Let me tell you what…this chicken should be happy….am I right? 

Like many of you, I love to cook!  I want my family to all sit down at the dinner table together and enjoy what they are eating.  I want my kids when they get older to remember all of the delicious meals mom cooked.   I would love to learn how to make some of these gourmet recipes you see on the Food Network.

Then….reality sets in!

…….(As the kids run by, chasing the dog with a stuffed animal hanging out of his mouth!)

So, we as Moms today have a unique challenge.   We need to make healthy, delicious meals that are cost effective and not time consuming!  Is that even possible?!  I think it is.  It just takes a little prep work and “A Few Short Cuts”!

At my house I am not too over scheduled yet!  I see it coming in the not so distant future.  The only extra curricular activity we have right now is my oldest daughter’s soccer.  My son wants to do a sport next season.   The little one already thinks she does a sport.  (We just let her pretend !  Whatever makes her happy!)

I have 2 nights a week that we have practice at 6 PM.  I understand that the large majority of parents work outside of the home and 6PM sounds reasonable.  To me, it is difficult.  We have to leave the house be 5:30.  The kids have to be done eating by 5.  Half the time they aren’t even hungry that early.  If we wait until after practice it would be 8PM.  Too late! We are just going to have to learn to adjust!

The easiest things on those nights are Crockpot suppers!  I can throw it in the crockpot in the morning, and not worry about it again until dinner time.  In my opinion everyone should have a RIVAL CROCKPOT!!!  Do you think that Rival got the point?  I have an email in to them about a giveaway.  I would love to give my readers a chance to win a new CROCKPOT!  It wouldn’t hurt to upgrade mine in the process!  It has seen better days!  I was told that my request was sent to the “Manager of Corporate Philanthropy”.   I want a fancy title like that!  All that person does is give stuff away but it sounds so much better the way they put it!

Anyway,  here was my solution for tonight’s meal!

Rubbed Down, Slow Cooked Chicken

PRINTABLE VERSION HERE

• Whole Chicken
• 1 Tbsp Seasoned Salt
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp sugar
• Whatever floats you boat!

This could NOT be more simple!

Take chicken and remove gizzards, or whatever awful stuff they put inside.

In a bowl mix all of the above spices.  If you see something you don’t like, leave it out.  Don’t see something you want?  Add it!

I came up with this blend myself, and it was the best roast chicken I think I have ever had in the crockpot!

Rub the spices all over the chicken.  I lift the skin and rub it underneath on the breast too!  It really absorbs the flavor better!

Now place in crockpot, cover and let cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8.  Remember that you want the meat thermometer to read 170 degrees.  That way you know your bird is cooked!

If I had my preference I would cook it on high for the 4-5 hours.  The chicken was very moist, sliced easily, but wasn’t over cooked and falling apart.  It tasted like a rotisserie chicken from the deli, but better!

I am sure it would be just as good on low, but would probably fall apart more due to the low temperature for such a long time.

You could get this ready the night before.  Place the chicken in the fridge with the spices on it.  I bet it would be even better after the flavors absorbed!

I served the Chicken with White Rice and Broccoli.  It was really great! You could change it up and serve with any veggie, or a potato even! I am adding biscuits to the meal total.  They would go great with this meal!

Meal Deal

As always, I would like to give credit where credit is due.  I couldn’t give you such great prices if it wasn’t for Michelle at I Heart Publix!  She has helped a ton of us save a ton of money!  These are prices for the current week at Publix.  You know that your cost could be lower if you have these items in your stockpile, or you have found them somewhere else cheaper.  I am leaving out the cost for the spices.  I had mine on hand.

Whole Chicken $0.79/lb (5 lb bird = $3.95)

Birds Eye Steamfresh Frozen Vegetables, 10 to 13 oz bag, or Corn on the Cob, 4 ct bag (including steam and serve trays), 50% off

– $1/2 Steam n’ Serve Blinkie
-$1/3; $.35/1; $1/2; $.50/1  from 09-13-09 SS
-$1/4 PRINT

I don’t know how much these cost.  Last time I checked I think they were around $1.25 during the 50% off sale.

Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits, 16.3 or 17.3 oz can, 4/$5
-$1/2 Honey Butter Grands – Better at Home Booklet
-$1/3 from 8-09-09 GM
-$1/3; $.35/1 from07-12-09 SS
-$1/1 PRINT
-$1/2 PRINT
-$1 off Pillsbury Biscuits Or Bread, WYB (1) Progresso Soup, Any (Publix Coupon) – 09-13-09 SS

Rice…I don’t know….Let’s estimate $1.25 for a small bag.

$1 off McCormick Spices { Go Here and use zip code (28451)}

————————————————————————————————————————-

• $3.95    Chicken
  
• $1.25     Frozen Veggie…could be less with coupons
• $0.25    Biscuits with $1 off printable PRINT
• $1.25     Rice

Grand Total of

$6.70

Divide by 4

That is $1.68 per person!

I did better than I thought!  I didn’t think that this week would turn out so hot!  Take that Publix sale paper!

Enjoy your Chicken and come back Saturday morning for “Snack”urday!  I promise it will be up ON TIME this week!