30+ Leftover Chicken Recipes (2024)

byChristine |Food| 02.24.20

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Have leftover chicken? Whether it’s a roasted chicken, rotisserie, or chicken breast, we have the perfect way to make the most of it. Here are our favorite 30+ Leftover Chicken Recipes!

30+ Leftover Chicken Recipes (1)

Something that can really help save time and energy is to roast a whole, organic chicken at the beginning of the week (or purchase a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken) and use the leftover meat in recipes throughout the week. It’s also great for saving money!

Today, we’re sharing how to roast a chicken (the easy way) and 30+ leftover chicken recipes that are quick, easy, healthy, and perfect for the busy week ahead. Enjoy, friend!

P.S: Want to save even more time? Have high quality chicken delivered to your doorstep (and get an awesome discount) with Butcher Box!

30+ Leftover Chicken Recipes (2)

How to roast a chicken (the easy way)

  1. Preheat oven (or electric roaster) to 375 degrees F.
  2. Clean and remove giblets (if necessary).
  3. Place the thawed chicken in the roaster.
  4. Add about 1″ of liquid – water, juice, broth, etc.
  5. Rub oil or butter over the entire chicken.
  6. Add garlic, dried onions (or fresh), and spices.
  7. Cover and roast for 1.5 – 2 hours, or about 25 minutes per pound.
  8. Internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F. and juices should run clear!

The best chicken roasters

The best way to roast a chicken is in an oven or electric roaster. Here are our favorite options for both!

Leftover Chicken Recipes

1. Meal Prep Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls

These Meal Prep Chicken Burrito Bowls (southwest edition) are pretty easy to make! They’re gluten-free and only take about 30 minutes to put together. They’re great for lunch on the go or for a quick and easy dinner for busy weeknights!

2. Skinny Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Savory, hearty, cheesy,Skinny Creamy Chicken Enchiladas that can also be meal prepped and turned into a freezer meal. This weeknight dinner is delicious and easy to make!

3. Healthy Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe

Healthy Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe loaded with spicy greens, creamy avocado, boiled eggs, fresh tomatoes, corn, delicious grilled chicken, and topped with a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles. So yummy! (Gluten Free)

4. Slow Cooker Skinny Chicken Tortilla Soup

Slow cooker life is the best life, right? Especially when it involves something as savory and delicious as this Slow Cooker Skinny Chicken Tortilla Soup!

5. Healthy Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos

Healthy Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos to put a pep in your step! Delicious, crunchy, wholesome, with a hint of Sriracha spicy goodness. A little bit of feta to top it off and we have ourselves a super easy, quick, and healthy weeknight meal!

6. Healthy Chicken Fajita Tacos

Tacos are LIFE, but especially when they’re these Healthy Chicken Fajita Tacos! Savory, delicious, healthy, and so easy to make.

7. Creamy Healthy Chicken Enchilada Skillet

Creamy Healthy Chicken Enchilada Skillet that only takes a few minutes to put together and is sure to make the entire family happy!

8. Turmeric Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

Creamy, savory, deliciously lightened-up Turmeric Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps! These heavenly wraps are a wonderfulhealthy lunch or dinner option that can be taken on-the-go and made in 5 minutes or less.

9. Chicken Fajita Casserole

Dinner tonight, lunch tomorrow! Whether you’re a leftovers kinda person or not, thisdelicious Chicken Fajita Casserole can be made in advance and served throughout the week!

10. One-Pot Basil Chicken Baked Ziti

Healthy, easy, quick homestyle cooking comfort foodfor the win!This One-Pot Basil Chicken Baked Ziti is perfect for a delicious, easy weeknight dinner!

11. Slow Cooker Fiesta Ranch Chicken Wraps

Spicy, creamy, crunchy, and savory.These Slow Cooker Fiesta Ranch Chicken Wraps are perfect for a busy weekday lunch or dinner!

12. Jerk Chicken Tacos

These Jerk Chicken Tacos w/ Mango Avocado Salsa are one of our favorite leftover chicken recipes! Perfect for a yummy, flavorful healthy dinner.

13. Paleo Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Paleo Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Meal Prep Bowls that are delicious and SO easy to make!

14. Easy 30-Minute Chicken Fried Rice

Easy 30-Minute Chicken Fried Rice that’s delicious, easy to make (only takes a few minutes), and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner using leftover chicken!

15. Chicken and Seafood Paella

ThisChicken and Seafood Paella is a Spanish-inspired recipe that’s easy to make and perfect for a gluten-free dinner tonight!

16. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps that are easy to make and so refreshing! Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

17. Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

Whole wheat pasta, chicken, and broccoli in an easy-to-make creamy cashew sauce that can be ready in 30 minutes. ThisHealthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casseroleis EVERYTHING and perfect for a quick, weeknight dinner!

More easy leftover chicken recipes:

18. Quick & Easy Leftover Chicken Quesadillas

19. Rotisserie Chicken Skillet

20. Chicken Chili Recipe

21. Leftover Chicken Gyros

22. Chicken Noodle Soup

23. Leftover BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

24. Teriyaki Stir Fry Noodles

25. Chicken Bowl Recipe

26. Chicken and Rice Soup

27. Chicken Chilaquiles

28. Cheddar Chicken Quinoa Bake

29. Shredded Leftover Chicken Sandwich

30. Chicken Broccoli Quinoa Skillet

31. Asian Shredded Chicken Salad

These recipes are easy peasy! An entire week of healthy dinners using leftover chicken, just like that. All you need is an oven roaster or electric roaster to get started and you’re good to go!

30+ Leftover Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can you do with dry leftover chicken? ›

You can do this by marinating the cooked chicken in a sauce or broth for a while. This can help rehydrate the meat and add some flavor. Just be careful not to over-marinate, as the chicken could become mushy. Steam: Reheating the chicken with steam can help add moisture back into t.

How long is leftover chicken good for? ›

USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

How many meals can you get out of one chicken? ›

1 Chicken = 5 Meals (All gluten free, by the way!)

This would go well served over rice or mashed white or sweet potatoes!

How many servings can you get out of a whole chicken? ›

A four- to five-pound chicken is commonly referred to as a broiler-fryer and will easily serve four to six people. The chicken is done when it registers 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.

How do you moisten leftover chicken? ›

✨Microwave Method✨ Add chicken broth to the bottom of a microwave-safe dish. Add the chicken to the top and cover the chicken with a damp paper towel. Cook for 2 minutes, flipping halfway through. Add back in an additional 30 seconds if still not to the desired temperature.

How to make crispy leftover chicken? ›

The best way to reheat fried chicken is in an oven.
  1. Bring it to room temperature: Take the chicken out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before reheating. ...
  2. Give it some air: Place chicken on a wire rack and preheat oven to 400°F. ...
  3. Go high and fast: Bake chicken for 12 to 15 minutes.
Dec 19, 2023

Is 2 year old frozen chicken still good? ›

How long can you store chicken in your freezer? According to the USDA, frozen chicken will be "safe indefinitely" as long as you keep it continuously frozen (i.e., you're not unfreezing it and then re-freezing it because you didn't have a chance to cook or eat it).

Can I eat 10 day old chicken? ›

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), raw chicken can be kept in your fridge approximately 1–2 days. The same applies to raw turkey and other poultry (1). Meanwhile, cooked chicken can last in the refrigerator approximately 3–4 days (1).

How do you make leftover chicken taste good? ›

Just because the chicken is already cooked doesn't mean it can't benefit from a rub. Before reheating, make a custom blend of your favorite spices like paprika, cayenne, onion or garlic powder. Mix in dried herbs or a bit of sugar for beautiful caramelization, then sprinkle it evenly over the skin.

How do you make multiple meals out of one chicken? ›

How to make 3 meals from 1 chicken
  1. Roast Chicken with Rich Gravy. Ideally you want to serve that roast chicken with lots of sides so that a couple of slices of chicken will be enough to satisfy everyone. ...
  2. Chicken Fried Rice. ...
  3. Chicken and Vegetable soup.
Apr 11, 2020

How many meals does a rotisserie chicken make? ›

I turned Costco's $5 rotisserie chicken into five easy meals for two people. I like using the chicken to make quesadillas, burrito bowls, and pasta dishes. The chicken is also good to add to baked potatoes and the bones can be used to make a tasty broth.

How do you make chicken last a week? ›

Six chicken recipes to make a roast last a week
  1. Meal 1: Roast chicken. Start the week with an indulgent roast, and serve with lots of seasonal veggie sides. ...
  2. Meal 2: Salad. Use the meat from one leg to make a Chicken salad. ...
  3. Meal 3: Chicken soup. ...
  4. Meal 4: Chicken and rice pie. ...
  5. Meal 5: Stock. ...
  6. Meal 6: Pasta.
Aug 11, 2017

How much chicken do I need for 30 adults? ›

Based on these guidelines, you would need to cook about 15 pounds of chicken to feed 30 people if it is the main dish, or about 7.5 pounds if it is just one part of a larger meal. If you are serving a variety of other dishes along with the chicken, you may want to plan on the lower end of this range.

How many pieces of chicken to feed 25 people? ›

How Much Food to Serve at a Party
FOODSERVE 25SERVE 50
Meats
Chicken or turkey breast8–9 pounds16–18 pounds
Fish (fillets or steaks)7-1/2 pounds15 pounds
Hamburgers6-1/2–9-1/2 pounds13–15 pounds
35 more rows
Apr 1, 2024

How many pieces of chicken for 20 adults? ›

A good rule of thumb is to plan on about 1/2 pound of meat per person. For chicken, you will want to plan on about 1 pound per person if it is the main dish, and 1/2 pound per person if it is just one part of a larger meal.

Why is leftover chicken dry? ›

When you cook chicken at a high temperature, the muscle fibers of the chicken contract rapidly, causing moisture loss. However, if you cook your chicken too low and slow, the fibers will break down, resulting in a mushy, dry texture.

How do you rehydrate dehydrated chicken? ›

Re-hydrate food fastest with boiling water

Re-hydrating food goes fastest in boiling water. Place your dehydrated vegetables and meats in your cooking pot, add enough water to completely cover the food, then bring the water to a boil. Keep adding water as necessary to keep the food covered.

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