Posted On:July 9th, 2024

Leftover Chicken Recipes: From Boring to Brilliant

Have you ever found yourself staring at a container of leftover chicken, wondering how to transform it into another meal without repeating the same dish? Leftover chicken is a versatile ingredient in countless ways to create delicious and exciting meals. Not only does it save time and reduce food waste, but it also allows you to get creative in the kitchen. This blog will explore fifteen fantastic leftover chicken recipes that will breathe new life into your dinners. These recipes will surely become family favorites, from soups to salads and casseroles.

Chicken Fried Rice

A quick and easy dish that turns leftover chicken into a flavorful, satisfying meal. Fried rice is perfect for using various leftovers and can be customized to your taste.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup leftover chicken, diced
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add mixed vegetables and cook until tender.
• Push vegetables to the side, add eggs, and scramble until fully cooked.
• Mix well with cooked rice, chicken, and soy sauce in the skillet.
• Stir in green onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Chicken Quesadillas

A Mexican-inspired dish that combines leftover chicken with cheese and tortillas for a quick and tasty meal.

Ingredients

• 2 large tortillas
• 1 cup leftover chicken, shredded
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Place one tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle with half of the cheese.
• Add chicken and salsa on top, then sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
• Place the second tortilla on top and cook until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side.
• Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches With Krill Meat

A nutritious and delicious sandwich incorporating leftover chicken and krill meat, boosting omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

Upgrade Your Recipes with Krill Meat!

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup krill meat
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Bread or rolls for serving

Instructions

• Combine chicken, krill meat, mayonnaise, mustard, celery, red onion, and parsley in a large bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve on your choice of bread or rolls.

Chicken And Vegetable Stir-Fry

A healthy and colorful dish that pairs leftover chicken with fresh vegetables and a savory sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 cup leftover chicken, sliced
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
• Add garlic and ginger, stir-frying until fragrant.
• Add vegetables and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
• Add chicken, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce, stirring until well-coated and heated.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta

A creamy and comforting Alfredo pasta dish that makes excellent use of leftover chicken.

Ingredients

• 8 oz fettuccine
• 1 cup leftover chicken, diced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Cook fettuccine according to package instructions.
• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
• Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
• Stir in Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens.
• Add chicken and cook until heated through.
• Toss pasta with the sauce and season with salt and pepper.

Chicken And Krill Meat Chowder

A hearty and nourishing chowder that combines leftover chicken and krill meat provides a rich protein source and essential nutrients.

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup krill meat
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups diced potatoes
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Melt butter over medium heat in a large pot and sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until tender.
• Add potatoes and chicken broth, bringing to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
• Stir in corn, chicken, and krill meat, cooking until heated.
• Add heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

A flavorful pizza that uses leftover chicken, BBQ sauce, and your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 pizza dough
• 1 cup leftover chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

• Preheat oven according to pizza dough instructions.
• Roll out pizza dough and spread BBQ sauce over the base.
• Top with chicken, mozzarella, and red onion.
• Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
• Sprinkle with chopped cilantro before serving.

Chicken Caesar Salad

A classic salad made more satisfying with the addition of leftover chicken.

Ingredients

• 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup leftover chicken, sliced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup croutons
• 1/4 cup Caesar dressing

Instructions

• Combine lettuce, chicken, Parmesan cheese, and croutons in a large bowl.
• Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss to coat.

Chicken Tacos

An easy and customizable meal that everyone will love, perfect for leftover chicken.

Ingredients

• 1 cup leftover chicken, shredded
• 8 small tortillas
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese

Instructions

• Warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave.
• Fill each tortilla with chicken, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.
• Top with sour cream.

Chicken Enchiladas

A crowd-pleasing dish that makes excellent use of leftover chicken.

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
• 8 tortillas
• 2 cups enchilada sauce
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce in a baking dish.
• Fill each tortilla with chicken, onions, and cheese, then roll up and place in the dish.
• Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Chicken Pot Pie

A comforting and hearty dish that transforms leftover chicken into a classic family meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover chicken, diced
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 pie crust

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour until smooth.
• Gradually add chicken broth and milk, cooking until thickened.
• Stir in chicken and vegetables.
• Pour mixture into a pie dish and cover with pie crust.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

Chicken Krill Meat Patties

A unique and nutritious way to enjoy leftover chicken and krill meat, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein.

Ingredients

• 1 cup leftover chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup krill meat
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

• Combine chicken, krill meat, egg, breadcrumbs, and parsley in a large bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Form mixture into patties.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook patties until golden brown on both sides.

Chicken Soup

A warm and comforting soup that’s perfect for using up leftover chicken.

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup noodles or rice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• In a large pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until tender.
• Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Stir in noodles or rice, cooking until tender.
• Add chicken and heat through.
• Season with salt and pepper.

Chicken Curry

A flavorful and aromatic dish that uses leftover chicken in a rich, spiced sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 cup leftover chicken, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
• Add curry powder and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
• Add chicken and cook until heated through.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Chicken Casserole

A hearty and comforting casserole that’s perfect for using up leftover chicken.

Ingredients

• 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
• 2 cups cooked rice or pasta
• 1 cup mixed vegetables
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Combine chicken, rice or pasta, vegetables, chicken broth, and sour cream in a large bowl.
• Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
• Top with shredded cheese and breadcrumbs.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Conclusion

Leftover chicken doesn’t have to be boring or repetitive. With these fifteen recipes, you can turn your leftovers into exciting, delicious meals that your family will love. From the nutritious boost of krill meat to the comforting flavors of a classic chicken pot pie, these dishes offer something for everyone. So next time you have leftover chicken, try one of these recipes and enjoy a tasty new meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Leftover Chicken Stay Fresh In The Fridge?

Leftover chicken is good for three to four days in the fridge. The USDA advises that cooked chicken should be consumed within this time frame when kept at 40°F or below, as refrigeration slows bacterial growth but doesn’t stop it.

How Can You Make Leftover Chicken Taste Freshly Cooked?

Avoid using the microwave for reheating! Preheat your oven to 400°F to ensure it is fully heated. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet, and let the chicken come to room temperature after taking it out of the fridge. Bake the chicken for 15 minutes.