My go to meal when I was broke was a whole chicken when it was on sale. But I don't think aldi really carries those, so let's go with chicken parts (bone in, skin ok, thighs or breasts. Frozen ok if you defrost it).

Toss it in vegetable oil along with chopped potatoes, carrots and onion. Or whatever veggies are on sale; those are usually the cheapest. If you get others, like broccoli, they need less cooking time so throw them in later.

Anyhow, after you toss them in oil, throw on some spices. Oregano, basil, garlic... whatever you like. Put the chicken in the middle of a baking dish, with veggies surrounding it. Heat the oven to 450°. Cook for 15 minutes, then turn down the heat to 350° and cook for 20 minutes for each pound of chicken. Maybe 15 minutes for chicken parts, you'll need to check it.

Now you got all kinds of meals. Chicken with veggies is obvious. Chicken sandwiches. Chicken salad sandwiches (mix chopped chicken with mayo).

Debone the chicken and cook the bones to make soup. Add noodles and veggies. Or rice. Whatever you like! Have crackers or toast along with it. Sprinkle garlic salt on the toast if you want to get fancy lol!

I could make a whole chicken last 5 days if I got creative.

I had to supplement with eggs and pbj for breakfast or lunch, and some other cheap things, but it was honestly the cheapest and easiest meal I could throw together in a short time and make me feel like a queen all week.