5 Reasons Why Staying in is the new Going Out

Whether it’s a date night, a birthday or just a Friday evening, one of life’s great pleasures is sharing a delicious meal with your loved ones. However, as we all know, eating out can be expensive - not to mention that fact that, in winter, you might want to just cosy up in your own home. Well, imagine if you could make food at home that was just as delicious as eating out (for less money?) Imagine no longer - here are five reasons why staying in is ​just ​as good as going out.

1.You’ll save money: ​According to a recent survey, the average cost per head, per year, for eating out in the UK is £700 - multiply that by family of four and you’ve got a big potential saving. Why not switch up a few meals out for a delicious, freshly cooked dinner in? Your wallet will thank you.

2.You can get everyone involved: ​If you have kids then getting them in the kitchen while you’re trying to make a hurried weeknight supper might be a bridge too far - but on a weekend, when you have more time, a family night in is a great opportunity to get any budding chefs involved.

3.You’re likely to eat more healthily: ​Whilst it’s lovely to have a meal out once in a while, it’s easier to stick to healthy choices when you’re preparing food yourself from fresh ingredients - you know exactly what’s gone into your meal and can tailor your choices. You’re also less likely to have that extra pint of beer or portion of pudding!

4.It can be just as easy as eating out: ​I’m sure the thought of a night off washing up is very tempting, but if you go for an easy, one-pan recipe then cooking a tasty meal at home can also be low-effort, whilst saving you money and time. Why not try our recipe for a delicious ​chicken and bacon traybake​.

5.It’s a chance to try something new: ​Getting stuck into a new recipe can be far more exciting and entertaining than another trip to your local pub for some fish and chips. Try sites like ​Delicious Magazine​ and ​BBC Good Food​ for inspiration.

To check out our other fabulous chicken recipes, see our recipe sections here!