Husky Student Recipes: Budget-Friendly Meals & Snacks for College Life

Being a student means juggling classes, studying, and managing a budget, all while trying to eat well. These recipes are my go-to meals as a Husky student at the University of Washington, the Tacoma campus. Still, they’re perfect for any student looking to save money while eating delicious, homemade food. Whether you’re living off-campus or just trying to avoid overpriced bookstore cafes, these meals and snacks are easy to make, budget-friendly, and packed with flavor!

Sweet Coconut Thai Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp garlic (you love garlic!)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric (to avoid overpowering)
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• Cooked chicken (this part is also optional, can also be canned, nuggets, cooked chicken breast, etc)
• Stir-fried vegetables
• Cooked brown rice

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
2. Stir in turmeric, ginger, and brown sugar. Mix well.
3. Add coconut milk, soy sauce, and sweet chili sauce. Stir to combine.
4. Let simmer on low to blend flavors (helps tone down turmeric).
5. Add cooked chicken and vegetables, tossing to coat.
6. Serve over rice and enjoy!

Bang Bang Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• Cooked chicken nuggets

Instructions:

1. In a pan over low heat, mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well.
2. Heat gently (keep at a low simmer, don’t boil).
3. Toss cooked chicken nuggets in the sauce until coated.
4. Serve warm and enjoy!

Spicy Honey Ginger Chicken & Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp garlic
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• Cooked chicken
• Cooked rice

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a skillet. Add garlic and ginger, sauté until fragrant.
2. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and sweet chili sauce. Mix well.
3. Add cooked chicken, tossing to coat. Let simmer briefly.
4. Serve over rice.

Thai-Inspired Peanut Butter Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp garlic
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• Cooked chicken
• Cooked rice

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a skillet. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
2. Stir in peanut butter, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and brown sugar. Mix well.
3. Let simmer briefly, then add cooked chicken.
4. Serve over rice.

Sweet & Tangy Pineapple Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp garlic
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (or blended pineapple)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• Cooked chicken
• Cooked rice

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a skillet. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
2. Stir in pineapple juice, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and brown sugar.
3. Let simmer until slightly thickened.
4. Add cooked chicken, tossing to coat.
5. Serve over rice.

Marinated Hard-Boiled Eggs (Mayak Eggs)

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp green onions (or regular onion, chopped)
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or sriracha (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place peeled hard-boiled eggs in a container.
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, water, sweet chili sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
3. Pour over eggs, making sure they’re submerged.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
5. Cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
6. Serve over rice or as a snack!

Portable Study Snacks

Savory Snacks:

• Spicy Roasted Chickpeas – Toss canned chickpeas with a little soy sauce, garlic powder, and chili powder, then bake until crispy.
• Cheese & Cracker Stackers – Pack some sliced cheese and crackers for a simple snack.
• Popcorn Mix – Air-popped popcorn with a sprinkle of chili powder, garlic powder, or nutritional yeast for flavor.

Sweet Snacks:

• Nut Butter Rice Cakes – Spread peanut or almond butter on mini rice cakes and top with a drizzle of honey.
• Dark Chocolate & Almond Mix – A mix of dark chocolate chips, almonds, and dried fruit for a quick energy boost.
• Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips – Cut a tortilla into pieces, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and bake until crispy.

These recipes are easy, affordable, and perfect for students who want to enjoy delicious meals without breaking the bank. Give them a try and let me know your favorites!