25 Easy Leftover Chicken Recipes (2024)

Wondering what to make with your leftover chicken?

Use one of these leftover chicken recipes to make last night’s dinner a whole new feast.

From pasta and salad to tasty tacos, these easy chicken dishes are the perfect way to use leftover rotisserie chicken.

They’re quick, hearty, and perfect for busy weeknights.

So leave drab behind and impress your family with these leftover chicken recipes.

1. Chicken Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is already a family favorite. Give it a protein boost by adding your leftover chicken!

Mild chicken is an easy addition to this classic and does not compete with the traditional mac and cheese flavor.

This recipe will please everyone, as the tempting cheese sauce smothers creamy chicken and soft noodles.

Make this for dinner, and you won’t worry about having leftovers.

2. Leftover Chicken Tortilla Soup

This chicken tortilla soup is a must-try. It’s a great way to deliver bold Mexican spices while keeping the calories low.

The rich tomato base is the perfect backdrop for tender chicken, beans, and veggies.

But the best part is adding all your favorite toppings like avocado, tortilla strips, or sour cream.

3. Leftover Chicken Curry

Chicken curry is a long-standing favorite, and this recipe is no exception.

Take your leftover meat to the next level by smothering it in a creamy curry spiced with turmeric and cumin.

The best part of this leftover chicken recipe is that it comes together in one pot!

This makes for a quick clean-up and an easy dinner night spent relaxing rather than washing the dishes.

4. Leftover Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? And homemade pizza is so much fun!

Each family member can customize their part of the dish so everyone is happy.

Using pre-made flatbread takes out all the work, making this the perfect weeknight meal in a pinch, or prep-ahead lunch.

This recipe is more of a fully customizable template, with endless possibilities.

5. Chicken Noodle Soup

Look out Campbell’s, I have you beat! You’ll never eat chicken noodle soup out of the can again with this recipe in your back pocket.

Whether it’s snowing outside or you are just feeling nostalgic, this hot chicken soup has a place on your table all year round.

Sweet carrots and crisp celery are the perfect companions for the flavorful chicken in a delicate broth.

6. Leftover Roast Chicken Risotto

If you don’t mention how easy this dish is, no one will ever know!

Crisp broccoli and flavorful red pepper accentuate the starchy rice. This recipe is flexible enough to use as many veggies as you like.

Chop up your family’s favorites and add them to this creamy chicken dish. Serve it with a green salad for a complete meal.

7. Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla

Taco Bell’s chicken quesadillas are amazing. But you have to actually go there to get them.

This recipe captures that spicy, cheesy magic right in your kitchen. All it takes is some leftover chicken, an amazing homemade sauce, and plenty of cheese.

And I’m sure you have some leftover spicy sauce packets shoved in a drawer somewhere!

8. Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake

Juicy chicken and flavorful pesto is a match made in heaven.

Pair those flavors with cheese, pasta, and a few veggies, and you have the ultimate dinner dish.

Seriously, this chicken pesto pasta bake comes together in a flash, and your family will fall in love with this spectacular dish.

9. Leftover Chicken Chili

Chili is traditionally served with ground beef, but leftover shredded chicken works just as well.

This version has a traditional tomato base and cayenne pepper zing, so the leftover chicken is a nice surprise.

In the cooler months, nothing says cozy like a big pot of chili. Be the talk of the tailgate with this leftover chicken recipe.

10. Leftover Chicken Stew With Dumplings

This is just like grandma’s chicken and dumplings, but better!

This twist on an old classic stuffs a chicken stew with seasonal vegetables and then tops it off with fluffy dumplings!

All of these swim in a creamy broth that is perfectly seasoned.

You will be surprised by how easy it is to make these dumplings. Just a few staple ingredients, and voila!

11. French Onion Chicken and Rice Bake

Refrigerated French onion dip gives this rice bake a well-rounded flavor, and store-bought roast chicken is just too easy to drop in.

Crispy fried onions finish this comforting casserole, providing a much-needed crunch and a golden brown top layer.

This cooked chicken recipe is as pretty as it is tasty!

12. Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Can you ever go wrong with Alfredo? This recipe trades in marinara sauce for creamy Alfredo and the ground beef for leftover chicken.

Spinach, garlic, and onion complete each bite with a Tuscan flair that is oh-so-decadent.

This recipe is made with milder white cheese types that coat each bite in creamy deliciousness.

Chicken lasagna is like mac and cheese, but for grown-ups.

13. Chicken Shepherd’s Pie

There is nothing like some sweet southern cookin’! This shepherd’s pie is piled high with all the fixins and then some!

Chicken, corn, and green peas smothered in rich gravy and sealed shut with swoon-worthy mashed potatoes? What more could you want?

Shepherd’s Pie is a proven favorite. With this recipe, leftover chicken will be your new favorite thing.

14. Chicken Fried Rice

Wondering what to do with leftover chicken?

This chicken fried rice is the ultimate fridge cleaner. Leftover chicken takes center stage, but it’s also a great recipe to use up all those veggies, too.

It’s so rich and flavorful and tastes so much better than takeout.

Throw in some eggs, soy sauce, and spices, and dinner is served in 15 minutes!

15. Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Million-dollar chicken is a classic for a very good reason. It’s incredibly rich and indulgent (hence the name) thanks to so much cheese!

It transforms leftover shredded chicken into a deliciously creamy casserole that melts in your mouth.

And I haven’t even mentioned the best part: the buttery Ritz cracker crust!

16. Thai Chicken Soba Noodle Salad Jars

A salad jar is an elegant alternative to the tired lunch box, and these soba noodles make lettuce look exciting.

Dress your chicken up with crisp broccoli slaw and your favorite Thai-inspired toppings for a mid-day treat.

The real super star is the satay sauce. This nutty drizzle is a sweet contrast to the savory ingredients and pulls the entire dish together.

17. Chicken Pasta Salad

Need some more easy dinners in the weekly rotation? Say no more!

This leftover chicken recipe pairs summery vegetables and pasta in a creamy homemade dressing.

The accent of lemon and mustard makes the dressing so light and refreshing and perfect for summer.

18. Arby’s Chicken Salad Sandwich

Have a hankering for Arby’s Chicken salad sandwich? It’s amazing!

The tender chunks of chicken with sweetness from grapes and apples make my mouth water.

But don’t forget the crunch from the pecans!

This recipe is a great option to make in advance and throw in a sandwich for a quick and easy lunch.

19. Leftover Chicken ala King

This chicken ala king recipe is deceptively simple. It tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen, but it only takes about 20 minutes.

It pairs tender pieces of leftover chicken in a super thick cream of mushroom soup base.

Pile it high on your favorite carb, whether it’s rice or pasta, and dive in!

20. The Best Chicken Tinga Tacos

Need some spice in your life? Then let me introduce you to the best chicken tinga tacos.

Taco Tuesday will never be the same.

Leftover chicken gets the premier tinga treatment with spicy chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and fire-roasted tomatoes.

Then, just treat it like a casual taco night with all your favorite toppings.

21. Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Looking for a super satisfying chicken-based soup recipe? You’ve come to the right place.

While this recipe is light, it’s incredibly filling. And that’s because it’s chock full of protein and nutrition.

Chicken, mushrooms, and almonds provide earthy, flavorful notes that pair perfectly with nutty wild rice.

It’s like Panera’s version, only better.

22. Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini has it all. Tender rotisserie chicken, earthy veggies, pasta, and so much cheese!

Your family will go nuts over this dinner dish. Which I’m sure you won’t mind because it comes together in just about an hour.

It’s the perfect casserole to whip up on those hectic weeknights, and makes fantastic leftovers!

23. Chicken Ranch Wrap

Something about chicken and cheese just works, and this wrap is no exception.

Creamy cheese and juicy chicken are smothered in zesty ranch for an incredible three-flavor punch. Top with cilantro, and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing combination.

Customize this wrap even more by adding your favorite veggies. The recipe recommends avocado and tomato, but your creativity is the limit.

24. Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Who doesn’t love nachos?

This cooked chicken recipe pairs shredded chicken with Frank’s Red Hot and ranch dressing. Do I even need to go on?

Then, top it with your favorite cheese and pop it in the oven. It’s the perfect game-day snack that’s just the right amount of spicy.

25. Bisquick Chicken Pot Pie

Perhaps one of the best ways to use up leftover rotisserie chicken is by making a homemade chicken pot pie!

This recipe is quick and easy, thanks to the use of Bisquick and frozen mixed vegetables.

The secret ingredient that takes this dish over the top is a can of cream of chicken soup.

This is a fast, hearty meal that the entire family will adore!

25 Easy Leftover Chicken Recipes

Course: MainCuisine: Mexican

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

477

kcal

These leftover chicken recipes will become some of your new go-to meals! Try my leftover chicken enchiladas for a quick and delicious way to repurpose last night’s dinner.

Ingredients

• For the Filling:

• 2 cups leftover shredded chicken

• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese

• 1/2 cup diced onions

• 1/2 cup diced bell peppers

• 1/2 cup corn kernels

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, optional

• For Assembly:

• 8 small corn or flour tortillas

• 2 cups enchilada sauce

• 1 cup shredded cheese

• For Serving:

• Crumbled cotija cheese

• Sliced pickled jalapeños, optional

• green onions, optional

• diced tomatoes, optional

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare the filling. Combine chicken, cheese, onions, bell peppers, corn, cumin, salt, pepper, and cilantro (if using) in a large bowl.
• Warm the tortillas briefly in a dry skillet. Set aside.
• Assemble the enchiladas. Spread some enchilada sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Fill the center of each tortilla with filling. Roll them up and place them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
• Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes or until enchiladas are heated through and the cheese is melted.
• Garnish with cotija, jalapeños, green onions, and diced tomatoes, if desired.
• Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• If desired, during the last few minutes of baking, you can remove the foil and continue baking for a couple of minutes to lightly brown the cheese.

Nutrition

• Calories: 477kcal
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Protein: 38g
• Fat: 23g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Cholesterol: 113mg
• Sodium: 637mg
• Potassium: 457mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 4g
• Calcium: 466mg
• Iron: 3mg