We know that after the holiday season and the Rosca de Reyes, things can get tough when it comes to the family budget, as the January pinch arrives to stress us out. However, at kiwilimón, we thought of ways you can save in the kitchen, as it is not necessary to sacrifice flavor or good nutrition to economize. On this occasion, we give you 8 practical ideas to make a chicken breast go a long way and prepare complete menus without complications.  

1. Broths and soups 
Making the chicken breast stretch is very easy, as it only requires a bit of creativity and passion for cooking. In the case of broths and soups, here are a couple of tips: 

• Add double the vegetables to the chicken broth. 
• Make tortilla soup and add some shredded chicken.  
• Serve chicken broth and Tlalpeño broth with rice to make them more filling.  
• Add an extra touch of flavor and make your meals more filling by adding chicken to your vegetable soups. 

2. Stews 
The best way to make chicken stretch is to shred it and make it the second most important ingredient in a stew; here are some examples: 

• If you prepare a tinga, add much more onion than chicken and don't forget to serve with tostadas and plenty of lettuce.  
• If you have a bit of chicken breast, prepare a stew with green sauce and add a good amount of purslane, zucchini, and sliced onion. 
• Another excellent way to eat well without spending much is to use what you have in your refrigerator to prepare a stir-fry or alambre; it will be delicious! 

3. Golden tacos 
If you're on a tight budget and have little time to cook, then there's no better option than some good golden tacos; you can give them a twist and make them even more delicious! 

• Cook the chicken with onion, tomato broth, or some sauce. 
• Serve them drowned, with bean sauce, pico de gallo, or even with a touch of chorizo to make this a more filling dish. 

4. Salads 
Are you planning to start the year in a healthier way? If the answer is yes, then you know that a good salad is a great option, especially if you accompany it with a delicious dressing; it will take the flavors to another level! You can include these ingredients to make a chicken salad much more filling without spending a fortune: 

• Lettuce and spinach 
• Cube of panela cheese 
• Carrot, cucumber, or beet 
• Bell pepper strips 
• Chickpeas, lentils, or quinoa 
• Pasta or couscous  

You can also read: Should chicken be washed before cooking?

5. Enchiladas 
No one can resist one of the star dishes of Mexican cuisine: enchiladas! Whether they are mole, green, Swiss, with tomato sauce, or poblano pepper sauce, they are always a perfect option for lunchtime! So, to make the chicken stretch, don't forget to add some onion, cheese cubes, or even a bit of chorizo; it will give them an extra touch of flavor! 

6. Aztec cake 
Making the chicken breast stretch is a matter of creativity, but it also requires a bit of effort, as in the case of the Aztec cake, the chicken needs to be cooked and then layered with cheese, vegetables, and sauce. Here are a couple of tips to make this dish serve everyone: 

• Don't hesitate to add refried beans between each layer. 
• Cook the chicken with onion, zucchini, poblano pepper, bell pepper, squash flowers, spinach, and more.  
• Use the tortillas you have on hand, whether they are corn or flour. 
• Prepare an Aztec cake with everything you have in the refrigerator; this way, you will save and avoid waste! 

7. Pasta and lasagna 
Forget the usual recipes and create your own chicken pasta or lasagna; it’s very easy! 

• Add all the vegetables you have on hand. 
• Prepare a white sauce, poblano, béchamel, or cheese sauce. 
• Add an extra touch of flavor with spices and herbs. 
• Serve with a green salad and some bread. 

8. In bread is a great ally 
Do you have bolillos, teleras, pita bread, or sandwich bread at home? Then you have everything you need to prepare filling dishes with chicken: 

• A chicken sandwich with tomato, lettuce, avocado, and onion. 
• Cook some crispy molletes with chicken. 
• A pita wrap with whatever vegetables you have on hand. 
• Make a good torta with refried beans, mayonnaise, shredded chicken, tomato, onion, and avocado. 

Now that you know all that you can prepare with a chicken breast, don't fear the January pinch, as it all comes down to a bit of creativity and having the recipes from kiwilimón on hand; enjoy! 

You can also read: The viral trick to remove tendons from chicken breasts