Living - Whatchya Got Cookin'?! Article #3 Super Easy Parmesan Chicken!

You know that show on the cooking channel called Semi Homemade?  Well, that is sort of the thought process behind today's super easy recipe.  The idea was just a matter of getting a little creative with staples I had on hand and a new-found bargain. 

Staples on hand: noodles, spaghetti sauce, cheese and of course seasonings.
New found bargain: Remember when I posted about the awesome Market Pantry Chicken at Target deal here?  Well, I grabbed a couple bags, which included the breast patties.  And with 10 patties to a bag, this meant just $.25 a patty!  Of course I could (and have) just throw them in the oven, serve with bread and call it a chicken burger, but I was tyring to think of what I was going to do with these to creative a 'nice' meal.  And then it hit me!  Chicken Parmesan!

What to do:
Follow directions on the bag to bake the number of patties you need (1 per person), however before placing in oven, sprinkle the top of each patty with Italian seasoning and freshly grated parmesan cheese.  When it is time to turn the patty over, repeat this step for the other side.  If you prefer mozzarella you can sprinkle second side with mozz!

Meanwhile, boil spaghetti noodles (or noodles on hand) and warm your favorite spaghetti sauce.

Place cooked noodles on plate, with chicken patty next to it.  Pour spaghetti sauce over top.

Although my daughter didn't realize why we were serving "chicken nuggests" (since hers were cut up) with spaghetti, the overall feedback from this meal was favorable and I have been asked to make it again.  I take that as a job well done!

So although we are swapping out a nice juicy chicken breast for a frozen chicken patty (which the Market Pantry ones we used were pretty tastey) this is definitely a QUICK and AFFORDABLE meal, which left us feeling as though we had a "fancy" meal in the privacy of our own home. 

Overall Cost for family of 4:
$2 at $.50 per chicken patty (me $.25)
$2.50 spaghetti sauce (me $1)
$1.50 noodles (me $.75)
$1 cheese (me $.50)
= $7 (me $3.25)

Hope you enjoy!

*If you have family friendly and affordable recipes you would like to share, please leave a comment or send me an email.  I would like to keep this post going, including your recipes as well.  I look forward to trying out your recipes!

To see previous recipes, go here.