These leftover chicken recipes featured precooked chicken, making them the perfect recipes to use up that leftover chicken so it doesn't go to waste! Learn the best throw together recipes to use up chicken plus how to store and reuse chicken properly.
Figuring out how to use leftover chicken is a battle any cook often faces. But if you repurpose the leftovers into another meal, it's so yummy and you won't hesitate to eat the leftovers right up!
The best part of having chicken often is that it is so versatile. You can doctor it up a million ways and come up with new variations every day.
If you get bored of the same old meals, try these leftover chicken recipes for lunches and dinners!
Ways to Use Leftover Chicken
Below I will list out links to some of my favorite leftover chicken recipes, but in general, there are a few main ways that you can use up leftover chicken. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with flavors here!
Here are five ways you can repurpose chicken leftovers:
1. Add Chicken to A Salad.
You can add chicken to so many delicious green salads. With so much protein, you could call it your main dish! Here are a few ideas:
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Berries
- Kale Chicken Caesar Salad
- Summer Quinoa Salad
2. Toss Chicken Into Pasta.
A cup of leftover diced rotisserie chicken is the perfect topping for a simple pasta dish!
Add fresh veggies or a homemade sauce to make this simple dish a hit with your family. Here are some ideas:
- Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
- One Pot Prosciutto Pesto Feta Pasta
- Homemade Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
- Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
- Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Goat Cheese Pasta with Chicken and Rosemary
3. Make It a Sandwich.
One of my favorite ways to use up shredded chicken is adding a sauce and making some sliders! You can use full buns or small slider buns for a special treat.
Or you can add it to bread or a sub roll and make it into a delicious sandwich. Try one of these leftover chicken recipes for sandwiches:
- Grilled Chicken Burgers
- Chicken Pesto Caprese Sandwich
- Chicken Enchilada Sliders
- Applesauce Chicken Sliders
4. Make It a Stir Fry.
Use up fresh or frozen veggies, Instant Pot brown rice and precooked chicken for a quick and easy stir-fry recipe!
Here are some ideas:
- Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry (Use chicken instead!)
- Ground Turkey Stir Fry (Use ground chicken instead)
- Easy Stir Fry Sauce
5. Add Chicken to Pizza.
Pizza is another great way to use leftover chicken. You can either put it onto a frozen pizza (or prepared pizza from the grocery store) as an extra topping, or you can make your own pizza dough and add it to your own creation.
More Leftover Chicken Recipes
These recipes featured precooked chicken, making them the perfect recipes to use up that leftover chicken so it doesn't go to waste!
Italian Wedding Soup
This Italian Wedding Soup is a classic soup recipe that you can make right at home and enjoy. It's packed with yummy vegetables like spinach, carrots, celery and onions plus the addition of small pasta. It calls for meatballs, but you can use leftover chicken instead.
Creamy Butternut Squash Kale Pasta
This shells pasta is surprisingly light but packed with winter flavors like fresh butternut squash, kale, cranberries and chopped walnuts. Add leftover chicken for protein.
Minestrone Soup
This quick minestrone soup is packed with veggies and flavor and can be made quickly. This classic soup is hearty and satisfying. Add leftover chicken for extra protein.
Chicken Pesto Caprese Sandwich
The combination of savory pesto, salty mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, tender leftover chicken, and tangy balsamic vinegar make this chicken pesto caprese sandwich a must-have for your next lunchtime meal!
Red Skin Potato Chili Nachos
Red skin potato chili nachos make the perfect appetizer. Perfect for a party appetizer or snack, or even a quick meal. Add leftover chicken to make them heartier.
Taco Soup
Make this Easy Taco Soup for a quick, healthy dinner for the whole family. This soup can be prepped in under 10 minutes. It's made with onion, corn, tomatoes and beans and is the perfect quick lunch or easy dinner! Mix in leftover chicken and top this soup with cheese, avocado or jalapeños.
Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas
This easy enchilada recipe is sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation! Grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and let's get started!
Grilled Chicken Fajitas
Grilled chicken fajitas are a delcious and easy dinner you can make on the grill. Use leftover chicken and all your favorite sides and toppings.
Chicken Risotto
Creamy Chicken Risotto is a delicious and comforting Italian dish. Tender, leftover chicken and veggies make this elegant dish's perfect toppings!
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
This flavorful lemon orzo pasta is a versatile side dish that pair well with any main course! Or add chicken and make it a meal.
Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Stir in leftover chicken to this delicious and hearty casserole.
Burrito Bowls
Make your favorite burrito bowls with rice, your favorite toppings and leftover chicken.
Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
These Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas enchiladas are made with flour tortillas, instead of traditionally used corn tortillas, and are stuffed with shredded leftover chicken mixed with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and cheese. The whole dish is topped with cheese and spicy green chile sauce! It's packed with flavor and the perfect dish for your family!
Bruschetta Pizza
This easy bruschetta pizza is a lovely combination of classic Italian flavors! Make pizza night extra special with this fun recipe and add your favorite toppings like leftover chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.
Chicken Enchilada Sliders
These chicken enchilada sliders use homemade enchilada sauce poured over shredded chicken and served on slider buns.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Use that leftover chicken for a quick and easy appetizer. This buffalo chicken dip recipe calls for a shredded rotisserie chicken, but you can easily use a chicken breast, either shredded or cut into small chunks!
Chicken Mushroom Enchilada Casserole
A perfect way to use up leftover shredded chicken! You'll need sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, mushrooms, onions and cheese to make this delicious casserole.
Asian Chicken Wraps with Peanut Sauce
These chicken wraps with peanut sauce are such an easy and healthy lunch. Make them with leftover chicken.
Homemade Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Add cooked chicken to this homemade broccoli macaroni and cheese for a delicious variation on your childhood favorite!
Veggie Risotto
This homemade risotto base is the only risotto recipe you'll ever need! Add cooked chicken to it for a fully delicious meal.
Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
If you’re a buffalo chicken fan like myself, these Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are a must-make! They’re easy, cheesy, and will for sure satisfy that buffalo chicken craving!
Slow Cooker Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Slow Cooker Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are an easy and fast weeknight meal packed with flavor, color, and texture! Add leftover chicken for a delicious meal.
Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches
Chicken salad is a classic way to use up leftover chicken! Add it to sandwiches or eat it on a bed of greens.
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Chicken spaghetti casserole is an easy, cheesy, crowd-pleasing meal! Leftover chicken, pasta, Rotel and a creamy sauce come together for a comforting weeknight meal.
Crispy Chicken Apple Cabbage Salad
This crispy chicken apple cabbage salad is guaranteed to be your new favorite salad. It’s made super easy by using leftover chicken and crisping it up in olive oil with lemongrass, ginger and garlic. That’s combined with lots of fresh chopped cabbage, minced herbs, apples, and a light squeeze of lime.
FAQ
Cooked (leftover) chicken lasts up to four days when properly stored and in a cold fridge. It's best used before that four-day mark when it should be tossed before going bad.
Refrigerate in an airtight, glass storage container for up to four days.
If you have the same dilemma I have with leftovers and lunches, hopefully this list of leftover chicken recipes will make it a little easier! If you make any, let me know in the comments!
Which of these yummy leftover chicken recipes is your favorite? What are your favorite ways to use up leftover chicken?
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