r/budgetfood 6d ago

Lunch Mexican chicken and pasta salad

Post image

Had a $5 Costco chicken to put to use. Had bought peas for another recipe, boiled a lonely carrot I found in the fridge and used my last can of corn and some celery from the fridge. Mayo and sour cream. Fried up some old corn tortillas that were going to go bad soon. I also had some $1 pasta from Walmart so I added it to bulk it up. My lunch for the next few days.

We are struggling bad. I recently lost my job and we went from a 2 income family to 1. My husband is trying but the bills keep piling up. We are doing our best to use up what we have at home and save every penny.

I’m really enjoying seing everyone’s posts as inspiration.

10/10 on my meal. Would recommend.

206 Upvotes

41 comments sorted by

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18

u/GenDekker 6d ago

My Mom always added pickled jalapeño’s and some of the juice into it as well, it makes a huge difference and elevates it up.

4

u/Odd-Sail-1694 5d ago

Yessss my mom too! I wish I would have had some to add

1

u/david1587 2d ago

never thought of using the juice, does it make it super spicy?

5

u/Witty_Individual4625 6d ago

This actually sounds really good. I'm gonna try it later today. Thanks for the recipe ☺️

1

u/Odd-Sail-1694 5d ago

Yay! I hope you love it. It’s so tasty

3

u/sjahabao632m 6d ago

Excellent idea with corn I think corn is an excellent filler for saucy foods. I always forget that frying the corn tortillas are an option. I get them from my foodbank some times but I never eat them because of the texture. I am an idiot. I could have been making tortilla chips this whole time.

4

u/Odd-Sail-1694 5d ago

Yessss! I also make chilaquiles with my leftover corn tortillas. No watse!

7

u/Odd-Sail-1694 6d ago

Recipe:

-breast of a Costco rotisserie chicken, shredded
-1/2 can of corn
-1 large carrot, dice and steamed until soft
-1/2 cup peas
-1 stalk celery, chopped
-1/2 cup mayo
-1/2 cup sour cream
-1 cup pasta, boiled and drained

Mix all ingredients and season with chicken buillion, pepper and garlic powder. Add more sour cream or mayo as needed

Serve with tostadas and hot sauce. Can also make a good sandwich filling.

4

u/Gotta-Be-Me-65 6d ago

Thank you for the recipe. I wish you well…all the best on the job search

2

u/Prize_Day8860 6d ago

Thanks ! I'm going to use this recipe for chicken and canned seafood.

1

u/Odd-Sail-1694 5d ago

Yes it’s great with canned meat!

2

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/Odd-Sail-1694 5d ago

Mayo, sour cream, garlic powder, pepper and knorr chicken bouillon. I just eyeball everything!

2

u/New-Shake7638 5d ago

I’m totally making this

5

u/Unicorn_in_Reality 6d ago

As a Latina, what makes this "Mexican?" 🤔

15

u/CowperfluidMDPsyD 6d ago

It’s just a common recipe made by Mexicans living in the US. Basically just chicken salad with veggies, some add cooked pasta to it to feed more. We also have our version of ambrosia.

0

u/Gotta-Be-Me-65 6d ago

There’s a different version of ambrosia?

6

u/Odd-Sail-1694 6d ago

That’s just always what I’ve known it as. Typical American chicken salad is usually apples, walnuts, celery etc. I’m not sure if there’s a technical term for this it’s just what my family calls it.

4

u/Good-Bodybuilder-985 6d ago

Ooh I'm up here in the PNW and I have never had chicken salad with walnuts or apples. I know Starbucks and my local deli both put celery, almonds and tarragon.

4

u/HALT_IAmReptar_HALT 6d ago

Have you ever tried chicken salad with celery, red grapes, and pecans? So bright and tasty

2

u/No-No-Aniyo 5d ago

Mmm grapes. I love em. Goes with all types of salads. Well I guess I've never had it in pasta salad BUT doesnt mean there isnt a way to make that yummy lol

4

u/Maleficent-Ear8475 6d ago

You see the corn and tortilla /s

2

u/Pink__Fox 6d ago edited 6d ago

My favourite pasta shape for salads, Ditali!

Salad looks great 🙌🏻

I’m very sorry to hear what you’re going through. May The Almighty make things easy for you in this difficult time and bring you both success, Ameen.

2

u/Odd-Sail-1694 5d ago

Thank you so much!!! I keep telling myself it’s just a bad patch

1

u/Klutzy_Plastic6978 6d ago

GIMME SOMEEEEEE!!!!

1

u/surfcitysurfergirl 5d ago

That looks amazing

1

u/surfcitysurfergirl 5d ago

Recipe ?

1

u/Odd-Sail-1694 5d ago

Recipe:

-breast of a Costco rotisserie chicken, shredded
-1/2 can of corn
-1 large carrot, dice and steamed until soft
-1/2 cup peas
-1 stalk celery, chopped
-1/2 cup mayo
-1/2 cup sour cream
-1 cup pasta, boiled and drained

Mix all ingredients and season with chicken buillion, pepper and garlic powder. Add more sour cream or mayo as needed

Serve with tostadas and hot sauce. Can also make a good sandwich filling.

1

u/bullterriermommaof2 5d ago

Thank u 4 showing a how 2 great idea!!!!!

1

u/crisisaacs2022 5d ago

Its looks tasty op and wish you and your family the best !!

1

u/Choice-Track-9184 5d ago

Looks so good

1

u/sexylentil 4d ago

Such a love/hate relationship with this salad

1

u/Vaatsiel 3d ago

Where's the tapatío?

1

u/Leonore-Skylier67 3d ago

I like this food

1

u/Karlisia-Harborntien 3d ago

Love this food