In this economy saving money is important and every dollar counts. One way to cut back is stop eating out. Food is the third highest expense for people, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and usually what blows the budget. On average, Americans spent $3,933 dining out in 2023, which was up 8.1% from the following year, per BLS.
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Restaurant tabs and drive-thrus can put a serious dent in your wallet, but you can rack up the savings by cooking at home and duplicating your go-to meals like Chick-Fil-A’s crispy chicken sandwich — which cost $5.79 and waffle potato fries priced at $3.75 for medium sized, according to Chick-Fil-A’s menu. Below is how you can make it for much less at home.
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Shop Around for the Best Chicken Options
The chicken is obviously the highlight of the meal so finding the best cost-effective chicken is essential.
The Member’s Mark Southern Style Chicken Sandwich, which offers a 10 count for $21.98, is one option. All you have to do is heat this up since it comes with a bun and add your favorite toppings. This choice will cost $2.20 per sandwich without additional ingredients.
Aldi Frozen Breaded Chicken Fillets is another great choice. A 24-ounce bag is $8.79.
You can also buy a large bag of boneless and skinless chicken breasts. Prices vary depending on the store and if you buy organic. But you can find deals like the Tyson Boneless and Skinless Chicken Breasts at Target for $11.79. Prepare the chicken by cutting the breast in half, coat in breadcrumbs, season to your liking and bake.
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Must Have Ingredients
To copy Chick-Fil-A’s popular sandwich there are certain key ingredients needed.
Buns: The Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich is served on a buttery white bun, which you can find for $1.50.
Pickles: Prices differ depending on store and location, but you can pick up a jar for around $3.49.
Tomatoes: Fresh tomato prices vary from store, but you can find a bag of organic Roma tomatoes at Walmart for $2.98.
Lettuce: You can easily find a nice head of lettuce for a reasonable price at your local grocer or big box retailers like Walmart that’s priced at $1.87.
Chick-Fil-A Sauce: The Chick-Fil-A Sauce is a must-have and you can get a bottle at Walmart for $3.47.
Waffle Fries: No Chick-Fil-A sandwich is complete without waffle fries and Walmart has a 24-ounce bag for $2.97.
The Cost Factor
If you were to buy a chicken sandwich and medium sized waffle fries at Chick-Fil-A you’d spend $9.54 without a drink. If you purchased the items listed above you should have enough for at least eight sandwiches. Here’s how much it would cost you at home to make.
If you used the Tyson chicken breasts it would cost the following to make at home:
$11.79 + $1.50 + $3.49 + $2.98 + $1.87 + $3.47 + $2.97 = $28.07 / 8 = $3.50 per meal.
If you used Aldi’s frozen chicken fillets it would cost the following to make at home:
$8.79 + $1.50 + $3.49 + $2.98 + $1.87 + $3.47 + $2.97 = $25.07 / 8 = $3.13 per meal.
Making the sandwich at home might not be the same as the original, but it’s still delicious and you’re saving money. Plus, there’s plenty of dupe recipes online to help perfect your home-made meal.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Consumer Expenditures – 2023.”
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Make This Popular Chick-Fil-A Dupe at Home and See How Much It Would Save You
