Budget Recipes #2: Thai
Basil chicken, easy pad Thai, and cashew chicken (vegetarian alternatives included)
Basil Chicken
Ingredients: 5oz (150g) chicken, handful basil, 2 garlic cloves, 2tbsp (30ml) soy sauce, 1tbsp (15ml) fish sauce, handful shredded cabbage, 1/4 onion, 1/2 bell pepper, 3/4 cup (1.75dl) cooked rice
Vegetarian: 7oz (200g) tofu - broken down and scrambled
Start by adding a spoonful of oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add diced chicken. Let this cook until about 75% done.
Add minced garlic and stir for about 1 minute. Add diced onion and diced bell pepper to the skillet, stir for 1-2 minutes. Add soy sauce and fish, mix, and then add cabbage. Keep mixing until chicken is cooked through and veggies have softened slightly.
Turn off the heat, add chopped basil, and mix. They should wilt from the heat, no need to cook them.
Serve with rice — or other side of choice: quinoa, salad, sweet potato, etc. You can also top this dish with a sunny side-up egg!
Pad Thai
Ingredients: 5oz (150g) chicken, 3oz (85g) rice noodles, 2tbsp (30ml) soy sauce, 1tbsp (15ml) fish sauce, 2tsp (10ml) sugar, handful shredded cabbage, handful bean sprouts, 1 garlic clove
Optional toppings: lime wedge, crushed peanuts, chili flakes
Vegetarian: 7oz (200g) tofu - cut in cubes
Start by soaking your rice noodles in warm water to soften them.
In a large skillet or wok, add a spoonful of oil and cook diced chicken until cooked through. Add in minced garlic and stir for about 1 minute. Add in cabbage, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir for about 1 minute. Add in softened noodles and cook until all liquids have been absorbed.
Top with bean sprouts and any other toppings you choose.
Cashew Chicken
Ingredients: 5oz (150g) chicken, handful cashews, 1 garlic clove, 1/2 onion, 1/2 bell pepper, 1tbsp (15ml) oyster sauce, 1tbsp (15ml) soy sauce, 3/4 cup (1.75dl) cooked rice
Vegetarian: 7oz (200g) tofu - cut in cubes and coated lightly in flour
In a large skillet or wok, add a spoonful of oil and cook diced chicken until almost cooked through. Add in minced garlic and stir for about 1 minute. Add cashews, chopped onions, chopped bell pepper, oyster sauce, and soy sauce.
Cook until vegetables have softened to your liking.
Serve with rice (or preferred side of choice).
If you want a full 5-day meal plan with these recipes included, click here to upgrade to our Meal Plan newsletter starting at $5/mo. You’ll get a new meal plan every Friday, complete with a grocery list to help make shopping easy!
Learn more over at BudgetMealPlanner.com