Want to eat much cleaner, but less expensively? Congratulations – you’re a “Budgetarian!”

I know what that’s like. I call this my “Budgetarian” lifestyle. You eat what’s least expensive during that particular season, and you use every trick in the book you can to keep that grocery bill down. Don’t worry, I hear ya.

The first “budgetarian” plan tip? Buy one whole chicken, and use it as many ways and for as many purposes as you can! Roast your chicken, shred and chop the meat and use those leftovers to make a hearty chicken broth for soups, stews, salad dressings or simply to add up moisture to the chicken in the refrigerator. All in all, for $5, one whole chicken goes a very long way, and this meal plan proves it!

With recipes from my own collard greens with chicken and dumplings to my stuffed green peppers to my crispy-baked chimichangas, you’re absolutely certain to enjoy yourself for the week!