How to Meal Plan Around One Whole Chicken: 5 Simple, Frugal Dinner Ideas
Stretch your meal plan around one whole chicken into five frugal, family-friendly meals with this simple plan. Old-fashioned, nourishing meals for the modern homemaker.
There’s something so satisfying about stretching one simple ingredient into multiple meals—especially when it’s a simple meal plan around one whole chicken.
This is the kind of old-fashioned kitchen wisdom our grandmothers used without even thinking. And as a homemaker today, planning our meals this way feels like a quiet act of stewardship. Less waste. More nourishment. Fewer trips to the store. More time at the table.
In this post, I’ll show you how to meal plan around one whole chicken and turn it into five cozy, practical dinners. Whether you raise your own or grab one on sale at the store, this method is a budget-saver—and it’s surprisingly delicious.
Meal 1: Roast Chicken Night
Start by roasting your whole chicken. You can do it in the oven or even straight from frozen (yes, it works!). Keep it simple—salt, pepper, maybe a few garden herbs. I usually serve it with roasted vegetables or a loaf of my no-knead sourdough bread for a hearty, cozy meal.
Tip: Save the pan drippings and leftover bones for broth.
Related Post:
How to Roast a Whole Chicken from Frozen
Meal 2: Chicken Tacos or Quesadillas
The next day, shred the leftover meat for an easy taco night. I warm it in a cast iron skillet with a little broth and homemade taco seasoning. Wrap it in homemade tortillas or serve it over rice for a grain bowl twist.
Amanda’s Tip: I love using my kitchenmaid for shredding cooked meat—it makes quick work of it.
Meal 3: Chicken Noodle Soup or Rice Bowl
Once the meat is picked clean, I simmer the carcass into broth. It’s deeply flavorful and nourishing—and costs nothing but time. This is a great use of the dark meat. It adds so much flavor to the soup!
Add in noodles, rice, carrots, onions, or whatever garden produce you have. This soup is perfect with my homemade saltine crackers or even a slice of 4-ingredient bread.
Meal 4: Chicken Salad Sandwiches
If you saved any extra meat or broth, mix up a simple chicken salad for lunch. I use chopped chicken, a dollop of homemade mayo, and sometimes diced pickles or apples. Serve on sourdough or tucked into a lettuce wrap.
This is such an easy way to keep lunches fresh and frugal during the week.
Meal 5: Casserole or One-Pan Skillet Bake
Finally, combine anything left—broth, meat scraps, rice or potatoes—into a warm, bubbling skillet dinner.
I’ll toss in some frozen veggies, top it with breadcrumbs or cheese, and bake it until golden. It’s the ultimate “use what you have” meal, and no one ever complains.
If you want a printable leftovers casserole formula, you can grab one from my Simple Homemaker Starter Kit.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many meals can you make with one whole chicken?
You can easily make 4 to 6 meals, especially if you use every part—from breast meat to bones for broth. I’ve listed five of my favorite meals in the post above!
What meals can I make with a whole chicken?
Roast chicken, tacos, soups, casseroles, sandwiches, pot pies… the list is endless. This kind of flexible ingredient belongs in every homemaker’s meal plan.
How many will one whole chicken feed?
That depends on the size, but typically a 4–5 lb chicken can feed 4–6 people for one meal—or a smaller family for several.
A Simple Meal Plan Around One Whole Chicken
There’s something so satisfying about creating multiple meals from one chicken.
As homemakers, we’re not just feeding our families—we’re building a rhythm of peace, provision, and purpose. And simple plans like this help us do it without stress or overspending.
Meal planning around one whole chicken won’t solve everything, but it’s one more step toward a slower, simpler way of living. And that’s something worth savoring.
