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The start of the school year creates hectic schedules with after-school activities, sports and homework. With all the hubbub, sometimes dinner can become an afterthought instead of the main event. These easy-prep dinners, using Costco’s rotisserie chicken (which is still only $5), are affordable, healthy and will add a bit of variety to your regular meal routine. While most groceries have skyrocketed in price, this tasty and easy-to-use ingredient remains a tried-and-true staple, and is a great base for recipes the whole family will love.
To make your meal prep even easier, shred your chicken as soon as you get home. Warm chicken is much easier to pull apart than a bird that’s been sitting in the fridge. This will also save you time later in the week when you’re in a rush to pull dinner together and need to prep other ingredients. Chicken can be shredded and stored for up to four days in the fridge, or you can freeze portions for up to six months to use later.
15-Minute Chicken Fried Rice
Easy Family Recipes knows that dinner needs to taste good and come together in a snap. Its fried rice recipe is faster than ordering takeout and cheaper, too. Protein, starch and veggies are all in one dish, making this fried rice a complete meal. If you don’t have day-old rice on hand, and don’t want to take the time to cook it, grab precooked rice in a bag or bowl — you don’t even need to pop it in the microwave first — you can simply add it to the pan and start cooking.
Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti
This lighter version of Alfredo sauce by Gimme Some Oven is still super creamy, cheesy and comforting. You can boost the health factor by using whole-wheat pasta, throw in your favorite fresh or frozen veggies, or even make it gluten-free with a few easy substitutions. In the time it takes you to prep and bake, dinner will be ready when homework is done.
Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
Packed with protein, cottage cheese makes this chicken salad extra creamy, while still keeping it light. Eating Bird Food recommends piling its chicken salad onto English muffins, wrapping it in lettuce or tortillas, or simply eating it by the spoonful. Blending the cottage cheese until smooth makes it extra creamy and gives this salad a classic texture (without all of the mayo). It’s even better prepped ahead of time so the flavors can deepen, making it a great option to pull out of the fridge on a busy night.
BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
Who doesn’t like pizza? Coming together in under 30 minutes, Valerie’s Kitchen thinks this is a fantastic option for busy days, and I agree! Instead of pizza crust, reach for a fresh-baked loaf of soft French bread (stay away from the crunchy, crusty variety — it’s more difficult to eat). Grab a jar of marinara and your favorite barbecue sauce, and toss in the shredded chicken (instead of cooking chicken breast from scratch).
Easy Chicken Enchilada Recipe
A family favorite for Isabel Eats, this recipe uses homemade enchilada sauce. But, if you want to speed up dinnertime, we won’t tell anyone if you grab a jar of ready-made sauce from the grocery store. Use corn or flour tortillas, depending on your preference, assemble and bake. For even more protein, add beans, or toss in zucchini, peppers or spinach to sneak a few more veggies into your kids’ bellies.
Chicken Minestrone Soup
Comfort food at its best, this chicken minestrone from Lillie Eats & Tells is easy to whip up on a chilly evening. Using fresh veggies, lots of herbs, and a good dose of shredded rotisserie chicken, the soup is ready in 30 minutes, start to finish. It’s super healthy, but so delicious that the kids won’t mind. You can choose whether to add pasta to the soup, but do make sure to sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on top just before serving.
Rotisserie Chicken Burrito Bowl
Packed with flavor, including a simple salsa ranch dressing, Bowl Me Over knows this is a dinner the whole family will love. You can either cook fresh rice or use a microwavable packaged brand to save time. Everyone can mix and match their favorite toppings: Choose from corn, tomatoes, onions, cheese and lettuce. If you don’t want the mess of frying your own tortilla chips, those that come straight from the bag are perfect to serve, too.
One Pot Chicken and Orzo Bake
This one-pan wonder from Lou Lou Girls hits all the right spots for a quick weeknight dinner. It has rotisserie chicken, pasta, veggies and cheese all in one location, and it’s ready to eat in about 30 minutes. If Gruyère is a little too sophisticated for young palates, swap it out with shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese. Not a fan of broccoli? Add your family’s favorite veggies, like zucchini, peas, cooked carrots or spinach.
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