Easy Dinner Ideas For Two! $20 Weekly And Delicious!

Here are some easy dinner ideas for two people including easy dinner recipes and an adaptable meal plan! These dinner ideas cost just $20 for two people for a week of tasty meals.

Easy Dinner Ideas For Two! $20 Weekly And Delicious!

This week the kids are gone, so I thought I would share some easy dinner ideas for two, with a meal plan for the week for $20 just for Mike and me.

I purchased a 3 lb. rotisserie chicken for $6.99 and will use it the entire week. After I bought it, I froze half the chicken in 6 oz. portions and used those for one to two meals. The price of the recipes is WITHOUT the chicken because I included the cost of the entire chicken in the first night. If you want to add some extra fruit, you could do so for an additional $2-$3.

We also tend to keep some cooked rice on hand to fill anywhere it is needed. Sliced cucumbers and bell peppers are also an inexpensive filler we often use.

Breakfast

($4.90 for the week)

Tawra- 1 egg and 1 slice gluten-free toast – $0.50 $3.50
Mike – Oatmeal with brown sugar – $0.20  $1.40

Lunch

Leftovers – $0 – The price is in the dinners.

Dinner

(These easy dinner recipes are below.)

Day 1
Rotisserie Chicken – Purchased cooked from the store – $6.99
Rice – $0.20
Steamed Broccoli – $0.50

Day 2
Chicken Tacos – $0.60
Sliced Cucumbers and Peppers with dressing $0.50

Day 3
White Chili (minus dairy since I’m dairy-free) $2.00
Crackers

Day 4
Chicken Spinach Pasta – $2.00

Day 5
Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches – $.50
Cole Slaw – $0.50

Day 6
Chicken Stir Fry – $1.50

Day 7
Leftovers

 

Easy Dinner Ideas For Two – Recipes

Here are the easy recipes I chose for this inexpensive meal plan for two. These are some of our favorite easy recipes and I spend very little time in the kitchen preparing them.

 

Chicken Tacos – $.60

about 1/2 cup salsa
1 cup leftover chicken

Place chicken in a microwave-safe bowl and place enough salsa in bowl to moisten chicken. Cook 1-2 minutes until warmed through. Place in taco shells.

 

How to Make Chicken Broth Out Of Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

Bones from leftover chicken
about 4 quarts of water

Add the chicken and water to a large stock pot or crockpot. If I have a bay leaf or a couple of carrots, I will throw them in.

I sprinkle with all of the following (to taste):

salt and pepper
onion powder (about 1 tsp.)
garlic powder (about 1 tsp.)
2 chicken bouillon cubes

Cover and simmer for 2-5 hours, depending on when I remember it.

Take out the chicken pieces. Strain, cool and remove the fat. Add the meat from the chicken back in and throw away the bones.

When I get ready to use it or reheat it I taste it to see if it needs more salt, onion powder, etc.

 

The Best White Chili Recipe – $2.00

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 pound leftover chicken, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 onion, chopped
2 (15.5 oz.) cans great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups or 1 (14.5 oz.) can chicken broth 
2 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chiles
1/2 tsp. garlic powder (or more to taste)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 Tbsp. butter -leave out since I’m dairy free
1 cup sour cream – leave out since I’m dairy free
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream -leave out since I’m dairy free

 Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Sauté the chicken and onion until onion is translucent.

Mix the great Northern beans, chicken broth, green chiles, garlic powder, salt, cumin, oregano, black pepper and cayenne pepper into the chicken mixture. Bring it to a boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer until the flavors have blended, about 30 minutes.

Mix the cornstarch with about 1/4 cup of water. Put it in the pan and bring it to a boil until the chili is thickened.

Remove from the heat and add butter, sour cream and whipped cream.

 

Easy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe – $2.00

1 package frozen spinach
1 cup chicken broth
1 (6 oz.) pkg. pasta shells
1 tsp. olive oil or vegetable spray
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. nutmeg or mace
salt and pepper
1/2 lb. leftover chicken cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Cook the spinach in the broth until tender. Drain and reserve broth. Remove excess liquid by mashing. Cook pasta.

In a heavy skillet over medium heat, add the oil. Add the spinach and nutmeg or mace, salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the spinach, stir and add a small amount of the reserved cooking broth. Stir the spinach until it is hot. If the spinach starts to get dry, add broth as necessary. Add the cooked pasta to the spinach mixture and blend well.

Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. Serves 4.

 

2 Ingredient Barbecue Chicken Recipe – $.50

6 oz. leftover rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup barbecue sauce

Pour barbecue sauce over chicken and heat until warmed through. Serve on buns as sandwiches or over rice.

 

Cole Slaw

1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 carrot, shredded
1/2 small head cabbage, shredded

Mix mayonnaise or salad dressing in a bowl with the sugar. Mix cabbage and carrots together. Add sauce to cabbage and carrots just before serving. The dressing can be made in advance and stored in a separate container in the refrigerator. Serves 4.

 

Easy Homemade Stir Fry Recipe – $1.50

1/2 cup leftover beef, turkey or chicken
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
1 Tbsp. cornstarch or 2 Tbsp. flour
1 cup water
1 Tbsp. oil
1 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 onion, sliced – I used a bag of mixed onions and peppers
1 green pepper, sliced – I used a bag of mixed onions and peppers
2 cups cabbage, shredded
2 Tbsp. water

In a bowl, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce and hot sauce. Stir the cornstarch in 1 cup of water. Add to the bowl.

In a deep skillet, simmer the oil with ginger and garlic over medium heat.

Add the vegetables, starting with the firmest as you dice the others. Stir after each addition and sprinkle on water as needed. Make sure you do not overcook the vegetables.

Add the cooked meat last. Push the vegetables to the side and add sauce to the pot while stirring. Add additional water if needed.

As the sauce clears, mix in the vegetables. Serve over rice. Serves 4.

 

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