A delicious chicken fried rice meal for one. Photo by: Christopher Alvarenga /Unsplash

By Julia McIntyre, Staff Reporter

Let’s face it, being a college student means being broke. If you can’t take that heat, then get out of the kitchen. 

All jokes aside, inflated grocery prices mean staying in the kitchen for meals will help you save money and keep your wallet from emptying. Here are four low-cost, delicious meals that any busy student can make in a jiffy.

Chicken Fried Rice

Ingredients: 

• 1 ½ cups of jasmine rice
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups canned pea and carrot veggie medley
• ¼ cup soy sauce 

Step 1: 

Cook rice according to the directions on the package; let cool and toss with sesame oil. Set aside.

Step 2:

Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet and set over medium-high heat. Add chicken and garlic. Cook for two to three minutes or until starting to brown. 

Step 3: 

Add in cooked rice and let stand for three to five minutes. Crack eggs over the top of the rice and add veggies and soy sauce. Cook for three more minutes until eggs are scrambled and rice and veggies are heated through. Plate and enjoy.

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups cooked, shredded skinless chicken breast
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ¾ cup red chile enchilada sauce
• 1 ¾ cup shredded three-cheese Mexican blend
• 8 flour tortillas

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for three to five minutes on each side until golden brown. Once cooked, set aside to cool.

Step 2:

Once the chicken breast is cool, shred the chicken with a fork or food processor. Dip tortillas in enchilada sauce and lay flat. 

Step 3: 

Add shredded chicken and cheese to coated tortillas and roll into enchilada form. Bake for 25 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted. Bon appetit.

Bowties and Broccoli 

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. bowtie pasta
• 1 lb frozen broccoli
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp grated parmesan

Step 1:

Boil a pot of water and add pasta. Cook the pasta for seven to ten minutes. Add the frozen broccoli to the boiling pasta, turn off the heat, and let sit for one to two minutes. Drain pasta and broccoli.

Step 2: 

Place pasta and broccoli back into the pot and add the butter. Stir in butter to coat the pasta and broccoli evenly. Add parmesan cheese and serve. 

Quick Burrito Bowl

Ingredients:

• 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 15 oz. canned black beans
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• 1 16 oz. jar salsa
• 6 oz. shredded cheese
• 1 bunch of green onions

Step 1: 

Add rice, salt, and 3 cups of water to a medium pot. Boil on high, covered. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn the heat off, and let it sit with the lid still on for five more minutes. 

Step 2: 

Pour both cans of black beans and garlic powder into a small sauce pot. Stir often over medium heat. While the beans are heating through, slice the green onions. 

Step 3: 

When the rice is done, build the rice bowl. Add the rice, beans, salsa, and shredded cheese, and top with green onions. 

These recipes will save you money and fulfill your hunger, and you don’t have to be as skilled as Bobby Flay to throw them together.