Leftover chicken recipes (2024)

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Had a Sunday roast? Wondering what to do with that tasty leftover meat? We’ve got so many different leftover chicken recipes to choose from including chicken and mushroom pies, pasta bakes, soups (including two lovely options for chicken noodle soup), easy chicken salads and more ideas. Whether you’re looking for a lunch or dinner idea, these recipes are about making the most of the bird.

Explore beyond the sandwich with our leftover chicken ideas, and make a lot out of a little meat. From hearty chicken, spinach and ricotta cannelloni to chicken and chorizo buns. Of course, a chicken noodle soup is always a comforting option on a cold day. But our leftover chicken recipes are also the chance to try something new and exciting, be that a chicken curry or a creamy gratin. Whatever you’re in the mood for, these dinner ideas are designed to breathe new life into your leftovers.

If you want even more value from your bird, make some homemade chicken stock from the bones, too, which you can freeze and enjoy in all sorts of meals. Plus you get to enjoy the glow of knowing you’ve made the most of the whole bird.

And for next time, see all our chicken recipes.

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Chicken breast recipesChicken and courgette salad bowls

This summery chicken salad is full of fresh, bright flavour. If you happen to have leftover roast chicken knocking around,...

Gluten-free

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Leftover chicken recipesFreekeh, chicken and pomegranate salad

The beauty of this hearty chicken salad is that all you have to cook is the freekeh – a nutty...

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Picnic recipesChicken, leek and ham pasties

Use leftover chicken to make these budget-friendly chicken pasties. Think creamy chicken, leek and ham filling inside golden puff pastry....

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Leftover chicken recipesChicken and mango coconut curry

Possibly the quickest, tastiest chicken and coconut curry you’ll ever make. Fresh mango gives sweetness to the dish and offsets...

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Purse-friendly chicken recipesBlack bean and chicken burritos

Use leftover roast chicken to make these thrifty and delicious chicken burritos. These filling burritos are packed with black beans,...

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Chicken salad recipesCobb salad with cashew cream dressing

This filling cobb salad is packed with gooey boiled eggs, crisp bacon and shredded chicken. Serve with the moreish cashew...

Gluten-free

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15-minute meal recipesRoast chicken, cheese and kimchi toastie

Transform a cheese toastie by adding roast chicken and kimchi. Oozy, melty and spicy, this easy recipe is a dream...

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Leftover chicken recipesChicken macaroni cheese with crispy pancetta

Use up leftover chicken in this delicious chicken macaroni cheese with crispy pancetta and rosemary. Serve with a crisp green...

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Omelette recipesRoast chicken and asparagus soufflé omelette

This comforting, pillowy soufflé omelette combines leftover roast chicken and glorious spring asparagus into a tasty and thrifty meal for...

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Working from home lunch recipesCoronation chicken on toast

Looking for quick and easy working from home lunch ideas? This tasty coronation chicken on toast will perk up your...

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Chicken casserole recipesSaffron chicken stew with greens and chickpeas

This oh-so-comforting saffron chicken stew is a great recipe to have in your locker, plus you can make some easy...

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Healthy chicken recipesMexican chicken and red rice burrito bowls

Use a few spare tortilla wraps and some leftover chicken to help make these filling and healthy Mexican chicken and...

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Leftover chicken recipesRoast chicken, vegetable and noodle soup

This nourishing noodle soup is a brilliant way to use up leftover chicken from yesterday’s roast dinner. Make it in...

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Leftover chicken recipesChicken and greens pilaf

Use leftover chicken in this quick and easy pilaf recipe made with brown rice, savoy cabbage, peas and almonds. Any...

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Chicken pasta recipesChicken and mushroom pasta bake

A creamy chicken and mushroom pasta bake made all the speedier by using a ready-roast chicken. We love it, and...

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Healthy chicken recipesMexican chicken and tortilla stew

We’ve used a ready-roast chicken to cut down the cooking time of this Mexican stew recipe while still ensuring high...

  • Leftover chicken recipes (64)Easy

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Leftover chicken recipes (2024)

FAQs

How good is leftover chicken good for? ›

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.

How to use leftover dry chicken? ›

Now here's a few ideas on what to do to try to save it, but there's no guarantee here.
  1. Cut it into small pieces, toss it into a pot of water and make it into a soup; or put it into an EXISTING soup .
  2. Cut it into small pieces and put it into a sauce.
  3. Shread it or dice it and then cook it into a slow cooker in a stew;
Nov 13, 2020

How do you make leftover chicken taste fresh? ›

That's right: Skip the microwave!
  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. You want the oven to heat up fully before you attempt to reheat the chicken. ...
  2. Step 2: Fit a wire rack over a baking sheet. Take your chicken out of the fridge; let it come to room temp. ...
  3. Step 3: Bake for 15 minutes.
Mar 21, 2021

How do you make over cooked chicken taste better? ›

You can do this by marinating the cooked chicken in a sauce or broth for a while. This can help rehydrate the meat and add some flavor. Just be careful not to over-marinate, as the chicken could become mushy. Steam: Reheating the chicken with steam can help add moisture back into t.

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.

Is leftover chicken safe to eat cold? ›

yes, you can safely eat it. Cold chicken tastes very good and it is pretty endurable. as well as cooked, fried, baked or grilledchicken leftovers can be stored in refrigerator for a couple of days. refrigerated chicken leftovers are safe to eat for three to four days.

Can you fry chicken that's already cooked? ›

It works best if you let the chicken come to room temperature first. And since the chicken is already cooked, you don't need to cook it in the oil for quite as long — about 2 to 3 minutes per side should do it, but it's safest to use an internal thermometer and make sure the meat has reached 165°F.

Why is leftover chicken dry? ›

When you cook chicken at a high temperature, the muscle fibers of the chicken contract rapidly, causing moisture loss. However, if you cook your chicken too low and slow, the fibers will break down, resulting in a mushy, dry texture.

Can you use leftover chicken flour? ›

As long as the flour is cooked, it's fine to use — the cooking temperatures kill any pathogenic bacteria. You also wouldn't want to let it sit around at room temperature for hours before cooking, because the bacteria would multiply and there is a higher chance of some of it surviving the cooking process.

How to make crispy leftover chicken? ›

To reheat fried chicken in the oven, the best method is to turn the oven on high and bake it fast. Preheat the oven to 400°F, and place room-temperature leftovers on a wire rack set on a baking sheet. The wire rack helps hot air circulate to crisp up the underside of the chicken.

Why does my chicken taste bad when I reheat it? ›

Occurrence of warmed-over flavor

The iron is released by the heat of cooking, or by mechanical grinding. The free iron then acts as a catalyst, or promoter, of oxidation reactions. The reactions break down some of the fats in the meat to form primary oxidation products.

How do you make leftover meat taste better? ›

TIP: Try this trick to reheat leftover meat, so it tastes fresh and juicy! 👇🏼🍖 1️⃣Let it come to room temp. Get a nonstick skillet nice and hot 🔥 2️⃣ Add your slices then IMMEDIATELY pour in a little broth and cover. Let cook 1 minute.

How to make chicken tastier? ›

Here are 7 tricks to make chicken breasts taste better and even totally delicious.
  1. Cook them right. Most people get scared and overcook chicken breasts, cooking out all the moisture and leaving them tough and dry. ...
  2. Marinate them. ...
  3. Cut them thin. ...
  4. Fry them. ...
  5. Stuff them. ...
  6. Shred them. ...
  7. Use the right pan.

How do you make chicken meat more flavorful? ›

Brining your chicken is a foolproof way to not only add flavour to your roast but also to ensure you don't overcook the meat. Essentially a mix of salt, sugar and water, we love adding herbs, garlic or whole spices such as fennel and cumin to flavour the brine.

Can I eat leftover chicken after 5 days? ›

How Long Can You Keep Cooked Chicken in the Fridge? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that cooked chicken can last three to four days in the refrigerator, if stored at 40°F or less. 1 And that goes for any type of cooked chicken—store-bought, homemade, or restaurant leftovers.

Is it OK to reheat leftover chicken? ›

Chicken is no different from other meats, and you can reheat it safely two or more times. When you reheat chicken, it is important that you properly heat it the whole way through. Pieces of chicken must be steaming in the middle.

Can I eat chicken 5 days after sell by date? ›

You can keep raw chicken in the fridge for one to two days at most, according to FoodSafety.gov. The “best if used by” date printed on the package is for quality assurance purposes, so you should only eat raw chicken within a day or two, even if its printed expiration date hasn't passed yet.

Can I eat chicken soup after 5 days? ›

For best safety and quality, plan to eat refrigerated soup within 3 to 4 days or freeze it. And avoid letting soup set at room temperature for more than TWO hours. Don't put a large pot of hot soup directly into your refrigerator.

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