Chicken is a go-to protein for BBQ lovers, but it can add up quickly if you’re grilling for a crowd or feeding the family on a budget. Luckily, there are lots of ways to save on chicken without compromising on taste or quality. From smart shopping tricks to simple preparation hacks, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy your favorite grilled chicken recipes. Here are the first three ways you can stretch your chicken budget while still serving up delicious meals.
Chicken is the ultimate BBQ superstar, but if you’re not careful, it can also become a budget buster. With rising grocery prices, finding ways to save money on chicken while still making juicy, flavorful meals is more important than ever. The good news? There are plenty of clever hacks to keep costs low while still serving up top-tier BBQ chicken. From shopping secrets to cooking tricks, we’ve got you covered with fresh, creative ways to save big on your next batch of chicken. Here are the first three money-saving tips that will have you grilling smarter, not harder.
1️⃣ Buy “Ugly” Chicken for Big Discounts 🍗
Did you know that chicken with slight imperfections often gets marked down? While it may not be the “prettiest” in the pack, it tastes exactly the same once it hits the grill.
- What’s the Deal? Grocery stores often discount chicken that doesn’t look “perfect” or is approaching its sell-by date. This might mean cuts that aren’t shaped perfectly or packs that have minor tears in the plastic. The chicken itself is perfectly good — it just doesn’t meet the store’s aesthetic standards.
- How to Find It: Look for “manager’s specials” or “quick sale” sections in the meat department. These items are usually priced to sell quickly, and you can often get high-quality chicken for a fraction of the price.
- Pro Move: Ask the store’s butcher if there’s any chicken that’s been discounted for appearance or nearing its sell-by date. Some stores will discount it further if you ask politely.
- Extra Tip: Freeze this chicken as soon as you get home. Since it’s close to its sell-by date, freezing will keep it fresh until you’re ready to cook it. You can also season and marinate the chicken before freezing to lock in extra flavor.
Why This Hack Works:
The appearance of the chicken doesn’t affect the flavor, and once it’s grilled and sauced up, no one will ever know the difference. This simple strategy can save you 30-50% on your next chicken haul.
2️⃣ Skip the Breasts, Embrace the Thighs 🍖
Chicken breasts are in high demand, which means they’re also the most expensive cut. But guess what? Chicken thighs are juicier, more flavorful, and much more affordable.
- What’s the Deal? Thighs and drumsticks are often overlooked in favor of breasts, but they pack way more flavor, especially when it comes to BBQ. Plus, they’re often half the price (or less) compared to boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- How to Use It: Thighs are perfect for BBQ because the extra fat keeps them juicy while grilling. Swap breasts for thighs in any BBQ recipe, and you’ll end up with tastier, juicier chicken that doesn’t dry out. They’re also more forgiving if you overcook them a little — a major plus for BBQ rookies.
- Pro Move: Buy bone-in, skin-on thighs, which are even cheaper than boneless, skinless cuts. If you want boneless chicken, you can debone it yourself in just a few minutes with a sharp knife.
- Extra Tip: Marinate chicken thighs overnight to boost flavor even more. The fat content of thighs absorbs marinades better than breasts, meaning you get tastier, more flavorful chicken.
Why This Hack Works:
Chicken thighs offer better flavor and cost significantly less than breasts. It’s a no-brainer swap that tastes better, costs less, and works perfectly on the grill. Win-win-win.
3️⃣ Use “Secret” Grocery Store Hours to Snag Fresh Deals 🕒
If you shop at the right time, you can grab chicken at steep discounts — but most people don’t know when those deals happen.
- What’s the Deal? Grocery stores restock their meat sections at certain times of the day, and older meat (still fresh but nearing its sell-by date) is often discounted early in the morning or late at night. It’s a win for anyone willing to plan their shopping around store schedules.
- How to Do It: Visit the store early in the morning or right before closing time. This is when butchers are more likely to mark down chicken that didn’t sell earlier in the day. Some stores even have “Markdown Mondays” or specific discount days where they reduce meat prices.
- Pro Move: Get to know the butcher or meat department manager. They can tell you exactly when markdowns happen, and in some cases, they may even set chicken aside for you.
- Extra Tip: Shop at smaller, local grocers where markdowns are often more frequent. Big chain stores have stricter policies, but smaller shops have more flexibility to discount their fresh chicken inventory.
Why This Hack Works:
Timing your grocery trip can lead to serious savings. Stores want to avoid wasting food, so they offer big discounts on chicken that’s still fresh but must be sold quickly. If you plan your trips strategically, you’ll score deals that most shoppers miss.
4️⃣ Double Up with Family-Size Packs 📦
Sometimes, bigger really is better. Buying chicken in large family-size packs can lead to serious savings, especially if you plan ahead and know how to portion it properly.
- What’s the Deal? Family-size packs of chicken are often priced lower per pound than smaller packages. Grocery stores offer bulk deals to move larger quantities of chicken quickly. You’ll pay less overall and get more chicken to work with.
- How to Use It: When you get home, divide the bulk pack into smaller, meal-sized portions. Freeze what you don’t plan to cook right away. This way, you’ll have ready-to-cook chicken portions available whenever you need them, and you’ll avoid food waste.
- Pro Move: Use freezer-safe bags or vacuum-seal the chicken portions before freezing. Label each bag with the date so you can use the older chicken first. This will keep your freezer organized and prevent freezer burn.
- Extra Tip: If you’re grilling for a party, bulk packs let you feed more people without draining your budget. Buy ahead of time, freeze it, and you’ll be ready for your next big BBQ.
Why This Hack Works:
Family packs offer the best price-per-pound deal, letting you buy more chicken for less. With a little meal prep, you can stretch your purchase into multiple meals, saving time, money, and effort.
5️⃣ DIY Marinades with Pantry Staples 🥄
Why spend $5 on a bottle of pre-made marinade when you can whip up a fresh, flavorful marinade at home for pennies? Homemade marinades not only save money but also taste better.
- What’s the Deal? Store-bought marinades are convenient, but you’re paying for packaging, preservatives, and marketing. Making your own marinade at home with simple pantry staples is cheaper, healthier, and much tastier.
- How to Do It: Use basic pantry items like olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, and spices to create bold marinades. Mix and match flavors to create your own unique blends. Popular combos include lemon-garlic, honey-mustard, and spicy BBQ.
- Pro Move: Make a big batch of marinade and freeze chicken portions in it. The chicken will marinate as it thaws, giving you extra flavor with no extra effort. This method also saves prep time when you’re ready to cook.
- Extra Tip: Experiment with low-cost ingredients like citrus (lemons, limes, oranges) and fresh herbs (like rosemary and thyme) to add flavor. A simple combination of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and black pepper can turn plain chicken into a flavorful BBQ masterpiece.
Why This Hack Works:
Homemade marinades cost less, taste better, and can be customized to your liking. You’ll avoid the added sugars, preservatives, and mystery ingredients found in store-bought bottles.
6️⃣ Know Your Store’s Markdown Schedule ⏰
Ever seen those “Manager’s Special” stickers on chicken? Knowing when those markdowns happen can save you big bucks every week.
- What’s the Deal? Grocery stores mark down chicken when it’s approaching its sell-by date, and if you know the schedule, you can snag fresh chicken for a fraction of the price. Meat that still has days of freshness left is often discounted to move quickly.
- How to Do It: Visit the store during “markdown hours.” This is typically early in the morning or late at night when employees are stocking shelves and managers are discounting older products.
- Pro Move: Become friends with the butcher or meat department manager. Politely ask when markdowns usually happen, and you’ll get insider knowledge on the best times to shop.
- Extra Tip: Some grocery stores offer online apps or loyalty programs that notify you of markdowns. Sign up for store-specific apps to get early access to discounts.
Why This Hack Works:
Getting in on markdowns can cut your chicken cost in half or more. Since the chicken is still fresh, you can cook it right away or freeze it for later, keeping your fridge (and your wallet) full.
7️⃣ Stretch Leftovers into New Meals 🍽️
Don’t let a single piece of chicken go to waste! Turn leftovers into entirely new meals that taste just as good — or better — than the original BBQ.
- What’s the Deal? Leftover chicken can be repurposed into a variety of meals, stretching one batch of BBQ chicken into multiple dinners or lunches. With a little creativity, last night’s chicken can become today’s tacos, wraps, soups, or salads.
- How to Use It: Shred or chop leftover chicken and add it to new dishes. Think BBQ chicken quesadillas, chicken fried rice, buffalo chicken dip, or chicken-stuffed baked potatoes. You can also add shredded chicken to soups, stews, or pasta dishes for a quick, hearty meal.
- Pro Move: If you have a lot of leftover chicken, freeze it in small portions. Later, you can add it to casseroles, soups, or stir-fries without having to cook from scratch.
- Extra Tip: Don’t forget to use the bones! Boil them to make homemade chicken stock that you can freeze and use in soups or sauces. It’s basically free chicken broth, and it adds incredible flavor to future meals.
Why This Hack Works:
Leftovers are like free meals. By using leftover chicken in new, creative ways, you can stretch your initial purchase into multiple meals, reducing food waste and cutting down your grocery bill.
8️⃣ Buy Chicken from Local Farms or Butchers 🐔
Skip the big grocery chains and head straight to local farms or butchers to get fresh chicken at lower prices. You’ll support local businesses and save money in the process.
- What’s the Deal? Local farms and butcher shops often sell chicken at competitive prices, especially if you buy directly from the source. You’ll get higher-quality meat, and you may even be able to buy in bulk for additional savings.
- How to Do It: Look for local farms that offer chicken “shares” or meat subscription boxes. These programs offer fresh, locally raised chicken at lower prices than the supermarket. Butcher shops may also offer better deals if you buy in larger quantities or ask about sales on less popular cuts.
- Pro Move: Visit local farmers’ markets or check out community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs that offer fresh, local chicken at discounted prices.
- Extra Tip: Ask your local butcher if they have “off-cuts” or chicken backs, wings, or necks. These cuts are cheaper but still pack flavor, and they’re perfect for soups, stews, and slow-cooked dishes.
Why This Hack Works:
Local chicken often costs less than store-bought options, and it’s usually fresher and higher quality. Plus, you’re supporting your community, which feels just as good as saving money.
9️⃣ Stock Up When It’s On Sale (and Freeze It) ❄️
When you see a killer deal on chicken, don’t just buy one pack — stock up and freeze it. This simple strategy can save you big bucks over time.
- What’s the Deal? Chicken goes on sale all the time, and if you stock up during these sales, you can avoid paying full price later. Freezing chicken allows you to buy in bulk and preserve it for months, giving you ready-to-cook meals on demand.
- How to Use It: When you see a big sale, buy multiple packs of chicken. As soon as you get home, divide it into meal-sized portions, seal it in freezer-safe bags, and store it in the freezer. This way, you can pull out just what you need for each meal without having to defrost an entire pack.
- Pro Move: Pre-marinate chicken before freezing it. This way, as the chicken thaws, it will soak up the marinade, giving you pre-seasoned, ready-to-cook chicken.
- Extra Tip: Label each bag with the date and type of cut (e.g., drumsticks, thighs, or breasts) so you know exactly what’s in your freezer and when it was stored. Rotate your stock so the oldest chicken gets used first.
Why This Hack Works:
Stocking up on chicken during sales allows you to lock in low prices and avoid last-minute, full-price grocery runs. Freezing it properly ensures that no chicken goes to waste, giving you a long-term solution for big savings.
