What Can I Make With Cooked Chicken Breast?

Roasted cooked chicken is one of the easiest things you can make for dinner for your family. What is even easier than oven-roasted chicken? Bringing home a rotisserie chicken from your favorite supermarket.

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But what to do with leftover chicken, you ask? The good news is that there are tons of fabulous easy leftover chicken recipes online. If you're lucky enough to have leftover tender chicken, you basically have a head start on tomorrow's dinner.

Leftover meat is great for much more than a plain sliced cooked chicken sandwich or the ubiquitous chicken salad. You can use your chicken leftovers to make delicious casseroles, hearty stews, quick-and-easy wraps, a chicken-stuffed sweet potato, and aromatic curries.

Let's dive in and explore some of the most delicious leftover cooked chicken recipes online.

Source: Theunlikelybaker.com

1. Creamy Chicken Spaghetti

There are several different ways to make chicken spaghetti, and the traditional recipe that uses cream cheese is delicious.

However, we were intrigued by this interesting recipe that has a sauce made with tomatoes and heavy cream.

But here's the best part. This chicken spaghetti has a whopping five cloves of garlic.

Also, this spaghetti made with cooked chicken breast cooks in about 30 minutes.

To make this recipe heart-healthy, you can use whole wheat pasta.

When the spaghetti sauce is finished cooking, add the chicken, heavy cream, and fresh basil for a masterpiece of a meal for your family.

Source: Damndelicious.net

2. Chicken Noodle Soup

Does chicken noodle soup really cure a cold? We're not sure, but one thing that it cures is a hungry family.

You can use your leftover chicken and boxed or canned broth to whip up your own recipe for classic chicken noodle soup.

Is there really any better comfort food than this? Before long, your family will be asking for this soup as comfort food to heal all of their ills.

If you have any leftover chicken soup after your family devours it, you can take it for lunch the next day.

Source: Mamalovestocook.com

3. Leftover Chicken Chili

There are few better uses for leftover shredded chicken than a delicious pot of leftover chicken chili.

If your team likes their chili spicy, this dish can take you there. However, you can also keep your leftover chicken chili as mild as needed.

You can enjoy your chicken chili in a big old chili bowl or dish it up over nachos, in burritos, on a baked potato, or wrapped up in tortillas in enchiladas.

To make it even more interesting, serve it with some sliced avocado and a dollop of sour cream.

Or cornbread.

Source: Fussfreeflavours.com

4. Leftover Roast Chicken Biryani

Cooking with leftover chicken doesn't have to be boring. In fact, you can get as inspired and creative as you like.

Consider all of the classic foods of the world and let your imagination run wild.

This recipe for biryani using chicken is the perfect example of how to make something wonderfully exotic with the simplest of ingredients: leftover chicken.

In less than 40 minutes of prep and cooking time, you will have a delicious dinner on the table.

This dish is elegant enough for company, and no one will guess that this incredible dinner came from last night's leftover roasted chicken.

Bonus: They won't even notice that they're eating all of their veggies.

Source: Iwashyoudry.com

5. Chicken Ranch Wrap

What's easier than a sandwich and much more nutritious? A wrap.

When you make wraps, you can use whatever flavor tortilla you like, including healthier options such as whole wheat and low carb.

Or, you can opt for a lettuce wrap.

There are no complicated ingredients. Just good old ranch dressing, wholesome veggies that you probably already have on hand, and sliced or shredded leftover chicken.

What takes this wrap over the top? The bacon, of course, but that's totally optional.

If you want to make these wraps more portable, wrap them in cling wrap and have them ready in the fridge for quick grabbing as your family runs out the door in the morning.

Source: Gatherforbread.com

6. Leftover Chicken and Mozzarella Flatbread Pizza

If there is one dish most people wouldn't mind having any day of the week, it's pizza.

Certainly, pizza bought from our favorite pizza restaurants is excellent, but homemade pizza is surprisingly easy. Even better, it's super easy to make.

One thing that makes this recipe for leftover chicken pizza is that every family member can customize their own portions, so everyone is satisfied and begging for more.

To make this a quicker dinner, you can use pre-made flatbread. When it comes to pizza, the possibilities are truly endless.

Source: Masandpas.com

7. Leftover Roast Chicken Risotto

When we were looking for a recipe for leftover chicken risotto, our eyes were peeled for one particular thing (besides the perfect ingredients, of course): a short prep time.

All you have to do is toss your choice of veggie and leftover rotisserie chicken in a pot with a couple of cups of rice and walk away.

To make this casserole even healthier, use brown rice. It tastes just as good (or better) than white rice.

The asparagus adds a wonderful touch of green and some crunchiness to this casserole.

Source: Eatingrichly.com

8. Leftover BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

Do you find it challenging to find leftover chicken recipes that can use up your extra BBQ chicken? If so, we have a tasty and easy surprise for you!

Few foods are more universally adored than quesadillas. After all, every bite is chock-full of explosive flavor and creamy cheesiness.

The crispness of the tortillas sets off the inside smorgasbord perfectly, giving you a combination of flavors that is absolutely wild.

If anything, the BBQ flavoring that you used to season your chicken makes this recipe even more interesting.

Source: Tasteofhome.com

9. Peanut Butter Chicken Salad Sandwich

We know it sounds bonkers, but this is unbelievably delicious. Just think about it.

Chicken and peanuts are a classic Thai combination, and this sandwich also has basil.

You can make this sandwich with sliced or shredded chicken, but it's also delicious with chicken salad.

Here's an idea: make a hearty chicken salad for one day, and then use the leftovers to spread over a peanut butter sandwich the next day.

Another tip is to mix the peanut butter with a bit of mayonnaise to hold the whole thing together perfectly.

Source: Ohsodelicioso.com

10. Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Lasagna is one of the most famous casseroles in the world, and it's nearly impossible to get this casserole wrong if you follow the basic instructions (like cooking the pasta before layering it).

However, the great thing about this timeless casserole is that you can get creative with it.

Most lasagna casserole recipes still use a tomato base.

That's about to change.

With this unique recipe for leftover chicken Alfredo lasagna, you're swapping out the marinara sauce for some creamy Alfredo sauce and garlic powder.

Layered with your leftover chicken, you have a casserole that will win the day.

And be sure to sprinkle this with some parmesan cheese.

Serve this with a salad and some garlic bread and end your day on a happy note.

Source: Averiecooks.com

11. Leftover Easy White Chicken Chili

We've included a recipe link for traditional chili made with leftover chicken.

However, don't forget about the scrumptious entree that is chili made with leftover chicken and white beans (usually cannellini, but you can experiment!).

Instead of tomatoes or tomato sauce, white chicken chili is made with chicken broth.

The yellow onions and green chiles give this dish loads of flavor, and when you squeeze some limes over your completed dish, the result will win you praise from your family.

And don't forget to sprinkle cheese and cilantro on top before serving!

Serve this dish with tortillas, diced avocado, sour cream, or chips to complete the meal.

Source: Simplyrecipes.com

12. Chicken Mac and Cheese

Have you dreamed of adding something more substantial to your kids' favorite mac 'n cheese dinner?

Leftover shredded chicken to the rescue!

With this wonderful dish, it feels like leftover chicken breast and cheese are soulmates.

Why didn't we (or someone) think of pairing these two recipes decades ago? Well, better late than never.

You can make it from scratch as the recipe suggests (easier than you think) or use your favorite box of mac 'n cheese to make your evenings even simpler.

Source: Allrecipes.com

13. Leftover Chicken Stew with Dumplings

One of the best things about making shredded rotisserie chicken and dumplings stew in any style is that you can keep it as simple as you like.

You can also make dumplings from scratch, just like your grandmother used to make, or you can use canned biscuits.

If you make this recipe with canned biscuits, pinch off pieces of dough into little balls. You will get about 4-5 little dough balls per biscuit (depending on the size of biscuits you buy).

This recipe is very traditional and it will transport you back to a different place and time.

Speaking of "time," this dish also calls for thyme, which gives it a unique and homey flavor.

Don't forget the potatoes. That's what makes this hearty stew stick to your ribs.

This dish is reminiscent of chicken pot pie.

Source: unicornsinthekitchen.com

14. Leftover Chicken Lentil Soup

Some families like their veggies and legumes with a little bit of meat.

If that sounds like your crew, then you probably already know how amazing a big old pot of beans or vegetable soup is with just enough meat to make the recipe hearty.

Traditionally, cooks have used a soup bone, salt pork, bacon, diced ham, pork neck bones, or a ham hock to season their beans and lentils.

However, did you know that you could use your leftover shredded rotisserie chicken and some chicken stock to season anything that you used to season with other meats?

This is a lentil soup that delivers all of the power of this food with none of the fat.

Source: midwestliving.com

15. Thai Chicken Soba Noodle Salad

Loaded with vegetables, rotisserie chicken, and a delightful peanut dressing, this dish serves as an excellent option for a chilled salad that's hearty enough to be the main dish.

Just imagine packing up this deliciousness when you're meal-prepping for the week.

Another way to pack these up for your lunches is to layer the ingredients in mason jars. Then, just pour them into your bowl at lunchtime and stir all of the goodness together.

For lunch at work, you can simply pull your container with this yummy staple out of the fridge (or your cooler pack/lunch bag).

When you use buckwheat noodles (soba) or whole wheat linguine, you're serving up a healthy fiber boost in addition to a satisfying one-dish meal.

Source: thelifejolie.com

16. Chicken Shepherd's Pie

Another casserole favorite is the perfect shepherd's pie.

Traditionally, shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb or beef. However, did you know you could use your leftover chicken to make it?

In addition to your leftover rotisserie chicken, this recipe also calls for frozen mixed veggies, so it's super easy to pull together.

Don't have any frozen veggies on hand? Substitute a can of mixed vegetables instead. Or broccoli.

This recipe is super flexible.

Here is another shortcut: If you're short on time, you can use instant potatoes to make this recipe instead of homemade mashed potatoes.

This recipe doesn't call for cheese, but we would totally sprinkle a cup of grated cheddar cheese on top of this.

If you add cheese, be sure to loosely cover your pan before baking so that the cheese doesn't scorch. Yum!

Source: Mashupmom.com

17. Leftover Chicken Fried Rice

Ordering Chinese food takeout is quick and easy, and it makes the weeknights much less stressful for everyone.

And who won't eat chicken fried rice or stir fry? Even the pickiest eaters dig in!

But did you know that you can create delicious recipes like chicken fried rice with the leftover chicken in your fridge?

This recipe takes about 20 minutes to make, which means you can have a delicious home-cooked meal in the time it would take for the delivery driver to make it to your home.

To add some healthy goodness to this recipe, consider adding broccoli. Be sure to have some soy sauce on hand as a condiment.

To have dinner ready even more quickly, you can prepare the cooked rice the night before, or set up your rice cooker with a timer to have your rice ready when you get home.

Source: Blackberrybabe.com

18. Asian Chicken Rice Bowl

One of the simplest and most satisfying ways to serve a meal is in a bowl.

We've seen popular bowl dishes called "soul bowls" and that about sums it up.

It seems like every popular restaurant has some version of their food in a handy bowl. The great news is that you can make your own right in your own kitchen!

This delicious recipe calls for ground chicken, but you can easily substitute it with your leftover roasted chicken to create your own signature dish.

The sweet chili sauce and ginger are what takes this bowl to the next level.

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

19. Chicken Enchilada Tamale Bake

How does some Tex-Mex fusion food sound? If your family likes a little spice with their dinner, they will love this chicken enchilada tamale bake.

Just imagine pulling the flavors of tamales and enchiladas together in a magnificent one-dish meal.

Tamales can be a lot of work, but this recipe isn't about all of that. With the yummy cornbread crust and enchilada sauce, you simply layer your ingredients to pull off this tasty dish.

With plenty of cheese and a generous sprinkling of cilantro, you're ready to go.

Source: afamilyfeast.com

20. Leftover Chicken Tacos

Do you have Taco Tuesday every week at your house?

If not, you're missing out on a brilliant way to use up your leftovers. Chicken tacos are one of our favorite leftover chicken recipes.

Besides being an all-around favorite, tacos are also an easy way to sneak some more veggies and healthy fats into your family's diet.

Leftover rotisserie chicken is ideal for chicken tacos and taco seasoning makes this one easy. But one of the best things about tacos is all of the toppings you can add.

Guacamole, pico de gallo, grilled or sauteed vegetables, diced avocado, and more can give your tacos that extra zing your family craves.

Serve your leftover chicken tacos with slow-cooked beans, black bean soup, or open up a can of healthy vegetarian refried beans and you've got a complete meal.

Source: 31daily.com

21. Leftover Chicken Enchiladas

Remember back in the day when the only enchiladas most of us knew about were traditional enchiladas made with ground beef?

Well, things have changed and chicken has entered the building.

When you want to make chicken enchiladas, there is nothing simpler than using your grilled chicken for this classic Tex-Mex casserole.

The diced green chiles are fire-roasted, so they add an extra punch of flavor that's not too hot.

You can also choose mild green chilies (the seeds have been removed) if your family doesn't like their food too spicy.

With plenty of shredded cheese, the melty goodness will win over a crowd of hungry kids.

For the enchilada sauce, you can make some from scratch or use a convenient store-bought canned variety.

Source: dontgobaconmyheart.co.uk

22. Leftover Roast Chicken Pasta

This dish is both tasty and filling. Moreover, most of the ingredients are things you probably already have in your fridge or pantry.

Best of all, it will only take about 15 minutes of your valuable time to pull this easy leftover chicken meal together.

Do the happy eaters in your family love bacon? If so, this dish is sure to please.

You can cook the bacon the day before and refrigerate it to have it ready.

Or you can use real bacon bits to make this recipe even easier.

The sweet chili sauce gives this pasta recipe a nice kick, and the heavy cream makes it divine.

You can make it with penne pasta or whatever pasta you happen to have on hand.

Source: Bunsinmyoven.com

23. Creamy French Onion Chicken and Rice Bake

A chicken casserole made with rice is timeless, and this creamy french onion chicken and rice casserole is about as classic as they come.

If you're looking for a serious dose of comfort food, this delicious casserole will take you there.

Like most chicken and rice casseroles, this recipe uses cream of chicken soup, but the onion soup mix and grated Gruyere cheese take this humble casserole to the moon.

Prep time for this leftover roasted chicken recipe is only five minutes. What will you do with the extra time you have in the evenings?

Source: Mamalovestocook.com

24. Leftover Chicken Curry

When it comes to long-standing favorites, few dishes embody that concept more than chicken curry.

With a creamy curry that's positively rich with cumin, coriander, garam masala, cinnamon, and turmeric, your leftover chicken reaches the level of nirvana.

When it comes to adding veggies to this leftover chicken curry, the possibilities are endless.

Even better? This is another great one-pot meal.

The time you save in the kitchen can be spent on quality time with your family (or some quiet and relaxing time for yourself).

Source: Deliciousbydesign.net

25. Leftover Chicken Salad

Last but never least, you can always use leftover chicken to make a scrumptious classic chicken salad.

Most people love the traditional smoked chicken salad. It's so easy to make and it's great to have in the fridge for sandwiches.

Want to make things even more interesting? Give this version of the Waldorf salad a try with your leftover chicken.

The apples, grapes, celery, and red onion make this simple salad a complete meal.

To add even more healthy protein (and good fats!) to this recipe, add some pecans or walnuts. The crunch that nuts add gives this salad a wonderful texture.

When it comes to leftover chicken recipes, it doesn't get much better than this.

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Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.

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What Can I Make With Cooked Chicken Breast?

Source: https://thekitchencommunity.org/leftover-chicken-recipes/