Leftover Chicken Recipes (2024)

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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.

Baked Chicken Empanadas

Tender, flaky pastry pockets are stuffed with a deliciously spiced and delightfully cheesy filling in these Chicken Empanadas.

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

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

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.

FAQs

What can you do with dry leftover chicken? ›

A hearty marinara or rich Alfredo sauce will work wonders at restoring moisture and adding flavor to a parched piece of chicken. Substitute rice for pasta to create a teriyaki chicken dish or creamy chicken risotto. When life gives you dry chicken, make chicken salad.

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How long is leftover chicken good for in the fridge? ›

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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How to make leftover fried chicken? ›

Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 300°F. Carefully place a few pieces of room-temperature chicken into the oil. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan, as this will lower the temperature of the oil. Cook until crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

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How do you make leftover chicken taste fresh? ›

That's right: Skip the microwave!

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. You want the oven to heat up fully before you attempt to reheat the chicken. ...
Step 2: Fit a wire rack over a baking sheet. Take your chicken out of the fridge; let it come to room temp. ...
Step 3: Bake for 15 minutes.

Mar 21, 2021

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How do you make rotisserie chicken moist again? ›

Remove the rotisserie chicken from the packaging and place it in an oven-safe dish. To keep the chicken moist, pour a cup of chicken broth into the bottom of the dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Let the chicken roast for approximately 25 minutes.

Is 2 year old frozen chicken still good? ›

It depends on the cut. A whole chicken or turkey can be kept in the freezer for up to one year. Chicken or turkey in pieces can be kept in the freezer for up to nine months. Ground chicken or turkey is best consumed within three to four months if frozen from the date of purchase.

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Can I eat 10 day old chicken? ›

Raw chicken lasts in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cooked chicken lasts 3–4 days. To detect if chicken has gone bad, check the “best if used by” date and look for signs of spoilage like changes in smell, texture, and color. Avoid eating spoiled chicken, as it can cause food poisoning — even if you cook it thoroughly.

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Can I freeze cooked chicken after 4 days? ›

Cook raw chicken within one or two days, or freeze at 0 °F. You can keep cooked chicken in the refrigerator three to four days or freeze it within that length of time. If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely. Chicken may be frozen in its original packaging or repackaged.

When should you throw out a rotisserie chicken? ›

How long does rotisserie chicken last in the fridge? Rotisserie chicken lasts for up to four days if cooked and stored correctly. Keep the chicken in an airtight container or zip-top bag, and do not consume leftover chicken if left at room temperature for an extended period of time (more than two hours).

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How many days is rotisserie chicken OK? ›

The USDA guidelines clearly state that rotisserie chicken is good for 3-4 days when stored in the refrigerator. Additionally, rotisserie chicken can be stored in the freezer where it will be good for a longer period of time. If frozen it will keep best, maintaining its optimal flavor and texture, for 4 months.

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How to make leftover fried chicken juicy? ›

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Meanwhile, take your fried chicken out of the refrigerator and let it sit for about 10 minutes to half an hour. Taking the chill off helps the chicken reheat evenly all the way through and prevents it from losing too much moisture.