leftover chicken recipes
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29 Leftover Chicken Recipes to Make Meal Time A Delicious Affair

Did you make a big chicken roast and don’t know what to do with the leftovers? These leftover chicken recipes will give you enough ammunition to experiment with a host of different flavors and ingredients to create new dishes.

Although some of these recipes do not specify using “leftover chicken” per se, they do allow for the easy addition of chicken leftovers in their compositions. Just adjust your cooking time if you’re using pre-cooked chicken.

From hearty soups and delicious pizzas to aromatic curries and flavorful rice meals — explore a world of culinary delights with your plain old leftover chicken.

#1. Butter Chicken Pizza

Got some butter chicken leftover from last night’s Indian takeout? Warm it up and slather it on slightly crispy naan bread before topping it with shredded provolone cheese or mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle some chopped cilantro and drizzle it with sriracha (optional, but recommended) for a spicy tangy flavor!

#2. Chicken Enchilada Tamale Bake

Made with spicy cornbread, creamy corn, shredded chicken, and cheese and topped with homemade enchilada sauce, this tex-mex fusion recipe brings the flavors and goodness of enchilada, tamale, and casserole together to create a delicious meal. Garnish it with sour cream and a little more sauce if needed.

#3. Chicken Mac and Cheese

Give a protein boost to your kid’s favorite mac n’ cheese dinner by adding leftover chicken to the mix. The creamy cheese sauce, savory chicken, and soft macaroni deliver a deliciously healthy meal — one that will please everyone’s taste buds. To add some texture, top it with crispy breadcrumbs.

#4. Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Loaded with a rich veggie profile and topped with a lattice pie crust, this chicken pot pie casserole is the perfect transformation for your leftover rotisserie chicken. Feel free to experiment with other types of crust and ingredients to create a healthier version and to suit your taste.

#5. Chicken Quesadillas

This quick, easy-to-make recipe combines the goodness of sliced chicken breast and cheese with flavorful seasonings and nutritious veggies. Serve with sour cream to add a rich, creamy, and tangy taste to this crispy dish. Double the seasonings for a more intense flavor (optional).

#6. Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps

A chicken ranch wrap, especially one that uses whole wheat and low-carb ingredients, is easy to make and healthier than your regular sandwiches. Just mix some leftover sliced/shredded chicken and bacon (optional) with ranch dressing and fresh veggies to make this easy lunch recipe.

#7. Chicken Patties

Crisp on the outside with creamy cheese on the inside, these shredded chicken patties will be an instant hit for a starter course. Add lemon zest and dill for more flavor and garnish and coat the patties generously with bread crumbs if you like to munch on the crunch (optional).

#8. Leftover Chicken Shepherd’s Pie

An easy twist on the traditional Shepherd’s pie, this recipe comes together very quickly. Chicken and veggies are cooked in flavorful chicken broth and white wine and covered with creamy mashed potatoes. If you don’t cook with wine, simply replace it with equal parts chicken broth! This one-pan meal served with some buttered peas or glazed carrots will be your new favorite recipe.

#9. Easy Chicken Lentil Soup

Seasoned with warm spices, this dish is made with earthy lentils, veggies, and leftover chicken that are brightened up with lemon juice to offer a delicious Mediterranean flavor. Top this winter-friendly protein-rich soup with fresh dill and lemon and serve with a warm pita for a delicious dinner.

#10. Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos

Let’s face it, you can never go wrong with nachos. And when you add some leftover cooked chicken to the mix and top it with your favorite fixings, this recipe made with a blend of cheeses is bound to offer top-tier flavors and textures in every bite.

#11. Leftover Chicken Curry

Cook your leftover chicken with a few choice spices and tomato puree in chicken broth to create a delicious dinner! Add some coconut cream and diced fresh tomatoes for more robust flavors. Rest assured, the diverse flavors of this creamy, aromatic curry will be loved by everyone, young and old.

#12. Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas

Packed with flavor, this leftover roast chicken fajitas recipe is the perfect go-to dish for busy weeknights — one you’ll want to revisit every time you have chicken to spare. Add extra veggies and serve it with guacamole, grated cheese, and an extra wedge of lime for a delightful flourish.

#13. Leftover Chicken Enchiladas

Fire-roasted diced green chiles for an extra punch of flavor, plenty of grated cheese, and a rich, spicy enchilada sauce — that’s how you get the distinct flavors of these Mexican-inspired chicken-filled tortillas. With a taste as good as this, this dish is destined to make weeknight dinners exciting.

#14. Leftover Chicken and Egg Fried Rice

This leftover chicken fried rice turns basic leftovers into a rich, filling, nutritious meal. Customize with your choice of veggies and rice to make this gluten-free recipe healthier. To add a deep savory flavor, scatter some spring onions on top and keep soy sauce and sesame oil handy (optional).

#15. Leftover Roast Chicken Biryani

With an array of delicious spices coating the rice, this leftover chicken biryani is made with a fine addition of sauteed pepper to give a pop of color to the flavorful dish. It is the best recipe to get picky eaters to expand their veggie palate without even realizing it!

#16. Leftover Roast Chicken Risotto

Toss a healthy dose of veggies, a couple of cups of rice, and leftover rotisserie chicken in a pot to make a scrumptious leftover roast chicken risotto. Opt for brown rice and moderate the amount of butter used to keep this dish creamy yet healthy.

#17. Peanut Butter Chicken Salad Sandwich

The creaminess of the peanut butter and mayonnaise with chicken creates a surprisingly sweet and delicious blend that pairs well with whole wheat bread. The addition of fresh sweet apples does wonders to this innovative salad filling. Feel free to customize it according to your dietary preferences.

#18. Thai Chicken Soba Noodle Salad Jars

A salad jar made with soba noodles, chicken dressed with crisp broccoli slaw, full-fat coconut milk for extra creaminess, and your choice of Thai-inspired toppings. These Thai chicken soba noodle salad jars are a great midday meal that’s perfectly sweet and savory.

#19. Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Soup

Loaded with vibrant Thai flavors, this rich, luxurious savory recipe involves cooking the chicken in a mixture of creamy coconut milk and chicken broth, spiced with garlic, coriander, and Thai red curry paste, and topped with spinach, cilantro, and lime juice. It’s a hearty soup that’ll keep you full for hours.

#20. Creamy Chicken Spaghetti

Made with rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, heavy cream, and 5 whole cloves of garlic, this heart-healthy recipe is a complete masterpiece. Garnish it with your choice of toppings for added crunch and flavor and serve with breadsticks or garlic bread. Customize it as required to make this easy weeknight meal healthier.

#21. Easy White Chicken Chili

Cook the white beans and shredded chicken in chicken broth and dish it over nachos or baked potatoes, or wrap it up in tortillas if you want to shake things up a bit. Customize the spice levels to your preference before serving it with your desired toppings and garnishes.

#22. Creamy Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

This versatile, easy-to-make dish sports Alfredo sauce made with fresh minced garlic heated with butter, cream, and cheese. When layered with leftover chicken and sprinkled with mozzarella and parsley, this casserole is destined to win a place in your cooking repertoire.

#23. Chickpea, Feta, and Chicken Salad

This is the perfect Mediterranean lunch recipe to use up your leftover chicken. Made with leftover rotisserie chicken, chickpeas, a healthy dose of fresh veggies, feta cheese, and olives, and seasoned with salt and pepper with olive oil and lemon juice dressing, this recipe is fresh, healthy, and so easy to make!

#24. Asian Chicken Rice Bowl

Made with leftover chicken, this versatile recipe uses a combination of three sauces — soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and hoisin sauce — that elevates this meal bowl to the next level. Garnish this signature dish of amazing Asian flavors with green onions, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, or sprouts before serving.

#25. Chicken Stuffed French Bread

This hearty sandwich is made with a shredded chicken mixture that’s filled to the brim with ranch dressing, creamy and savory cheese, and green onion and spread on a thick, crusty bread loaf. Pair it with your favorite chips, Greek yogurt, or sour cream to enjoy on cold, wintery nights.

#26. Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Shredded chicken, spices, zippy buffalo sauce, sour cream, and lots of cheese come together in this incredibly versatile comfort food. It’s warm, creamy, hearty, and most importantly, full of flavor. Swap ingredients according to your dietary requirements and serve with extra buffalo sauce or ranch, if desired.

#27. Chicken Tortilla Stack

Made with layers of tortillas and shredded chicken, this recipe is the perfect pick for a quick, weeknight meal. Top it with avocados, green onions, lettuce, and tomato, and serve with sour cream. This flavorful dish is so good it’s bound to be a part of your family cookbook.

#28. Mexican Pizza

This quick and easy Mexican pizza recipe is made by spreading sun-dried tomato puree on a pizza base and topping it with sliced tomatoes and shredded chicken, followed by mozzarella cheese and a little enchilada sauce (optional). Consider swapping the pizza base with flour tortillas to make this heavenly creation a little healthier.

#29. Spinach Salad with Tortellini & Roasted Onions

Tortellini, spinach, leftover cooked chicken, and roasted onions added to bottled salad dressing combine to create an exciting, flavorful meal. To make the meal more nutritious, consider adding more veggies to the mix and top it off with freshly grated parmesan or mozzarella.

AboutRibana Hategan

Ribana is a certified pastry chef and passionate home cook who curates and develops recipes that are high on nutrition. She develops and tests cost effective, nutritious meals using quality ingredients to help people better their everyday eating experiences.