Getting dinner on the table is so much easier when you have leftover chicken ready to use! You can turn last night’s chicken into something new and delicious. From quick weeknight dinners to family-friendly comfort foods (and even lighter healthy options) we have you covered! Our collection of 41+ favorite Leftover Chicken Recipes will help you stretch what you have, save time, and make mealtime stress-free.
Whether you grab store-bought rotisserie chicken or make a batch of my crockpot rotisserie chicken or juicy baked chicken breast, having it on hand means dinner comes together fast. I’ve included leftover shredded chicken recipes for tacos, pasta bakes, and casserole recipes as well as easy recipes for rotisserie chicken leftovers such as sandwiches and hearty salads. Having prepped chicken ready to shred or chop is a total game changer for busy families!
Quick & Easy Leftover Chicken Dinners
Busy nights call for fast solutions. These recipes turn cooked chicken into a brand-new meal in 30 minutes or less.
- Easy Butter Chicken – 20 minutes for a repurposed meal!
- Chicken Veggie Stir Fry – add the chopped leftover chicken breast in after cooking the veggies to mix in and warm through
- Chicken Quesadilla – pack with diced leftover chicken, cheddar cheese, spices, and veggies. Cook over medium heat until each side is golden and cheese is melted. Serve with a side of my doctored up black beans and you’re set!
- Garlic Bread Chicken Caesar Sandwich
- Chicken Cobbler – an easier version of chicken pot pie
Kid-Friendly Leftover Chicken Recipes
Even picky eaters will clean their plates with these fun (finger food is fun!) flavorful chicken dishes the whole family can enjoy.
- Chicken Cheesesteaks – add in diced leftover chicken with cooked onion and peppers before topping with cheese
- EASY Teriyaki Chicken – This recipe can be made in as little as 15 minutes!
- BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
- Chicken Fajita Nachos – minimize cooking time by using your leftovers
- BBQ Chicken Enchiladas
- BBQ Chicken Nachos
Healthy Leftover Chicken Recipes
Wholesome and satisfying, these lighter chicken recipes make it easy to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Chicken Fajita Bowls
- Blackened Chicken Salad – sliced leftover chicken breast and serve over a dinner salad with my buttermilk ranch dressing or creamy italian dressing
- Chicken Burrito Bowl – use cauliflower rice to make it low-carb
- Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Chili Crunch Chicken Bowls – Everyone likes to create their own!
One-Pan & Skillet Chicken Recipes
Less mess, more flavor! These easy one-pan meals transform leftover chicken into hearty dinners with minimal cleanup.
- Chicken Fried Rice – ready in only 15 min!
- Chicken Taco Tortellini Skillet
- Chicken Burrito Skillet – add in leftover cooked chicken after rice is done, let warm though, and top with cheese
- One Pan Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Pasta Using Leftover Chicken
From creamy Alfredo to zesty tomato-based sauces, pasta and chicken are always a winning dinner combo.
- Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake
- Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake
- Chicken Pasta with Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Easy Salads, Sandwiches & Wraps with Leftover Chicken
Salads and wraps make quick lunches or light dinners with just a few simple ingredients.
- Chicken Salad – put this together in less than 15 minutes.
- Greek Chicken Wraps
- Baja Chicken Wrap
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad – fresh cilantro and bold flavors with a satisfying crunch
- Million Dollar Chicken Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad
- Tostada Salad
- Curry Chicken Salad
- Shredded Chicken Sliders
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
- Mexican Caesar Salad
Soups with Leftover Chicken Recipes
Cozy up with a bowl of homemade goodness. I love using soups as a way to stretch my leftover chicken!
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup – don’t forget a dollop of sour cream.
- Chicken Salsa Soup – only a handful of ingredients and one pot
- Tuscan Tomato Tortellini Soup – add in diced chicken
- Southwest Chicken Soup – you can crumble tortilla chips on top for a little crunch.
- Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Green Chili Chicken Corn Chowder – the green chiles give this the perfect kick
Chicken Casserole Recipes with Leftover Chicken
Leftover chicken is perfect for creating delicious and hearty casseroles. These casseroles are easy to prep and an excellent way to make the most of leftovers chicken.
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole – make these enchiladas for a crowd
- Chicken Rice Casserole
- BBQ Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
- Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
- Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole
- Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
If you’re looking for leftover chicken recipes, this list will be a keeper. If you need more quick dinner ideas check out my easy taco night recipes or my list of middle of the week easy recipe ideas.
If you have a tried and true recipe that uses leftover chicken for dinner, make sure and let me know in the comments!
What to do with leftover dry chicken breast?
Leftover chicken breast can sometimes be dry. For this reason, it’s best to serve in a recipe that provides some moisture. Think soups, casseroles, chicken salad, etc. You could also stir a little chicken broth into the recipe.
How long is leftover chicken good for in the fridge?
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store: in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Can I freeze leftover chicken?
Yes! Put your leftovers into meal sized portions and then into an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.
Whole Baked Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 pound whole chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1-2 onions, quartered
Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275˚F.
- Mix the salt, paprika, onion powder, thyme, pepper, and garlic powder together.
- Remove the chicken from its packaging and discard the neck and/or gizzards. Rub the outside of the chicken all over with the olive oil. Sprinkle the chicken all over with the seasoning and rub it in.
- Spray 9×13 in baking dish with cooking spray or lightly oil it. Stuff the chicken with the onions and any extra can be placed on the bottom of the dish. Set the chicken on top of the onions breast side up. Bake for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F.
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