Cubed, shredded, torn, or sliced, leftover chicken is a great (and healthy) ingredient to have on hand for so many recipes. These terrific dishes make smart use of the versatile protein, and in fact, they do it so well that only the cook would know that the chicken might have had a previous life!
Chicken's easygoing flavor pairs nicely with a wide range of cuisines and dishes, and the recipes here prove that point. Whether soups, casseroles, pasta bakes, sandwiches, or salads, leftover cooked chicken shines in all of them. There's definitely no need to eat plain leftover chicken on its own when there are so many inspiring ways to turn it into a brand-new meal.
Easy Chicken Potpies
Making the classic comfort food is easier than you think with this recipe, which calls for two smart shortcuts: diced cooked chicken and frozen puff pastry.
California Cobb Salad
Poached or grilled chicken breasts may not be the most exciting element of the beloved cobb salad, but they’re a critical ingredient, offering the perfect base protein for the flashier add-ins (here, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, and Roquefort cheese).
Chicken and Spinach Casserole
This comforting casserole makes excellent use of leftovers, incorporating both cooked, shredded chicken as well as day-old bread. Torn pieces of brioche or baguette would work beautifully.
Freezer Burritos
Make a batch of burritos, eat some now, and freeze some for later (your future self will thank you). You can pile in any protein you like, but cooked chicken works especially well as it pairs nicely with so many other ingredients.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Here’s a speedy and customizable weeknight supper, combining shredded chicken, cotija cheese, cilantro, and scallion with a tomato broth. Toasted tortilla strips and lime wedges are a perfect crispy garnish.
Chicken, Red Cabbage, and Carrot Salad With Soy-Lime Dressing
This bright, Asian-inspired salad is delicious on its own, or you could serve it with rice crackers or noodles for a heftier meal.
Chicken Reuben
Although a Reuben is traditionally made with corned beef, leftover chicken works, too, as this recipe shows. The chicken matches so well with the other ingredients: Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and rye bread.
Classic Chicken Salad
Nothing revolutionary here, just chicken, mayo, mustard, red onion, celery, parsley, lemon juice, and hot sauce. But wow, are these ingredients worth more than the sum of their parts!
Turmeric-Ginger Chicken Soup
Bookmark this immunity-boosting elixir for when you're feeling under the weather. Along with cooked chicken, it includes garlic, turmeric, ginger, and lemon juice
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
This delicious bake checks so many boxes: uses up leftover chicken, comes together with little effort, can be made ahead, and serves a crowd.
Chicken-and-Gnocchi Bake With Broccolini
Mildly sweet broccolini, tender gnocchi, nutty Gruyère and torn cooked chicken come together in this tasty baked pasta dish. Make it in a large baking dish or ovenproof skillet, or use ramekins so everyone gets their own individual serving.
Sweet-and-Sour Chicken Noodle Bowl
This twist on a pasta chicken salad would be a great summer supper or picnic addition. With lime zest and juice, sweet chili sauce, ginger, and cilantro, it bursts with fresh flavor.
Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
This old-school casserole is creamy and satisfying, thanks in no small part to sour cream, mushrooms, and shallots.
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Transform chopped or shredded cooked chicken into chicken salad with a few basic ingredients, then spoon it onto slices of bread for a simple and satisfying lunch at home or on the go. Potato chips are optional but highly encouraged.