10/21/2026
🍎🥕 WESTPORT FOOD PANTRY FARM-TO-TABLE RECIPE SERIES 🍗🌽
This Week: Whole Chicken Dinners & Pantry Favorites!
Hello, Westport Food Pantry family! ❤️
Chef Tony is back with another edition of our Farm-to-Table Recipe Series! This week, we’re featuring comforting whole chicken dinners, hearty soups, delicious vegetable sides, and a few creative ways to use the pantry staples available here at the Westport food pantry.
Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding a family, or looking to stretch your groceries into several meals, we hope these recipes inspire you!
👨🍳 RECIPE #1: Herb-Roasted Whole Chicken with Root Vegetables
Ingredients
1 whole chicken
3–4 potatoes, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
1 red onion, cut into wedges
1–2 turnips, peeled and chopped
1–2 tablespoons oil or melted butter
Salt, pepper, garlic, and your favorite herbs
Lime juice (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Place the chopped vegetables in a roasting pan and drizzle with oil.
Season the chicken inside and out with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs.
Place the chicken over the vegetables and roast until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F and the thighs reach at least 165°F. Follow the package directions and allow extra time for a larger bird.
Rest the chicken for 10–15 minutes before carving. Serve with the roasted vegetables.
Chef Tony’s tip: Save the leftover chicken and bones for tomorrow’s soup!
🍗 RECIPE #2: Homemade Chicken, Vegetable & Rice Soup
Ingredients
Cooked chicken, shredded
1–2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 cup rice
1 cup chopped collard greens
6–8 cups chicken broth or water
Salt, pepper, and seasonings to taste
Directions
Add the carrots, celery, and onion to a large pot with a little oil. Cook for 5 minutes.
Add the broth or water and rice. Simmer until the rice is tender.
Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and collard greens.
Simmer until the greens are tender and the chicken is heated through. Season to taste.
This is a wonderful way to turn one chicken into another hearty family meal!
🥘 RECIPE #3: Southern-Style Collard Greens with Chicken
Ingredients
1 bunch collard greens, washed and chopped
1–2 cups cooked chicken
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
3–4 cups chicken broth or water
Black pepper, garlic, and a squeeze of lime
Directions
Sauté the onion and celery in a large pot.
Add the broth, collard greens, and seasonings.
Simmer until the greens soften, about 30–45 minutes or longer if needed.
Stir in the cooked chicken and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Serve over rice for a filling, budget-friendly dinner.
🎃 RECIPE #4: Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
3–4 cups broth or water
1/2 cup milk, optional
Salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg, if available
Directions
Place the squash, carrot, and onion in a pot with the broth.
Simmer for 20–30 minutes, until the vegetables are fork-tender.
Mash thoroughly or blend carefully until smooth.
Stir in milk if desired, warm gently, and season to taste.
Serve with bread or a sandwich for a cozy fall lunch!
🥔 RECIPE #5: Easy Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 cup carrots, diced
1 cup green beans, chopped
1 cup corn
2 cups prepared mashed potatoes, made with potatoes or instant potato flakes
1/2 cup broth or water
Salt, pepper, and seasonings
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Brown the ground beef with the onion in a skillet. Drain excess fat.
Stir in carrots, green beans, corn, broth, and seasonings. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
Spread the mixture into a baking dish and top with mashed potatoes.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until hot throughout and lightly golden.
A complete, comforting meal in one dish!
🍎 RECIPE #6: Warm Cinnamon Apples & Pears
Ingredients
2 apples, sliced
2 pears, sliced
1/4 cup water or apple c***r
Cinnamon and a little sugar, optional
Directions
Add the fruit and water or c***r to a saucepan.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and a little sugar if desired.
Cover and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
Enjoy warm as a healthy dessert, breakfast topping, or side dish.
🍰 BONUS RECIPE: Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix all three ingredients until combined.
Roll into small balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
Flatten each ball gently with a fork.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, until set. Cool before serving.
❤️ A MESSAGE FROM CHEF TONY
At Westport Food Pantry, we believe that food is more than groceries. It’s family dinners, shared traditions, creativity, and making the most of what we have.
Our pantry orders include seasonal vegetables and everyday staples that can become delicious meals with a little inspiration. We hope these recipes help you discover new favorites and make your groceries go a little further.
From our pantry and farm to your table, happy cooking!
👨🍳 Chef Tony Abreu
Westport Food Pantry Farm-to-Table Recipe Series