A whole chicken – what to do

Instructions

1. (roughly £4 for a medium – large chicken you can easily get 8 (50p per portion of chicken) meals from a decent sized chicken)

2. Line a tray with foil (easier cleanup trust me) and preheat your oven to 200C

3. Place the chicken on a tray and generously sprinkle over salt and pepper (I also like roughly chopping an onion and carrot to lay underneath – if you want some herbs, garlic, thyme and rosemary go very well with chicken)

4. turn the oven down to 170C, place the tray with the chicken on into the oven.

5. You want to roast your chicken for 20 minutes per pound in weight. 1 kg = 2.2 lb so a medium chicken (usually around 2 kg) should take roughly an hour and a half.

6. Take your chicken from the oven, cover with foil and place a tea towel over the top and let it rest for at least half an hour (let the meat relax after you cook it so it isnt tough)

7. 1st meal – roast chicken (boil some potatoes and veggies while you are waiting for the chicken to rest – pour the chicken juices from the pan into a pot, add 1 tbsp of gravy granules and simmer over a low heat, stirring until it thickens – youve made a shortcut roast dinner for under £1)

8. 2nd meal – After letting the chicken cool take all of the meat off the bone (saving the bones) into a tupperware pot or sealable bag for later use. (this will last in the fridge for 4 days or freeze for up to 6 months and just get some out when you need it to add to stews or curries etc) – slice up 1 onion and pepper and fry in a pan with a handful of chicken. Add a sprinkle of fajita spice (garlic, cumin and smoked paprika if you want to make your own) and heat until the chicken is thoroughly heated. Serve with rice or in a wrap or over salad if youre trying to be healthy.

9. 3rd meal – Add the chicken bones to a pan and cover with water and add 1 tsp of italian herbs. meanwhile fry off 1 onion, carrot and celery stick. Once softened add a handful of your shredded chicken and your stock and bring to a boil. Add a handful of pasta and cook for 7-8 minutes. Chicken soup! (under £1 again)

10. 4th meal – Take a packet of cooked rice (or use leftover) Add some carrot, chilli, ginger and garlic to a pan with a splash of sesame oil and stir fry until the carrot starts to soften. Add in your chicken, a handful of frozen peas and rice and stir fry until piping hot. Add a dash of soy sauce and youre good to go! (under £1 – are getting any ideas here?)

11. 5th meal – Take a handful of your chicken and add to a bowl with a spoonful of mayo or natural yoghurt, a good pinch of salt and pepper and layer up with some bread and other toppings for your own club sandwich

12. 6th meal – Fry off an onion and pepper until they soften add a good amount of garlic and smoked paprika, salt and pepper before stirring in your chicken and heating till piping hot. Stir through some pasta, top with water so it only just covers the pasta. Stir occasionally for 10 minutes. Voila a one pot chorizo style chicken pasta.

13. 7th meal – The leftovers meal! Take any veggies in your fridge that need using, fry off some garlic and chilli, add your veggies, chicken and a good spoonful of curry powder along with a tin of tomatoes, let it simmer until the veggies are tender and you have an easy chicken curry and youve got rid of that sad looking bit of pepper inyour fridge.

14. 8th meal -fry off an onion with some butter, add a spoonful of flour, stir through and cook for a few minutes before pouring in 200ml of chicken stock a little at a time. Stir until thick. Add the remaining chicken, a good handful of peas and serve with mashed potatoes! All the goodness of a chicken pie without the faff!