Budget Recipes
Homemade Soft Pretzels

Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels
Both adults and children rave about these homemade soft pretzels, especially when eaten fresh and hot out of the oven. These soft, chewy, golden pretzels are perfect with cheese dip or mustard sauce.
Ingredients
Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|
Warm water | 1 ½ cups (360 mL) | For activating yeast |
Salt | 1 tbsp | For dough flavor |
Sugar | 1 tbsp | Feeds the yeast |
Active dry yeast | 1 packet | Leavening agent |
Flour | 4 ½ cups (565 g) | All-purpose |
Oil | 3 tbsp (divided) | 2 tbsp for dough, 1 tbsp for bowl |
Baking soda | ⅔ cup (120 g) | For boiling pretzels |
Eggs | 2, beaten | For egg wash |
Coarse salt | As needed | For topping |
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix warm water, salt, and sugar. Add yeast and let rest for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour and 2 tbsp oil. Mix until a dough forms.
- Remove dough and grease the bowl with remaining 1 tbsp oil. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each into a rope and shape into classic pretzels.
- Bring a large pot of water and baking soda to a boil. Boil each pretzel for 30 seconds per side.
- Transfer to a baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly and serve warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition (Per Pretzel)
Calories | 210 |
Carbohydrates | 38g |
Protein | 6g |
Fat | 5g |
Sugar | 1g |
Sodium | 470mg |
Cooking Tip:
Make sure the baking soda is fully dissolved in boiling water before adding the pretzels. This helps achieve the iconic chewy texture and deep golden color.
Budget Recipes
Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

Honey BBQ Chicken Wings
These honey BBQ chicken wings are an essential game-day food. They strike the perfect balance between sweet and tangy, with a sticky glaze that will keep your guests coming back for more. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving a savory snack, this easy oven-baked wings recipe will become a favorite in no time.
Ingredients
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Flour | 1 cup (125 g) |
Chili powder | 1 tsp |
Kosher salt | 1 tsp |
Black pepper, freshly ground | 1 tsp |
Paprika | 1 tsp |
Garlic powder | 1 tsp |
Chicken wings or drumettes | 20 pieces |
BBQ sauce | 1 cup (290 g) |
Honey | ½ cup (170 g) |
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, chili powder, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Coat the wings: Toss the chicken wings in the seasoned flour until evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour.
- First bake: Arrange the wings on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden.
- Prepare glaze: In another bowl, mix BBQ sauce and honey together.
- Coat wings in glaze: Toss the baked wings in the honey BBQ sauce mixture until well coated.
- Final bake: Increase oven temperature to 500°F (250°C). Place the sauced wings back on the tray and bake for 8–10 minutes until the sauce is caramelized and bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Let the wings cool slightly and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – 4 Wings)
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Protein: 22 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Cooking Tips
- For extra crispy wings, place them on a wire rack above the baking tray to allow air circulation.
- Use parchment paper to reduce mess and prevent sticking.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mix if you want spicy wings.
- Try different BBQ sauces (smoky, spicy, or chipotle) for flavor variations.
Budget Recipes
Creamy Lemon Chicken

Creamy Lemon Chicken Breast
Whip up this zesty Creamy Lemon Chicken for a dinner that’s bursting with flavor! With tender chicken, a velvety sauce, and a hint of citrus, this dish is sure to become a weeknight favorite.
Ingredients (4 servings)
Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 2 | Halved widthwise |
Salt | To taste | For seasoning |
Pepper | To taste | For seasoning |
Flour | 1 cup (125g) | For coating |
Butter | 1 ½ tbsp | For cooking |
Olive oil | 1 tbsp | For cooking |
Chicken stock | 1 ¼ cups (295 mL) | Divided |
Heavy cream | 1 cup (235 mL) | For sauce |
Salt | 1 tsp | For sauce |
Pepper | 1 tsp | For sauce |
Lemon (juiced) | 1 | Fresh |
Lemon (sliced) | 1 | For garnish |
Fresh parsley | To taste | Chopped, for garnish |
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts in half widthwise. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Coat each chicken piece in flour, shaking off excess.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, add butter and olive oil.
- Cook chicken for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden and fully cooked. Set aside.
- Pour ¼ cup chicken stock into the skillet and scrape up browned bits.
- Add remaining stock, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir well.
- Simmer sauce for 5 minutes, then return chicken to the pan. Top with lemon slices.
- Spoon sauce over chicken. Remove from heat. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
Cooking Tips
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a brighter flavor.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy twist.
- Pair with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles for a complete meal.
Budget Recipes
Original Orange Chicken by Panda Express

Original Orange Chicken by Panda Express
Why order takeout when you can make your own orange chicken at home? This recipe features crispy chicken coated in a zesty orange sauce, and it’s easy to make in your own kitchen!
Ingredients Explained
Ingredient | Amount | Description |
---|---|---|
Boneless chicken thighs | 2 lb (905 g) | Juicy and tender protein base |
Salt | 1 tbsp | To season the chicken |
White pepper | 1 tsp | Gives mild heat |
Cornstarch | 1 cup (125 g) | For batter coating |
Flour | 3 cups (375 g) | Used with cornstarch for crispy texture |
Egg | 1 | Binds the batter |
Water | 1½ cups (360 mL) | To make batter consistency |
Oil | 2 tbsp + 6 cups | For batter and deep frying |
Chili flake | ¼ tsp | Adds mild heat |
Garlic | 1 tbsp, minced | Aromatics for sauce |
Ginger | ½ tsp, minced | Gives warmth to sauce |
Sugar | ¼ cup (50 g) | For sweetness |
Brown sugar | ¼ cup (55 g) | Depth of flavor |
Orange juice | ¼ cup (60 mL) | Citrus tang |
White vinegar | ¼ cup (60 mL) | Balances sweetness |
Soy sauce | 2 tbsp | Salty umami base |
Sesame oil | 1 tsp | Finishing flavor touch |
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut chicken into 1×1-inch cubes and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix salt, white pepper, cornstarch, and flour.
- Add egg, water, and 2 tbsp oil to make pancake batter consistency.
- Coat chicken in batter and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat 6 cups oil in a deep pan to 350°F (180°C).
- Fry chicken for 5–6 minutes until golden and crisp. Set aside.
- In another pan, heat 1 tbsp oil and sauté chili flakes, garlic, and ginger for 30 seconds.
- Add sugars and orange juice; stir to dissolve.
- Add vinegar and soy sauce. Mix well.
- Mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water. Add to pan to thicken sauce.
- Stir in fried chicken until well coated with sauce.
- Top with sesame oil and serve hot.
Nutrition Data (Per Serving)
Calories | 520 |
---|---|
Protein | 28g |
Carbohydrates | 45g |
Fat | 26g |
Sugar | 14g |
Sodium | 890mg |
Cooking Tips
- Use fresh orange juice for a more vibrant flavor.
- Chill the battered chicken before frying for a crispier texture.
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs stay juicier.
- For spicier orange chicken, increase red chili flakes or add sriracha to the sauce.
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