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Leftover chicken recipes are here to help you get the most out of your meal. No more wasted food, these chicken recipes are perfect for using up what you’ve got.
Leftover Chicken Recipes
Let’s face it. Leftovers happen. If you’re anything like me, they happen on purpose, especially with chicken. Anytime I cook baked chicken for dinner or make some shredded chicken for tacos, I plan on having some leftover so I can pull out my catalog of leftover chicken recipes and have an easy meal ready to go.
Whether you bought a couple of rotisserie chickens at Costco, or just baked a few extra chicken thighs, we’re reinventing those chicken leftovers by adding them to soups, stews, wraps and more.
How to Store Leftover Chicken
Store leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Let the food cool completely, then place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Use the meat in any of these delicious leftover chicken recipes, or reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
25 Recipes for Leftover Chicken
Here are 25 delicious and simple recipes to use up your leftover chicken.
Chicken Enchiladas
With tender chicken wrapped in corn tortillas and smothered in red sauce and cheese, you can’t go wrong with these restaurant quality chicken enchiladas!
Chicken Tostadas
Simple and delicious recipe for Chicken Tostadas – easily customizable for a quick and delicious Mexican meal.
Italian Chicken Soup
Italian Chicken Soup is simple, delicious and perfect for a fast dinner. Packed with 2 kinds of squash, tomatoes, beans and chicken in a flavorful broth.
Creamy Chicken Casserole
Serve up some comfort food for dinner with the best Creamy Chicken Casserole! Chicken, pasta and veggies in a creamy sauce, topped with buttery crackers.
Buffalo Ranch Chicken French Bread Pizza
Buffalo Chicken Pizza is an easy french bread pizza recipe topped with spicy buffalo sauce, creamy ranch, tender chicken, celery and cheese.
Tender, flaky pastry pockets are stuffed with a deliciously spiced and delightfully cheesy filling in these Chicken Empanadas.
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Creamy stovetop Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is an easy dinner, made with buffalo sauce, chicken and 3 kinds of cheese.
Lemon Chicken Pasta
Lemon Chicken Pasta has juicy chicken breast and pasta in a creamy lemon sauce. An easy weeknight dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes.
Creamy Chicken Spaghetti
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is a delicious, satisfying baked spaghetti casserole dish that requires minimal effort with simple, fresh ingredients that makes for a hearty batch of good ol’ comfort food.
White Chicken Chili
Hearty, warm and comforting, this Creamy White Chicken Chili recipe is a perfect cold weather meal that’s full of chicken, beans, chiles, spices and cheese.
CrispyChicken Flautasare flour tortillas filled with juicy, flavorful chicken, then fried to golden, crispy perfection. A quick snack or meal that's ready in about 30 minutes.
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells are easy and so creamy and delicious. Stuffed with chicken, mozzarella, and Parmesan, then topped with a creamy homemade Alfredo sauce, these stuffed shells are perfect for a quick weeknight meal but still classy enough for company.
Chicken Fried Rice
Szechuan Chicken Stir Fry
Chicken Salad Sandwich
The BEST Chicken Salad Sandwich made with fresh herbs, crunchy pecans and more all on hearty, toasted bread for a delicious, protein packed lunch or snack.
Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad
Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad has crunch, a hint of sweetness and is full of flavor. Made with tender chicken, veggies and a tangy Asian-style dressing.
Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins are tender hollowed out potatoes with a crispy skin, stuffed with creamy, spicy buffalo chicken and cheese. They are an easy appetizer, perfect for game day or any party.
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are stuffed with cheese, chicken, onions, bbq sauce. They take minutes to prep and cook for a quick and easy dinner.
Chicken Caesar Wraps
Chicken Caesar Wraps are a fast and easy meal that's kid-friendly and delicious. These healthy chicken wraps are perfect for lunch or dinner.
BBQ Chicken Pizza Rolls are a bite-sized, easy appetizer that’s pack with shredded chicken, onions, cilantro, cheese and bbq sauce. All rolled up in crescent rolls dough for a simple party snack that everyone will love.
Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Chicken tortilla soup has a rich and flavorful broth packed with tender chicken, vegetables and spices with crunchy tortilla strips on top.
Crack Chicken Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Crack Chicken Stuffed Baked Potatoes pair creamy cheddar, bacon and ranch chicken and a fluffy baked potato into one delicious meal.
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta has pasta and chicken coated in a creamy, cheesy pesto sauce. It's an easy, delicious meal that's ready in 30 minutes!
BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad (CPK Copycat)
This BBQ Chicken Salad is full of fresh veggies, BBQ chicken, cheese, beans and tortilla strips, and tossed with a simple BBQ Ranch dressing.
Barbecue Chicken Pizza Pinwheels
BBQ Chicken Pizza Pinwheels are dippable, bite-sized appetizers packed with chicken, onions, cheese and cilantro wrapped up and baked in pizza dough.
Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Nachos
Crunchy, cheesy nachos are kicked up a notch with Old El Paso™ Green Chile Enchilada sauce. Easy to whip up and perfect for snacking or feeding a crowd on game day!
Chicken Club Lettuce Wraps
Tangy, crunchy, savory and light – these crunchy Chicken Club Lettuce Wraps are a perfect light lunch or even appetizer and they’re good for you too!
Chicken Pot Pie
Creamy, dreamy semi-homemade chicken pot pie uses tender chicken and veggies and a homemade creamy sauce.
Cranberry Chicken Puffs
Cranberry Chicken Puffs with chicken, cranberries and cheese, wrapped in pillowy soft crescent dough are a perfect easy appetizer or dinner.
Chicken Taco Casserole
Chicken Taco Casserole is an easy weeknight dinner with chicken, black beans and a creamy cheese sauce topped with crispy tortilla chips.
