Transform Your Meals: 22+ Easy & Delicious Leftover Chicken Recipes for Ultimate Meal Prep & Zero Waste
Don’t let perfectly good chicken go to waste! These 22+ easy leftover chicken recipes are your ultimate guide to transforming humble rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken into exciting, fresh, and budget-friendly meals. Get ready to revitalize your dinner rotation and discover creative ways to enjoy chicken beyond its original form.
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What’s in this Post
Creative Leftover Chicken Recipes
Storing & Reheating Leftover Chicken
Hearty Chicken Comfort Food Dishes
Chicken Sandwiches, Wraps & Tacos
Fresh Chicken Salad & Bowl Creations
Warming Chicken Soup Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions About Leftover Chicken
Creative Leftover Chicken Recipes to Inspire Your Kitchen
Are you looking for clever ways to use up that leftover chicken lingering in your fridge? Or perhaps you’ve got a whole rotisserie chicken just begging to be transformed into multiple meals? You’ve come to the right place! This extensive collection features over 22 incredible recipes designed to give your cooked chicken a delicious second life, helping you reduce food waste and save precious time in the kitchen.
Whether you’re dealing with last night’s roasted chicken, some shredded chicken from a previous meal prep, or a succulent store-bought rotisserie bird, these recipes are incredibly versatile. From satisfying casseroles and flavorful stir-fries to vibrant salads and comforting soups, we’ve curated a list that promises something for every taste and occasion. Prepare to look at your leftover chicken not as a chore, but as an opportunity for culinary creativity!
How Long Is Leftover Chicken Good For?
Proper storage is key to enjoying your leftover chicken safely and deliciously. Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Always ensure it’s placed in airtight containers or high-quality glass meal prep bowls to maintain freshness and prevent contamination. This practice not only keeps your food safe but also preserves its flavor and texture for future meals.
When it comes to reheating, nobody likes dry, rubbery chicken. Here’s a simple, game-changing trick: lightly sprinkle a tablespoon or two of water over the chicken before microwaving. This adds moisture back into the meat, preventing it from drying out and helping to restore its tender texture. You’ll be amazed at how much better your reheated chicken tastes!
Hearty Leftover Chicken Comfort Food Dishes
Indulge in pure comfort with these delicious recipes designed to make the most of your leftover chicken. From cozy pot pies to creamy pasta bakes and satisfying pizzas, this selection of heartwarming dishes will have you looking forward to your next chicken meal.
Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies
These delightful Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies offer a lighter, individually portioned version of your favorite classic comfort food. They’re also wonderfully freezer-friendly for convenient future meals.
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Easy Chicken Pasta Bake
This Easy Chicken Pasta Bake is a fantastic freezer meal, featuring an abundance of fresh vegetables and a luscious creamy rose sauce, all crowned with melted mozzarella cheese.
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Grilled Southwest Chipotle Pizza
This Grilled Southwest Chipotle Pizza is a perfect summer meal, expertly cooked on the grill and generously topped with an assortment of fresh veggies and a zesty, smoky chipotle sauce.
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Chicken, Spinach & Artichoke Spaghetti Squash
This Chicken, Spinach & Artichoke Spaghetti Squash offers a delectable low-carb dinner option, reimagining the beloved creamy dip into a healthier, satisfying main course.
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Easy BBQ Chicken Flatbread
This easy BBQ chicken flatbread makes for a lightning-fast 20-minute dinner, brimming with flavor and protein. It’s the ultimate solution for utilizing any leftover chicken you have on hand!
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Cheesy Caprese Chicken & Quinoa Casserole via Eat Yourself Skinny
This wonderfully flavorful Cheesy Caprese Chicken and Quinoa Casserole is the ideal weeknight dinner. It’s hearty, packed with taste, and guaranteed to be a hit with everyone in the family!
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Leftover Turkey (or Chicken) Thai Green Curry via Don’t Go Bacon My Heart
Searching for a creative way to use up leftover turkey or chicken? This simple yet incredibly flavorful Thai Green Curry is your answer for a vibrant, aromatic meal!
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The Best Chicken Enchiladas Recipe via Skinnytaste
This recipe is widely acclaimed as the BEST Chicken Enchiladas! These simple chicken enchiladas are crafted with succulent shredded chicken, melted cheese, and a delectable homemade enchilada sauce—a dinner adored by the entire family!
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Classic Chicken Broccoli Pasta via Garden in the Kitchen
Opt for this Classic Chicken Broccoli Pasta when you need a swift, straightforward, and adaptable weeknight dinner. Each forkful of pasta, chicken, and broccoli, coated in a fragrant herb butter sauce, is simply divine!
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Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes via Isabel Eats
These Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a breeze to prepare and generously filled with tender shredded chicken, rich red enchilada sauce, and all your favorite toppings!
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Leftover Chicken Sandwiches, Wraps & Tacos
Lunch or dinner just got easier (and more delicious!) with these versatile chicken sandwiches, wraps, and tacos. Whether you prefer them warm or chilled, these creative recipes are an excellent way to use up any extra chicken, transforming it into a satisfying and flavorful meal that’s perfect for any time of day.
Chicken Quesadilla Recipe {Best Ever!!!}
These are touted as the best chicken quesadillas you’ll find, featuring tender sliced chicken, crisp bell peppers, red onion, and a generous blend of Tex Mex cheese.
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Kale Chicken Caesar Wraps
These Kale Chicken Caesar Wraps, bursting with fresh veggies, are the ultimate on-the-go lunch. They feature a lighter, homemade avocado Caesar dressing for a healthier twist.
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Garlic Chicken Collard Wraps {Low-Carb}
These Garlic Chicken Collard Wraps are an excellent healthy and low-carb meal prep option, packed with crisp fresh veggies and a creamy, flavorful vegan garlic sauce.
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The Best Chicken Tinga Tacos via Pinch of Yum
These Chicken Tinga Tacos truly are THE BEST! They deliver saucy, spicy, and authentic real-food perfection in every bite.
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Rotisserie Chicken Shawarma Pita Wrap via Seasons and Suppers
This chicken shawarma wrap is made effortlessly, beginning with pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, then combined with aromatic shawarma spices and fresh vegetables for a quick and flavorful meal.
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Apple BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Apple Slaw via Sunkissed Kitchen
These Apple BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are crafted with a homemade, low-sugar Sweet Onion Apple BBQ Sauce, resulting in a delicious yet healthy sandwich option.
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Fresh Leftover Chicken Salad & Bowl Creations
Elevate your everyday meals with these vibrant and protein-packed chicken salads and bowls. Thanks to your pre-cooked chicken, these dishes come together quickly, offering a nutritious and satisfying option. Simply season your leftover chicken and serve it over a crisp bed of greens, wholesome noodles, or fluffy rice for a delicious and wholesome meal.
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad
This Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad provides an easy, veggie-rich lunch option. It’s finished with a homemade ranch dressing that’s deliciously low in calories.
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Thai Chicken Soba Noodle Salad Jars
These vibrant Thai Chicken Soba Noodle Salad Jars are a delightful summer meal prep idea, offering a refreshing and innovative twist on a cold noodle salad.
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Chicken Ranch Kale & Quinoa Bowls {Gluten-Free}
These Chicken Ranch Kale & Quinoa Bowls are exceptionally flavorful and gluten-free, made even better with an incredibly easy, low-calorie homemade ranch dressing.
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Grilled Chicken Arugula Salad
This vibrant Grilled Chicken Arugula Salad is a low-carb marvel, featuring a balsamic dressing that ingeniously doubles as a marinade. Best of all, it’s ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes!
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Meal Prep Fiesta Chicken Rice Bowls
These Fiesta Chicken Rice Bowls are guaranteed to invigorate your meal prep routine! They come together in a mere 30 minutes and are loaded with irresistible Tex-Mex flavors.
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Spinach Corn + Feta Chicken Salad via Eatwell 101
Chicken Salad with Toasted Corn, Spinach, and Feta – Got leftover chicken? Don’t toss it out! Chop it, then toss it in this easy, flavorful chicken salad with toasted corn, crisp lettuce, fresh spinach, crumbled feta, juicy tomato, and sweet raisins. A perfect way to repurpose!
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Greek Chicken Pasta Salad via Sweet Peas and Saffron
This Greek chicken pasta salad combines fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and pasta, all marinated in a zesty Greek red wine vinaigrette with fragrant dill and creamy feta cheese.
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Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry using Leftover Roast Chicken via Kids Eat by Shanai
Create this effortless teriyaki chicken with noodles using your leftover roast chicken. A quick and flavorful stir-fry that the whole family will love!
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Thai Chicken Cauliflower Curry via Green Healthy Cooking
Craving a healthy dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes? Look no further! This Thai Chicken Cauliflower Curry is the quick, easy, and incredibly delicious meal you need tonight!
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Warming Leftover Chicken Soup Recipes
There’s nothing quite as comforting as a hearty bowl of soup, and these recipes are fantastic for giving your leftover chicken a delicious new purpose. Packed with flavor and incredibly filling, these soups are perfect for a cozy meal or for convenient meal prep throughout the week. Turn your chicken into a soothing, savory sensation!
The Best Ever Healing Chicken Soup
This truly is the Best Ever Healing Chicken Soup, brimming with wholesome ingredients and an abundance of flavor. It’s guaranteed to make you feel better in no time!
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Mason Jar Instant Noodles
These Mason Jar Instant Noodles are the ultimate work lunch solution. Each jar is generously packed with crisp veggies, delicate vermicelli noodles, and savory shredded chicken for a quick and satisfying meal.
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Zucchini Chicken Noodle Soup Jars
These Spiralized Zucchini Chicken Noodle Soup Jars present a fantastic low-carb meal prep option. Simply add boiling water, microwave, and savor a warm, nutritious meal!
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Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup delivers ultimate comfort in a bowl! It’s incredibly easy to make, wonderfully creamy, and utterly delicious—don’t forget to top it with flaky puff pastry croutons for extra indulgence.
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Paleo Coconut Chicken Sweet Potato Noodle Soup via Ambitious Kitchen
This Coconut Chicken Sweet Potato Noodle Soup features a rich, creamy coconut flavor and playful spiralized sweet potato noodles! It’s a delectable, globally inspired take on your favorite chicken noodle soup, crafted into a healthy paleo version.
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Chicken Mushroom Soup Recipe via Salt & Lavender
This simple and healthy chicken and mushroom soup recipe is both hearty and incredibly flavorful. It’s also an excellent method for using up leftover chicken and comes together in just over 30 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leftover Chicken
What are the best ways to use up leftover chicken?
Leftover chicken is a culinary chameleon, perfect for a multitude of dishes! Beyond simply reheating it, you can shred or dice it and incorporate it into casseroles, pasta bakes, stir-fries, and pizzas. It’s also excellent for quick lunches like sandwiches, wraps, and vibrant salads or grain bowls. Don’t forget hearty soups and flavorful tacos! All of the recipes highlighted in this post are specifically designed to be made using pre-cooked chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken, making them incredibly convenient for reducing food waste and preparing delicious meals in a flash.
What’s the best way to store cooked chicken to keep it fresh?
To ensure your cooked chicken stays fresh and safe to eat, it’s crucial to store it properly. Always transfer cooled chicken to airtight glass or plastic containers as quickly as possible after cooking (within two hours). Store these containers in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Properly stored, cooked chicken will last for 3 to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze shredded or diced cooked chicken for up to 2-3 months. These glass bowls are an excellent option for both refrigeration and meal prepping.
Do I need to reheat the chicken before adding it to these recipes?
For most of the recipes featured in this collection, you won’t need to reheat the leftover chicken separately. The chicken will typically be cooked or warmed through as it’s incorporated into the dish with the other ingredients. For instance, in a pasta bake or soup, the chicken will gently reheat as the dish bakes or simmers. This saves an extra step in your meal preparation, making these recipes even more convenient. However, if you’re making a cold dish like a chicken salad, ensure your chicken is thoroughly chilled before mixing.
More leftover ideas
Looking for even more smart ways to repurpose ingredients and minimize kitchen waste? Explore these additional collections for creative leftover meal ideas that are both delicious and economical.
25+ Best Leftover Turkey Recipes
26 Creative Ways to Use Up Leftovers
18 Best Leftover Steak Recipes
See more related recipes
We hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with abundant inspiration for your leftover chicken! Embracing these recipes not only helps reduce food waste and save money but also unlocks a world of culinary possibilities, turning simple leftovers into exciting new meals. From hearty comfort foods to light and fresh bowls, your rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken can be the star of countless delicious dishes. Happy cooking!
