Chicken is a versatile and popular ingredient for healthy and delicious meals. Its mild flavor pairs well with a variety of cuisines and seasonings, making it a go-to protein source for many families. Whether you have leftover roast chicken or a rotisserie chicken on hand, there are countless ways to create exciting and satisfying dishes.
Making the Most of Leftover Chicken
Transforming leftover chicken into new and exciting meals is a great way to reduce food waste and create delicious dishes with minimal effort. A roast chicken, for instance, can be repurposed into various meals, ranging from comforting soups to hearty sandwiches and vibrant dinner salads. Sliced or ground chicken can be used as a topping for pizzas or as a filling for enchiladas. Even leftover chicken bones can be used to make a flavorful broth, which can then be used as a base for soups and risottos.
Chicken Recipes
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
This creamy enchilada recipe is a family favorite. To make it, layer a 13×9-inch pan with tortillas stuffed with leftover chicken, cream cheese, and spices, then pour over a quick enchilada sauce. This recipe is quick to prepare and uses common ingredients.
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
For a quick and filling meal, try BBQ chicken sandwiches. This recipe is easy to make, even with a homemade sauce. For a spicier taste, eliminate the ketchup and increase the amount of salsa to 1 cup. Precooked chicken is a natural fit for sandwiches, making these saucy sandwiches incredibly easy to put together.
Chicken and Biscuit Dumplings
This hearty dish combines precooked chicken and ready-made biscuits for a comforting and simple meal. Instead of making dumplings from scratch, this recipe uses frozen biscuits as a quick substitute. It's the perfect way to warm up on chilly nights.
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Chicken Mac and Cheese
Transform a classic kid's dish into a grown-up treat by adding cubed chicken and bacon to creamy mac and cheese. For added flavor, consider using rotisserie chicken and smoked paprika in the sauce. This mac and cheese recipe is a cozy dinner option for a cool night.
Thai Peanut Chicken Pizza
For a unique twist on traditional pizza, try Thai peanut chicken pizza. This dish features a tasty, nutty sauce, chicken, mushrooms, and veggies, all layered on a pizza crust. Serve it with stir-fried vegetables or a salad with sesame dressing for an easy and delicious meal.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food, perfect for new parents or anyone in need of a comforting meal. This recipe is simple to prepare and can be easily adapted to suit individual preferences.
Chicken Potpie
This chicken potpie recipe is chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas, and corn, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. The recipe makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night.
Baked Chicken Egg Rolls
For a healthier alternative to traditional fried egg rolls, try these baked chicken egg rolls. The crispy shells are packed with fresh vegetables, and chopped leftover chicken gives them enough heft to be a main dish.
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White Pizza with Chicken
Tomatoes, olives, and goat cheese brighten up this white pizza. Using extra chicken cooked from another meal simplifies the preparation process. Make sure the tomatoes are well-drained to keep the crust crispy.
Chicken Tortilla Casserole
This comforting chicken tortilla casserole is a family favorite. Chicken, cheese, and zippy green chiles create a mouthwatering mix. This casserole makes it quick and easy to serve a crowd.
Savory Chicken Bread Pudding
This savory twist on classic bread pudding makes a delicious and creative dinner recipe. Corn muffin mix adds tons of flavor to this unique dish.
Slow Cooker General Tso’s Chicken
Tossing leftover chicken in a sauce instantly creates a new dinner. Inspired by General Tso’s chicken, the spicy, nutty, sweet sauce is easy to throw together and warm through in the slow cooker.
Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches
Elevate chicken salad sandwiches by serving them on croissants. Combine a variety of flavors and textures, such as sweet fruits, crunchy nuts and vegetables, and savory bacon, for a truly special treat.
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Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
This slow cooker recipe features a secret ingredient: Alfredo sauce. The jarred white sauce adds tons of creaminess and takes on the robust chili seasonings.
Hummus Chicken Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is a light and refreshing option, tossed in a savory, flavorful sauce of Italian dressing and hummus. Adding chicken makes this pasta salad a complete meal.
Chicken and Spinach Bake
Creamy and comforting, this chicken and spinach bake is sure to be a hit at dinnertime. The toasty bread crumb topping delivers a bit of a crunch.
Asian Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
This Asian chicken and broccoli stir-fry is a household best bet. The spicy sauce works with chicken, seafood, pork, or beef. Add whatever veggies you have on hand.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Give stuffed acorn squash a taste of the Southwest with this comforting recipe. The crunch of the toasted almonds, heat of green chiles, and creamy texture of avocado make this dish a standout.
Fruity Chicken Salad
Fresh, fruity, and refreshing, this chicken salad is a crowd-pleaser. The cashews add wonderful crunch to this simple and healthy salad.
Make-Ahead Chicken Pasta Shells
This cheesy entree is a make-ahead dream. Fill big pasta shells with diced chicken and broccoli for an impressive yet easy-to-make dish.
Chicken Zucchini Casserole
Turn a bumper crop of zucchini into a juicy, flavorful filling for this summery casserole. Precooked chicken from the grocery store simplifies the preparation.
Chicken and Dumplings
This simple version of comforting chicken and dumplings is speedy, low in fat, and a delicious one-dish meal. Top the bowls with puffy, buttery dumplings for an extra comforting touch.
Chicken Divan
This tasty chicken divan recipe is a family favorite. The recipe starts with a homemade cream sauce, thickened the old-fashioned way, with a roux.
Southwestern Burrito Casserole
This mouthwatering southwestern burrito recipe makes enough for two casseroles, so you can enjoy one today and freeze the other for a busy weeknight.
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
This cheesy, southwestern chicken enchilada casserole is real comfort food. It’s oh-so-easy to make and pleases every eater in the family.
Ten-Minute Chicken Potpie
This potpie takes just 10 minutes to throw together before you pop it into the oven. It’s a quick and easy way to enjoy a homey and comforting meal.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Soup
Cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper give this slow-cooked specialty its kick. Serve bowls of it with crunchy tortilla strips that bake in no time.
Chicken Cobb Salad Wraps
Turn Cobb salad into a sandwich masterpiece by using tortillas for the bread. These wraps are a quick and easy meal to share.
Chicken Potpie Galette
This gorgeous galette takes traditional chicken potpie and gives it a fun open-faced spin. The rich filling and flaky cheddar-flecked crust make it taste so homey.
Creamy Chicken Lasagna
This fun twist on traditional red sauce lasagna uses a creamy homemade Alfredo sauce. Store-bought rotisserie chicken keeps prep simple and fast.
Chicken Mulligatawny Soup
For a twist on classic chicken soup, try this mulligatawny, an Indian-inspired soup packed with vegetables and lightly seasoned with curry spices.
Chicken Biscuit Casserole
Golden biscuits cover this homespun dish laden with chicken, broccoli, and cheese. It's then topped with a celery seed mixture.
Baked Chicken Chalupas
For an easy alternative to deep-fried chalupas, bake them with filling on top. This Mexican-inspired dish is a family favorite.
Buffalo Chicken Soup
This soup has the same zippy flavor as buffalo chicken wings. Start with a small amount of hot sauce, then add more if needed to suit your family's tastes.
Mexican Chicken Casserole
This ooey-gooey casserole dish is comfort food the whole family can enjoy. Offer fresh toppings like green onions, tomatoes, and avocado.
Blue Cheese Chicken Pizza
The blue cheese in place of the expected mozzarella gives this pizza a surprising and sophisticated taste. It's excellent as an entree or appetizer.
Chicken Sliders
Load buns with ham, sliced chicken, and Swiss, then bake in a casserole dish until the cheese is melty. These sliders are fun and easy to make.
Curry Chicken Quinoa Skillet
This protein-packed skillet dish is loaded with bright flavor. A little curry and fresh ginger make the veggies, chicken, and quinoa pop.
Chicken with Poblanos and Chiles
This chicken with poblanos and chiles satisfies a craving for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. It's a flavorful and satisfying casserole.
Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup
Make a stock from roast dinner leftovers to create this chicken and sweetcorn soup. The bone broth adds important minerals and it's low in fat and calories.
Coronation Chicken Salad
Rustle up this healthy and filling coronation chicken salad for a packed lunch in just five minutes using our roast chicken cooked beforehand to save time.
Green Goddess Avocado Salad
Make avocado the star of the show in this vibrant chicken salad, with lettuce, green apples, celery, cucumber and a creamy dressing.
Chicken Bagel
Fuel up for lunch with a chicken and avocado bagel. A good balance of carbohydrates and protein, it will sustain your energy levels through the afternoon.
Thai Chicken Salad
This salad couldn't be easier to make - simply shred leftover cooked chicken and mix with Asian flavours, tropical fruit, cashew nuts and herbs.
Healthy Chicken Burritos
Use storecupboard ingredients and leftovers to make this nutritious and easy Mexican-style lunch. The filling for the burritos can be made ahead.
Herby Chicken & Butter Bean Soup
This rustic, chunky soup uses up leftover roast chicken and is packed with flavour from fresh rosemary, sage and thyme.
Chinese Poached Chicken & Rice
For a healthy yet satisfying meal, try this dish eaten across China and Southeast Asia - and use the leftovers to make our cold chicken noodle salad for the next day.
Chicken Noodle Soup
This aromatic broth will warm you up on a winter's evening - it contains ginger, which is particularly good for colds.
Caesar Pitta
Pack a pitta with chicken, salad and homemade caesar dressing for an easy lunch. Rotisserie chicken can be a lifesaver some days!