We'd all be healthier if we ate less meat - and so would the planet. Here's how to make your roast chicken last a whole week, says chef Rachel de Thample.
Care about the impact of your food on the environment? Eating less, but better quality, meat is a good place to start, as alow or no-meat diet can helpprotect rainforests and tackle climate change. Find out more easy ways to help stop climate change.
If you do eat meat, opt for quality rather than quantity –ideally organic and local food which tends to be better for us and the planet.
But how can you get the most out of a chicken? To make every bird go further, here are some easy, budget-friendly mealideas from Rachel de Thample, author ofLess Meat, More Veg.
Rachelshows us how a roast can last a whole week. Don't forget, you can freeze the meat if you don't want to get too bored of your bird.
Meal 1: Roast chicken
Start the week with an indulgent roast, and serve with lots of seasonal veggie sides. Carve from thebreast. See Rachel's recipe forEffortless Roast Chicken.
Meal 2: Salad
Use the meat from onelegto make a Chicken salad. This crunchy salad is a great option to make your chicken go further.
Meal 3: Chicken soup
Shred the meat from the otherlegin a warmingItalian Chicken Soup.
Meal 4: Chicken and rice pie
You can get a surprising amount of meat from thewings and carcass. Check the along the backbone and collar. Shredded chicken meat is amazing in pies - adapt a traditional Greek chicken and rice pie recipe to make the most of every last morsel. You can also use this meat in another salad or soup.
Meal 5: Stock
Use thebones and skinas the base for a stock. All you need are some basic vegetables like onions, carrots and celery and a few peppercorns to make a good stock. This will form the base for your soup. Make the stock the day of your roast dinner, or you can refrigerate the bones for up to 2 days before making. Get inspired with this Jamie Oliver stock recipe.
Meal 6: Pasta
Thegiblet packcontains theliver, which is the silky, smooth burgundy bit. It makes the most delicious pate. Other giblet bits include theneck, heart, kidneys and sometimes the gizzard. Don’t be squeamish, these bits are loaded with essential nutrients (ones we need more of). See Rachel's recipe forTagliatelle with Creamy White Wine, Giblet and Mushroom sauce.
Read more inRachel de Thample's 'Less Meat, More Veg. The eco-friendly way to eat, with 150 inspiring recipes'.
FAQs
Six chicken recipes to make a roast last a week
- Meal 1: Roast chicken. Start the week with an indulgent roast, and serve with lots of seasonal veggie sides. ...
- Meal 2: Salad. Use the meat from one leg to make a Chicken salad. ...
- Meal 3: Chicken soup. ...
- Meal 4: Chicken and rice pie. ...
- Meal 5: Stock. ...
- Meal 6: Pasta.
Herb Fed Free Range Chicken
| Size of bird | Portions |
|---|
| 1.8kg (3.9lb) | 3-4 people |
| 2kg (4.5lb) | 4-6 people |
| 2.5kg (5.5lb) | 6-8 people |
USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.
How many meals can I make from a roast chicken? ›
Perfect for meal planning! You can easily make 5 meals out of one rotisserie chicken from the store. A rotisserie chicken is perfect for meal planning and I think you'll love that these meals come together quickly too.
How do you keep cooked chicken fresh for a week? ›
Cooked chicken should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container, labeled and dated with the day it was prepared. You also must get leftover chicken into the refrigerator quickly for it to last; within two hours of it sitting at room temperature in order to slow bacterial growth and keep it safe to eat.
How do you preserve chicken for a week? ›
Store fresh, uncooked chicken on a low shelf of the refrigerator so it does not drip onto other items. For convenience and to prevent freezer burn, wrap separate pieces in foil or plastic bags. Then place all wrapped or bagged pieces into a larger freezer bag or foil wrap.
How do you keep roast chicken from drying out? ›
But the one way to prevent the breasts from drying out even with longer cooking times is to brine it first. There are a couple ways to do this with dry and wet brines. Wet brining means you dissolve salt in water and submerge the bird for several hours. (I love a wet-brined chicken.)
Can rotisserie chicken last 5 days? ›
It is not recommended to eat rotisserie chicken 5 days after purchase! The USDA guidelines state that cooked chicken is only good for 3-4 days when refrigerated.
Is 2 year old frozen chicken still good? ›
A raw whole chicken can be kept in your freezer for up to a year. Raw chicken parts can be kept in your freezer for up to nine months. Raw ground chicken or giblets can be kept in your freezer for three to four months.
How many people will a 6 lb chicken feed? ›
A 2 ½ to 4 pound whole chicken will serve approximately three to four people. Roasting Chicken: A 4 to 7 pound chicken will serve approximately five to seven people.
We love roasting 2 chickens at once. It takes almost the same amount of time and you can enjoy one for dinner tonight and use the second for meal prepping the next few days.
How many meals is 2 lbs of chicken? ›
2 lbs of boneless breast and tenders = 2 MEALS. 2 drumsticks, 2 wing flats, 2 drumettes = 1 MEAL. 2 large thighs = 1 MEAL. 1 carcass = 1 MEAL.
Can chicken last for a week? ›
Fresh, whole chicken or chicken parts will last for 1 to 2 days when stored in the refrigerator, according to FDA guidelines.
Can you leave chickens for a week? ›
MAKE A PLAN
If you're only gone for a couple of days, your chickens should be fine as long as they have a clean coop and plenty of food, water, and protection. However, if your vacation will take you away for more than three days, it's a good idea to have someone check in on your chickens.
How do you make chicken last longer? ›
If you need to store chicken for longer than a few days, it's best to store it in your freezer. Raw chicken pieces can be stored in the freezer for up to 9 months, while a whole chicken can be frozen for up to 1 year. Cooked chicken can be stored in the freezer for 2–6 months (1, 4).
Can I freeze chicken for 1 week? ›
Whole chicken: Whole raw chicken can stay frozen for a year without losing quality and taste. Chicken pieces: You can freeze chicken pieces like breasts, thighs, and drumsticks for up to nine months without losing flavor and texture.
