30+ Leftover Chicken Recipes (2024)

byChristine |30-Minute Meals| 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!

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!

How to roast a chicken (the easy way)

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

Oven roaster:

Electric roaster:

Leftover Chicken Recipes

1. Meal Prep Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls

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

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!

FAQs

How long is leftover cooked 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.

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Can I freeze leftover chicken? ›

Yes, you can freeze almost any kind of cooked chicken! Whether it's roasted, grilled, poached, or sautéed, as long as it's cooked thoroughly, you can preserve its flavour in the freezer. You can freeze the whole bird – chicken thighs, breasts, wings and drumsticks.

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How to reheat chicken breasts without drying it out? ›

Add a little bit of water or chicken broth to a medium or large skillet, add the chicken breasts and heat over medium to medium-high. Cover with a lid and heat until warmed through, turning, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165˚F, about 10 minutes.

How long is Costco rotisserie chicken good for in the fridge? ›

You can store rotisserie chicken in two ways in the refrigerator: as a whole chicken or in smaller pieces. Both storage methods will keep the chicken good for the same amount of time, 3-4 days, so it is simply up to you and how you intend to use the rotisserie chicken.

Keep Reading ›

How to tell if cooked chicken has gone bad? ›

How To Tell If Cooked Chicken Has Gone Bad. If your chicken starts to look off-color (dark or faded), appears slimy, sticky, or tacky, or smells bad, it's time to throw it out. 2 Of course, chicken that's been marinated or drenched in sauce may not give you telltale clues that it's spoiling.

What can I do with cooked dry chicken breast? ›

eHow suggests salvaging dry chicken by dicing or shredding it and throwing it into the pasta dish of your choice. A hearty marinara or rich Alfredo sauce will work wonders at restoring moisture and adding flavor to a parched piece of chicken.

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How do you season already cooked chicken breast? ›

Make a Rub. 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.

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Is 2 year old frozen chicken still good? ›

If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely. Chicken may be frozen in its original packaging or repackaged. If freezing longer than two months, over wrap the porous store plastic packages with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap or freezer paper, or place the package inside a freezer bag.

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Why can't you freeze chicken twice? ›

When chicken is thawed in the microwave, sections of the protein may begin to warm and cook. As a result, it is unsafe to then refreeze it without the chicken being fully cooked because "any bacteria present wouldn't have been destroyed," notes the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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How to make cooked chicken last longer? ›

To store cooked chicken safely in the fridge, we recommend placing it in a clean and dry container or bowl to avoid any contamination. Next, seal the bowl with Glad® Press'n Seal® Wrap or Glad® Cling'n Seal™ Wrap to help lock in some extra freshness.

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Why does chicken taste weird after reheating? ›

The flavor is variously described as "rancid," "stale," and like "cardboard," and even compared to "damp dog hair." Warmed-over flavor is caused by the oxidative decomposition of lipids (fatty substances) in the meat into chemicals (short-chain aldehydes or ketones) which have an unpleasant taste or odor.

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How do you make leftover chicken breast moist? ›

Moisture: Introduce moisture to the chicken to help soften it. 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.

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Why can you only reheat chicken once? ›

Because the quality decreases each time food is reheated, it is best to reheat only the amount needed. Cooked foods that cannot be used within four days should be frozen for longer, safe storage.

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How long does chicken breast last in the fridge? ›

Fresh, whole chicken or chicken parts will last for 1 to 2 days when stored in the refrigerator, according to FDA guidelines. “Once you cook chicken or chicken dishes, your food should not sit out at room temperature for over 2 hours—or over 1 hour if the temperature is 90 degrees F or above,” Amidor says.

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Can I reheat cooked chicken? ›

Chicken is no different from other meats, and you can reheat it safely two or more times. When you reheat chicken, it is important that you properly heat it the whole way through. Pieces of chicken must be steaming in the middle.

Keep Reading ›

How long can cooked meat stay in the fridge? ›

USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days. There are two different families of bacteria: pathogenic bacteria, the kind that cause foodborne illness, and spoilage bacteria, the kind of bacteria that cause foods to deteriorate and develop unpleasant odors, tastes, and textures.

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Is it bad to leave cooked chicken out for 6 hours? ›

Even if you plan to refrigerate it and recook it, the damage might already be done with the amount of bacteria now on the meat. So while it's never ideal to waste food, if your chicken has been left out for more than two hours, your safest bet is to toss it.

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30+ Leftover Chicken Recipes (2024)

How to roast a chicken (the easy way)

The best chicken roasters

Leftover Chicken Recipes

1. Meal Prep Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls

2. Skinny Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

3. Healthy Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe

4. Slow Cooker Skinny Chicken Tortilla Soup

5. Healthy Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos

6. Healthy Chicken Fajita Tacos

7. Creamy Healthy Chicken Enchilada Skillet

8. Turmeric Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

9. Chicken Fajita Casserole

10. One-Pot Basil Chicken Baked Ziti

11. Slow Cooker Fiesta Ranch Chicken Wraps

12. Jerk Chicken Tacos

13. Paleo Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

14. Easy 30-Minute Chicken Fried Rice

15. Chicken and Seafood Paella

16. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

17. Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

More easy leftover chicken recipes:

FAQs

How long is leftover cooked chicken good for? ›

Why does chicken taste weird after reheating? ›

References