Are you stumped as to what to do with your leftover chicken? Don’t worry; we have plenty of options for you. Make tonight’s leftovers better than yesterday’s family favorite by using one of these leftover chicken recipes.
These simple meals, which range from pasta to salad to tacos, are ideal for using leftover chicken. Leave the drab in the past and wow your family with a reimagined chicken classic. In any case, one of these quick and easy dishes will not disappoint.
Leftover Roasted Chicken Recipes
Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken
Macaroni and cheese are household favorites. Add leftover chicken to give it a protein boost!
Mild chicken is a simple addition to this classic that doesn’t overpower the mac and cheese flavor.
The creamy cheese sauce smothers flavorful chicken and soft noodles in this recipe, which will please everyone.
If you make this for dinner, you won’t have any leftovers.
Biryani using leftover roast chicken
This biryani recipe is ready in just half an hour, but your guests will never know!
This leftover chicken has all the flavor and elegance of traditional biryani recipes, but it’s far easier to cook and just as delicious.
Picky eaters will consume their vegetables without even realizing it!
Sauteed peppers give a splash of color to any dish while providing vitamins and minerals.
Biryani has such a distinct flavor, and this dish captures it perfectly.
Chicken Curry Leftovers
This recipe is no exception to the long-standing popularity of chicken curry.
Smother your leftovers in a creamy stew with turmeric and cumin to take them to the next level.
As stated in the recipe, the vegetable combinations are infinite, and you could eat through your refrigerator!
The nicest part about this dish is that it just only one pot to prepare!
This allows for a quick clean-up and a relaxing night instead of scrubbing dishes.
Pizza with leftover chicken flatbread
Pizza is a dish that everyone enjoys. And making your pizza is a lot of fun! Each family member can personalize their portion of the dish, ensuring everyone is satisfied.
Pre-made flatbread eliminates all prep work, making this the ideal weeknight supper or lunch to prepare ahead of time.
This recipe is more of a template that may be customized in whatever way you like! Change up the sauces and toppings to keep things interesting.
It’s not delivery or Digiorno; it’s your pizza creation produced at home.
Soup with Chicken Noodles
Campbell’s beware, and I’ve got you beat! With this recipe in your back pocket, you’ll never eat canned chicken noodle soup again.
Make a hot pot of comfort meal with leftover chicken and boxed broth.
This recipe may be served any time of year, whether it’s snowing outside or you’re just feeling nostalgic.
Sweet carrots and crisp celery complement the delicious chicken in a subtle broth.
Risotto with leftover roast chicken
No one will ever know how simple this recipe is if you don’t mention it! Put your leftover chicken, vegetables, and rice in a saucepan and walk away.
You’ll end up with a delicious risotto that everyone will enjoy.
The stodgy rice is complemented by crisp broccoli and aromatic red pepper. You can use as many vegetables as you want in this dish.
Chop up your family’s favorite vegetables and toss them into this creamy sauce.
Quesadilla with leftover BBQ chicken
Barbecue sauce is sweet and tangy, and it steals the show! With bits of succulent chicken and your favorite barbecue sauce, your quesadilla will be elevated to new heights.
This Tex-Mex buffet is held together perfectly by the crunchy tortilla in a crazy blend of flavors.
Cooking with children? Allow them to assist you in preparing this dish!
With minimal prep and a microwaveable alternative, anyone can make these quesadillas in no time.
Pasta with leftover roast chicken
This creamy meal is hearty and delicious, and it’s sure to please! It just takes 15 minutes to make using things you probably already have on hand.
This dish uses only a few spices to create a flavor that the whole family will enjoy.
The pasta is cooked in tomato sauce, allowing the tomato flavor to permeate the entire dish.
Fresh cilantro serves as more than a garnish in this dish. Its fresh-from-the-garden flavor elevates this dish from simple leftovers to a feast.
How to Save Overcooked Chicken Breast?
It can be Served or Simmered in a Sauce.
You can flavor it with gravy, mornay sauce, tomato sauce, or whatever else you choose. You may serve it on the side or boil the chicken in the sauce. Another approach to ensure that your sauce gets into every mouthful of chicken is to cut it up into tiny pieces and boil until each piece is moist and tender again.
Make a Basic Chicken Sandwich with it.
One of the nicest things you can do is cut up your chicken breast and mix it with mayonnaise and other seasonings. It’s also a piece of fantastic bacon!
To make saucy shredded chicken, combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Toss the chicken in barbecue sauce after shredding it with a fork or your hands. It’s a quick fix that’s bursting with flavor! You may create a sandwich out of it, eat it with rice, or serve it with mashed potatoes on the side.
Make a Salad with your Chicken.
If your chicken isn’t up to par, chop it up, season it with a little dressing, and put it in the background. Make it a protein-packed topping for your fresh greens instead. It’ll compliment your Caesar salad well!
Soup can be Made with Chopped-up Chicken.
As with all these tips, chopping your chicken into small pieces is always a smart idea. You may then include it into your soup by adding it at the end. It’s nearly hard for anyone to notice the dry chicken because there’s so much soup.
How to Reheat Rotisserie Chicken?
In the Oven
If you have additional time on your hands, reheating a rotisserie chicken in the oven is well worth it. The chicken’s exterior stays crispy while the inside remains juicy and succulent when cooked in the oven.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the rotisserie chicken in an oven-safe dish after removing it from its package. Pour a cup of chicken broth into the bottom of the dish to keep the chicken wet. Place the casserole in the oven, covered in tinfoil.
Allow the chicken to roast for around 25 minutes. Remove the cover and continue to roast for 5 minutes more to crisp up the skin.
Remove the chicken from the oven and serve.
In Microwave
If you’re short on time, reheating rotisserie chicken in the microwave is a convenient and quick answer. Here’s how to keep it juicy and tasty.
Remove the rotisserie chicken from the package and cut into strips or pieces the required amount of chicken (separate chicken from bones and set bones aside).
Place the chicken flesh on a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30 seconds.
Microwave on high for about 2 minutes.
Take the chicken out of the microwave and enjoy it.
In Air Fryer
Try reheating your chicken in the air fryer for extra-crispy skin. This is the most effective method for restoring your rotisserie chicken to its heated supermarket glory, and it’s also quite simple.
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place rotisserie chicken in the air fryer after removing it from its packing. Set timer for 3-4 minutes, or when rotisserie chicken is crisp and hot.
Take the chicken out of the air fryer and eat it.
Why Should you Not Reheat Chicken?
You’ve likely heard that reheating leftover chicken can be risky. Though it isn’t true that reheated chicken causes food illness, the technique is difficult to master.
According to Lydia Buchtmann, a spokesperson for the Food Safety Information Council, reheating chicken is theoretically acceptable. To ensure that hazardous bacteria are eliminated, ensure that every area of the chicken has achieved a temperature of at least 175 degrees Fahrenheit. A cooking thermometer is the only way to do so. Furthermore, if you plan to reheat the cooked chicken, keep it below 42 degrees Fahrenheit at all times, and throw any cooked chicken that has been sitting about for more than three days.
Reheating chicken may be more bother than it’s worth if you don’t have a meat thermometer and don’t know the exact temperature of your lunchbox and refrigerator.
How to Rescue Dry Chicken?
Warm it with Stock After Shredding it.
The first step in restoring moisture to a dried-out bird is to slice or shred leftover chicken. Cutting overcooked protein will allow any liquid you use to bypass the dry skin and infuse moisture throughout the meat, according to The Cold Wire. It can be sliced with a knife or torn into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
Dry Chicken is Sauced, Dressed, and Dipped.
Everything tastes better with sauce, and sawdust-style chicken is no exception. Many sauces, dressings, and dips contain an oil basis, which acts as a hero in saving you from a dry meal. When it comes to dipping, dressing, and slathering sauce over dry chicken, don’t be afraid to experiment. According to Spoon University, Sauce is the key to saving dry chicken. Again, shredding the chicken is recommended so the rich sauce may seep into every crevice. Pesto, barbecue sauce, and soy sauce will add moisture and flavor to the dish.
Make Another Dish Out of it.
When chicken becomes too dry to eat, the only option is to utilize it as an ingredient in another meal. This could be the finest way to repair overdone protein, especially when combined with a luscious sauce and other savory elements in a dish. Dry chicken can be salvaged by chopping or shredding it and tossing it into your favorite pasta dish. A thick marinara sauce or a substantial Alfredo sauce helps restore moisture and taste to a dehydrated piece of chicken. Make a teriyaki chicken meal or a creamy chicken risotto by substituting rice for pasta.
What are the Two Ways to Shred the Chicken?
Once your chicken is done, you have two options for shredding it. My preferred approach is to use a stand mixer because it is quick and simple. If you don’t have a stand mixer, two forks will suffice.
Use this method to place your cooked chicken breast on a platter or cutting board. Separate the chicken meat with two forks, shredding as you go. Carry on with each chicken breast in the same manner.
This is the quickest and most convenient way to shred chicken if you have a stand mixer. In a stand mixer bowl, combine all the chicken breasts. To prevent it from bouncing up, attach the paddle attachment and lock the tilt head (if you have one). Turn your stand mixer low and have shredded chicken in 15 seconds. To learn how I do this, watch the video below.
One of my favorite kitchen tricks is shredding chicken in a stand mixer. It spares your wrists from the time-consuming two-fork approach and shreds your entire batch of chicken in a fraction of the time. It’s just incredible.
Conclusion
Roasted grilled chicken is one of the simplest dinners you can create for your family. What could be easier than roasted chicken in the oven? Buying a rotisserie chicken from your favorite grocery and bringing it home.
But, you might wonder what to do with the remaining chicken. The good news is that many delicious and simple leftover chicken recipes are available online. If you’re lucky enough to have delicate leftover chicken, you’ve got a head start on dinner for the next day.
