Budget Friendly Recipes: Peanut Chicken Bowl

As I mentioned in my previous post, it's the end of the month and time to start getting creative in the kitchen by making those dollars stretch. I love recipes that are easy, taste good, and use inexpensive ingredients I typically have on hand. An extra trip to the grocery store for ingredients means moretime and $$$! With that being said, here's what I made for dinner the other night. Myself and my husband love this, and the kids will usually eat it ;). If you like Thai style peanut sauce (often served with Satay), you will most likely enjoy this.

Peanut Chicken Bowl
Makes 4 (1 1/2 cup) servings

2 3 oz Oriental or Chicken Flavored Raman Noodles packages
3 cups cut-up veggies (frozen mix works) such as broccoli, red sweet pepper, pea pods, sliced carrots
1 1/4 cup water
1/4 cup peanut butter (smooth is best)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional-we like this just as well without the peanuts)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken (like chicken breasts or thighs)
1/4 cup sliced green onions (I didn't have green onions, so I omitted them)

1) Set aside one seasoning packet from noodles for recipe. In a large saucepan bring 2 quarts water to boil. Add noodles and cut veggies. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer gently for 3 minutes. Drain and return to saucepan.
2) Meanwhile, for sauce, in a medium pan whisk together 1 1/4 cup water, peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, corn starch, red pepper, and seasoning packet. Whisk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Add chicken to sauce; heat through. Add noodles and veggies. Toss. Top with green onions and peanuts. Serve immediately.