The Challenge
It started as a “brilliant” idea:
Buy one $20, 11.5 lb pack of Costco chicken thighs and cook five dishes from five different countries in one go.
Sounds efficient, right?
…well, reality had other plans.
Between juggling five pans, chopping endless garlic, and trying not to overcook everything, my “meal prep day” turned into a full-blown kitchen disaster comedy special. But the flavors? Totally worth it.
The Menu
Each dish uses about 2.25–2.5 lbs of chicken, making 4–6 servings — perfect for meal prep or feeding a hungry crowd. If you’re not looking for chaos, cook them one at a time over the week.
1️⃣ Indian-Inspired Low-Carb Butter Chicken 🇮🇳
Flavor: Creamy, buttery, mildly spiced comfort food.
Best Served With: Cauliflower rice or steamed veggies.
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs (bite-size pieces)
- 3 tbsp butter (or ghee)
- 1.5 tbsp minced garlic (or 1½ tsp garlic powder)
- 1½ tsp paprika (or mild chili powder)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¾ cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat 1.5 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 3–4 min per side, then set aside.
- Melt remaining butter, add garlic and paprika, sauté 30 sec.
- Lower heat, stir in cream, simmer 3–4 min to thicken.
- Return chicken, cook 6–8 min until done. Garnish if desired.
2️⃣ Filipino Chicken Adobo 🇵🇭
Flavor: Tangy, salty, garlicky — the ultimate Filipino comfort food.
Best Served With: Steamed spinach or cauliflower rice.
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
- ¾ cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- ¾ cup vinegar (white or cane)
- 8 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2–3 bay leaves
- 1½ tsp whole black peppercorns
- ¾ cup water
- Optional: 1½ tsp monk fruit sweetener
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a pot or deep skillet.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered 30–35 min until chicken is tender.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
3️⃣ Japanese Teriyaki Chicken (No Sugar) 🇯🇵
Flavor: Sweet-savory glaze with a tangy twist.
Best Served With: Steamed broccoli or shredded cabbage.
Ingredients
- 2.25 lbs chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1½ tbsp mirin (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ tsp grated ginger
- ¾ tsp monk fruit sweetener
- Optional garnish: sesame seeds & green onions
Instructions
- Pan-sear chicken until lightly browned.
- Whisk sauce ingredients, add to pan, simmer 8–10 min until glaze thickens.
- Garnish and serve.
4️⃣ Korean Soy-Braised Chicken (찜닭-inspired) 🇰🇷
Flavor: Savory-sweet broth with tender chicken and veggies.
Best Served With: Konjac noodles or as a hearty stew.
Ingredients
- 2.25 lbs chicken thighs
- ¾ cup soy sauce
- ¾ cup water
- 3 tbsp mirin or cooking wine
- 1½ tbsp minced garlic
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms (shiitake or button)
- 2 small carrots, sliced
- ¾ tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large pot or Dutch oven.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer 30–35 min until chicken is tender.
- Adjust sweetness or salt to taste.
5️⃣ Chinese Ginger-Scallion Chicken 🇨🇳
Flavor: Fragrant, light, and fresh.
Best Served With: Stir-fried bok choy or napa cabbage.
Ingredients
- 2.25 lbs chicken thighs (steamed or poached)
- 4 stalks green onions, finely chopped
- 2-inch piece ginger, minced
- 4 tbsp neutral oil
- 1½ tsp salt
- Optional: soy sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Steam or poach chicken until cooked through (15–20 min).
- Heat oil until hot (but not smoking), pour over ginger and green onions.
- Sprinkle with salt, serve with optional soy sauce.
Meal Prep Notes & Tips
- Costco 11.5 lb pack = ~2.25–2.5 lbs per dish
- Each recipe makes 4–6 servings
- All are high-protein, low-carb, and meal-prep friendly
- Store leftovers in airtight containers for 3–4 days in the fridge
- If you’re brave enough to cook all five in one day… clear your schedule
Final Thoughts
Cooking these five dishes back-to-back was exhausting, messy, and hilarious.
Would I recommend doing it all at once? Probably not — unless you enjoy high-stakes multitasking.
Would I eat them all again? Absolutely.
From creamy butter chicken to tangy adobo, each dish brought a little taste of its home country right into my kitchen — even if I was too busy dodging splattering oil to fully appreciate it in the moment.
🎥 Watch the chaos unfold here:
https://youtu.be/5iT-POz-Xlo
