Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet ($10 Family Dinner Idea) and more...

This creamy, cheesy skillet is comfort food at its finest. It’s a one-pot meal that my entire family enjoys. And, not only is it yummy, it’s frugal and quick too! I originally got this recipe from here, but I doubled it and made some changes to the ... ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  View Online Here's what's new: Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet ($10 Family Dinner Idea) Week 35: A Peek Into This Past Week (plus what I’m reading, watching, and listening to) Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet ($10 Family Dinner Idea) This creamy, cheesy skillet is comfort food at its finest. It’s a one-pot meal that my entire family enjoys. And, not only is it yummy, it’s frugal and quick too!  I originally got this recipe from here, but I doubled it and made some changes to the ratios to make it more frugal.  I almost always have all of these ingredients on hand, so this is a go-to meal when it’s 5pm and I’m feeling uninspired as far as what to serve for dinner. Tonight I served it with a simple tossed salad, since I found some huge tubs of organic spring mix at Aldi that were reduced down to $2 each, but it pairs well with so many different sides  — and it can also stand alone as an entire meal in and of itself!  We’re back from a summer break with this $10 Dinner Ideas series, brought to you by Brigette on our team! Each week, she shares easy, delicious, and affordable family-friendly dinner ideas that cost less than $10 to make, use everyday ingredients, and are super quick meals. Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Menu: Tossed Salad (Spring Mix, Carrot, and Grape Tomatoes) Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet: 2 yellow onions, diced (Aldi – $1.49 for 3 lbs) — $0.33 4 Tablespoons butter (Aldi – $2.79 for 1-lb) — $0.35 1-lb. boneless skinless chicken breast (or thighs), diced into small pieces (Aldi) — $2.49 2 cups white rice (Aldi – $2.95 for 3-lbs) — $0.98 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, pepper to taste 1 32-ounce carton chicken broth plus two cups of water (Aldi) — $1.39 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (Aldi) — $0.98 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream (Aldi – $4.95 for 32oz) — $0.83 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (Aldi) — $1.49 Total for Baked Chicken: $8.84 (serves 6-8) Ingredients for Tossed Salad: organic spring mix, reduced (Aldi) — $1 1 shredded carrot, handful of grape tomatoes (Aldi) — approximately $0.75 Total for Tossed Salad: $1.75 (serves 6) Total Cost for Dinner: $10.09 (plus cost of seasonings) (makes 6+ servings) How to Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet: 1. Add the diced onions and butter to an oven-safe deep skillet. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft. 2. Add the diced chicken and continue to stir and cook for a few minutes. 3. Add the rice, thyme, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken broth, and water, and stir to combine. Turn the heat up to medium high, place a lid on the skillet, and bring to a boil. Once it boils, turn the heat down to low and continue simmering for 15 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally. 4. Add the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for another 5 minutes, covered. 5. Add the heavy whipping cream and stir. Add more salt to taste, if desired. 6. Top with shredded cheese. Turn on the oven broiler and place the skillet under the broiler until cheese starts to brown. 7. Prepare the tossed salad (or another side of your choice) by adding the spring mix, shredded carrot, and grape tomatoes to a bowl. If desired, add a dressing you have on hand or drizzle some oil and vinegar and toss together. Note: Recipe adapted from this recipe. Print Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet ($10 Family Dinner Idea) This creamy, cheesy skillet is comfort food at its finest. It’s a one-pot meal that my entire family enjoys. And, not only is it yummy, it’s frugal and quick too!   Course dinner, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish Cuisine American Keyword chicken, easy dinner, easy side dish, family favorite, homemade, weeknight dinner Prep Time 10 minutes minutes Cook Time 40 minutes minutes Servings 6 Calories 683kcal Author Brigette Cost $10.09 Ingredients Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet: 2 yellow onions diced (Aldi – $1.49 for 3 lbs) — $0.33 4 Tablespoons butter Aldi – $2.79 for 1-lb — $0.35 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced into small pieces (Aldi) — $2.49 2 cups white rice Aldi – $2.95 for 3-lbs — $0.98 1 teaspoon dried thyme 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, pepper to taste 1 carton chicken broth (32 oz) plus two cups of water Aldi — $1.39 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables Aldi — $0.98 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream Aldi – $4.95 for 32oz — $0.83 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded (Aldi) — $1.49 Ingredients for Tossed Salad: 1 carton organic spring mix reduced (Aldi) — $1 1 shredded carrot 1 handful grape tomatoes Aldi — approximately $0.75 Instructions Add the diced onions and butter to an oven-safe deep skillet. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft. Add the diced chicken and continue to stir and cook for a few minutes. Add the rice, thyme, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken broth, and water, and stir to combine. Turn the heat up to medium high, place a lid on the skillet, and bring to a boil. Once it boils, turn the heat down to low and continue simmering for 15 minutes, covered, stirring occasionally. Add the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for another 5 minutes, covered. Add the heavy whipping cream and stir. Add more salt to taste, if desired. Top with shredded cheese. Turn on the oven broiler and place the skillet under the broiler until cheese starts to brown. Prepare the tossed salad (or another side of your choice) by adding the spring mix, shredded carrot, and grape tomatoes to a bowl. (If desired, add a dressing you have on hand or drizzle some oil and vinegar and toss together.) Notes Tonight I served this Chicken and Rice Skillet with a simple tossed salad, since I found some huge tubs of organic spring mix at Aldi that were reduced down to $2 each, but it pairs well with so many different sides  — and it can also stand alone as an entire meal in and of itself!  Nutrition Calories: 683kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 997mg | Potassium: 652mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5233IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 342mg | Iron: 2mg More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10: French Toast Casserole and Baked Scrambled Eggs Easy Baked Chicken Biscuits and Gravy Quick & Easy Mini Calzones Mexican Lasagna Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet Chicken Alfredo Pizza Chicken Burgers and Baked Fries Spaghetti Pizza Cheesy Potato Soup and Bread Machine Dinner Rolls Homemade Chipotle Chicken Bowls Crustless Spinach Quiche and Whole Wheat Bread And, be sure to check out all our easy dinner recipes here! If you make this easy Creamy Chicken and Rice Skillet family dinner, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out! FREE One Week Menu Plan! Done-For-You Dinner Recipes With Simple Ingredients and a Grocery Shopping List!       Week 35: A Peek Into This Past Week (plus what I’m reading, watching, and listening to) Okay, I’m going be honest: I had fallen into a bad habit of checking Instagram and TikTok right after I got up in the morning. I have had some posts that kind of blew up both places this past month and I got sucked into seeing the numbers on those climb.  It was usually only 10 minutes of checking, but it wasn’t how I wanted to start my day. The pull just felt so strong to check for a bit every morning!  I was convicted by a podcast I recorded this past week with Ashley Martin that I wasn’t prioritizing Jesus first thing in the morning. So I committed to return to my habit of not getting on my phone for the first 30 minutes of each day. It has been making such a difference in how I start my day!  Instead of checking my phone, some of the ways I love to start my day are by watching the sun rise, moving my body, and reading books that are spiritually uplifting and challenging. (If you want some book ideas, check out this post of the Best Devotionals and Christian Books for Women!) I got this message this week and am curious if you’ve ever felt like this. If so, I’d love to hear from you!  Hi. I know you keep talking about budgeting and I’m sure you’re passionate about it, but I never thought it was necessary in our household. We are not big spenders, never get coffee at Starbucks or things like that, etc. Never was short at the end of the month etc. so I’m not sure how a budget would be beneficial. In our household bills are always paid in full first every month. So l don’t see how a budget would be beneficial. Never have. Also could never figure out how to forecast. Car payments and mortgages are exact, but things like water bills, electric bills, credit card bills, etc differ. Always confused me. There’s no way to guess. Sorry for rambling. Here are my thoughts…  I’m so grateful for this question because I think it gets at the heart of what makes consistent budgeting SO hard for people! A budget isn’t just for people who are struggling financially; it can be an amazing tool for people who have some wiggle room in their budget, too. It allows you to set goals, work towards them, give more generously, save more aggressively, and not have to worry about whether or not you can spend money on things. If you want help budgeting, I walk you through how to set up a budget and what to do about variable expenses in my FREE 5-Day Budget Makeover course. Having a budget has given us so much freedom — and it’s allowed us to never have debt and to be able to give generously! Speaking of budgeting, did you know my 6th book is all about good money habits?? (Plus, it has so many fun stories from my childhood and early marriage!) It comes out October 27 and you can get a free signed bookplate sticker from me if you preorder this week or have already pre-ordered! This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: Reimagining Church as Family with Dr. JJ Jones What does it really mean for the church to be a family? In this episode of The Crystal Paine Show, I am joined by my friend and one of our pastors, Dr. JJ Jones, co-author of Reimagining Church as Family, for a conversation about how to help others feels seen, welcomed, and truly included in our churches! Listen in as JJ shares how years of research and ministry experience led him and his co-author, Rich Griffith, to rethink some of the traditional approaches to family ministry. Too often, as he discusses, our programs, language, and even the ways in which we structure church life assume a traditional nuclear family, and that can unintentionally leave single parents, divorced parents, single adults, foster and adoptive families, families raising children with disabilities, and others feeling like they don’t quite belong. The two of us talk about what it looks like to move beyond simply supporting someone during a crisis and actually walking with them for the long haul. We discuss the importance of examining the words that we use, listening to people’s stories, and asking what the church can do differently so that people don’t feel like outsiders in God’s family. We also get practical about what church members and leaders can do to enact change such as creating more intergenerational spaces, inviting someone to sit with you, sharing a meal, making accommodations, mentoring younger believers, and simply being willing to have the sometimes-awkward conversations that lead to real connection! Maybe most importantly, we talk about following Jesus toward the people who may feel overlooked or pushed to the margins, and I truly hope this conversation encourages you to look around your own church community with fresh eyes and ask: Who might be here but still feel alone, and what could I do to change that? Listen to the episode here. What I’m Reading…  I finished Reimagining Church as Family this week. If you are looking for a resource to e,  Currently, I’m reading: Capable (SOO good!), Take My Hand (it’s been heartrending but so good so far!), House Hushing, More Than You Can Imagine, Moving with God, This Moment Matters, Lost No More, But I Prayed for This, Helping Kids Through Grief, and 101 Secrets For Your Twenties (been prepping for lots of podcast interviews — stay tuned for some amazing episodes dropping in the next few months!) What I’m Watching… We finished the second season of The Mole and enjoyed it. If you like reality shows that keep you guessing and Who Done It sort of mysteries, I think you might enjoy it. Note that it does have some language in it. The younger kids and I watched Soul Surfer this week. They were fascinated by Bethany’s story and so we then started watching the season of Amazon Race she was on (Season 25). What I’m Listening to… I finished listening to Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Breaking Fences this week and really loved it. A fascinating and convicting story of how to show up for others and have deep friendship. And then — because it felt like almost every other person on the internet was recommending it — I started listening to The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. People said that Volume 1 is very slow, but I’m enjoying the story so far! In Case You Missed It — Links from Recent Weeks:  How to Get Out of Debt — Paying down debt is challenging even in the best circumstances. Between rising grocery prices, higher rent or mortgage payments, and everyday expenses that seem to cost more than they used to, it can feel harder than ever to make progress. If you find yourself feeling defeated and want to get out of debt, I hope this post will encourage you and give you practical, doable steps to climb out of debt. It may not happen overnight, but with a plan and consistent steps forward, progress is absolutely possible. A Precious Video That’ll Make You Smile… And Remind You of the Impact of Adoption! — We found these two swinging on the back swing like this before school one morning this week. 🥰 We’ve heard over and over from people that their greatest fear in adopting a child with disabilities is how it would impact their bio kids. Listen, it definitely has impacted ours — in the most positive of ways. They are more caring, kind, loving, patient, compassionate, and empathetic people. David has changed us all for the better. For Those Who Never Want to Miss a Deal — My team sorts through hundreds of deals every day to find the very best ones! Then we send the top 10-15 straight to your inbox, usually once in the morning and once in the evening. If saving money is one of your goals, this is one of the simplest ways to stay on top of the best deals that tend to go fast. How to Start a Savings Plan that Works — As you know, I’m passionate about helping you save money in practical, everyday ways. But there’s another important piece of the puzzle that sometimes gets overlooked: having a plan for the money you save. When you intentionally direct those savings toward specific goals, that’s when your savings will start to actually give you breathing room and peace of mind. This post will help you get started!  Curious What My Week Actually Looks Like? Get a behind-the-scenes peek at what I’m reading, loving, and learning — plus subscriber-only recommendations you won’t find anywhere else.       Latest finds on Pinterest Historical fiction, redemption stories, unforgettable characters, and books that tug at your heartstrings -- this list has a little bit of everything for fiction lovers. I read dozens of books every year, but these fiction titles rose to the top. If you're searching for your next favorite novel, start here. Need an easy, affordable dinner idea? 🥚✨ This crustless spinach quiche is totally customizable (perfect for using leftovers!) and pairs beautifully with simple whole wheat bread. A wholesome, family-friendly meal for under $10 — and the bread machine does most of the work! This chicken pot pie with a homemade cream cheese crust takes comfort food to the next level! 🥧✨ Creamy filling, flaky crust, and made for under $10-- it’s an easy, cozy family dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Perfect for weeknights! 💛 Safely Unsubscribe • Archives • Preferences • Contact • Subscribe • Privacy Email subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz® • 650 E. Palisade Avenue Ste 2, PO Box 173 • Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632