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The $3 Aldi Grocery I’m Stocking in My Freezer All Spring

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
At The Kitchn, I develop all of your favorite recipes and help you discover your most beloved grocery finds. I have more than 17 years of recipe development experience, including time spent in cookbook test kitchens and on Alton Brown’s culinary team. My two kids have lots of opinions on dinner.
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published Apr 2, 2023
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When was the last time you were in a cooking rut? I’m in one right now. Even those of us who love to cook (or earn a living standing by the stove, like I do) find ourselves devoid of inspiration and exhausted by the steady rhythm of feeding ourselves. As I work my way out of my current culinary slump, I’m making a conscious effort to focus on preparing fresh spring meals that get me excited. 

What’s not on that list? Weekday lunches. Luckily, that’s where Aldi’s freezer section comes in. Aldi’s Whole & Simple Southwestern Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl is my go-to freezer find for this in-between season. Let me tell you why!

Credit: Patty Catalano

What’s So Great About Whole & Simple Southwestern Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl? 

Aldi’s Whole & Simple Southwestern Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl is exactly what I need this spring to transition from tired cook to inspired cook. This freezer meal is generously sized, so that I’m not searching for a second lunch soon after eating. 

Quinoa and brown rice are the foundation of this microwave meal. The bowl is studded with hearty bite-sized pieces of chicken breasts and tender sweet potatoes. Black beans, corn, and bell peppers are scattered throughout the grains and it is all mixed with a bright and spicy chipotle sauce. It’s exactly the type of meal I’d make from scratch, but am grateful that I don’t have to. 

What’s the Best Way to Eat Whole & Simple Southwestern Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl? 

This frozen meal comes with both microwave and oven instructions. I have only prepared it in the microwave and have zero complaints! It’s packed with hearty chunks of chicken and vegetables, and I never feel like I have to supplement with extras unless I have leftovers that need to be used up. The chipotle sauce that flavors the quinoa bowl has a kick, so I do like to add a sliced avocado or a dollop of sour cream to cool things down for my timid tongue. At just $3, I make sure to pick up several boxes at a time and recommend you do the same. 

Find it in stores: Whole & Simple Southwestern Style Chicken Quinoa Bowl, $2.99 for 10.5 ounces 

Do you have a favorite freezer find at Aldi? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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