Budget Recipes: A Chicken Dinner

This everyday chicken dinner is easy on the budget and easy to prepare. Chicken leg quarters are always a good buy, and the flavor is fantastic. Most of these recipes area made with ingredients you probably have on hand. The whole meal is fancy enough for a Sunday dinner or guests.

Along with the main dish and side dishes, I've included soup, an appetizer, and homemade bread machine bread, but for an everyday meal you might not need an appetizer or soup, and you might choose to use purchased bread or rolls. Feel free to choose only one or a few of the recipes and add your own favorite recipes and special touches.

The Menu

Cayenne Toasts
These cayenne toasts are super easy to make and taste great with a tapenade or cheese spread. Use a homemade spread or purchased dip or spread for these toasts.

Easy Creamy Tomato Soup
Canned tomatoes make this soup extra-easy to prepare, and onion, celery, and seasonings make it delicious. Top this soup with fresh grated or shredded Parmesan cheese or chopped basil for a fabulous first course soup. It makes a great lunch soup, too!

Garlic Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters
These chicken leg quarters are delicious, and they're so easy on the budget. Garlic, olive oil, and a few spices and seasonings are all you'll need to make this fabulous chicken dish.

Easy Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
A little Cheddar cheese transforms these basic mashed potatoes into a special side dish, and everyone loves mashed potatoes. I used Yukon gold potatoes in this dish, but red potatoes or russets will work as well. Sprinkle with a little parsley or snipped chives to make them look extra-special.

Savory Green Beans
These green beans have great flavor but won't break the bank! Made with a little garlic, some chopped onion, and basil, you probably have all of the seasoning ingredients in your pantry. Feel free to substitute frozen green beans for the fresh.

Sliced Tomatoes With Sour Cream and Dill Dressing
Fresh tomatoes are sliced and served with an easy mayonnaise and sour cream dessing with a little onion and dried dill. These tomatoes will round out any family meal and make a nice change from a tossed salad. If you're short on time, serve sliced tomatoes with your favorite creamy dressing.

Country White Bread
This simple yeast bread is easy to make, and it's quickly baked on the rapid cycle of the bread machine.

Apple Betty
Use day-old bread crumbs to make this delicious apple dessert. Top this great dessert with a little whipped cream or whipped topping, or a dollop of vanilla ice cream!