Leftover Chicken… something that we always end up with in our kitchen, don’t we? You roast a big bird for the night and even though everybody had one hearty meal, there’s still plenty left.
You buy one or two of everybody’s favorite rotisserie chicken. You scarfed down the bird, yet there is plateful of meat you can shred and don’t know what to do. Don’t even think of tossing it. It’s are your chance to create a second meal, which is going to taste so fresh and different from the original way you ate your chicken.
These Leftover Chicken Recipes are super fast, as the chicken is already cooked, and super delicious, as you are going to add so many different flavors and ingredients. This list is your savior later for the busy week nights, when you want dinners cooked in under 30 minutes. This list is your friend and cares for you.
From the easiest casserole dishes, to comforting soups, to quick stir fries and nachos and tacos… For that fun pizza night and healthy snacks and salads. You can use your already cooked chicken and make it easier on you.
The next time you end up with excess cooked chicken, refrigerate it for next day’s second meal, or freeze it and repurpose it for later easy meals. (Now I know, next time you are going to buy that extra rotisserie chicken just to try some of these soon… 🙂 )
1. Crustless Rotisserie Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Pot pie without the pie? Yes, if you are craving those comfy, cozy flavors without the extra work. This one is for those lazy days. Try this quick casserole for those tight times when everybody’s hungry and you want something easy yet delicious.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
2. Chicken Tikka Gyros
Making homemade chicken tikkas is extremely easy and delicious. If you make a big batch of this famous Indian appetizer, there are so many ways to have them as leftovers. Try them in this Indo-Greek fusion way. Put them in pita bread along with tzatziki, some fresh Greek salad, a good sprinkling of feta cheese and you have one awesome tasting gyro.
Get the Recipe: Tikka Gyros
3. Brunswick Stew
Brunswick stew – a hearty southern dish that’s perfect for chilly nights. If you love barbecue flavors, this is sure to become one of your new favorites to make with leftover chicken.
Get the Recipe: Brunswick Stew
4. Vienamese Chicken Salad
This Vietnamese Chicken Salad is your bowl of vibrant freshness from crunchy veggies and loads of herbs. In every bite there is a perfect combination of sweet, savory and tangy with the slightest hint of spice, thanks to their beloved Nuoc Cham dressing.
Get the Recipe: Vietnamese Chicken Salad
5. Leftover Chicken Quesadillas
Chicken Quesadillas are a great meal. Quick, easy and the perfect way to use leftover chicken! This recipe combines cooked chicken and cheese with seasonings and veggies! Simply tuck your favorite ingredients into a tortilla and pan fry until melted and crisp! Yummy…
Get the Recipe @ spendwithpennies
6. Butter Chicken Pizza with Leftover Chicken
This butter chicken pizza recipe is dinner No. 2 for this cook once, eat twice meal! Once you’ve made your favorite butter chicken, don’t forget to save some for the pizzas! The next day is the time to turn it into a pizza for a quick meal that takes less than 15 minutes! Make this for your company and wow them with these innovative pizza flavors.
Get the Recipe @ myeverydaytable
7. Tuscan Style Chicken Soup with Leftover Chicken
This Tuscan Style Chicken Soup is a very hearty soup with veggies and beans to warm your belly! The broth is really flavorful, yet simple to prepare, and you can use leftover cooked chicken too! Great dinner option without too much effort.
Get the Recipe @ kitchensanctuary
8. Leftover Chicken Alfredo Bake
A comfort food classic that’s perfect for feeding a crowd! This Chicken Alfredo Bake is penne pasta tossed with cooked chicken and a creamy sauce! Finished with cheese and baked to perfection, no one can resist this delicious dish!
Get the Recipe @ cravinghomecooked
9. Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Soup
Craving some Asian flavors? This Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Soup is a hearty vegetable, chicken and noodle based soup with vibrant fresh Thai flavors! And you’ll love the addition of crunchy peanuts to finish it off. It’s the perfect soup recipe to make year round. You don’t even have to cook the chicken as rotisserie chicken finds its way into this pot. Easy and quick!
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
10. Leftover Roast Chicken Fajitas
This quick and easy leftover roast chicken fajita recipe can be on the table in 15 minutes and is absolutely delicious. Packed with flavor and vibrant color, these chicken fajitas are so, so good! Serve them with whatever toppings you like best. Perfect for your busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe @ fussfreeflavours
11. Stir Fry with Leftover Chicken
This chili chicken stir fry is full of flavor, texture and spicy goodness!! Tender, bite sized pieces of chicken breast, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs and oodles of noodles tossed in a savory, spicy sauce with a hint of sweetness.
This chili chicken recipe is an absolute breeze to make! It’s a complete meal with protein, veggies, carbs and sauce. It can be prepped and ready and on the table in 30 minutes or less! Aren’t you thankful you have some leftover rotisserie chicken from last night?
Get the Recipe @ nospoonnecessary
12. Rotisserie Chicken Skillet
Dinner is served in 30 minutes… all because of this leftover rotisserie chicken skillet. This simple skillet has chicken, orzo ,carrots, peas and onion along with some cream and parmesan cheese. Everything tossed together and dinner is ready in a few when everyone is hungry.
13. Leftover Chicken Pasta Salad
This is a big batch of Chicken Pasta Salad with plenty of creamy dressing, lightened up using a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise, with lots of add-ins. Carrot, celery, bell peppers, green onion, BACON, and cheese. Make it today, enjoy it for days! Another option is to feed the crowd or as a perfect contender for potlucks and get togethers.
Get the Recipe @ recipetineats
14. Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This creamy chicken gnocchi soup is pretty quick and easy. It takes about 35-40 minutes to make, and it’s a great way to use up leftover chicken if you have some. The pillowy gnocchi melts in your mouth with loads of veggies and protein in creamy deliciousness.
Get the Recipe @ saltandlavender
15. Easy Chicken Chili
This chili happens fast. There is something so comforting about a pot of chili simmering away on the stove. Especially when that chili comes together in a matter of minutes using super simple ingredients, the main being rotisserie chicken. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or for when you have the whole family over. You can top it with tortilla strips, sour cream, green onions, and of course – cheese! Slurp on.
Get the Recipe @ mybakingaddiction
16. Leftover Chicken Patties
These chicken patties or cakes are crisp on the outside with a juicy, cheesy center and are a genius way to use leftover rotisserie chicken. Make a batch and see everyone munching on them nonstop. Easy and economical.
Get the Recipe @ natashaskitchen
17. Easy Chicken Tetrazzini
Have you tried Tetrazzini casserole before? If not, this is going to become your next comfort favorite. It’s a creamy and cheesy pasta bake using leftover chicken in a creamy sauce along with mushrooms. This takes only 15 minutes to prep and the rest of the work will be done by your trusty oven. Great one pot meal for everybody to enjoy.
Get the Recipe @ thecookierookie
18. Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
We are starting this leftover chicken list with everybody’s favorite comfort food, Chicken Pot Pie!! This EASY Chicken Pot Pie Recipe is loaded with carrots, peas, chicken, and topped with a flakey pie crust. What a perfect ending for that leftover chicken. This will be all gone when everyone digs into this casserole.
Get the Recipe@ thecookierookie
19. Leftover Chicken Nachos
Who wants these nachos for the next get together or for Sunday funday with your family? They’re a breeze to make if you have some leftover cooked chicken in your fridge. These nachos have it all: cheesy chips layered with salsa-covered chicken and black beans, topped with all your favorite fixings.
20. Leftover Chicken Enchiladas
Making enchiladas from leftover chicken is a great way to transform leftovers into an easy and flavorful meal. Tender roasted chicken gets dressed up with spicy, piquant enchilada sauce, covered in shredded cheese, then wrapped in tender tortillas and baked until warm.
Simply delicious! Perfect for that Mexican craving night without too many efforts.
21. Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
This is for when you’re craving for chicken noodle soup but don’t have time to make it entirely from scratch. Using a rotisserie chicken is such a great life hack. Make this quick and easy Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup in just 30 minutes. It’s the comfort food recipe your family craves for easy weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe @ foodfolksandfun
22. Leftover Chicken Fried Rice
This chicken fried rice is such a great recipe for using up leftover scraps of chicken from your roast chicken or rotisserie chicken. Super fast and delicious Asian flavors that are better than any take out.
Get the Recipe @ kitchensanctuary
23. Rotisserie Chicken Shawarma Pita Wraps
This chicken shawarma wrap is made easy, as it start with already cooked rotisserie chicken, combined with shawarma spices. This takes a quick few minutes in the skillet. All that’s is left is to wrapped it in pita bread along with lots of veggies like matchstick carrots, radishes, cucumber, red onion slices, some leafy greens and a lemon garlic yogurt sauce. You are all set to take a bite on this quick meal.
Get the Recipe @ seasonsandsuppers
24. Chicken Casserole with Leftover Chicken
Fiesta Chicken Casserole is an easy chicken casserole recipe that is so simple to make with cooked chicken, pasta, black beans, corn, seasonings, and cheese! This is a family favorite dinner recipe that’s always a hit. One pot casserole meals easy like these are your saviors.
Get the Recipe @ togetherasfamily
25. Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
This Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is about to be your new favorite twist on a classic. Full of hot buffalo wing sauce, tender chicken, and cheese galore, this dish combines 2 drool worthy meals to make the most delicious lasagna you’ve ever tasted.
Get the Recipe @ cravinghomecooked
26. Leftover Roast Chicken Pasta
Leftover Roast Chicken Pasta is a creamy pasta dish prepared with leftover chicken roast served over spaghetti or any pasta in a sauce made with chicken stock and fresh cream.
27. Chicken Bacon Rach Flatbread Pizza
This 15-minute chicken bacon ranch flatbread pizza is loaded with creamy ranch, crispy bacon bits, and melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a quick comfort food everyone will love! Pizza time was never this easy, thanks to that already cooked chicken you saved from the other day.
Get the Recipe @ simplyhomecooked
28. Chicken Enchilada Skillet
This chicken enchiladas skillet is under 30 minutes easy. Shredded leftover chicken, beans, corn, onions, bell peppers along with leftover rice. It all get tossed in enchiladas sauce and topped with cheese. Easy peezy.
Get the Recipe @ crazyforcrust
29. Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfectly refreshing and filling summer meal with its medley of vegetables and tangy lemon garlic dressing. Great use of leftover chicken thighs.
30. Smoked Chicken Chilaquiles
Leftover chicken is the perfect excuse to make this Mexican breakfast! All you need is 20 minutes and a skillet for this perfect carnivore breakfast.
A classic Mexican breakfast staple, and the perfect way to use up yesterday’s tortillas. Roll leftover meat and tortillas in enchilada sauce and cook them up in a pan with fried eggs on top. They are your breakfast nachos.
Get the Recipe @ girlcarnivore
31. Chicken & Potato Bake
Whip up a Chicken and Potato Bake for an easy dinner any night of the week! This dish features layers of sliced potatoes and diced chicken in a creamy white sauce made with cream of mushroom soup. The whole family will love the simple, hearty casserole!
Get the Recipe @ theseasonedmom
32. Rotisserie Chicken Carnitas with Jalapeno Pineapple Salsa
These rotisserie chicken carnitas are crazy delicious and so much easier to make than traditional ones. All you are doing is broiling some shredded chicken until crispy and whipping up a simple guacamole and pineapple salsa. Fold up those warm tortillas with big scoops of this simple chicken carnitas.
Get the Recipe @ theendlessmeal
33. Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Your addictive buffalo chicken flavor in lettuce wraps… a new healthy delicious meal which is super fast and super fun. Try these on everybody this weekend.
Get the Recipe @ oursaltykitchen
34. Green Chicken Enchiladas
Salsa verde, green chilis, leftover rotisserie chicken and Monterey Jack cheese make for the best weeknight enchiladas ever! Take our word, you will like these green enchiladas. What a great way to repurpose your leftover chicken.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
35. Chicken Tinga Tacos
We are wrapping up this amazingly useful leftover chicken hacks list with these easy Chicken Tinga Tacos. FAST, super easy, and the super juicy chicken has AUTHENTIC smoky chipotle FLAVOR!! When you’re craving tacos, these are the tacos to make! Mexican nights are made of these…
So there you go. We have given you these easy, delicious ways to make a second meal out of what already exists in your fridge. Don’t throw away that excess chicken you cooked or bought. You can whipped up your next lunch or dinner in no time with all these great leftover chicken ideas.
Pin or bookmark this page and you know exactly where to look you have plenty of cooked chicken on your hand. Let’s us know if you tried any one of the above second meal options. Enjoy…
Check out these other recipes collections:
Easy Weeknight Dinners
Leftover Turkey Recipes
Leftover Taco Meat Recipes
Leftover Mashed Potato Recipes
Leftover Rice Recipes
Leftover Brisket Recipes
35 BEST Leftover Chicken Recipes
This great collection of Leftover Chicken Recipes will give you plenty of easy weeknight dinner ideas!
Ingredients
- rotisserie chicken
- roast chicken
- boiled chicken
- grilled chicken
Instructions
- Choose a recipe that looks tasty. Try something you haven't had before, it's fun to experiment!
- Make a shopping list and buy the ingredients.
- Cook your new favorite Leftover Chicken Recipe!
Notes
- Let me know which recipes you try, I love hearing from you!
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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Great work, really good recipes Thank you