Here it is guys. Just as I promised. I have just created my first Crock-Pot meal and not only was it cheap, healthy, and simple, it was also delicious!
I will provide the breakdown for you!
First of all the meal is called Slow-Cooker Curried Chicken With Ginger and Yogurt.
The meal is sort of like a Thai dish. It is very flavorful and has a little spice to it, but isn’t going to tear up your stomach. It isn’t so spicy that you won’t taste it or be burning for hours. There are other spices you could add if you like it spicy, but I chose not to and it was perfect. You can cook it on low for 8 hours (start in the morning then let it sit) or have a late meal and cook it on high for 3 hours. I started late, and had to go with the 3 hour option.
It was so delicious that we had to lick the plate when done! Next time I make this I do plan to double the sauce ingredients so I can either use it for something else or have more to mix with rice.
Beyond taste, it is full of healthy food. I suppose you could add more veggies or construct a salad to go with it like I did. Also, I subbed the white rice with brown rice to make it even healthier!
Ingredients you will need to construct this perfect meal! (serves 6!)
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts/cutlets) (about 10)
- dash of salt and black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white (or brown) rice
- 1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
Now what you have all been waiting for...The cost!
As you know it's difficult to buy just for one meal. For example, you can’t just buy one teaspoon of an ingredient at your local supermarket, so there is a little investing to do but, trust me, it's worth it.
What I did was buy the smallest amount of each item, or as close to what I needed as possible. Some of you may already have some ingredients laying around like salt, pepper, curry powder, garlic, and ground cumin. Unfortunately, all I had in my apartment was salt and pepper.
Okay, here is the amount and price list of everything purchased! I kept the receipt for proof! I know Pike doesn’t have a local Stop & Shop, but Price Choppers is similar when it comes to rewards like gas points!
- Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt, I bought a single serve cup (enough for 12 servings)
Initial cost: $0.89
Per serving cost:$0.07
- McCormick Ground Cumin, smaller bottle (enough for 48 servings)
Initial cost: $3.29
Per serving cost: $0.07
- McCormick Curry Powder, smaller bottle (enough for 36 servings)
Initial cost: $5.39
Per serving cost: $0.15
- Bag of Long Grain Brown Rice (enough for 24 servings)
Initial cost:$2.99
Per serving cost: $0.12
- Small Can of Tomato Paste (enough for 24 servings)
Initial cost: $0.79
Per serving cost: $0.03
- Small Bunch of Scallions (.49lb) (enough for 36 servings)
Initial cost: $0.99
Per serving cost: $0.03
- One Medium White Onion (enough for 6 servings)
Initial cost: $0.73
Per serving cost: $0.12
- 2 inches of Ginger Root (enough for 24 servings)
Initial cost: $0.15.
Price per serving: <$0.01
- One Bulb of Garlic (enough for 48 servings)
Initial cost: $0.50
Price per serving: $0.01
- 2 lbs of Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast (enough for 6 servings)
Initial cost: $11.14
Price per serving $1.86
Like I said, I didn’t buy salt and pepper because I already had it, and most people do.
Also, there are other things like coupons, sales, going to a butcher, using store brands, changing the type of meat, maybe use pheasant, that I did not take advantage of, so if you can’t coupon like Patti or you like to shop at one place for all items this is the straight up price out of pocket and per serving.
Time to look at some totals!
Initial investment of all ingredients: $26.86
Cost per serving: $2.46
Cost per serving in Thai restaurant: over $15.00-$25.00 depending on how fancy.
Your savings per serving: $12.54-$22.54!
Every time you cook this meal (6 servings) you save between $75.24-$135.24!
Also my receipt from shopping includes coupons on the back, so I can save next time I shop! I shop at a store with gas rewards and save even more! I have enough points to receive $2.50 per gallon off at the pump which means I actually make all of my money back for this meal and then some in the form of cheap gas!
Also I want to provide the nutrition facts I calculated
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 Serving
Per Serving% Daily Value*
Calories 314
Calories from Fat 16
Total Fat 1.8g3%
Saturated Fat 0.0g0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 94mg31%
Sodium 84mg3%
Potassium 162mg5%
Carbohydrates 35.6g12%
Dietary Fiber 1.8g7%
Sugars 1.7g
Protein 37.1g
Vitamin A 2% · Vitamin C 8%
Calcium 1% · Iron 16%
Here is the link to the recipe I used!:
Like what you see? Want to read more posts like this one?Have questions or suggestions? I want to hear from you so dont be afraid to comment below!
Can't wait to try this. I love recipes that find a way to use chicken thighs!
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