Great Recipe To Feed A Family For Under Ten Dollars

Stuffed Baked Chicken Breasts with Mixed Garden Vegetables and Spring Salad

This is a great recipe that will feed a family of four for under $10.00. I like to cook this when I am busy because it is easy, doesn’t require me to stand over the stove, and the clean up is fast. This recipe can be modified to suit your tastes by adding to the stuffing mix. I especially like to add shredded Portabella Mushrooms and No Fat Mozzarella Cheese.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 box stuffing mix (Stove Top or similar, I use low sodium, who needs the extra salt)

1 large can of diced tomatoes (Italian style preferred).

Fresh cilantro

1.) Rinse and trim the chicken breasts removing any extra fat. Using an electric knife (or a very sharp knife) cut the breasts almost completely through “thickness-wise” (When you are done you should have two thin breast pieces still hinged together on one end.) Set to the side.

2.) Rinse cilantro. Cut off stems and finely cut. You will need about a ¼ cup.

3.) Empty the packet of instant stuffing mix into a large bowl. Open the diced tomatoes – do not drain them. Add to stuffing mix. Add cilantro and mix.

4.) It is at this point that you can add your favorite ingredients. I like to add 2 cups of shredded no fat mozzarella and finely shredded portabella mushrooms. My friend likes to add small broccoli florets. Whatever floats your boat!

5.) Open a chicken breast and add a cup of stuffing mix. Close the breast over the stuffing and gently place into a foil lined casserole dish or edged baking sheet. Continue until all breasts are filled. If you have extra stuffing roll into two-inch balls and place along side the chicken.

6.) Once all of the breasts are stuffed and in the pan, our 1 cup of Italian salad dressing evenly over the stuffed breast.

7.) Bake in oven for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. The chicken will be done when the internal temperature reaches 189 degrees. (Hint- you need a meat thermometer. If you don’t have one, buy one the next time you are at the market. This will help prevent food borne illnesses. It really is a must have.)

When chicken reaches an internal temperature of 180 degrees remove from oven and let cool for five minutes. Serve with your favorite frozen veggies and Ten-Dollar Dad’s fresh garden salad.

Have fun with this recipe. Experiment with ingredients in the stuffing mix. There are some spiced diced tomatoes that add instant flavor. Use a different type of salad dressing to cook it in. The possibilities are endless. Clean up is easy – just toss the aluminum foil and wash the pan. Not bad.

One of the best parts about this recipe is that it looks impressive. My teenage stepdaughter gave it a hearty thumbs up and the younger girls loved it. The meal should cost less then a total of ten dollars depending on the price of chicken breasts. Buy them on sale and freeze them to save money.

Ten Dollar Dad is a series that gives dads (and moms) insight into how to feed and entertain their family on a budget. The recipes are designed to feed a family of four for under ten dollars. (Cost may vary depending on location and market prices but if you shop wisely you should be able to keep the price under ten dollars.

The series comes from years as a single dad when money was tight. Now that I am remarried to a wonderful woman (check out her blog) I am still learning new recipes and ways to entertain my two young daughters.

You can visit Ten Dollar Dads blog that discusses ways for kids to earn their own money. The site contains useful information and insights that will help you teach your kids and teens financial responsibility while earning their own money.

I hope that you enjoy this recipe and the other Ten Dollar Dad pages. Drop me a line and share your experiences.