Publix Kid-Friendly Meal Plan

BUDGET RATIONALE

Why these meals: This week's plan leans into simple, hands-on dinners your kids will actually get excited about, from crispy baked chicken tenders on Monday to build-your-own pulled pork sliders on Friday. You're covering pork twice with Tuesday's pan-seared pork chops and Wednesday's Italian sausage pasta, both mild and saucy in the best kid-friendly way. Thursday brings a special treat with baked salmon alongside cauliflower and rice, a gentle introduction to seafood night without any fuss. Broccoli and cauliflower both come from the same 2-for-6.00 deal, so you're stretching that produce pick across two dinners without extra trips to the store. Every meal keeps prep straightforward and ingredients familiar, so dinnertime stays easy and the whole family is happy to dig in.

5-DAY MEAL PLAN

Monday
Meal: Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders with Corn on the Cob
Description: Chicken breast strips are coated in crispy French fried onions and baked until golden, served alongside sweet corn on the cob. It's a fun, hands-friendly dinner kids love to dip and munch.
Sale items used: Publix Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Publix French Fried Onions, Bulk Sweet Corn
Prep time: 35 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs chicken breast sliced into strips, 1 canister French Fried Onions for coating, 5 ears sweet corn (cut into pieces if desired for little hands).
Recipes:
- Baked Cornflake Chicken Tenders

Tuesday
Meal: Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Roasted Broccoli and Potatoes
Description: Juicy pork loin chops are seared in a skillet until golden, served with roasted potatoes and broccoli for a comforting, familiar plate. Simple seasoning keeps it mild and kid-approved.
Sale items used: Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops, Broccoli or Cauliflower, Publix Russet Potatoes
Prep time: 40 minutes
Serving note: 2 lbs pork loin chops (4 chops), 1 head broccoli (from the 2-for deal), 1 package Publix Russet Potatoes cut into wedges and roasted.
Recipes:
- Easy Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Potatoes and Broccoli Recipe
- Easy One Pan Pork Chops Recipe with Potatoes

Wednesday
Meal: Italian Sausage Pasta with Marinara Sauce
Description: Sliced Italian pork sausage is browned and simmered in Rao's Homemade Sauce, tossed with pasta for an easy, saucy dinner kids always ask for. It's a one-pot favorite that comes together fast.
Sale items used: Publix Italian Pork Sausage, Rao's Homemade Sauce
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 1 package Publix Italian Pork Sausage (sliced), 1 jar Rao's Homemade Sauce, pasta cooked per package directions to serve 4.

Thursday
Meal: Baked Salmon with Cauliflower and Rice
Description: Salmon fillets are baked simply with a light butter and lemon finish, served with tender cauliflower and rice for a mild, approachable seafood night. This is the week's special treat dinner.
Sale items used: Salmon Select Cuts, Broccoli or Cauliflower
Prep time: 30 minutes
Serving note: 4 Salmon Select Cuts (one per person), 1 head cauliflower (from the 2-for deal), rice cooked to serve 4.
Recipes:
- Healthy Salmon and Cauliflower Rice Recipe
- Lemon Pepper Salmon with Cauliflower Rice

Friday
Meal: Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sliders on Brioche Buns
Description: Pork picnic roast is slow-cooked until tender and shredded, piled onto soft brioche buns for a fun, hand-held Friday dinner. Kids love building their own sliders.
Sale items used: Publix Pork Picnic, Half, Brioche Hamburger Buns
Prep time: 20 minutes active
Serving note: 2 lbs Publix Pork Picnic, Half, 1 package Brioche Hamburger Buns. Start the pork roast in a slow cooker in the morning (about 6-7 hours on low) so it's ready by dinnertime.
Recipes:
- Easy Pulled Pork Sliders

SHOPPING LIST

Buy on sale:
- Publix Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (2 lbs): $5.98
- Publix French Fried Onions (1 canister): $2.99
- Bulk Sweet Corn (5 ears): $3.00
- Broccoli or Cauliflower (2 heads): $6.00
- Publix Russet Potatoes (1 package): $3.99
- Publix Assorted Pork Loin Chops (2 lbs): $7.98
- Publix Italian Pork Sausage (1 package): $5.69
- Rao's Homemade Sauce (1 jar): $6.99
- Salmon Select Cuts (4 pieces): $27.96
- Publix Pork Picnic, Half (2 lbs): $4.98
- Brioche Hamburger Buns (1 package): $3.49

Pantry staples needed:
- Pasta
- Rice
- Butter
- Lemon
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking oil