Recipes to Transform Leftover Chicken into Exciting Meals

1. Chicken Salad

Leftover chicken salad will turn your favorite salad into a full dinner. It is the quickest way to create a quick and delicious meal. There are so many variations you could try.

If you want something simple, try a classic chicken salad with shredded chicken with mayo, celery, onion, grapes, or nuts. But if you love bold flavors, try a buffalo chicken salad that has a fiery kick from the hot sauce.

2. Taco Bell Chicken Quesadillas

You don’t have to spend money on Taco Bell takeaways if you have a stellar recipe for their copycat chicken quesadillas. If you love the popular food chain, you are probably a fan of their sensational chicken quesadilla. 

The quesadillas are filled with tender meat and tons of cheese, making it pretty addictive. The key to making a close replica is nailing the sauce made with mayonnaise, pickled, jalapeños, sugar, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt. 

3. Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken fried rice is the perfect way to use leftover chicken and clean out the fridge. The leftover chicken takes center stage, but you can use up all those veggies and if you have, leftover rice too. 

Throw in some eggs, soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder with the veggies, rice, and chicken, and dinner is served in less than half an hour. Homemade fried rice is rich and flavorful and tastes much better than takeout. 

4. Buffalo Chicken Casserole

When you don’t have wings in the fridge, you can always enjoy the flavors of buffalo chicken wings with a buffalo chicken casserole. It is loaded with buffalo hot sauce, cheddar, sour cream, celery, and crumbled blue cheese. Talk about a winner-winner chicken dinner.

This casserole has a fiery kick from the cayenne peppered buffalo sauce, but you can adjust the spice level by controlling the amount of buffalo sauce you put in your casserole. 

5. Chicken Enchiladas

Give your leftover chicken an awesome makeover with a rich and creamy chicken enchilada casserole. A chicken enchilada is a nice change of pace from beef enchiladas. This one-dish meal includes refried beans as well as cheese and chicken. 

You can also add chopped olives and green onions, cilantro, tomatoes, or spoonfuls of salsa for texture and flavor.

6. Tuscan Chicken Wrap

A Tuscan chicken wrap is quite possibly the easiest and most flavorful recipe with chicken leftovers. The wrap is loaded with chopped rotisserie chicken, creamy mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and plenty of fresh spinach.

But the key to making this wrap so delicious is the sauce. You start with a creamy mayonnaise base, which is then blended with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and grated garlic. You end up with a delicious spread you will not get enough of.

7. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

A chicken and broccoli stir fry satisfies the craving for takeout, and you will feel accomplished serving this to your family because it is healthy and you have saved some money. 

This chicken and broccoli are doused in an aromatic Asian sauce made with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and cornstarch.  The cornstarch thickens the sauce and coats the broccoli and chicken, ensuring every bite is delicious.  It is best served over steaming white rice. 

8. Chicken Pot Pie

A chicken pot pie is always a winner. The warm, flaky-crusted pot pie is hearty and comforting. It features succulent chunks of chicken and tender vegetables swimming in a thick and creamy sauce.

Making chicken pot pie can be lengthy, but it only takes 20 minutes of prep time, and the rest of the cooking time is hands-off. Stir in your veggies and chicken into the homemade cream sauce, then top everything with puff pastry and bake it in the oven. 

9. Four Cheese Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos

A sheet-pan chicken nacho is always the answer for laid-back weeknight dinners. There are so many variations of sheet pan chicken nachos, but for now, we are recommending the four-cheese version because it will always be better than a single cheese.

The combination of cheddar, Monterey Jack, queso fresco, and cotija cheese adds layers and depth of flavor while toppings like green chile, red onion, cilantro, and hot sauce cuts through the richness and balance everything. 

10. Spicy Chicken Tacos

Taco Tuesday just got a whole lot better with a spicy leftover chicken taco. This taco is one of those meals that comes together quickly and still rivals a restaurant-quality meal. 

You take the usual suspects (garlic, onion, spices, chipotle, and some unpictured crushed tomatoes) and make a sauce. Combine the chicken and sauce and load them on a charred tortilla. Then, add all your favorite toppings and enjoy.

11. Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake

Juicy chicken and flavorful pesto with cheese and pasta is a match made in heaven. A chicken pesto pasta is the ultimate dinner dish. It is wholesome but also full of deliciously unique flavors.

Made with leftover chicken, spinach basil pesto, whole wheat pasta, summer squash, tomatoes, and mozzarella, this flavorful meal is healthy and perfect for the entire family. The star of the show in this dish is the so make sure you are using good quality pesto sauce. 

12. Chicken Pizza

Making pizza at home can be surprisingly simple, especially if you use store-bought pizza dough. With ready-made dough and leftover chicken, this low-maintenance meal will save the day anytime you're in a rush.

The best part is everyone in your family can customize their pizza with a choice of toppings and sauce so everyone is happy. You can use buffalo, BBQ, or pesto sauce and prepare veggies like red onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, olives, and many more. As for cheese, anything goes. 

13. Chicken and Corn Chowder

Nothing is as hearty and comforting as a chicken and corn chowder on a chilly day. This chowder combines the savory flavor of chicken with the sweetness of corn, creating a delightful balance in each spoonful.

There are so many ways you can make chowder. You can use heavy cream or half-and-half for a thicker and creamier chowder. You can also add chili flakes, jalapenos, or cayenne pepper for a spicy chowder.

14. Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Shells

For a little Italian affair,  you could make chicken and spinach stuffed shells for your next dinner. This dish features jumbo pasta shells filled with a creamy and flavorful mixture of chicken, spinach, cheese, sauce, and seasonings. 

These stuffed shells offer a satisfying combination of textures and tastes. The leftover chicken acts as a savory base and is complemented by creamy and slightly salty ricotta cheese. Meanwhile, the marinara gives the whole dish a tangy and tomatoey flavor.

15. Chicken Tostadas

Chicken Tostadas will always be a satisfying and flavorful meal thanks to the delightful combination of crispy tortillas, savory chicken, and an array of toppings. Crispy tortilla acts as the base and is topped with leftover chicken and toppings like refried beans for protein and creaminess.

Other toppings include vegetables like diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and pickled jalapenos that add freshness and acidity, cheese for a salty and savory touch, and salsa like salsa verde for a spicy kick and additional flavor.

16. Chicken and Avocado Wrap

You can never go wrong with a chicken and avocado wrap. It is delicious and healthy, plus the leftover chicken makes dinner prep much easier. You only have to assemble all your ingredients and enjoy.

Combine shredded chicken with diced avocado, black beans, corn, and a squeeze of lime, and wrap in a tortilla. You can always use whatever veggies, sauce, and seasoning you like to customize it to your taste. 

17. Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

Chicken and mushroom risotto will always come together for a fantastically hearty, silky main-event dish. It is a flavorful Italian dish featuring Arborio rice, chicken, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese. 

This dish has many layers of flavor that are difficult to put into words, but it is addictive and irresistible. You have the savory notes from the chicken and Parmesan and creaminess from the arborio rice cooked in broth. The mushroom adds an earthy umami flavor, while the Parmesan cheese contributes a nutty note.

Related: 20 Risotto Recipe You Should Try Making As A Main Course

18. Thai Chicken Noodle Soup

If you have rice noodles and leftover chicken, you could make Thai chicken noodle soup. This soup dish is aromatic, and packed with vibrant flavors and textures. It has a balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and savory notes, making it a delightful experience.

The key component in this dish is the broth made with chicken broth and herbs like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal (or ginger), and chilies. The herbs infuse the broth with unique citrusy, herbal, and spicy aromas.

19. Chicken Chili

A steaming hot and well-seasoned chicken chili is hearty, filling, and perfect to keep oneself warm when it is bitterly cold outside. A chili is traditionally served with ground beef, but leftover shredded chicken works just as well. 

To make a tasty chili, you need a variety of spices like ground cumin, smoked paprika and aromatics, chicken broth, and the leftover chicken. You can top it with your chili with your favorite toppings, like sour cream, shredded cheese, and jalapenos.

20. Chicken Fajita Bowl

If you are feeling extra lazy, a chicken fajita bowl might be what you are looking for. A chicken fajita bowl is a deconstructed chicken fajita.

Instead of assembling everything in a tortilla, you toss all the delicious components in a bowl. The base of your fajita bowl always starts with rice, lettuce, black beans, and other greens like spinach or kale. From there, you can customize your bowl with anything you like.