Tag: #SimplePracticalMeals

Posted in Rice Bowls

Campground Fried Rice

Posted on by simplegoodfood

Sometimes the best meals are the ones you never planned.

Campground Fried Rice is the perfect example of turning leftovers into something completely new. A little cooked chicken, yesterday’s rice, a handful of vegetables, and a few pantry staples come together in one skillet for a quick, satisfying meal that’s ready in less than 20 minutes.

This is one of those recipes that’s meant to be flexible. Use the vegetables you have, swap in whatever protein is left from the week, and don’t worry about making it exactly the same every time. It’s a delicious way to clean out the refrigerator before your next grocery trip.

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Campground Fried Rice

Sometimes the best meals are the ones you never planned.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 390
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cooked rice day-old rice works best
  • 1½ cups cooked Simple Campground Herb Chicken diced
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables peas, carrots, corn, green beans, or whatever you have on hand
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil optional, but adds great flavor
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger optional
  • Black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet or electric skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Scramble the eggs until just set. Remove them to a plate.
  3. Add the garlic and mixed vegetables. Cook for 3–4 minutes until tender.
  4. Stir in the cooked chicken and rice, breaking up any clumps.
  5. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, and ground ginger, stirring until everything is evenly coated and heated through.
  6. Return the scrambled eggs to the skillet and gently fold them into the rice.
  7. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and serve immediately.

Notes

Notes
  • Day-old rice makes the best fried rice because it stays fluffy instead of becoming sticky.
  • This recipe is perfect for using up small amounts of leftover vegetables.
  • No chicken left? Try turkey, pork, beef, ham, shrimp, or make it completely vegetarian.
    Do not be afraid to try a new addition to your rice. I’ve even added a handful of grapes one time, which my husband declared “Delicious!”

Leftover & Meal Prep Tips

This recipe is less about following exact measurements and more about using what you already have.

Some great additions include:

  • Leftover broccoli
  • Mushrooms
  • Bell peppers
  • Spinach
  • Cabbage
  • Zucchini
  • Water chestnuts
  • Bean sprouts

If it’s sitting in the refrigerator waiting to be used, chances are it’ll be delicious in fried rice.

Food Storage & Preservation

Cool cooked rice quickly and refrigerate it promptly. Fried rice should always be reheated until steaming hot before serving. If you’re freezing cooked rice or preserving ingredients for future meals, be sure to follow the latest USDA recommendations for safe food storage and preservation practices.

Posted in Potato Meals

Campground Loaded Baked Potato Bowls

Posted on by simplegoodfood

Introduction

A baked potato may be one of the most budget-friendly ingredients you can keep on hand. It’s filling, inexpensive, and incredibly versatile. Today’s Campground Loaded Baked Potato Bowls show just how easy it is to transform a simple potato into a complete meal.

Using our Simple Campground Herb Chicken from earlier this week, plus a handful of vegetables and a light, creamy topping, these loaded potato bowls are comforting enough for cool evenings at the campground and quick enough for busy weeknights at home.

This recipe is another reminder that stretching your grocery budget doesn’t mean settling for boring meals. Sometimes the simplest ingredients make the most satisfying suppers.

simplegoodfood's avatarsimplegoodfood

Campground Loaded Baked Potato Bowls

Sometimes the simplest ingredients make the most satisfying suppers
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 465
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium baked potatoes
  • 2 cups cooked Simple Campground Herb Chicken diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup broccoli florets lightly steamed
  • ½ cup corn kernels
  • ½ cup diced bell pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 2 green onions sliced

Method
 

  1. Warm the baked potatoes if needed.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the chicken, broccoli, corn, and bell pepper.
  4. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  5. Cook for 5–6 minutes until everything is hot.
  6. Split each baked potato open and fluff the inside with a fork.
  7. Spoon the chicken and vegetable mixture over each potato.
  8. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
  9. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and garnish with sliced green onions.
  10. Serve immediately.

Notes

Notes
  • Bake several potatoes at the beginning of the week to make quick meals even easier.
  • Sweet potatoes make an excellent variation.
  • Leftover roasted vegetables work beautifully in this recipe.
  • Add a sprinkle of bacon bits if you have them, but the recipe is plenty satisfying without them.
Leftover & Meal Prep Tips
If you have an extra baked potato or two, don’t let them go to waste!
Try them in:
  • Breakfast Home Fries
  • Campground Potato Hash
  • Potato & Vegetable Soup
  • Crispy Air Fryer Potato Cubes
  • Saturday Soup using this week’s leftover vegetables and chicken
Making a few extra baked potatoes while the grill or oven is already hot is an easy way to save time later in the week.
Food Storage & Preservation
Leftover baked potatoes should be refrigerated promptly after cooling. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
If you’re freezing cooked chicken or preserving vegetables through canning, freezing, or dehydrating, always check the latest USDA recommendations for safe food handling and preservation methods.

🏕️ This Week’s Camp Menu

✅ Sunday: Simple Campground Herb Chicken

✅ Monday: Garden Vegetable Rice Bowl

✅ Tuesday: Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Skillet

✅ Wednesday: Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl

🥔 Thursday: Campground Loaded Baked Potato Bowls

Coming Up Next:

  • Friday: 💵 Stretch This Week’s Groceries Even Further
  • Saturday: 🍗 Five Easy Ways to Stretch One Package of Chicken

⭐ Bonus Recipes

  • Campground Fried Rice
  • Saturday Soup

Looking Back at the Week

One batch of Simple Campground Herb Chicken has now become:

  • 🥗 Garden Vegetable Rice Bowl
  • 🍗 Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Skillet
  • 🌮 Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl
  • 🥔 Campground Loaded Baked Potato Bowls

Four distinct dinners from one simple meal starter—that’s the heart of this week’s “Stretching the Camping Dollar” theme. It shows readers that with a little planning, they can save time, reduce food waste, and still enjoy meals that feel fresh and different every night.

Tomorrow we’ll shift from recipes to strategy with “Stretch This Week’s Groceries Even Further,” sharing practical tips for making ingredients go farther and building confidence in the kitchen—whether you’re cooking at a campsite or around your own kitchen table. 🌿

Posted in Rice Bowls

Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl

Posted on by simplegoodfood

Introduction

One of the best ways to stretch your grocery budget is to give leftovers a fresh identity. This Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl takes the Simple Campground Herb Chicken you prepared earlier in the week and transforms it into a colorful meal bursting with Southwestern flavors.

Black beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and warm spices come together over a bed of rice for a quick, satisfying dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights, campground cooking, or meal prep. It’s hearty enough to satisfy a hungry family but simple enough for cooks preparing meals for one or two.

The best part? Most of the ingredients are pantry or freezer staples, making this a recipe you can enjoy year-round.

simplegoodfood's avatarsimplegoodfood

Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl

Turn leftover herb chicken into a colorful Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked Simple Campground Herb Chicken diced
  • 3 cups cooked brown or white rice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup diced green bell pepper
  • ¼ cup diced onion
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • ¼ cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • Chopped fresh cilantro optional
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the chicken, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir until the chicken is heated through.
  3. Add the black beans and corn and cook for 2–3 minutes.
  4. Stir in the tomatoes and bell pepper just long enough to warm them slightly while keeping them crisp.
  5. Divide the cooked rice among four serving bowls.
  6. Spoon the chicken mixture over the rice.
  7. Top with shredded cheese, green onions, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
  8. Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Notes
  • This recipe is mildly seasoned. Add additional chili powder or a dash of hot sauce if you like more heat.
  • Brown rice adds extra fiber, but white rice or a whole-grain rice blend works just as well.
  • For extra creaminess, top with a spoonful of plain nonfat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Leftover & Meal Prep Tips
Cook a little extra rice today if you can. It’s one of the easiest ingredients to transform into another meal.
Extra cooked rice can become:
  • Campground Fried Rice (Bonus Recipe)
  • A side dish for tomorrow’s Loaded Baked Potato Bowls
  • A quick addition to soups later in the week
It’s another simple way to make your grocery dollars stretch a little farther.
Food Storage & Preservation
Cooked rice should be cooled quickly and refrigerated promptly. When reheating, make sure it’s heated thoroughly before serving.
If you’re preserving cooked chicken, vegetables, or other ingredients for longer storage, always check the latest USDA recommendations before canning, freezing, or dehydrating. Safe food preservation practices can change as new research becomes available.

🏕️ This Week’s Camp Menu

✅ Sunday: Simple Campground Herb Chicken

✅ Monday: Garden Vegetable Rice Bowl

✅ Tuesday: Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Skillet

🌮 Wednesday: Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl

Coming Up Next:

  • Thursday: 🥔 Campground Loaded Baked Potato Bowls
  • Friday: 💵 Stretch This Week’s Groceries Even Further
  • Saturday: 🍗 Five Easy Ways to Stretch One Package of Chicken

⭐ Bonus Recipes

  • Campground Fried Rice
  • Saturday Soup

Tomorrow we’ll turn our attention to one of the most budget-friendly comfort foods around: Campground Loaded Baked Potato Bowls. A simple baked potato becomes a hearty meal with leftover chicken, vegetables, and a sprinkle of cheese—another delicious way to make one meal starter work all week. 🥔

Posted in Skillet Meals

Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Skillet

Posted on by simplegoodfood

Introduction

When you’re trying to stretch your grocery budget, variety matters just as much as saving money. Using the same ingredients in different ways keeps leftovers from feeling repetitive, and today’s Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Skillet is a perfect example.

Tender pieces of our Simple Campground Herb Chicken are combined with colorful vegetables in a light, creamy sauce that’s ready in about 20 minutes. Everything cooks in one skillet, making cleanup easy whether you’re cooking at the campground or in your home kitchen.

Serve it over rice, egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or enjoy it on its own for a satisfying meal that proves leftovers can taste brand new.

simplegoodfood's avatarsimplegoodfood

Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Skillet

Leftovers shouldn't taste like leftovers.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 330
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked Simple Campground Herb Chicken diced
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional for serving:
  • Cooked rice
  • Egg noodles
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Toasted whole-grain bread

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Cook the onion, carrots, and mushrooms for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
  3. Add the broccoli and garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well.
  5. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until smooth.
  6. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
  7. Stir in the cooked chicken and peas.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat and gently stir in the Greek yogurt.
  9. Season with thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.
  10. Serve immediately over your favorite starch—or enjoy it just as it is.

Notes

Notes
  • Removing the skillet from the heat before adding the Greek yogurt helps prevent it from curdling.
  • Use whatever vegetables you already have in the refrigerator.
  • This recipe is a wonderful way to clean out the vegetable drawer before grocery shopping.
Leftover & Meal Prep Tips
Don’t worry if you have a little extra left!
Tomorrow we’ll use our leftover chicken in Southwest Chicken Rice Bowls, giving this week’s meal starter another completely different personality.
If you have extra cooked vegetables from today’s meal, save them for Saturday Soup or stir them into Friday’s budget-stretching ideas.
Food Storage & Preservation
Cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate within two hours (or within one hour in very hot weather while camping).
If you’re freezing cooked chicken or vegetables for future meals, or preserving produce by canning or dehydrating, always check the latest USDA recommendations to ensure safe food storage practices.

🏕️ This Week’s Camp Menu

✅ Sunday: Simple Campground Herb Chicken

✅ Monday: Garden Vegetable Rice Bowls with Herb Chicken

🍗 Today’s Recipe: Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Skillet

Coming Up Next:

  • Wednesday: 🌮 Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl
  • Thursday: 🥔 Campground Loaded Baked Potato Bowls
  • Friday: 💵 Stretch This Week’s Groceries Even Further
  • Saturday: 🍗 Five Easy Ways to Stretch One Package of Chicken

⭐ Bonus Recipes

  • Campground Fried Rice
  • Saturday Soup

Tomorrow we’re giving our herb chicken a Southwestern twist with a colorful Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl. Black beans, corn, tomatoes, and a squeeze of lime create a completely different meal using the same simple meal starter.

Posted in Rice Bowls

Garden Vegetable Rice Bowls with Herb Chicken

Posted on by simplegoodfood

Introduction

Yesterday we cooked a simple batch of herb chicken. Today we’re putting those leftovers to work in a fresh, colorful rice bowl that’s packed with vegetables and ready in about 20 minutes.

Rice bowls are one of my favorite campground meals because they’re flexible. Use whatever fresh vegetables you have in the cooler, add a handful of leftover chicken, and dinner is practically done. They’re also a great way to use up odds and ends before they spoil, helping you stretch your grocery budget while reducing food waste. This recipe is proof that leftovers don’t have to feel like leftovers.

simplegoodfood's avatarsimplegoodfood

Garden Vegetable Rice Bowls with Herb Chicken

Garden Vegetable Rice Bowls with Herb Chicken are a quick, colorful way to transform leftover chicken into a healthy, budget-friendly meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked herb chicken sliced or diced
  • 3 cups cooked brown or white rice
  • 1 cup broccoli florets steamed
  • 1 cup carrots sliced or shredded
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ cup bell pepper diced
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Prepare the rice according to package directions if not already cooked.
  2. Warm the herb chicken in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
  3. Steam the broccoli until crisp-tender.
  4. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper.
  5. Divide the rice among four bowls.
  6. Arrange the vegetables and chicken over the rice.
  7. Drizzle with the dressing and serve immediately.

Notes

Notes

  • This is an excellent “clean out the cooler” recipe.
  • Almost any fresh vegetable works well.
  • Brown rice adds extra fiber, but white rice works just as well.
Leftover & Meal Prep Tips
Prepare extra rice today. You’ll use it again later this week for:
  • Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl
  • Campground Fried Rice
Cooking a double batch now saves both time and fuel later in the week.
Food Storage & Preservation
Cooked rice should be cooled promptly and refrigerated within two hours (or within one hour in very hot weather while camping). Store leftovers in shallow containers and reheat thoroughly before serving.
If you’re preserving vegetables or cooked chicken for longer-term storage, always verify current recommendations with the USDA before canning, freezing, or dehydrating.
 

🏕️ This Week’s Camp Menu

✅ Sunday: Simple Campground Herb Chicken

Today’s Recipe: 🥗 Garden Vegetable Rice Bowls with Herb Chicken

Coming Up Next:

  • Tuesday: 🍳 Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Skillet
  • Wednesday: 🌮 Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl
  • Thursday: 🥔 Campground Loaded Baked Potato Bowls
  • Friday: 💵 Stretch This Week’s Groceries Even Further
  • Saturday: 🍗 Five Easy Ways to Stretch One Package of Chicken

⭐ Bonus Recipes

  • Campground Fried Rice
  • Saturday Soup

Tomorrow we’ll take another helping of that herb chicken and turn it into a comforting Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Skillet. It’s another easy one-pan meal that’s perfect for making the most of this week’s groceries.

Posted in Grilled Meals

Simple Campground Herb Chicken

Posted on by simplegoodfood

Introduction

Some of the best campground meals begin with a simple, dependable recipe that can be transformed into several others throughout the week. This herb-seasoned chicken is exactly that kind of meal.

With just a handful of pantry seasonings and boneless chicken breasts, you can prepare a flavorful main dish on a grill, in a cast-iron skillet, or on a portable griddle. Enjoy it fresh with your favorite vegetables one night, then slice or dice the leftovers for wraps, rice bowls, salads, quesadillas, or pasta later in the week.

Cooking a little extra today means less work tomorrow—a simple way to stretch both your grocery budget and your camping time.

simplegoodfood's avatarsimplegoodfood

Simple Campground Herb Chicken

Simple Campground Herb Chicken is an easy, budget-friendly recipe that's perfect for camping, RV trips, and weeknight dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 260
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper optional or reduce to taste

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  2. Brush both sides with olive oil.
  3. Combine all seasonings in a small bowl.
  4. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken.
  5. Cook over medium heat on a grill, cast-iron skillet, or electric griddle for about 7-9 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Notes
  • Chicken breasts of even thickness cook more evenly. Pound thicker portions if needed.
  • Boneless chicken thighs can be substituted and remain especially juicy.
  • This recipe is intentionally lightly seasoned so it pairs well with many side dishes and leftover recipes.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or water, or microwave until just heated through.
Leftover & Meal Prep Tips
Cook all four chicken breasts even if you’re only serving one or two people. The extras become the foundation for quick meals throughout the week.
Ideas include:
  • Chicken Rice Bowls
  • Chicken Caesar Wraps
  • Chicken Quesadillas
  • Garden Salads
  • Pasta Tosses
  • Chicken Fried Rice
  • Breakfast Hash with potatoes and eggs
Having cooked chicken ready to go can save both time and propane during a busy camping trip.

🏕️ This Week’s Camp Menu

One of the easiest ways to stretch your camping budget is to start the week with a simple recipe that can be transformed into several completely different meals. That’s exactly what we’ll be doing this week with Simple Campground Herb Chicken.

Cook a little extra today, and you’ll save both time and money all week long.

Monday: 🥗 Garden Vegetable Rice Bowls with Herb Chicken

Fresh vegetables, fluffy rice, and sliced herb chicken come together for a colorful, satisfying meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

Tuesday: 🍳 Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Skillet

Turn your leftover herb chicken into a creamy, comforting one-pan meal loaded with vegetables and plenty of flavor.

Wednesday: 🌮 Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl

A Southwestern-inspired rice bowl featuring seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and just enough cheese to bring everything together.

Thursday: 🥔 Campground Loaded Baked Potato Bowls

Fluffy baked potatoes become a hearty meal when topped with herb chicken and your favorite fresh toppings.

Friday: 💵 Stretch This Week’s Groceries Even Further

Simple ideas for reducing food waste, storing leftovers safely, and getting every last meal from this week’s grocery shopping.

Saturday: 🍗 Five Easy Ways to Stretch One Package of Chicken

Learn practical techniques you can use all year to make one package of chicken go farther while keeping meals interesting and satisfying.

⭐ Bonus Recipes This Week

Campground Fried Rice

A campground favorite that transforms leftover rice, vegetables, and herb chicken into a quick skillet meal.

Saturday Soup

Finish the week with a comforting soup that uses the remaining ingredients in your refrigerator instead of letting them go to waste.

By the end of the week, one package of chicken will have become several delicious meals—proof that with a little planning, it’s easy to enjoy good food while stretching your camping dollar.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for our Garden Vegetable Rice Bowls with Herb Chicken, where we’ll give today’s leftovers a fresh new twist!