🥘 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. ________________________________________