 4 lists. If the mixture seems a bit dry, feel free to add 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth. Place in a greased casserole and bake covered at 350F for 20-30 minutes.

Need more ideas to incorporate the reasonably priced chicken into your meal plan? How about changing some of your family favorites up a bit? Chicken can be substituted in most recipes calling for fish, pork, or turkey. Search through your main dish recipes. You'll be surprised how many ways you can use chicken. Be daring and enjoy the versatility and simplicity of chicken!

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