25 Easy Leftover Chicken Recipes for Quick & Easy Meals

Wondering what to make with your leftover chicken?

Use one of these leftover chicken recipes to make last night’s dinner a whole new feast.

From pasta and salad to tasty tacos, these easy chicken dishes are the perfect way to use leftover chicken.

So leave drab behind and impress your family with these leftover chicken recipes.

They’re quick, hearty, and perfect for busy weeknights.

1. Chicken Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is already a family favorite. Give it a protein boost by adding your leftover chicken!

Mild chicken is an easy addition to this classic and does not compete with the traditional mac and cheese flavor.

This recipe will please everyone, as the tempting cheese sauce smothers creamy chicken and soft noodles.

Make this for dinner, and you won’t worry about having leftovers.

2. Leftover Roast Chicken Biryani

This biryani recipe hits your table in under a half-hour, but your guests won’t know that!

With all the flavor and sophistication of traditional biryani recipes, this leftover chicken is easy to make and just as delicious.

Picky eaters won’t even realize they are eating their vegetables!

Sauteed peppers add that pop of color every dish needs and offer vitamins and minerals.

Biryani has such a unique flavor, and this recipe nails it!

3. Leftover Chicken Curry

Chicken curry is a long-standing favorite, and this recipe is no exception.

Take your leftover meat to the next level by smothering them in a creamy curry spiced with turmeric and cumin.

As the recipe states, the vegetable combinations are endless, and you could clean out your fridge!

The best part of this recipe is that it comes together in one pot!

This makes for a quick clean-up and an easy night spent relaxing rather than washing the dishes.

4. Leftover Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? And homemade pizza is so much fun!

Each family member can customize their part of the dish so everyone is happy.

Using pre-made flatbread takes out all the work, making this the perfect weeknight meal in a pinch, or prep-ahead lunch. 

This recipe is more of a fully customizable template, with endless possibilities! Get creative and switch up the sauces and toppings. 

It’s not delivery or Digiorno, but your very own pizza creation made in your own home.

5. Chicken Noodle Soup

Look out Campbell’s, I have you beat! You’ll never eat chicken noodle soup out of the can again with this recipe in your back pocket.

Use leftover chicken and boxed broth (or one of these chicken broth substitutes) to quickly whip up a steaming pot of comfort food.

Whether it’s snowing outside or you are just feeling nostalgic, this hot chicken soup has a place on your table all year round.

Sweet carrots and crisp celery are the perfect companions for the flavorful chicken in a delicate broth. 

You could also swap out the noodles and make chicken rice soup instead.

6. Leftover Roast Chicken Risotto

If you don’t mention how easy this dish is, no one will ever know!

Toss your leftover chicken and veggies in a pot with some rice, then walk away.

You’ll be left with a satisfying risotto that everyone will love.

Crisp broccoli and flavorful red pepper accentuate the starchy rice. This recipe is flexible enough to use as many veggies as you like.

Chop up your family’s favorites and add them to this creamy chicken dish. Serve it with a green salad for a complete meal.

7. Leftover BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce steals this show! Level up your quesadilla with chunks of juicy chicken and your favorite brand of barbecue.

The crisp tortilla perfectly holds this Tex-Mex smorgasbord together in a wild combination of flavor.

Cooking with little ones? Let them help you make this recipe!

With minimal prep and a microwaveable option, anyone can have these quesadillas ready in no time.

Trust me, they’ll be met with rave reviews!

8. Leftover Roast Chicken Pasta

As filling as it is tasty, this creamy dish is sure to please!

Using ingredients you already have around the house, all it takes is 15 minutes to make.

This recipe calls for very few spices, creating a simple flavor the whole family will love. 

The pasta is cooked in the tomato sauce, allowing the tomato flavor to fully permeate the dish.

Fresh cilantro is more than just a garnish for this one. Its from-the-garden taste is what transforms this dish from easy leftovers to a feast.

9. Leftover Chicken Chili

Chili is traditionally served with ground beef, but leftover shredded chicken works just as well.

This version has a traditional tomato base and cayenne pepper zing, so the leftover chicken is a nice surprise.

This well-seasoned blend is completed with cool sour cream and sharp cheddar. Throw in some green chiles for an extra kick.

In the cooler months, nothing says cozy like a big pot of chili. Be the talk of the tailgate with this leftover chicken recipe.

10. Leftover Chicken Stew With Dumplings

This is just like grandma’s chicken and dumplings, but better!

This twist on an old classic stuffs a chicken stew with seasonal vegetables and then tops it off with fluffy dumplings!

All of these swim in a creamy broth that is perfectly seasoned. What’s not to love?

You will be surprised by how easy it is to make these dumplings, Just a few staple ingredients, and voila!

You’ll have light, fluffy dumplings the entire family will enjoy. This recipe also works well with leftover turkey.

11. French Onion Chicken and Rice Bake

French onion dip has always been the star of the snack table, but now it steals the dinner table, too!

Refrigerated French onion dip gives this rice bake a well-rounded flavor, and store-bought roast chicken is just too easy to drop in.

Pop this in the oven, and you may just have your new weeknight favorite. 

Crispy fried onions finish this comforting casserole, providing a much-needed crunch and golden brown top layer. It’s as pretty as it is tasty!

12. Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Can you ever go wrong with Alfredo? This recipe trades in marinara sauce for creamy Alfredo and the ground beef for leftover chicken.

Spinach, garlic, and onion complete each bite with a Tuscan flair that is oh-so-decadent. 

This recipe is made with milder white cheese types that coat each bite in creamy deliciousness.

Chicken lasagna is like mac and cheese, but for grown-ups. 

13. Chicken Shepherd’s Pie

There is nothing like some sweet southern cookin’! This shepherd’s pie is piled high with all the fixins and then some!

Chicken, corn, and green peas smothered in rich gravy and sealed shut with swoon-worthy mashed potatoes? What more could you want?

Shepherd’s pie is a proven favorite. With this recipe, leftover chicken will be your new favorite thing.

14. Leftover Chicken Fried Rice

Don’t get takeout! Use this recipe to recreate your favorite fried rice at home instead.

This recipe includes egg and green peas like your local restaurant, but also offers ideas you can use to customize your dish.

You will be surprised at how easy it is to make chicken fried rice.

By adding cooked chicken, it turns this dish from a side into a meal anyone will enjoy.

15. Chicken Enchilada Tamale Bake

If you’ a’re in the mood for some Tex-Mex fusion, this is the recipe for you.

All of your favorite enchilada and tamale flavors are simplified into a bake.

Instead of shaping and steaming tamales, toss all of the ingredients into a sheet pan and pop it in the oven. It’s that simple!

You get the goodness of an enchilada, tamale, and casserole thrown into one bite. The more the merrier, am I right?

16. Thai Chicken Soba Noodle Salad Jars

A salad jar is an elegant alternative to the tired lunch box, and these soba noodles make lettuce look exciting.

Dress your chicken up with crisp broccoli slaw and your favorite Thai-inspired toppings for a mid-day treat.

The real super star is the satay sauce. This nutty drizzle is a sweet contrast to the savory ingredients and pulls the entire dish together.

Don’t skimp on the full-fat coconut milk! The creaminess makes the sauce, and besides, those fats are healthy for you!

17. Leftover Chicken Enchiladas

Don’t prep chicken for enchilada night. Using leftovers is a great way to make this family favorite!

There are so many delicious flavors, your kids won’t even notice that you snuck some spinach inside.

With an ingredient list this simple, this dish is ready to go whenever you are.

Swapping yogurt for sour cream allows you to use up what you already have on hand.

Once you add the other ingredients, no one will notice a difference!

18. Peanut Butter Chicken Salad Sandwich

Move over jelly, peanut butter has a new sidekick now!

Peanut butter and mayonnaise hold this salad together to create a sweet blend that pairs perfectly with whole wheat bread.

The crisp apples really stand out in this chicken sandwich. With the other soft ingredients, you’ll need the crunch of a fresh apple to truly enjoy this lunch.

19. Leftover Chicken Salad 

A tad more standard than the above combo, classic chicken salad has been saving leftover chicken for years.

I love that this recipe uses so many fresh herbs to brighten the flavor of the salad. It really makes a difference.

Add shredded cooked chicken for an easy shortcut.

Crunchy celery and juicy tomatoes pair up for an incredible sandwich to take on your next picnic. 

20. “Nextover” Chicken Tacos

Bring the fiesta to the dinner table with this delicious recipe!

Vibrant cabbage slaw and zesty tomatillo salsa combine for a high-end taco experience.

Top with cilantro and tangy lime wedges to pull these diverse flavors together.

Spicy hot sauce and creamy avocado can be added to make this taco your own. How spicy do you dare to go?

This recipe is perfect for Taco Tuesday and busy weeknights.

21. Leftover Easy White Chicken Chili

Diced chiles and jalapenos bring the spice in this soup.

The delicate broth is enhanced with garlic and onion tones, then heated to the max with this two-pepper combination.

This is definitely not for the faint of heart!

Cool it down by topping your bowl with a generous dollop of sour cream. Trust me, you’ll need it!

22. Asian Chicken Rice Bowl

Bowl recipes are some of my favorites! This is a well-balanced main dish that you can customize to your personal taste and preference.

This bowl pairs chicken and rice with protein-packed edamame and vibrant purple cabbage for a meal that tastes good and is healthy!

The ginger sauce provides traditional Asian-inspired tones to pull the ingredients together.

Fresh sesame seeds and sesame seed oil provide a rich flavor base for this delicious chicken dish.

23. Chicken Ranch Wrap

Something about chicken and cheese just works, and this wrap is no exception.

Creamy cheese and juicy chicken are smothered in zesty ranch for an incredible three-flavor punch. Top with cilantro, and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing combination.

Customize this wrap even more by adding your favorite veggies. The recipe recommends avocado and tomato, but your creativity is the limit.

24. Leftover Chicken Lentil Soup

Veggies and chicken come together to make a hearty soup that will warm your bones.

Best on blustery nights, the earthy lentils and sweet carrots bring a starchy touch that will stick with you through the long winter.

The health benefits of this recipe cannot be ignored. I love a recipe that tastes good and nourishes!

25. Bisquick Chicken Pot Pie

Perhaps one of the best ways to use up leftover rotisserie chicken is by making a homemade chicken pot pie!

This recipe is quick and easy, thanks to the use of Bisquick and frozen mixed vegetables.

The secret ingredient that takes this dish over the top is a can of cream of chicken soup.

This is a fast, hearty meal that the entire family will adore!