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Pantry Week: 5 Dinners, Almost Nothing to Buy
Five dinners that lean on staples you probably already own.
Pantry Power: Five Global Dinners
5 dinners · 11 shared ingredients · 17 to buy
Estimated from 17 of 17 items · varies by store & season · vs ~$15/meal takeout.
◆ Your 5 dinners
Tap 🍳 How to cook it on any dinner1. Spanish Rice & Chicken
SpanishOne-pot comfort; ready in 35 minutes, minimal cleanup.
Reuses: chicken breast · rice · canned tomatoes · onion · garlic · paprika · chicken broth
+ buy: peas (frozen okay)
› 🍳 How to cook it
You'll need: chicken breast · rice · canned tomatoes · onion · garlic · paprika · chicken broth · peas (frozen okay) · + salt, oil & pepper
- 1 Dice chicken; sauté in olive oil with diced onion and garlic until golden.
- 2 Stir in rice, paprika, and canned tomatoes; cook 2 minutes.
- 3 Add chicken broth and peas; bring to boil, then simmer covered 18 minutes until rice is tender.
- 4 Fluff, taste, adjust salt and pepper.
2. Cumin Chicken Tacos
MexicanQuick weeknight favorite; 20 minutes from start to table.
Reuses: chicken breast · cumin · onion · garlic · lime · black beans
+ buy: corn tortillas · cilantro (optional)
› 🍳 How to cook it
You'll need: chicken breast · cumin · onion · garlic · lime · black beans · corn tortillas · cilantro (optional) · + salt, oil & pepper
- 1 Slice chicken thin; sauté with diced onion, garlic, and cumin in olive oil until cooked through (8 minutes).
- 2 Warm black beans in a small pot with a pinch of cumin.
- 3 Warm tortillas; squeeze lime over chicken.
- 4 Assemble tacos with chicken, beans, cilantro; serve with lime wedges.
3. Tomato & Bean Soup
ItalianWarming, vegetarian-friendly; simmers 25 minutes, feeds well.
Reuses: canned tomatoes · black beans · onion · garlic · chicken broth · paprika
+ buy: spinach (frozen okay)
› 🍳 How to cook it
You'll need: canned tomatoes · black beans · onion · garlic · chicken broth · paprika · spinach (frozen okay) · + salt, oil & pepper
- 1 Sauté diced onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.
- 2 Add canned tomatoes, black beans, chicken broth, and paprika; bring to boil.
- 3 Simmer 15 minutes; stir in spinach and cook 5 minutes more.
- 4 Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Chicken & Rice Pilaf
Middle EasternFragrant, filling; one pot, 40 minutes, elegant enough for guests.
Reuses: chicken breast · rice · onion · garlic · cumin · chicken broth · bell pepper
+ buy: dried apricots (chopped)
› 🍳 How to cook it
You'll need: chicken breast · rice · onion · garlic · cumin · chicken broth · bell pepper · dried apricots (chopped) · + salt, oil & pepper
- 1 Dice chicken; sauté with diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper until chicken is golden.
- 2 Stir in rice and cumin; toast 2 minutes.
- 3 Add chicken broth and apricots; bring to boil, cover, simmer 18 minutes until rice is tender.
- 4 Fluff with fork; season with salt and pepper.
5. Tomato Chicken Skillet
PortugueseRustic, one-skillet; 30 minutes, pairs with rice or crusty bread.
Reuses: chicken breast · canned tomatoes · onion · garlic · paprika · bell pepper · rice
+ buy: bay leaf
› 🍳 How to cook it
You'll need: chicken breast · canned tomatoes · onion · garlic · paprika · bell pepper · rice · bay leaf · + salt, oil & pepper
- 1 Cut chicken into chunks; sear in olive oil until browned, set aside.
- 2 Sauté diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper; add paprika and bay leaf.
- 3 Return chicken; pour in canned tomatoes, simmer 15 minutes until chicken is tender.
- 4 Serve over rice; season with salt and pepper.
◆ One shopping list
17 itemsBuy this once — it covers all 5 dinners above. Cook them any night this week.
Fill it at a store near you — pay when you check out.