My Favorite Easy Weeknight Dinner Comes From One Aldi Ingredient

When it comes to managing the chaos of being a mom, convenience is key. I can't imagine my life without Aldi's grocery pickup service. It's not just about saving money — which is definitely a big plus — but also about saving time. As a parent of three teenagers, I'm always juggling schedules and trying to keep up with their ever-changing appetites. That's where Aldi's affordable products come in handy.

One of my go-to items for quick and tasty dinners is Burman's Butter Chicken Curry Sauce. This 15-ounce jar costs around $4.09 and has become a staple in my kitchen. My kids are notoriously picky eaters, and there's never enough time to cook everything they want. This sauce is a game-changer. It's creamy, tomato-based, and full of rich umami flavors that make any meal more exciting.

I use two of my favorite kitchen tools: a crockpot and a rice cooker. I love my six-quart programmable crockpot with a locking lid and my Aroma digital rice cooker. Together, they help me create a complete Indian-inspired meal. The chicken and coconut rice are the main components, with the butter chicken sauce as the star. If you can cook chicken on low heat and add water to rice, you have all the skills needed for a warm and comforting dinner that's easy to customize.

Simple and Tasty

This meal is incredibly simple and delicious. In the morning, I place boneless and skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker with some seasonings and butter to keep them moist. I usually go with white meat, but thighs could work too. I toss some jasmine rice into the cooker along with minced garlic and salt, then replace a bit of the water with coconut milk. Since I have an Asian husband, I use the "finger method" to measure the liquid for the rice.

The rice cooker keeps the rice warm, so I can set it and forget it. An hour before dinner, I add a jar (or sometimes two) of the butter chicken sauce and shred the chicken with two forks. Pair it with naan, pita, or flatbread, and you have a kid-approved meal that's both filling and flexible.

Customization Tips

If you have canned chickpeas, throw them in with the sauce for extra protein. If I'm feeling adventurous, I'll microwave some yellow or sweet potatoes, cube them, and toss them in for a quick version of aloo curry. Keep in mind that this meal is "Indian-ish," similar to how Panda Express represents traditional Cantonese fare. Still, you can draw inspiration from your favorite Indian dishes by adding spinach, peas, or cauliflower to bulk up the meal.

I also love adding onions, so I'll sometimes dice up a sweet Vidalia onion and mix it with the raw chicken. For a little heat, I add a squirt of sriracha since the sauce itself doesn't have much spice. No matter how you choose to customize it, I highly recommend Aldi's butter chicken sauce as the perfect ingredient to bring together one of my favorite easy dinners.

For more food and drink content, join our newsletter or add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food and drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more!