Lemon Basil Chicken Salad

One of the ways I love to stretch my food budget is getting more than one meal out of something.

For example, one of my favorite ways to do this is to buy a whole chicken. Believe it or not, I've found that whole chicken to be one of the most economical purchases on my grocery bill. Why? A little bit goes a loooong way, baby! Since we only buy all natural and organic meats, this is something I'm always looking out for! It's one of the reasons that I started adding a significant amount of legumes into our diet as well, but that's another story. All this why? Ultimately, because I'd rather spend my money on other things but want to eat healthy, and enjoy my food.

How is this whole chicken my ticket? Simple. Generally it costs me about $5 for one of those birds, and that $5= two meals for our family of growing, hungry boys.

The first night, I roast it. Sometimes I serve it, all seasoned up with sides and veggies. Other times, I use part of the meat for soup, like the one pictured in this post.


Next is the unromantic, not-so-fun part of the process. De-bone those leftovers. ;) But, if you can make it through this part, you're golden...
'Cause then we finally get the today's part. I have an entire list of recipes that I can use at this stage of the game. Quesedillas, creamy chicken with noodles, and today's example:
YUM. That's all I have to say. And lest you think that this is some sort of upscale, I'm-some-kind-of-crazy-woman-running-around-in-dress-clothes-listening-to-classical-music-while-savoring-my-lunch kind of thing, {I guess I associate chicken salad with ladies luncheons?} Here's an example of how I eat mine:
Standing up, while cleaning up the kitchen and teaching a math lesson. Boo-yah!

And of course, the boys prefer their's on bread. {Three year olds have no concept of plate.}
And now that you've made it this far through the post, you finally get the recipe!

Lemon Basil Chicken Salad:
1 - 1-1/2 c. leftover chicken pieces {like the example above}
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. sweet pickle relish
3-4 Tblsp. real mayonaise
pinch of salt {that translates as roughly an 1/8 tsp.}
fresh ground pepper to taste

Toss everything together and serve either with lettuce and a side of your favorite crackers, or on your favorite bread.
Enjoy!

Woot! It's Friday people! Bring on the weekend!