Holiday Comfort Chicken & Bean Skillet

Holiday Comfort Chicken & Bean Skillet (From Leftovers)

The holidays don’t always look like the pictures. Sometimes they’re quieter, smaller, and a little more tired. This is the kind of meal you make when you want something warm, filling, and familiar—without another trip to the store. It’s perfect for lunch, an easy dinner, or one of those in-between holiday days when you just need comfort food that’s real.

Ingredients (Very Flexible)

• 1–2 cups leftover cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 can beans (pinto, black, or white), drained
• 1 cup leftover vegetables (broccoli, spinach, green beans, carrots, or mixed)
• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional holiday extras (use what you have):

• A pinch of garlic powder or onion powder
• A light sprinkle of poultry seasoning or Italian seasoning
• A small handful of shredded cheese

How to Make It

1. Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped chicken and warm it through.
3. Stir in the beans and vegetables.
4. Season simply with salt, pepper, and a touch of holiday seasoning if you like.
5. Cook until everything is heated through and lightly browned.

That’s it.

To Serve

Spoon into a bowl. Sit down. Take a breath.
Let this be enough.

A Quiet Holiday Note

Not every holiday meal has to be big or perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes the most comforting dishes are the ones made with what we already have—served warm, eaten slowly, and appreciated for what they are.

🥣 Cozy Lentils with Spinach – Instant Pot & Stovetop Friendly

Have some flavorful homemade chicken stock sitting in your fridge? This simple, hearty lentil recipe will put it to delicious use. Whether you're cooking in a hurry with the Instant Pot, or prefer a slow simmer on the stovetop, these savory lentils with spinach are healthy, budget-friendly, and comforting.

And yes—it tastes even better the next day!

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🛒 Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried lentils (brown or green, rinsed)
• 3 to 4 cups chicken stock (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, diced (optional, for a little sweetness)
• 1 tsp olive oil or butter
• ½ tsp salt (adjust based on how salty your stock is)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp cumin or Italian seasoning (optional)
• 2 cups fresh spinach (rough-chopped if large leaves)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (optional, for brightness)

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🥄 Method 1: Instant Pot Lentils with Spinach

Fast, hands-off, and flavorful. Perfect for busy evenings.

1. Turn Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add oil, onion, and carrot. Cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly soft.
2. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
3. Stir in lentils, 3 cups of chicken stock, salt, pepper, and seasoning.
4. Press Cancel, then set to Pressure Cook (High) for 9 minutes.
5. Let it naturally release for 5–10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
6. Stir in fresh spinach. The heat will wilt it in under a minute.
7. Add lemon juice or vinegar (optional), taste, and adjust salt.
8. Serve warm with crusty bread, rice, or enjoy it solo!

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🥘 Method 2: Stovetop Lentils with Spinach

A classic slow simmer for when you want the house to smell amazing.

1. In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onion and carrot. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic.
3. Add lentils and 3 cups of chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.
5. Add spinach, cook uncovered for 2–3 more minutes until wilted.
6. Add lemon juice or vinegar if using. Adjust seasoning and serve.

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🌿 Tips & Variations

• More veggies? Add diced zucchini, celery, or chopped tomato.
• Need protein? Stir in shredded chicken, turkey, or cooked sausage.
• Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds warmth.
• Make it creamy: Stir in a spoon of plain yogurt when serving.

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💬 Final Thoughts

This recipe is one of those "build-it-your-way" dishes. Use what you have, adjust to your taste, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or batch cooking for the week, these lentils will not let you down.

Let me know in the comments: Instant Pot or stovetop—what’s your go-to method?

🥘 When Dinner Is Due and the Budget Is Tight: A Comfort Meal That Saves the Night By Lynne Under Pressure Some nights, the clock hits 5:30 and your brain says, “I should make dinner…” but your wallet whispers, “With what?” If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen staring into the fridge like it owed you answers, friend—you are in the right place. At Lynne Under Pressure, we do real food for real life, the kind of nights when money is tight, time is short, and you still want to feed your family something warm, comforting, and good. Today’s recipe is one of those secret weapons that cooks fast, costs almost nothing, and tastes like you tried harder than you did. ________________________________________ 🍲 One-Pot Creamy Garlic Chicken & Rice (Budget-Saver Edition) Serves 3–4 | Total Cost: About $4–$5 | Time: 20 minutes This dish is soft, cozy, filling, and perfect for families who need a hearty meal without fuss. It turns a few pantry basics into a bowl of happiness—no expensive ingredients, no long steps, and absolutely no stress. ________________________________________ ⭐ Ingredients You Probably Already Have • 1 cup uncooked rice (white or brown) • 1–2 cups cooked chicken (leftover or canned works!) • 2 cups water or broth • 1 small onion (optional) • 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 minced clove • ½ cup milk (regular, canned evaporated, or even your sour milk if you’re cooking it—heat kills the sour!) • 1 tablespoon butter or a little oil • Salt & pepper • Optional add-ins: frozen peas, carrots, spinach, a sprinkle of cheese ________________________________________ 👩‍🍳 How To Make It 1. In a pot, sauté the onion in butter (or skip if you don’t have it). 2. Add rice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir for 30 seconds. 3. Add water or broth and bring to a simmer. 4. Stir in the chicken. 5. Cover and cook until rice is tender. 6. Add milk and any veggies. Stir until creamy. That’s it. One pot, no stress, no cleanup battle. ________________________________________ 💛 Why This Recipe Works on a Tight Budget When money is pressure-cooking your life, simple meals become survival and comfort at the same time. This recipe uses: • One protein • One grain • One pot • Zero hassle It’s warm. It’s filling. It makes your kitchen smell like you’ve got everything under control—even when life is a little sideways. ________________________________________ 🌱 Stretch-It Tips (For When the Pantry Is Thinning Out) • Add any frozen veggie to bulk it up. • Use bouillon + water if you don't have broth. • Double the rice and water if mouths outnumber dollars. • A sprinkle of cheese turns it into comfort deluxe. ________________________________________ 🧡 A Note From Lynne No matter what kind of day you’re having, no matter what your bank account looks like, you deserve a good meal—one that fills your belly and gives you a moment of peace. If you try this recipe, drop a comment and tell me how you made it your own. We cook together here. We learn together here. And we make it through—one simple supper at a time. ________________________________________

Lynne Under Pressure: $5 Pantry Chili That Feeds Life When Money Is Tight

Some days you don’t need another recipe.

You need something that is
cheap,
hot,
filling,
forgiving,
and actually possible.

This is one of those meals.

Not fancy.
Not Pinterest pretty.
Just… food.

And in hard seasons, food is survival.

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🍲 $5 Pantry Chili (The Real-Life Version)

This chili is built from whatever you already have — not from a grocery fantasy list.

It is not a meal prep miracle.
It is a make-it-work pot.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken—or skip for meatless)
• 1 can of beans (pinto, kidney, black—whatever you have)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion (or onion powder)
• 1–2 teaspoons chili powder
• Salt & pepper

Optional if you have it:

• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Frozen corn
• A spoon of ketchup
• A splash of vinegar
• A pinch of sugar (if acidic)

You are not cooking for a magazine.
You are cooking for real life.

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🔥 Directions (No Stress Edition)

1. Brown your meat if using.
2. Add beans (liquid and all), tomatoes, and seasonings.
3. Stir.
4. Simmer 15–25 minutes.
5. Taste.
6. Adjust.
7. Eat.

That’s it.
No masterpiece required.

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🧮 How Far Does This Actually Go?

Let’s be honest.

• 2–3 servings as-is
• 1 person = leftovers
• 2 people = full dinner
• Family = stretch it (see below)

Honesty matters.
No exaggeration.
No pretending.

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🧱 Make It Feed More People (Stretch It When You Need To)

Add cheap volume to make it go further:

• Cooked rice
• Macaroni
• Lentils
• Frozen vegetables
• Crushed crackers
• Dry beans
• Cornmeal
• Tortillas

Each addition stretches servings, creates leftovers, and protects tomorrow.

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🍞 What to Serve It With (Cheap & Filling)

• Rice
• Toast
• Cornbread
• Crackers
• Tortillas
• Potatoes
• A fried egg on top
• Day-old bread

Carbs = comfort
Comfort = sanity

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❤️ From Lynne’s Kitchen

If you fed your body today, you’re doing something right.

If your meal was simple but warm, you are winning.

Dinner doesn’t have to look like someone else’s life to be good enough for yours.

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 I Made a Full Christmas Dinner for $20 at Dollar Tree – It Tasted Like a $150 Holiday Spread (2025)

 

Yes, really. 

Tender chicken swimming in creamy gravy, buttery stuffing that smells like your grandma’s house, warm cookies cooling on the counter, and a cake that makes people ask for seconds — all for about $20 total using ONLY Dollar Tree ingredients.

 

Keep scrolling for the exact recipes, beginner-friendly steps, and the free printable shopping list.

(Grab the free printable shopping list + all 4 recipes in one PDF right here — never forget an ingredient again!  Attached below)

 

THE EXACT $20 DOLLAR TREE CHRISTMAS MENU

1. Christmas Chicken with the creamiest holiday gravy 

2. Buttery mashed potatoes that taste like pure comfort 

3. Stuffing with crispy edges and soft middle (hotel-buffet level) 

4. Warm frosted Christmas cookies + bonus glow-up cake 

 

Total cost at Dollar Tree right now (Dec 2025 prices): $19–$23 depending on your store.

 

RECIPE #1 – CHRISTMAS CHICKEN WITH CREAMY HOLIDAY GRAVY 

(Even total beginners nail this on the first try)

 

What you need (all at Dollar Tree): 

- 1 pack chicken thighs or drumsticks (usually 4–6 pieces, $3–$4) 

- 2 cans cream of chicken soup ($1 each) 

- 1 packet chicken gravy mix OR 2 chicken bouillon cubes ($1) 

- Seasonings you already have or grab: garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, Italian seasoning or poultry seasoning ($1 each) 

- Optional: 1 small onion ($0.50–$1)

 

Step-by-step (so easy a 12-year-old can do it): 

1. Heat your oven to 350°F (look for the middle number on the dial). 

2. Put the chicken in any baking dish or even a foil lasagna pan from Dollar Tree. 

3. Open the 2 cans of cream of chicken soup and dump them into a bowl. 

4. Add the gravy packet (or crush 2 bouillon cubes) + ½ cup water. Whisk with a fork until smooth (30 seconds). 

5. Pour this thick, creamy sauce all over the chicken. 

6. Sprinkle generously with garlic powder, paprika, pepper, and Italian/poultry seasoning — don’t be shy, this is your flavor! 

7. Slice an onion into rings and lay on top if you have it (totally optional). 

8. Cover tightly with foil (or another pan turned upside down). 

9. Bake 1 hour. 

10. Remove foil, bake 25–30 more minutes until the top is golden. 

 

Slow-cooker version (even easier): 

Dump everything in, cook on LOW 5–6 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours. Done.

 

How to serve: Spoon thick gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or even toasted bread. It tastes like you spent all day cooking.

 

 RECIPE #2 – BUTTERY MASHED POTATOES THAT TASTE LIKE HEAVEN 

(Grandma-approved, 10-minute version)

 

What you need: 

- 5-lb bag of potatoes ($3–$4 at Dollar Tree right now) 

- Butter or margarine ($1) 

- Milk (or the little water left from boiling) 

- Salt & pepper

 

Steps even if you’ve never mashed a potato in your life: 

1. Wash 6–8 potatoes. Peel if you want (I leave skins on half the time). 

2. Cut into golf-ball-sized chunks. 

3. Put in a big pot, cover with water, add 1 teaspoon salt. 

4. Boil 15–20 minutes (poke with a fork — if it slides in easy, they’re done). 

5. Drain the water. 

6. Add 3–4 tablespoons butter + ½ cup milk. Mash with a fork or potato masher. 

7. Taste it. Add more butter and salt until you go “oh wow.” That’s the Christmas rule.

 

RECIPE #3 – STUFFING THAT TASTES LIKE A FANCY HOTEL 

(No sad dry cubes here)

 

What you need: 

- 1–2 loaves of cheap white bread or hot dog buns 

- Butter or cooking oil 

- 1 small onion or celery (optional) 

- Chicken bouillon or broth (from the gravy packet leftovers) 

- Poultry seasoning or Italian seasoning + garlic powder + pepper

 

Steps: 

1. Let bread sit out overnight OR toast in oven 10 minutes (makes it crispy). 

2. Tear or cut into bite-sized cubes into a big bowl. 

3. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in microwave (30 seconds). Pour over bread and toss. 

4. Dice onion/celery tiny and mix in. 

5. Sprinkle 1–2 teaspoons poultry seasoning + garlic powder + pepper. Toss again. 

6. Add chicken broth ¼ cup at a time until moist but not soggy (usually 1–1.5 cups). 

7. Put in a greased pan, bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.

 

RECIPE #4 – BAKERY-STYLE CHRISTMAS COOKIES FROM A $1 MIX 

(Everyone will think you’re a pro)

 

What you need: 

- 1 box cake mix OR cookie mix ($1) 

- 1 tub frosting ($1) 

- Sprinkles ($1) 

- Optional: chocolate chips ($1)

 

The secret upgrade: 

- Use 2 eggs instead of 1 

- Add 1 tablespoon melted butter 

- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or imitation vanilla) 

- Stir in chocolate chips

 

Bake according to box (usually 350°F for 9–12 minutes). Frost while warm. Add sprinkles. Done.

 

Bonus: Glow-Up Cake 

Bake any $1 cake mix in a 9×13 pan. Poke holes with a fork while hot. Warm the frosting 20 seconds in microwave and pour over. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar from the packets. People lose their minds.

 

Turn Your Tiny Kitchen Into Pure Christmas Magic 

While something is in the oven: 

- Play Michael Bublé or old Christmas movies on your phone 

- Light the $1 candle you bought 

- Wear your favorite old sweater 

- Sip hot chocolate (packet + hot water = $0.25 luxury) 

- Let the house fill with butter + onion + cookie smells 

 

That’s Christmas. Not the price tag.

 

You did it. 

You made a full, warm, delicious Christmas dinner that tastes like love and smells like memories — for twenty bucks.

 

Grab your free printable shopping list + all recipes on one page here (no email needed this time — just helping you out).

 

Merry Christmas, friend. 

You’ve got this. 🎄❤️

 

P.S. People are pinning this like crazy on Pinterest — save it now so you have it next year too!

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$20 DOLLAR TREE CHRISTMAS DINNER 

Full Menu + Printable Shopping List & Recipes 

(Everything really is $1–$1.25 at Dollar Tree – December 2025)

 

SHOPPING LIST (check off as you grab!)

 

Produce 

□ 5-lb bag russet potatoes 

□ 1 small yellow onion (optional but recommended)

 

Meat 

□ 1 pack chicken thighs or drumsticks (4–6 pieces)

 

Canned Goods 

□ 2 cans cream of chicken soup 

□ 1 packet chicken gravy mix OR 2 chicken bouillon cubes

 

Bakery 

□ 1–2 loaves white bread OR hot dog/hamburger buns (for stuffing)

 

Baking 

□ 1 box yellow or white cake mix (for cookies OR bonus cake) 

□ 1 tub vanilla frosting 

□ 1 bottle sprinkles (red/green) 

□ Chocolate chips (optional but SO good)

 

Dairy/Fridge 

□ Stick of butter or margarine 

□ Dozen eggs 

□ Small bottle milk (or use water in a pinch)

 

Seasonings (only buy what you don’t already have) 

□ Garlic powder 

□ Paprika 

□ Black pepper 

□ Italian seasoning OR poultry seasoning 

□ Vanilla extract (optional – makes cookies taste bakery-level) 

□ Cinnamon-sugar packets (for bonus cake)

 

Total at Dollar Tree: $19–$23

 

RECIPES (All on one page so you don’t lose anything)

 

1. CHRISTMAS CHICKEN WITH CREAMY GRAVY 

Oven: 350°F | Total time: 1 hr 30 min 

- Put chicken in a baking dish 

- Mix 2 cans cream of chicken + gravy packet (or 2 crushed bouillon cubes) + ½ cup water 

- Pour over chicken 

- Season heavily with garlic powder, paprika, pepper, Italian/poultry seasoning 

- Optional: top with sliced onion 

- Cover with foil → bake 1 hour 

- Uncover → bake 25–30 min more until golden 

Slow cooker: LOW 5–6 hrs or HIGH 3–4 hrs

 

2. BUTTERY MASHED POTATOES 

- Peel (or don’t) and chunk 6–8 potatoes 

- Boil in salted water 15–20 min until fork-tender 

- Drain, add 3–4 Tbsp butter + ½ cup milk + salt/pepper 

- Mash and taste → keep adding butter until you smile

 

3. CRISPY-EDGE HOLIDAY STUFFING 

- Toast or dry out bread, cut/tear into cubes 

- Toss with 4 Tbsp melted butter 

- Add diced onion (optional) + 1–2 tsp poultry seasoning + garlic powder + pepper 

- Slowly add chicken broth/bouillon water until moist 

- Bake 350°F, 25–30 min until top is golden

 

4. BAKERY-STYLE CHRISTMAS COOKIES 

- 1 box cake/cookie mix + 2 eggs + 1 Tbsp melted butter + 1 tsp vanilla 

- Add chocolate chips if you bought them 

- Drop onto cookie sheet → 350°F, 9–12 min 

- Frost warm cookies + add sprinkles

 

BONUS GLOW-UP CAKE (crowd favorite) 

- Bake any $1 cake mix in 9×13 pan 

- Poke holes with fork while hot 

- Microwave frosting 20 sec and pour over 

- Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar packets

 

You just made a full Christmas dinner that smells and tastes like pure magic — for twenty bucks. 

Merry Christmas — you’ve got this! 🎄❤️

 

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