Category: Garlic Powder

Buffalo Wings

This buffalo wing recipe has all the great flavor of classic fried wings with none of the mess of deep frying.

The post Buffalo Wings appeared first on Budget Bytes.

When it’s game day, there’s no food I crave more than spicy, saucy Buffalo Wings! I always thought they’d be such a pain to make, but baking them in the oven makes the process so easy. This buffalo wing recipe has all the great flavor of classic fried wings with none of the mess of deep frying.

overhead view of buffalo wings on a white platter with celery and white sauce.

Why Make Buffalo Wings?

Even on Wing Wednesday, buffalo wings can still be pricey. The price per wing really adds up, and I knew there must be a better and cheaper way. It turns out that making them at home was the solution to my wing woes! Seasoned with classic spices like paprika, garlic, and onion, these wings already have so much flavor. Once tossed in that creamy, buttery Buffalo Sauce, you’ll be wondering why you never made them at home before!

Ingredients for Buffalo Wings

  • Cornstarch: A bit of cornstarch helps keep the wings crispy.
  • Spices: Paprika, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt add so much flavor to the wings. Keep the garlic powder handy for the sauce, too!
  • Cooking Oil: You’ll need just enough to drizzle over the wings so they crisp up in the oven. Canola or vegetable oil both work well here.
  • Chicken Wings: Wings or drumettes both work for this recipe, so choose one type or both for variety.
  • Butter: Unsalted butter makes the sauce thick and creamy.
  • Franks RedHot Sauce: Hot sauce is the one ingredient you’ll want to splurge a bit on. It gives these wings their signature flavor and spice! Use the leftovers to make Spinach Artichoke Dip.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: This umami sauce adds depth to the buffalo sauce.

How to Serve Buffalo Wings

These classic baked buffalo wings are delicious served as an appetizer with Ranch Dressing or blue cheese for dipping and a side of carrot sticks and celery. You can also make them into a meal by adding a side of Garlic Parmesan Oven Fries, Easy Creamy Coleslaw, or Oven Roasted Broccoli.

Tips for Making Buffalo Wings

  • Pat the wings dry before seasoning them to remove excess moisture.
  • Don’t skip the cornstarch. Tossing the wings in cornstarch helps bring moisture to the surface, leading to ultra-crispy wings.
  • Bake the wings on a wire rack to allow the hot air to circulate evenly around them. This will crisp the wings on all sides!
  • If making ahead, wait to toss the wings in the sauce until just before serving.

How To Store Leftovers

Once baked and cooled, store leftover buffalo wings in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze them in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours, before transferring to an air-tight container to store for up to 3 months. Reheat on a wire rack set in a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 7-10 minutes if refrigerated or 15-20 minutes if frozen.

close up view of a buffalo wing dipped in white sauce.
overhead view of buffalo wings on a white platter with celery and white sauce.
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Buffalo Wings

This buffalo wing recipe has all the great flavor of classic fried wings with none of the mess of deep frying.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Total Cost $12.24 recipe / $3.06 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 774kcal
Author Krista – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

Chicken Wings

Buffalo Sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, pepper, and salt.
  • Pat the wings dry, then place them in a bowl. Drizzle the cooking oil over top, then toss until the wings are coated in oil. Add the cornstarch-seasoning mixture, then toss to coat again.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, then place wire cooling racks on top. Place the seasoned chicken wings on the wire racks with space between each wing.
  • Bake the wings for 30 minutes, then flip and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the wings have achieved the amount of browning desired (this will depend on the size of your wings).
  • While the wings are in the oven, melt the butter in a small saucepot over medium heat, then add the remaining ingredients (hot sauce, Worcestershire, garlic powder).
  • Transfer the wings to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss until fully coated.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 774kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 60g | Sodium: 1528mg | Fiber: 0.3g
overhead view of buffalo wings on a white platter with celery and white sauce.

how to make Buffalo Wings – step by step photos

spices in a white bowl.

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbsp cornstarch, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/8 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt.

seasoned raw chicken wings in a glass bowl.

Pat 2.5 lbs. of chicken wings dry, then place them in a bowl. Drizzle 1 Tbsp cooking oil over top, then toss until the wings are coated in oil. Add the cornstarch-seasoning mixture, then toss to coat again.

raw chicken wings on a wire rack set in a baking sheet.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, then place wire cooling racks on top. Place the seasoned chicken wings on the wire racks with space between each wing.

baked chicken wings on a wire rack set in a baking sheet.

Bake the wings for 30 minutes, then flip and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the wings have achieved the amount of browning desired (this will depend on the size of your wings).

buffalo sauce in a saucepan with a spoon.

While the wings are in the oven, melt 4 Tbsp butter in a small saucepot over medium heat, then add the remaining ingredients (1/2 cup hot sauce, 1 tsp Worcestershire, 1/2 tsp garlic powder).

buffalo wings in a metal bowl.

Transfer the wings to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss until fully coated.

close up view of buffalo wings on a white platter with celery and white sauce.

These buffalo wings are crispy, spicy, and so delicious– everything you want in a wing recipe!

The post Buffalo Wings appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Chicken Enchilada Soup

This super flavorful Chicken Enchilada Soup is made with tender chicken breast, lots of spices, and a simple homemade enchilada sauce.

The post Chicken Enchilada Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

We are still in the middle of soup season and if you’re looking for a new soup recipe to make this month, then friend you’re in luck! Today we’re making Chicken Enchilada Soup! It’s made with tender chicken breast and lots of bold flavors. Dare I say, it might just be your new favorite soup this year! And the secret ingredient…our homemade enchilada sauce. Keep on reading to find out just how easy it is to make this hearty and satisfying, chicken enchilada soup!

Overhead view of Chicken Enchilada Soup in a white bowl with a black spoon on the side.

What Is Chicken Enchilada Soup?

Chicken Enchilada Soup is everything you love about regular chicken enchiladas, but it’s conveniently made in one pot! It reminds me of chicken tortilla soup, with tender chicken meat and bold flavors, except it’s made with an easy homemade enchilada sauce. The enchilada sauce is cooked directly in the soup pot with the rest of the ingredients and gives this soup TONS of flavor!

Ingredients For Chicken Enchilada Soup

Here is everything you need to make this chicken enchilada soup recipe:

  • Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used for this recipe, but you could also substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead. The cook time may vary slightly when using chicken thighs.
  • Onion, Garlic, and Jalapeño: Sautéed onion, garlic, and jalapeño sets the base foundation and adds great flavor to the soup.
  • Enchilada Sauce: You can certainly use store-bought enchilada sauce, but we used a batch of our Easy Enchilada Sauce recipe for this soup. Instead of making the sauce separately in a different pot, it’s made directly in the same pot that the soup cooks in. The homemade enchilada sauce makes it easy to control the spices and the heat level of this soup and it tastes SO much better than store-bought sauce!
  • Beans & Corn: Beans and corn add more color, flavor, and texture to the soup!
  • Tomatoes: A combination of fire-roasted tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and tomato paste adds even more flavor and texture to the soup. The tomato paste is used to make the enchilada sauce and it helps thicken the soup, so I wouldn’t skip it.
  • Chicken Broth: Using a good quality chicken broth will give the soup extra flavor. We use Better than Bouillon to make our broth.

How Spicy Is This SOup?

This chicken enchilada soup definitely has a kick to it. It has jalapeño, chili powder, and cayenne pepper added to it. The brand of chili powder we use is completely mild, but other brands can sometimes carry some heat. If you are using a spicy chili powder, simply reduce or eliminate the cayenne powder from this recipe to compensate. I would say the heat level of this soup is medium spicy, like a medium salsa.

What To Serve WIth Chicken Enchilada Soup

The same day we made this soup at the studio, Beth just happened to also be making some Homestyle Cornbread. So we drizzled a little bit of honey on top of the cornbread to eat with the soup, and OMG…a match made in heaven! The combination of the sweetness from the honey with the spicy and smoky flavors of the enchilada soup were perfect and absolutely delicious. In addition to cornbread, you can also pair this soup with Cilantro Lime Rice or even our Sweet Corn Salsa. And don’t forget the toppings! Some cheddar cheese, a little bit of cilantro, sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, or a few more sliced jalapeños (if you like the extra heat) would all be great!

Storing Leftovers

This soup stores very well in the fridge and the freezer. We always suggest dividing the soup into single portions just after cooking so it cools down more quickly in the refrigerator, which will give you more longevity with the leftovers. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days, or you can freeze it for longer storage (about 3 months).

Overhead view of chicken enchilada soup in a dutch oven with a ladle scooping some soup out.
Overhead view of Chicken Enchilada Soup in a white bowl with a black spoon on the side.
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Chicken Enchilada Soup

This super flavorful Chicken Enchilada Soup is made with tender chicken breast, lots of spices, and a simple homemade enchilada sauce.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American, Southwest
Total Cost $11.52 recipe / $1.92 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6 (about 1.5 cups each)
Calories 181kcal
Author Marsha – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp cooking oil, divided $0.12
  • 1 yellow onion, diced $0.32
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded & diced $0.25
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced $0.16
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour $0.04
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder $0.60
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper $0.02
  • 3/4 tsp salt $0.05
  • 3 oz. tomato paste $0.50
  • 1 15oz. can black beans, drained $0.89
  • 1 15oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes $1.33
  • 1 10oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles $1.00
  • 1 cup frozen corn $0.47
  • 4 cups chicken broth $0.42
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lb. total) $5.25

Instructions

  • Add 1 Tbsp of cooking oil along with the diced onion, finely diced jalapeño and minced garlic cloves to a large dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent.
  • Next add the all-purpose flour, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and the remaining 2 Tbsp of cooking oil to the pot. Stir well and cook the flour and spices with the vegetables for 2 minutes.
  • Add the tomato paste, drained black beans, fire roasted tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chiles, frozen corn, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir all the ingredients together making sure to dissolve the tomato paste and scrape up any spices that may be stuck at the bottom of the pot.
  • Now add the chicken breasts directly inside the pot on top of the rest of the ingredients. Place a lid on the pot and bring the soup up to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the soup to simmer for 45 minutes. Make sure the soup is just at a steady simmer at this point, as this will help to create tender chicken breast meat.
  • After the soup has simmered for 45 minutes, remove the chicken breasts and place them on a clean cutting board. Once cool enough to touch, shred the chicken breasts with a fork.
  • Add the shredded chicken meat back to the soup pot and stir until the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the soup.
  • Serve this soup with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, cilantro, sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, or even some more sliced jalapeño. Enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Sodium: 1075mg | Fiber: 3g
Side view of two bowls of chicken enchilada soup with a black spoon inside the soup.

How to Make Chicken Enchilada Soup – Step by Step Photos

Diced onion, jalapeno, and garlic in a dutch oven.

Add 1 Tbsp of cooking oil, one diced onion, one finely diced jalapeño and two minced garlic cloves to a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent.

Spices added to sautéed vegetables in a dutch oven.

Next add 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 Tbsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 3/4 tsp salt, and the remaining 2 Tbsp of cooking oil to the pot.

Spices mixed and sautéed in dutch oven.

Stir well and cook the flour and spices with the vegetables for 2 minutes.

Tomatoes, black beans, corn, tomato paste, and chicken broth added to the dutch oven.

Add 3oz. of tomato paste, one 15oz. can of black beans (drained), one 15oz. can of fire roasted tomatoes (with juices), one 10oz. can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (with juices), one cup of frozen corn, and 4 cups of chicken broth to the pot. Stir all the ingredients together making sure to dissolve the tomato paste and scrape up any spices that may be stuck at the bottom of the pot.

Two chicken breasts being placed in the dutch oven on top of the soup ingredients.

Now add two chicken breasts directly inside the pot on top of the rest of the ingredients. Place a lid on the pot and bring the soup up to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the soup to simmer for 45 minutes. Make sure the soup is just at a steady simmer at this point, as this will help to create tender chicken breast meat.

Cooked chicken breasts being shredded on a clean cutting board.

After the soup has simmered for 45 minutes, remove the chicken breasts and place them on a clean cutting board. Once cool enough to touch, shred the chicken breasts with a fork.

Overhead view of finished Chicken Enchilada Soup with a large silicone spoon inside the soup pot.

Add the shredded chicken meat back to the soup pot and stir until the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the soup.

Overhead view of chicken enchilada soup in a dutch oven with a ladle scooping some soup out.

Serve this soup with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, or even some more sliced jalapeño and enjoy!

Overhead view of two bowls of chicken enchilada soup with jalapeno and shredded cheese on top.

More Chicken Soup Recipes

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Homemade French Onion Dip

This creamy and tangy French Onion Dip is full of caramelized onions and perfect for parties, game day, or as a burger or sandwich spread.

The post Homemade French Onion Dip appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Caramelized onions are one of my favorite flavors EVER, so even though you can make a quick French Onion Dip made with just a packet of onion soup mix and sour cream, you know I’m going to try to make it from scratch instead! And this homemade French Onion Dip recipe is surprisingly easy! It only takes a few ingredients and it really lets the flavor of those caramelized onions shine. This dip is creamy, tangy, sweet, savory, and perfect for all your crunchy chips and crackers. Plus, it also makes an ah-maz-ing sandwich and burger spread, so even if you’re not a chip and dip person, you still need to try it!

Overhead view of a bowl of French Onion Dip with a chip in the side and chips all around.

What Is French Onion Dip?

French Onion Dip is a creamy and tangy dip for chips, crackers, vegetables, and more that has a flavor profile similar to French Onion Soup. The quick way to make French Onion Dip is to simply stir a packet of onion soup mix into a container of sour cream, but if you’re looking for more of a “from scratch” approach with that slow caramelized flavor, we’ve got you covered. And while caramelizing the onions does take a little bit of time, you don’t need many more ingredients to turn them into a really stellar dip!

Ingredients for French Onion Dip

Here’s what you’ll need to make a homemade French Onion Dip from scratch:

  • Onions: I just used plain ol’ yellow onions here, but if you want to get fancy you can go for a sweet onion like Vidalia or a Maui onion.
  • Butter: Butter makes the recipe extra rich and gives a slightly nutty flavor to the caramelized onions.
  • Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the rich and tangy base for the dip.
  • Sour Cream: Sour cream lightens up the cream cheese just a touch and makes the dip much softer and dippable.
  • Worcestershire sauce: This gives the dip a savory note, similar to French onion soup.
  • Seasoning: I kept the seasonings simple so the flavor of the onions could shine through. All you’ll need is a bit of garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can experiment with adding beef bouillon, but I found this to overwhelm the flavor of the dish, totally masking the delicately sweet flavor of the onions.

How to Serve French Onion Dip

French onion dip is classically served with potato chips, but it’s great for so much more! You can use it for crackers, on a vegetable platter (in place of ranch dip), or as a spread on sandwiches, wraps, or burgers. Try pairing this dip on a sandwich with thinly sliced roast beef, a slice of Swiss cheese, and spring mix. You won’t be disappointed! Or slather it onto a burger with some sautéed mushrooms. YES PLEASE.

How Long Does it Keep?

Homemade French Onion Dip will stay good in the refrigerator for about four to five days, but is not a good candidate for freezing. If your French Onion Dip has been in the refrigerator for a few days, make sure to give it a good stir before enjoying.

Side view of a chip being dipped into a bowl of French Onion Dip.
Overhead view of a bowl of French Onion Dip with a chip in the side and chips all around.
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French Onion Dip

This creamy and tangy French Onion Dip is full of caramelized onions and perfect for parties, game day, or as a burger or sandwich spread. 
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Total Cost $2.85 recipe / $0.48 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rest Time 15 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6 (¼ cup each)
Calories 193kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Dice the onions and place them in a skillet with the butter.
  • Cook the onions over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, allowing them to soften and then slowly brown. Continue cooking for about 30 minutes, or until they achieve a deep copper brown color and jammy texture. If the skillet dries out too much as the onions cook, lower the heat slightly and add a tablespoon or two of water. On the flip side, if the onions are taking too long to cook, increase the heat slightly.
  • Meanwhile, stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth and evenly combined.
  • Once the onions are fully caramelized, stir them into the dip.
  • Allow the dip to sit for about 15 minutes for the flavors to blend, then taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Serve with your favorite chips or spread onto a sandwich and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 237mg | Fiber: 1g

How to Make French Onion Dip – Step by Step Photos

Diced onion and butter in a skillet.

Dice one pound of yellow onions (about two medium onions), then add them to a skillet with 2 tablespoons of butter.

Half-cooked onions in the skillet.

Cook the onions over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, allowing them to soften and then slowly brown. If the skillet gets too dry as the onions cook, turn the heat down slightly and add a tablespoon or two of water to the skillet to help dissolve the browned bits off of the bottom of the skillet. Or, if the onions are taking a very long time to cook down, you can increase the heat slightly.

Fully caramelized onions in the skillet.

When the onions are fully caramelized they should look like this—deep copper brown, translucent, and jammy in texture. The caramelization process should take about 30 minutes.

Dip ingredients in a bowl but not combined.

Meanwhile, combine 4oz. room temperature cream cheese, 1 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper, and ¼ tsp salt in a bowl, stirring until the mixture is smooth.

Caramelized onions added to the dip in the bowl.

Add the caramelized onions to the dip and stir to combine.

Finished caramelized onion dip in the bowl with a spoon.

Allow the dip to sit for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend, then taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.

Overhead view of a chip being dipped into a bowl of French Onion Dip.

Serve with your favorite crunchy chips and enjoy!

More Dip Recipes

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Jalapeño Poppers

The perfect easy appetizer for New Year’s Eve, tailgating parties, or the big game, this Jalapeño Popper recipe is a spicy, cheesy home run!

The post Jalapeño Poppers appeared first on Budget Bytes.

If you love spicy and you love cheesy, you’ll definitely love Jalapeño Poppers! This cute little appetizer recipe has New Year’s Eve written all over it, and it’s perfectly easy and delicious for football games as well. …Or, if you’re just as obsessed with them as I am, they’re also great for a regular Monday afternoon. 😜

Overhead view of a plate full of jalapeño poppers with a dish of ranch dressing.

What Are Jalapeño Poppers?

Jalapeño poppers are a staple in American pop food culture and are often served at sports bars or other fast-casual restaurants. They can take several forms, sometimes breaded and deep fried, sometimes baked, and sometimes wrapped in bacon, but they always consist of fresh jalapeño peppers stuffed with a flavorful mix of cheese for that spicy-cheesy-creamy flavor combo.

For this jalapeño popper recipe, we went the easy and budget-friendly route (obvi) and opted for baked poppers with just enough bacon added in to give great flavor without making them over-the-top expensive. These jalapeño poppers are easy enough for even a beginner to make, and tasty enough that you’ll be thankful you didn’t drop a ton of cash on ordering out!

Ingredients for Jalapeño Poppers:

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious jalapeño popper recipe at home:

  • Fresh Jalapeños: Luckily, jalapeños are usually some of the least expensive items in the produce aisle, but if you can’t find them for a good price at your local chain grocery store, look for a Hispanic or Latin grocery store where they’re guaranteed to be super affordable. Look for Jalapeños that are about 3 inches in length for this recipe.
  • Cheese: We used a mix of cream cheese and cheddar cheese for this recipe so we could get an ultra-creamy finish with a nice cheddar bite. You can also try using Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack (if you like it EXTRA spicy!).
  • Bacon: Bacon is a classic flavor in jalapeño poppers and it gives a nice smokey finish to the flavor profile. We use just enough to give these poppers flavor without driving up the price too high.
  • Seasoning: These jalapeño poppers are seasoned with garlic powder, Everything Bagel Seasoning, and green onions. They’re flavorful but not so complicated that you lose the flavor of the jalapeños and bacon. If you don’t have Everything Bagel Seasoning you can increase the garlic powder in the recipe to ½ tsp, and add ⅛ tsp of both salt and pepper.

Are Jalapeño Poppers Spicy?

Yes, jalapeño poppers are pretty spicy! Despite removing the seeds and ribs (the spiciest part of the jalapeño), some of the spicy oils remain in the jalapeño, giving these poppers just the right amount of spicy heat to balance the creamy cheeses. If you’re not a spicy foods fan you’ll probably want to skip this one!

How to Remove Jalapeño Oil From Your Hands

If you’ve ever cooked with jalapeños before, you know the horror of accidentally touching your eyes afterward. Jalapeños contain natural oils that can easily transfer from your hands to your eyes or any other delicate skin, causing an intense burning sensation, and sometimes just washing your hands isn’t enough to remove the oils. Here are a few extra steps you can take to reduce the burn:

  1. Massage a teaspoon or two of cooking oil into your hands. The oil will help dissolve the spicy oils from the jalapeños that are stuck to your hands.
  2. Wash your hands with dish soap instead of hand soap. Dish soap is formulated to break up oily residues whereas hand soaps are often designed to keep skin moisturized.
  3. Rub your hands with an acidic substance, like lemon juice, vinegar, or tomato sauce. This can help break up any spicy oils left on the skin.
  4. OR just wear gloves while working with the jalapeños and avoid the risk. ;)

What to Serve with Jalapeño Poppers

I love these little poppers on their own, but if you want a dipping sauce I would definitely recommend ranch dressing. I’m not usually a ranch person, but the flavor combination between the spicy jalapeño poppers and cooling ranch dressing is hard to beat! I’d also serve them with another starchy appetizer, maybe something like our Steak Fries or Loaded Smashed Potatoes.

Side view of a plate full of jalapeño poppers with a dish of ranch on the side.
Super close up view of jalapeño poppers on a plate with a bowl of ranch.
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Jalapeño Poppers

The perfect easy appetizer for New Year's Eve, tailgating parties, or the big game, this Jalapeño Popper recipe is a spicy, cheesy home run!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Amercian
Total Cost $3.94 recipe / $0.66 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 (2 poppers each)
Calories 149kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. bacon (about 2 slices) $0.50
  • 6 jalapeños* $1.50
  • 4 oz. room-temperature cream cheese $1.10
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese $0.62
  • 1 green onion, sliced $0.10
  • 1 tsp everything bagel seasoning $0.10
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder $0.02

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it is brown and crispy. Remove it from the pan and let it cool on a paper-towel-lined plate.
  • Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise and then use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and white ribs, being careful not to tear or puncture the peppers.
  • Once the bacon is cool, crumble it into tiny pieces and reserve about 1 tablespoon to use as a topping. Add the bacon to a bowl with the cream cheese, shredded cheddar (reserve a small amount for topping as well), sliced green onion, Everything bagel seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix the ingredients together until they're evenly combined.
  • Divide the cheese filling between the 12 pepper halves and then spread it out to fill and smooth out the top.
  • Place the filled peppers on a large parchment-lined baking sheet then sprinkle the reserved crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese over the top.
  • Bake the peppers for 15 minutes or just until the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly. Avoid over-baking the peppers or else they'll become too soft to pick up and enjoy. Allow the poppers to cool just enough to handle, then serve and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*Look for jalapeños that are about 3 inches long.

Nutrition

Serving: 2poppers | Calories: 149kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Sodium: 228mg | Fiber: 0.5g
Super close up view of jalapeño poppers on a plate with a bowl of ranch.

How to Make Jalapeño Poppers – Step by Step Photos

Cooked bacon in a skillet.

Cook about 2 oz. of bacon (about 2 slices) in a skillet over medium heat until it is brown and crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and let it drain on a paper towel-lined plate as you prepare the rest of the dish.

Scraping out the insides of the jalapeño peppers.

Slice six jalapeño peppers in half length-wise, then scrape out the seeds and white ribs with a spoon, taking care not to tear the outside of the pepper. To prevent the transfer of spicy oils from your hands to your eyes, mouth, or nose, either use gloves while preparing the peppers or see our tips above for removing jalapeño oil from your hands.

Cheese filling ingredients in a bowl, unmixed.

Once the bacon is cool enough to touch, crumble it into tiny pieces. Reserve about 1 teaspoon of the bacon to use as a topping, then add the rest to a bowl with 4 oz. of room-temperature cream cheese, ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (reserve about 2 Tbsp for topping), 1 sliced green onion, 1 teaspoon Everything Bagel Seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon garlic powder. Mix these ingredients together until evenly combined.

Cheese filling being spooned into jalapeño halves.

Divide the cheese mixture evenly between the 12 jalapeño halves, then spread it out to fill the peppers, smoothing out the top.

Jalapeño poppers ready to bake on a parchment-lined sheet pan.

Place the filled jalapeños on a large parchment-lined baking sheet, then sprinkle the reserved bacon bits and shredded cheddar over top.

Baked jalapeño poppers on the baking sheet.

Bake the jalapeño poppers in the preheated 425ºF oven for 15 minutes, or just until the cheese is melted and bubbly on top. Avoid overcooking the poppers or else the peppers will get too soft to pick up and eat. Allow the peppers to cool just enough to handle, then serve and enjoy!

Overhead view of a plate of jalapeño peppers with one being dipped into a bowl of ranch.

More Party Food Recipes

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Ranch Oyster Crackers

Ranch Oyster Crackers are an easy and delicious snack made with just 5 ingredients. They’re perfect for parties, football games, and more!

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If there’s something you can never have too much of it’s definitely party snacks! These buttery Ranch Oyster Crackers are coated in melted butter, and seasoned with ranch seasoning and a small amount of red pepper flakes for just a little kick. My mom actually makes a similar recipe with regular saltine crackers, but I absolutely LOVE how cute these smaller oyster crackers are, and how easy it is to share and pass around at a party. They’re perfect for family get-togethers, holiday parties and of course game days! But fair warning…you can easily get addicted to these and eat half a pan. Trust me, I know!

Side close up view of ranch oyster crackers in a white serving dish.

What Are Ranch Oyster Crackers?

Ranch Oyster Crackers are a small party snack that’s primarily made with oyster crackers, ranch seasoning, and butter. It’s super delicious and can easily be made in under 30 minutes with just 5 ingredients. We made these in our test kitchen twice and both times they were gone in minutes! So if you want to impress your family and friends at your next event and you don’t want to spend a lot of money or time in the kitchen, then these ranch oyster crackers are sure to be a hit!

Ingredients For Ranch Oyster Crackers

5 simple ingredients are all you need to make this insanely delicious ranch oyster crackers recipe!

  • Oyster Crackers: Oyster crackers come in lots of different sizes depending on which store and brand you purchase. We used a 10 oz. bag for this recipe that we purchased at our local Aldi store.
  • Butter: If butter is a little too costly for you, you can substitute with vegetable or canola oil. We tested both methods (butter and oil) and the butter added a lot more depth of flavor. However, the oil version was still quite tasty in my opinion.
  • Ranch Seasoning: We used a store-bought ranch seasoning packet, but we also have a homemade ranch seasoning mix recipe in case you have a well-stocked pantry and want to whip up your own mix.
  • Garlic Powder & Red Pepper Flakes: Just a little bit of garlic powder and red pepper flakes rounds out the flavor of these tasty party crackers and still keeps this recipe super simple and easy to make!

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any ranch oyster crackers left over, and that’s a big IF, you can certainly store the leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.

Overhead view of ranch oyster crackers in a white serving bowl.
Overhead view of ranch oyster crackers in a white serving bowl.
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Ranch Oyster Crackers

Ranch Oyster Crackers are an easy and delicious snack made with just 5 ingredients. They're perfect for parties, football games, and more!
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Total Cost $4.71 recipe / $0.39 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 12 (about 1/2 cup each)
Calories 139kcal
Author Marsha – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup salted butter $1.07
  • 1 oz. ranch seasoning packet* $2.19
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes $0.05
  • 10 oz. oyster crackers $1.35

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 250°F. Add the butter to a small bowl and melt in the microwave. Once the butter is melted add the ranch seasoning packet (or 3 Tbsp of homemade ranch seasoning), the garlic powder, and the red pepper flakes to the bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined.
  • In a separate large bowl add the oyster crackers, then pour the butter mixture over the oyster crackers. Mix carefully with a rubber spatula until all the oyster crackers are well coated in the butter and seasoning.
  • Spread the seasoned crackers on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and give the crackers a quick stir. Place the baking sheet back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
  • After the oyster crackers have finished baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before transferring them to a serving bowl. Enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*Feel free to substitute with a homemade ranch seasoning mix.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 369mg | Fiber: 1g
Very close macro view of ranch oyster crackers.

How to Make Ranch Oyster Crackers – Step by Step Photos

Melted butter, ranch seasoning and spices in a bowl.

Preheat the oven to 250°F. In a small bowl melt 1/2 cup of butter in the microwave. To the melted butter add a 1 oz. ranch seasoning packet (or 3 Tbsp of homemade ranch seasoning), 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes. Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined.

Melted butter mixture being poured over oyster crackers in a bowl.

In a separate large bowl add one 10 oz. bag of oyster crackers, then pour the butter mixture over the oyster crackers. Mix carefully with a rubber spatula until all the oyster crackers are well coated in the butter and seasoning.

Ranch oyster crackers on a parchment lined baking sheet prebaked.

Spread the seasoned crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and give the crackers a quick stir. Place the baking sheet back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.

Baked ranch oyster crackers on a parchment lined baking sheet.

After the oyster crackers have finished baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before transferring them to a serving bowl.

Ranch oyster crackers in a white serving bowl with a hand grabbing a few out.

Enjoy these super flavorful and buttery Ranch Oyster Crackers at your next family gathering, Super Bowl party, or any holiday event!

Very close up view of ranch oyster crackers in a pile.

More Easy Party Recipes

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Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Roasted chicken and vegetables is an easy wintertime dinner with juicy chicken thighs, caramelized vegetables, and an herb-infused marinade.

The post Roasted Chicken and Vegetables appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Roasting is my preferred method of cooking this time of year because it’s easy and hands-off, plus it creates the most scrumptious caramelized flavors and super tender and juicy meat. Not to mention, it will help keep your kitchen warm and cozy. 😏 This recipe for Roasted Chicken and Vegetables combines budget-friendly bone-in chicken thighs with a medley of winter vegetables and an herb-infused seasonoing for a hearty meal that will keep you full and warm on cold winter nights.

Overhead view of a large white casserole dish filled with roasted chicken and vegetables.

Why I Love This Dish

Roasting absolutely transforms food. It caramelizes the natural sugars in the vegetables, making their flavor deep and sweet. It browns the skin on the chicken making it crispy and delicious, all while keeping the meat inside tender and juicy. Plus, all of that time in the oven allows all of the flavor of the herbs to infuse every bite. It’s ✨magical✨.

The best part, though, is that roasting is very hands-off, meaning you can go take care of other things while the food in the oven working its magic. There’s a little bit of chopping and seasoning in the beginning, but then it just goes into the oven and an hour it comes out delicious! BOOM!

Ingredients for Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Here’s what you’ll need to make this cozy winter dinner:

  • Chicken Thighs: I used bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe because they are budget-friendly and always turn out super tender and juicy. You can also use chicken drumsticks, but I would avoid boneless or skinless cuts of chicken because they will dry out with this longer cooking time (and you won’t get that beautifully crispy skin!).
  • Vegetables: I used a combination of potatoes, carrots, garlic, and onions to create a colorful, filling, and flavorful mix. The potatoes and carrots are firm enough to hold up to the long roasting time, the potatoes absorb all of that amazing flavor, and the garlic and onions get deliciously soft and caramelized in the process. I used tri-colored baby potatoes, but if those are out of budget you can use red potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces.
  • Herbs and Spices: To add flavor to the chicken and vegetables I added a hefty dose of seasonings including dried basil, dried thyme, dried rosemary, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Every bite will have maximum flavor!
  • Olive Oil: Oil helps the seasoning stick to the chicken and vegetables and it also helps prevent them from drying out from the heat of the oven. Instead of shriveled dry vegetables, you’ll get tender caramelized vegetables and crispy chicken skin!

What Kind of Baking Dish to Use

You’ll want to use a very large casserole dish for the roasted chicken and vegetables so the ingredients have good exposure to the hot air. Aim for a dish that is at least 9×13 inches and around 3-4 quarts in volume. Glass or ceramic work best, but if you have a metal casserole dish you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly as the dish will heat up faster. A sheet pan will allow the ingredients to be too far spread out, causing more evaporation and less of the flavorful juices that soak into the potatoes.

How to Store Leftovers

This cozy meal makes a great meal prep, if you are feeding just yourself or have a household of two. Simply divide the chicken and vegetables into single-serving containers after cooking, then refrigerate. The chicken and vegetables will stay good for about four days in the refrigerator and can be reheated quickly in the microwave.

Close up overhead view of chicken and vegetables on the plate.
Overhead view of roasted chicken and vegetables in a white casserole dish.
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Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Roasted chicken and vegetables is an easy wintertime dinner with juicy chicken thighs, caramelized vegetables, and an herb-infused seasoning.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $10.94 recipe / $2.74 serving
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 781kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 24 oz. baby potatoes* $2.99
  • 2 large carrots $0.31
  • 1 red onion $0.80
  • 4 cloves garlic $0.32
  • 1/4 cup olive oil $0.48
  • 2 tsp dried basil $0.20
  • 1 tsp dried thyme $0.10
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary $0.10
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp paprika $0.02
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.03
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs.) $5.49

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Wash and cut the baby potatoes in half (or, if using larger potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces). Wash and slice the carrots into 1-inch pieces. Peel and cut the red onion into wedges. Peel the garlic cloves and leave them whole.
  • Add the olive oil, basil, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl and stir until well combined.
  • Place the prepared vegetables in a large bowl and drizzle half of the seasoning over top. Toss the vegetables until they are fully coated in oil and herbs, then transfer them to a 9×13-inch or larger casserole dish.
  • Place the chicken thighs into the same bowl and pour the remaining oil and herbs over top. Toss until the chicken is fully coated, then nestle the chicken down into the vegetables in the casserole dish, making sure the chicken is not covered with vegetables.
  • Roast the chicken and vegetables in the preheated 425ºF oven for 40 minutes, then remove the casserole dish and carefully stir the vegetables. Spoon some of the liquid from the bottom of the dish over the chicken, then return the dish to the oven and roast for an additional 20 minutes or until the chicken skin is golden brown and crispy and the vegetables are browned and caramelized. Serve hot.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*To reduce costs you can substitute the baby potatoes with red potatoes cut into 1-inch cubes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 781kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 52g | Sodium: 794mg | Fiber: 6g
Side view of pan juices being drizzled over the chicken and vegetables.

How to Make Roasted Chicken and Vegetables – Step by Step Photos

Vegetables used for roasted chicken and vegetables.

Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Begin by preparing the vegetables. Wash and slice 24 oz. potatoes in half (or into 1-inch pieces if using larger red potatoes). Wash and slice two large carrots into 1-inch pieces. Peel and slice one red onion into wedges. Peel four cloves of garlic and leave them whole.

Herb seasoning mix in a bowl with oil.

Prepare the seasoning mix for the chicken and vegetables. In a bowl combine ¼ cup olive oil with 2 teaspoons dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.

Seasoning being poured over the vegetables in a bowl.

Place the prepared vegetables in a large bowl and drizzle half of the seasoning mix over top. Toss the vegetables until they are fully coated in the oil and herbs. Transfer the seasoned vegetables to a very large casserole dish.

Seasoned chicken thighs in a bowl.

Place four bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs.) into the same bowl and pour the remaining seasoning over the top. Toss the chicken thighs until they are fully coated.

Chicken thighs in the casserole dish with the vegetables.

Nestle the chicken thighs down into the vegetables in the casserole dish. Make sure the vegetables are not covering the chicken. Transfer the casserole dish to the preheated 425ºF oven.

Roasted chicken and vegetables in the casserole dish.

Roast the chicken and vegetables in the oven for about 40 minutes, then remove the dish and carefully stir the vegetables in the casserole dish and spoon some of the liquid from the bottom of the dish over the chicken. Return the chicken and vegetables to the oven and roast for another 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are golden and caramelized and the chicken skin is golden and crispy.

Overhead view of roasted chicken and vegetables on a plate.

(Garnished with parsley for color, not needed for flavor.)

More Cozy Winter Recipes

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Sweet Potato Hash

This easy, one-skillet Sweet Potato Hash is the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors and hearty ingredients. It’s great for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

The post Sweet Potato Hash appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Spice up your weekend breakfast with this easy one-skillet Sweet Potato Hash. Made with a simple combination of sweet potatoes, breakfast sausage, peppers, and onions, it includes the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors and hearty ingredients. Breakfast potato hash happens to be one of my favorite meals to order at a local brunch spot in town, so I loved recreating a version for Budget Bytes. This sweet potato hash recipe is super versatile so you can easily mix and match some of the ingredients with what you have in your fridge, it comes in at under a dollar per serving, and it’s great for meal prepping!

Overhead view of sweet potato hash in a skillet garnished with sliced avocado.

What Is Sweet Potato Hash

Sweet potato hash is a hearty, skillet meal that’s made with diced sweet potatoes, vegetables like peppers and onions, and often some type of protein, like sausage or bacon. It’s a great all-in-one meal that’s easy to whip up for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And because it’s so versatile the toppings and variations are endless!

Ingredients For Sweet Potato Hash

Eight ingredients is all you need to make this colorful and flavorful Sweet Potato Hash. We kept things pretty simple so here’s what we used:

  • Sweet Potatoes: We’re using sweet potatoes for our breakfast hash simply because we like the combination of slightly sweet, mixed with savory flavors. But you can certainly use a different potato, like russet potatoes, instead. The total cook time will vary depending on which type of potato you use.
  • Breakfast Sausage: You can use any kind of breakfast sausage for this recipe. We opted for a regular mild sausage, but feel free to use a hot sausage, turkey sausage, or even an apple maple sausage would be really good!
  • Bell Pepper and Onion: I love the combination of peppers and onions in savory recipes. They both add the perfect amount of flavor and texture to this dish. But you don’t have to stop here, if you have some extra veggies hanging out in the fridge like spinach or mushrooms feel free to add those too! This recipe is very versatile.
  • Seasoning: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper compliment the sweetness of the sweet potatoes perfectly. The rest of the spices comes from the breakfast sausage giving this breakfast skillet hash lots of flavor!

Topping Ideas

Customize it! There are so many fun & tasty toppings you can add to your sweet potato hash to give it even more depth and flavor. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Fried, scrambled, or soft-boiled egg
  • Fresh avocado
  • Fresh parsley or sliced green onions
  • Salsa
  • Shredded cheese
  • Sriracha
  • Red pepper flakes

Storing & Reheating

If you happen to have any leftovers or if you just want to meal prep your breakfast for a few days, this sweet potato hash stores very well in the fridge. Just store the leftovers, minus the egg, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy just reheat the hash in a skillet over the stovetop or in the microwave, then if desired, top with a fresh fried egg! Breakfast is served!

Overhead view of sweet potato hash on two plates topped with sliced avocado and a fried egg.
Overhead view of sweet potato hash in a skillet garnished with sliced avocado.
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Sweet Potato Hash

This easy, one-skillet Sweet Potato Hash is the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors and hearty ingredients. It's great for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Total Cost $5.36 recipe / $0.89 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 27 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings 6 (1 cup each)
Calories 227kcal
Author Marsha – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Wash, peel, and dice the sweet potatoes. Dice the onion and the red bell pepper. Set the vegetables to the side.
  • In a large non-stick skillet, crumble the breakfast sausage and cook over medium heat. Cook the sausage until it’s almost completely browned. Add the diced onion and continue cooking until the onion is translucent and the sausage is fully browned. Remove the sausage and onions to a separate plate and set it to the side.
  • In the same skillet, add the cooking oil and the diced sweet potatoes. Cook the sweet potatoes over medium heat for 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally but not too often so the sweet potatoes have a chance to brown and caramelize. Don’t worry if the sweet potatoes are not fork tender during this time as they will continue to cook in the next step.
  • Now add the diced red bell pepper, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to the skillet. Stir together with the sweet potatoes. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are now fork tender.
  • Add the cooked sausage and onions back to the skillet and combine with the sweet potatoes and peppers. Cook for 1-2 more minutes to allow the sausage to reheat with the rest of the hash.
  • Serve this sweet potato hash with fresh parsley, sliced avocado, or any of your favorite toppings!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 227kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 595mg | Fiber: 4g
Side view of sweet potato hash in a skillet with sliced avocado on top.

How to Make Sweet Potato Hash – Step by Step Photos

Diced sweet potato, a diced red bell pepper and a diced onion on a cutting board.

Wash, peel, and dice 1 1/2 lbs. of sweet potatoes. Dice one onion and one red bell pepper. Set the vegetables to the side.

Ground sausage and diced onion in a nonstick skillet.

In a large skillet, crumble 8 oz. of breakfast sausage and cook over medium heat. Cook the sausage until it’s almost completely browned. Add the diced onion and continue cooking until the onion is translucent and the sausage is fully browned.

Browned sausage and onion in a nonstick skillet.

Remove the cooked sausage and onions to a separate plate and set it to the side.

Diced and cooked sweet potatoes in a nonstick skillet.

In the same skillet, add 1/2 Tbsp of cooking oil and the diced sweet potatoes. Cook the sweet potatoes over medium heat for 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally but not too often so the sweet potatoes have a chance to brown and caramelize. Don’t worry if the sweet potatoes are not fork tender at this point as they will continue to cook in the next step.

Sweet potatoes, bell peppers and spices added to skillet

Add the diced red bell pepper, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika to the skillet. Stir together with the sweet potatoes until combined. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are fork tender.

Ground sausage and onion added to cooked sweet potatoes in a skillet.

Add the cooked sausage and onions back to the skillet and combine with the sweet potatoes and peppers.

Finished sweet potato hash in a skillet.

Cook for 1-2 more minutes to allow the sausage to reheat with the rest of the hash.

Overhead view of sweet potato hash in a skillet garnished with sliced avocado.

And that’s it! Breakfast (lunch or dinner) is served. Serve this sweet potato hash with fresh parsley, sliced avocado, and any of your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Overhead view of sweet potato hash on two plates topped with sliced avocado and a fried egg.

More Breakfast Recipes

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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

These Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are perfectly brown on the outside and tender on the inside. An easy recipe to whip up any day of the week!

The post Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts appeared first on Budget Bytes.

You know those foods you grew up thinking you didn’t like even though you never actually tried them? Yeah, well Brussels sprouts was one of those vegetables that I just assumed I didn’t like until I was in my 30’s. But once I finally tried Roasted Brussels Sprouts, there was no turning back. Now I absolutely love Brussels sprouts, especially these easy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts! This no-fuss Brussels sprouts recipe creates a brown and slightly crispy outside white still remaining tender on the inside. The air fryer makes it super easy to whip up this vegetable side dish any day of the week! And since they are in season right now, they were also on sale at my local grocery store. #Winning!

Close up macro view of Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts.

Ingredients For Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

I’m all for simple recipes and with simple ingredients! Here are the 6 items you need to make this easy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe:

  • Brussels Sprouts: This cruciferous vegetable can often be found year-round in your local grocery store. However, sometimes they are on the pricier side, so take advantage of them while they are in season and usually on sale. They are usually in season during the late fall and winter months from October to February.
  • Olive Oil: Olive oil helps keep the Brussels sprouts from getting too dry and too charred on the outside. It also helps the seasoning coat the Brussels sprouts perfectly.
  • Seasoning: A mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder adds just the right amount of flavor and keeps things simple, but still delicious!

Recipe Variations

Although we went with a simple mix of olive oil + seasoning for this Brussels sprouts recipe, you can easily try some of these other combinations:

  • Switch up the seasoning: Try some steak seasoning, curry powder, Cajun seasoning or a seasoning salt like Lawry’s, or a Creole seasoning like Tony Chachere’s.
  • Parmesan cheese: We also tested these air fryer Brussels sprouts tossed in a little parmesan cheese and they were absolutely delicious!
  • Dipping Sauces: My favorite way to enjoy these Brussels sprouts is with a simple mix of Dijon mustard and pure maple syrup. They would also taste really good dipped in our Comeback Sauce!
  • Homemade balsamic glaze: And if you’re a balsamic vinegar lover, once the Brussels sprouts are out of the air fryer, try drizzling a little bit of homemade balsamic glaze on top!

Tips For Making Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

  1. Don’t skip the oil – It may be tempting to use less oil since you’re cooking in an “air fryer” but I wouldn’t recommend it. We tested this recipe using a little less oil and it resulted in the Brussels sprouts being too dry and very charred.
  2. Preheat the air fryer – It’s always good to preheat the air fryer before you add the Brussels sprouts to the basket. If your air fryer does not have a pre-heat function, simply let it run with an empty basket for about 3-4 minutes at 360ºF.
  3. Shake halfway through – Give the Brussels sprouts a good shake and flip some of them over halfway through the cook time so they can brown evenly on both sides.
Overhead view of air fryer brussels sprouts in a white serving dish.
Overhead view of air fryer brussels sprouts in a white serving dish.
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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

These Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are perfectly brown on the outside and tender on the inside. An easy recipe to whip up any day of the week!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Total Cost $3.03 recipe / $0.75 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Total Time 19 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 113kcal
Author Marsha – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Wash and dry the Brussels sprouts, then trim off the dry ends. Cut each Brussels sprout in half lengthwise.
  • Add the Brussels sprouts to a large bowl along with the olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix all the ingredients together until the Brussels sprouts are well coated in the oil and seasoning.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Once preheated, add the Brussels sprouts and spread them evenly inside the air fryer basket. Air fry for 9 minutes, flipping and shaking the Brussels sprouts halfway through to help them brown evenly on both sides. Add an additional 1-2 minutes of cook time depending on the level of browning that you like.
  • Remove the Brussels sprouts from the air fryer and enjoy as is or with your favorite dipping sauce.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 320mg | Fiber: 4g
Side front view of air fryer Brussels sprouts in a white serving dish.

How to Make Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts – Step by Step Photos

Brussel sprouts sliced in half on a white cutting board.

Wash and dry 1 lb. of Brussels sprouts, then trim off the dry ends. Cut each Brussels sprout in half lengthwise.

Halved Brussels sprouts in a bowl with olive oil and spices.

Add the Brussels sprouts to a large bowl along with 2 Tbsp of olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp onion powder. Mix all the ingredients together until the Brussels sprouts are well coated in the oil and seasoning.

Seasoned and pre-cooked Brussels sprouts in the air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Once preheated, add the Brussels sprouts and spread them evenly inside the air fryer basket.

Cooked Brussels sprouts in the air fryer.

Air fry for 9 minutes, flipping and shaking the Brussels sprouts halfway through to help them brown evenly on both sides. Add an additional 1-2 minutes of cook time depending on the level of browning that you like.

Overhead view of air fryer brussels sprouts in a white serving dish.

Enjoy these super delicious Brussels sprouts with a little parmesan cheese or your favorite dipping sauce. And try not to eat them all before they make it to the dinner table ;)

Side view of Air Fryer Brussels sprouts in a white serving dish.

More Air Fryer Recipes

The post Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

This delicious Crock Pot Salsa Chicken is an easy and versatile option for busy weeknight dinners, plus it’s perfect for meal prep!

The post Crock Pot Salsa Chicken appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Meal prepping is probably the only way I make it through the holidays (or any month of the year, TBH) without losing it. 😅 So here’s a really easy bulk meal prep protein that you can use for multiple meals throughout the week. This Crock Pot Salsa Chicken recipe is such a classic, it’s incredibly easy (no chopping!), and only takes a handful of ingredients to prepare. Plus, there are several ways you can customize salsa chicken if you want to change it up a bit! Bookmark this one, folks, because you’re going to want to make it again and again!

Close up overhead view of salsa chicken in the crock pot with tongs.

Crock pot salsa chicken has been around for ages. In fact, a fancier version of it has been a reader favorite on Budget Bytes since 2011, but you need to know that in its most basic form, it’s still amazing. It’s just too good and too easy to not share. Just wait until you see all the ways you can use this saucy, spicy, super-flavorful shredded chicken!

Ingredients for Salsa Chicken

When I say this salsa chicken recipe is simple, I mean it! Here are the only ingredients you’ll need to make Crock Pot Salsa Chicken:

  • Chicken Breast: I love the way white meat chicken breast shreds, but if you’re more of a thigh person you can definitely do this with thighs, too. Thighs are a bit more forgiving with the cooking time and the sauce will be extra rich!
  • Salsa: This is the main flavor component for this recipe, so make sure you use a really good salsa. I love to use a smoky salsa to add even more depth of flavor. I used Kroger’s Private Selection brand Taqueria Style Salsa, but you can use different salsa flavors to switch it up!
  • Chili Powder: A one-stop shop for flavor, basic chili powder brings a lot of bang for your buck and really deepens the flavor in the sauce.
  • Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: To add even more depth to the flavor, I added a little dose of onion and garlic powder for good measure. Using these two ingredients helps round out the flavor without having to chop a single vegetable!
A plate full of three salsa chicken tacos.

How to Use Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

One of the reasons I love this salsa chicken so much is that you can make one batch and then use it for multiple meals throughout the week. I love to use this shredded salsa chicken for tacos, bowl meals (with rice, cheese, beans, etc.), nachos, burritos, salads, in casseroles, to top a baked potato, or even as a base for a soup!

Salsa Chicken Add-Ins

The simplicity of Salsa Chicken makes it perfect for customizing with add-ins. Here are some other ingredients you can add to make it different every time:

  • Beans: Try adding a drained can of beans, like black beans, pinto beans, or even kidney beans.
  • Vegetables: Add more color and texture to the mix with diced onion, jalapeño, bell peppers, or corn.
  • Cream Cheese or Sour Cream: Give your salsa chicken a creamy finish by stirring in some cream cheese or sour cream after cooking.
  • Lime & Cilantro: Stir fresh lime juice and cilantro into the salsa chicken after cooking for a fresh finish.
  • Spices: Switch up the spices and add something smoky like chipotle chile powder, or your favorite taco seasoning mix.

And don’t forget, you can change the flavor of salsa chicken by using different kinds of salsa! Try a spicy mango salsa, salsa verde, or even a smoky peach salsa for fun!

How to Store Leftovers

This salsa chicken recipe is perfect for meal prep. It stays good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, but it can also be frozen! To freeze, chill it completely in the refrigerator first, then transfer to the freezer and store for up to three months. I like to divide it into single portions before freezing so I can thaw only the amount I need each time. Thaw the salsa chicken overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat either in a sauce pan over medium, stirring frequently, or in the microwave.

Close up side view of salsa chicken in the crock pot with tongs.
Close up side view of salsa chicken in the crock pot with tongs.
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Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

This delicious Crock Pot Salsa Chicken is an easy and versatile option for busy weeknight dinners, plus it's perfect for meal prep!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Total Cost $9.60 recipe / $1.60 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings 6 (¾ cup each)
Calories 90kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder over the chicken, then pour the salsa on top.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2.5 hrs or low for 5 hours.
  • Test the chicken to make sure it's tender enough to pull apart with a fork. If not, replace the lid and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high or one hour on low.
  • Shred the chicken with two forks and stir to combine with the salsa and liquid in the pot. Serve hot or refrigerate until ready to use. Add the salsa chicken to your favorite tacos, burritos, nachos, salads, and more!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*If using frozen chicken breast, be sure to thaw it completely before adding to the slow cooker.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cup | Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 573mg | Fiber: 2g
A plate full of nachos made with salsa chicken.

How to Make Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

Chicken breasts in a crock pot with spices sprinkled over top.

Place three boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a crock pot and sprinkle 2 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp onion powder over top.

A jar of salsa being poured over top of chicken in the slow cooker.

Pour 16oz. of your favorite salsa over the chicken in the crock pot. (I used Kroger’s Private Selection brand Taqueria Style Salsa).

Cooked salsa chicken in the slow cooker before shredding.

Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on high for 2.5 hours, or low for 5 hours. Test the chicken to make sure it’s tender enough to pull apart with a fork. If not, replace the lid and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high or one hour on low. After cooking it will look a little watery, but don’t worry! Once the chicken is shredded it turns into a nice sauce that coats everything.

Chicken being shredded in the slow cooker with two forks.

Use two forks to shred the chicken and stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker.

Finished shredded salsa chicken in the crock pot.

Once the chicken is shredded, give it a taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. And that’s it! The crock pot salsa chicken recipe is complete and you’re ready to eat!

A burrito bowl made with salsa chicken.

A bowl meal with rice, cheese, and any other fun toppings you have on hand is such a great budget-friendly meal!

More Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

The post Crock Pot Salsa Chicken appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Chicken and Dumplings

Tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich gravy and topped with fluffy dumplings makes these chicken and dumplings the perfect comfort food for cold nights.

The post Chicken and Dumplings appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I’m thoroughly obsessed with this chicken and dumplings recipe. This is some serious comfort food and I’m all about comfort food. 😅 We’re talking tender chicken thighs cooked in a rich gravy with a medley of colorful vegetables and then topped with tender, fluffy, and flavorful dumplings. This recipe is so cozy that eating a bowl of these chicken and dumplings feels like being wrapped up in a big warm hug. And the best part? They’re made 100% from scratch. 🙌 Ugh, brb, I need to go make another batch because my mouth is WATERING.

Overhead view of a skillet full of chicken and dumplings with a wooden spoon in the side.

What Are Chicken and Dumplings?

Chicken and dumplings can mean different things depending on where you live, but they’re always super cozy, filling, and comforting. While they usually always have tender chicken smothered in a savory gravy as their base, the dumplings can either be a thick noodle, or a pillowy biscuit steamed on top of the gravy. I love both versions, but today we’re making the pillowy cloud dumplings!

Ingredients for Chicken and Dumplings

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious chicken and dumplings:

  • Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they’re almost impossible to overcook and they always stay moist and tender, making this recipe foolproof. You can use chicken breast if you prefer, just be careful not to overcook the chicken.
  • Vegetables: A mix of onion, garlic, carrot, and celery provides the flavor base for the gravy, as well as adds a ton of color and texture to the dish.
  • Butter and Flour: A butter and flour roux is used to thicken the gravy and add a ton of rich flavor to the gravy.
  • Herbs: Parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, and pepper create a classic chicken soup flavor profile that is extra warm and cozy.
  • Chicken Broth and Milk: The gravy is made with a combination of broth and milk for tons of flavor and a creamy finish.
  • Dumplings: The dumplings are made with a simple mix of flour, milk, melted butter, herbs, baking powder, salt, and sugar. They come together in minutes with very little mixing required!

How to Store the Leftovers

Leftover chicken and dumplings are SO delicious, so make sure to save some for lunch the next day! Simply divide the leftovers into single-serving containers and refrigerate. The gravy will get quite thick when refrigerated, but they’re still delicious! Chicken and dumplings will stay good in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.

You can also freeze the chicken and dumplings. Once chilled in the refrigerator, transfer the chicken and dumplings to the freezer and store for 2-3 months. To reheat the frozen chicken and dumplings either thaw in the refrigerator overnight before microwaving until hot, or use the defrost function on the microwave.

Tips for Fluffy Dumplings

  • Make sure the dumpling batter is moist enough. It should be a soft, sticky, scoopable dough. If it’s too dry, the dumplings won’t be able to puff up as much.
  • Make sure the gravy is simmering before adding the dumplings. The dumplings need the steam action from the simmering gravy to cook and fluff up.
  • Keep the lid on the pot the entire time the dumplings are cooking (this holds in the steam and ensures they cook from all sides.
  • Don’t make the dumplings too big. They’ll double in size as they cook and larger dumplings will take much longer to cook.
Overhead view of a bowl full of chicken and dumplings with a spoon in the side.
Overhead view of chicken and dumplings in a skillet.
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Chicken and Dumplings

Tender chicken simmered in a rich gravy and topped with fluffy dumplings makes these chicken and dumplings the perfect comfort food for cold nights.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $7.26 recipe / $1.21 serving
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6 (about 1.5 cups each)
Calories 369kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Ingredients

Chicken and Gravy

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 lb.) $3.29
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.12
  • 1 yellow onion, diced $0.32
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced $0.16
  • 2 stalks celery, diced $0.50
  • 2 carrots, diced $0.31
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour $0.04
  • 4 Tbsp butter $0.50
  • 1 tsp dried parsley $0.10
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp dried rosemary $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp dried sage $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 2 cups chicken broth $0.34
  • 1 cup whole milk $0.48
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.02

Dumplings

Instructions

Chicken and Gravy

  • Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs and brown on each side. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point, just make sure they get very brown on the outside. Transfer the partially cooked chicken to a clean bowl.
  • After removing the chicken from the skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté over medium heat until the onions have softened. Stir to dissolve the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet as the onions cook.
  • Add the diced carrot and celery to the skillet with the onion and garlic and continue to sauté for about five minutes more.
  • Add the butter and flour to the skillet and stir until the butter has melted and created a paste with the flour that coats the vegetables. Continue to cook and stir this mixture for about two minutes.
  • Add the parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and milk to the skillet. Turn the heat up to medium-high and continue to stir and cook until the mixture comes up to a simmer and thickens into a gravy.
  • Dice the chicken and add it back to the skillet with the vegetables and gravy. Cover with a lid and let the chicken simmer in the gravy over medium heat while you prepare the dumplings.

Dumplings

  • To prepare the dumplings, combine the flour, parsley, sugar, salt, baking powder, garlic powder, and pepper in a bowl.
  • Pour the milk and melted butter into the flour mixture, then stir until a soft, scoopable batter is formed. Do not over stir.
  • Remove the lid from the chicken and gravy and drop the dumpling batter onto the surface of the gravy in 2 tablespoon dollops. You should get about 12 dumplings.
  • Make sure the gravy is still simmering, then place the lid back on the skillet and allow the dumplings to simmer for 15 minutes. Make sure they're simmering the entire time. After 15 minutes the dumplings should have doubled in size and will be fluffy and cooked in the center. Serve hot and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 19g | Sodium: 991mg | Fiber: 2g
Side view of a bowl of chicken and dumplings with a spoon cutting into a dumpling.

How to Make Chicken and Dumplings

Browned chicken thighs in a deep skillet.

Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to a large deep skillet and heat over medium. Once hot, add four boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the pan and allow them to brown very well on each side. The chicken doesn’t need to cook through at this point, just make sure it gets very brown. Remove the browned chicken to a clean cutting board and set aside.

Onion, carrot, and celery in the skillet.

Add two minced cloves of garlic and one diced yellow onion to the skillet and sauté over medium heat until the onions are softened. Add two diced carrots and two diced celery stalks and continue to sauté over medium for 2-3 minutes more.

Butter and flour added to the skillet with the vegetables.

Add four tablespoons of butter and ¼ cup of all-purpose flour to the skillet. Continue to stir and cook over medium heat. The butter will melt and combine with the flour to create a sort of paste that coats the vegetables. Continue to cook this mixture for about two minutes more.

Herbs added to the skillet and broth being poured in the side.

Add 1 tsp dried parsley, ½ tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp dried rosemary, ½ tsp dried sage, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper, 2 cups chicken broth, and 1 cup milk to the skillet. Whisk the ingredients together, making sure to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Turn the heat up to medium-high and allow this mixture to come back up to a simmer, at which point it will thicken into a gravy.

Diced chicken added back to the thickened gravy.

Once the mixture has thickened to a gravy, dice the chicken thighs and stir them back into the skillet. Cover with a lid and allow the chicken to simmer in the gravy while you prepare the dumplings.

Wet ingredients being poured into the dry ingredients in a bowl.

To make the dumplings, stir together 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ tsp salt, 1.5 tsp baking powder, ⅛ tsp garlic powder, ⅛ tsp pepper, 1 tsp dried parsley, and ½ tsp sugar in a bowl. Melt 2 Tbsp butter and combine it with ½ cup milk. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture.

Dumpling dough in a bowl with a spoon.

Stir the wet and dry ingredients together until it forms a soft, sticky dough. It should be soft enough that you can easily scoop it with a spoon.

Dumpling dough being dropped into the skillet with the gravy.

Make sure the gravy is fully simmering, then drop the dumpling dough into the gravy in 2 Tbsp portions. The dumplings will expand quite a bit as they steam, so don’t worry that they don’t fully cover the surface.

Cooked dumplings in the gravy.

Place the lid on the skillet and allow the dumplings to steam in the simmering gravy for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. Make sure the gravy is simmering the whole time. After 15 minutes they should be about double in size. Cut one open to make sure it’s fluffy all the way through.

Chicken and dumplings in the skillet being scooped out with a spoon.

Serve the chicken and dumplings hot and enjoy! (shown garnished with parsley for color)

More Cozy Chicken Recipes

The post Chicken and Dumplings appeared first on Budget Bytes.