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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Chicken

    10 Ways To Use Up Leftover Chicken

    Published: Jan 16, 2015 · Modified: Jul 5, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 76 Comments

    221 shares
    • 80
    Roast chicken with ways to use leftover chicken as a text overlay.

    Chicken is a great source of lean protein and really easy to cook. If you find yourself with leftover chicken after cooking a whole chicken, then here are some ideas of how to use it up. I thought this was a nice post to put up at this time of year when most people are trying to save some money. Not wasting any food is a really easy way to save some money.

    A whole roasted chicken on a plate next to a striped towel.

    If you have been following me for a while, you will know that I am all about planning and preparation and saving as much money whilst still being healthy. All of those things are possible, and you don't have to spend a lot of time doing them. My weekly food preparation changes every week depending on what is on offer, but one thing that I always make is that I roast a whole chicken and cut it all up to keep in the fridge and use in meals throughout the week.

    In the beginning when I first started doing food prep, inspiration for what I used the chicken for ran dry pretty soon after the standard sandwiches and salads, but as time has gone on, I have gotten a little more creative with what I use it for and I thought I would share those things in a post. Feel free to leave your own ideas in the comments too.

    Jump to:
    • Chicken Salad
    • Chicken Pasta Salad
    • Chicken Sandwich
    • Mexican
    • Soup
    • Lettuce Wraps
    • Pizza
    • Stuffed Baked Potato
    • Curry
    • Lasagna
    • More chicken recipes
    • Feedback

    Chicken Salad

    This can be such a versatile dish, as you can throw in any salad ingredients you have and use any grain you like (brown rice, quinoa and couscous are all good) to make it even more budget friendly. You can keep the dressing simple with just olive oil and vinegar or get a bit more creative and make up a basil, balsamic and mustard dressing. If you want to make the chicken creamy, swap out the mayo for Greek yogurt to save some calories and fat.

    Chicken Pasta Salad

    Not only a good way to use up leftover chicken, but Chicken Pasta Salad is a good way to use up leftover vegetables. This makes a good lunch to take to work if you don't have the facilities to heat anything up. Maybe one for the warmer months!

    Chicken Pasta Salad
    This creamy Chicken Pasta Salad is packed with pretty much everything you could want out of a salad and ready in under 20 minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    Chicken Pasta Salad in a large round bowl surrounded by lemon, cheese and basil leaves
    A large bowl of pasta salad.

    Chicken Sandwich

    Look beyond a plain chicken and mayo sandwich and make something that is going to bring those leftovers to life. I love this Pesto Chicken and Roasted Vegetable Sandwich that is equally suitable for lunch by yourself or if you have guests over.

    Pesto Chicken Sandwich
    Pesto and chicken are a delicious combination and this Pesto Chicken Sandwich is super easy to make and perfect for a packed lunch.
    Check out this recipe
    Pesto Chicken Sandwich next to a bowl of potato chips
    Two ciabatta rolls containing chicken, salad and pesto.

    Mexican

    I don't think that there is a week that goes by when we don't use our leftover chicken for some kind of Mexican dish. One of the simplest Mexican dishes to make is a Chicken Burrito Bowl as you pretty much just throw everything in and there are no rules - just use what you like.

    Chicken Burrito Bowl
    Loaded with rice, beans, vegetables, avocado, cheese and spicy chicken, this Chicken Burrito Bowl is healthy, filling and utterly delicious
    Check out this recipe
    A chicken burrito bowl next to half an avocado and some cilantro
    Two chicken burrito bowls next to a bowl of rice and a bowl of beans.

    Soup

    Chicken Noodle Soup is a must if you are feeling unwell, but don't just save it for when you are sick, it is a very quick and budget friendly meal that uses up both leftover chicken and vegetables. Want to save even more money? Make sure you use the chicken carcass to make your own homemade stock - it is cheaper and will have less things added to it.

    Easy Pho Ga (Chicken Noodle Soup)
    This easy homemade Pho Ga recipe (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup), is quick, easy and full of flavour. You will love this authentic dish from Vietnam.
    Check out this recipe
    Pho Ga chicken noodle soup in a green bowl
    A bowl of pho ga next to a bowl of beansprouts, a bunch of herbs, some crispy onions ans slices of radish

    Lettuce Wraps

    Lettuce Wraps are of my favourite things to eat at the moment. Healthy, quick and you can put anything in them. I have even been putting leftover turkey chilli in them, although that can create a bit of a messy lunch. If I am making chicken lettuce wraps, then I will take a lettuce leaf (iceberg or romaine) and fill it with chicken mixed with Greek yoghurt, chipotle sauce, chopped peppers, tomatoes and cucumber. It is more filling than you think it would be. If you are not a fan of Greek yogurt, use mashed up avocado instead.

    Asian Lettuce Wraps
    These healthy Asian Lettuce Wraps are filled with tasty combinations of tender meats, crispy-crunchy vegetables and tasty sauces.
    Check out this recipe
    Six Asian Lettuce Wraps on a serving tray with a pot of hoisin sauce
    A large metal tray with six chicken lettuce wraps and a bowl of sauce.

    Pizza

    A healthy eating website just mentioned pizza?? *gasp*. If you are new to the blog, then my definition of healthy is being balanced and you can bet that includes some pizza once in a while. If I am going to eat pizza, I always try to make it myself, but mainly because it does taste better if it is homemade. This BBQ Chicken Pizza is my favourite.

    BBQ Chicken Pizza
    Pizza has so much variety that is it hard to choose which toppings you want. This BBQ Chicken Pizza is a family favourite.
    Check out this recipe
    BBQ chicken pizza next to some olives, lettuce leaves, breadsticks and an onion
    A hand picking up a slice of pizza.

    Stuffed Baked Potato

    Meals don't come much cheaper than a stuffed baked potato. Add in some leftover chicken, whatever vegetables you have on hand (broccoli goes well) and a mixture of whatever cheese you have in your fridge.

    Two BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes on red and white plates.

    Curry

    Want to add some spice your your life? Then make yourself a homemade curry. Curry can as spicy or as mild as you like, so don't be put off if you don't like spicy food, as curry is all about flavour. This Leftover Turkey Curry is a simple way to ease yourself in to curry cooking if you have not made one before (and easy to use chicken instead of turkey).

    15 Minute Leftover Turkey Curry
    Ready in just 15 minutes, this Leftover Turkey Curry is a great way to use up leftovers from Christmas or Thanksgiving. Quick, simple and delicious.
    Check out this recipe
    Leftover Turkey Curry in a white bowl with rice and mini popadoms.
    Leftover Turkey Curry with rice in a round white dish.

    Lasagna

    You might think that lasagna has to be made with ground meat like beef or turkey, but it works just as well with shredded chicken too. If you are trying to cut back on carbs, then try our Low Carb Lasagna.

    Low Carb Lasagna
    All the delicious lasagna flavour but lower in carbs. This Low Carb Lasagna is a lighter dish, packed with veggies and it's under 300 calories per portion.
    Check out this recipe
    Low carb lasagna on a plate with salad.
    Two plates of Low Carb Lasagna with salad.

    If you still have lots of leftover chicken at the end of the week and you won't be able to eat it all, then shred it up and freeze it for later. The less you waste, the more you save!

    More chicken recipes

    • Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta
    • Lemon Herb Chicken with Couscous
    • Pizza Chicken Breasts
    • Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

    If you’ve tried any of these, or any other recipe on the blog, then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    You'll love these too...

    • Chicken Pesto Pasta
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
    • Christmas Chicken
    • Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stefan Scott

      May 21, 2018 at 10:33 am

      Please add me your list.

      Reply
    2. Cody Manheim

      September 24, 2015 at 10:47 am

      Chicken salad is probably the easiest way to use up leftover roasted chicken and is just as yummy on bread as a sandwich or served over lettuce if you want to cut the carbs.

      Reply
    3. Melissa @ Bits of Umami

      January 23, 2015 at 10:15 pm

      Love leftover transformations! Yum yum yum! Thanks :)

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 26, 2015 at 11:59 am

        I love leftovers!

        Reply
    4. Mir

      January 20, 2015 at 1:13 pm

      Very handy, Dannii! Because there is so often leftover chicken and whiny people in the house who don't want to eat it. Great post idea!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 20, 2015 at 1:32 pm

        Haha, I don't understand people that don't like leftovers!

        Reply
    5. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter

      January 19, 2015 at 8:48 pm

      These are all great idea, Dannii! We make a lot of chicken and I am always looking for ways to use up our leftover chicken. My husband's favorite is when I make chicken enchiladas or chicken fried rice or noodles.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 20, 2015 at 10:03 am

        Oooh, chicken fried rice. Good idea!

        Reply
    6. Kezia @ Super Naturally Healthy

      January 19, 2015 at 10:03 am

      Great minds! I aim to cook a chicken once every 2 weeks and use it for curry, soups, bone broth, stir fry, chicken nuggets and anything else I can think of!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:36 am

        There is so much you can do with it!

        Reply
    7. Alison

      January 19, 2015 at 9:37 am

      Some great ideas there, I love the lettuce wraps idea, will have to try that one out

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:37 am

        It's one of my favourite ways to use leftover chicken.

        Reply
    8. Laura

      January 18, 2015 at 11:10 pm

      Hi Dannii! I love all these great suggestions ~ especially the bit about substituting chicken for ground beef in lasagna. What a great alternative! I'm always just thrown in the ground beef. Also like the idea of using leftover chicken in a Mexican dish. So good! And on a pizza, you're right homemade is best and pizza can totally be healthy with the right ingredients like you've proved over and over again =)

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:37 am

        Chicken lasagne was a bit of a discovery for us. We like making a Mexican lasagne.

        Reply
    9. Helen @ Scrummy Lane

      January 18, 2015 at 11:06 pm

      I really like this post, Dannii, because the ideas are very practical ones that I'll actually use! Great reminder to get a whole chicken - it's really economical, apart from anything else.
      I particularly like the lettuce wrap idea!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:38 am

        It's all about saving money this month!

        Reply
    10. Fi

      January 18, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      ooh great recipe ideas, I'm definitely trying some of these. I think the stuffed potatoes will be up first! xx

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:38 am

        It's such a comforting meal. Enjoy!

        Reply
    11. Joanne

      January 18, 2015 at 12:49 pm

      I'm going to send this to my mom! She eats chicken all the time and always has leftovers. Great ideas!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:39 am

        Thanks for sharing :)

        Reply
    12. Matt

      January 18, 2015 at 1:21 am

      I make a whole roasted chicken every Sunday for quick meals during the week!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:41 am

        It saves so much time, doesn't it!

        Reply
    13. lucie

      January 17, 2015 at 6:40 pm

      I don't eat chicken but I love these tips for leftovers!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:41 am

        You can do the same with beans for most of these recipes.

        Reply
    14. Arman @ thebigmansworld

      January 17, 2015 at 8:37 am

      Love the list and so many of my favourites there- Especially in a curry! Except you forgot my favourite way...eaten with brownies for breakfast ;)

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:41 am

        Haha oh yes, how could I forget chicken and brownies!

        Reply
    15. Over a Cuppa

      January 16, 2015 at 10:51 pm

      What a fab list! Roast chicken is a favourite here, the organised me imagines I will roast a chicken just for things like this, the real me never get's around to it! *Must try harder :-)

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:42 am

        Something to aim for ;)

        Reply
    16. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl

      January 16, 2015 at 9:08 pm

      Chicken noodle soup is one of my classic favorites. I also like the idea of making chicken lettuce wraps, I've been meaning to try making them!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:42 am

        Chicken noodle soup is always my go-to meal when I am feeling sick.

        Reply
    17. Cailee

      January 16, 2015 at 7:33 pm

      This is so great!! I love all of these ideas!! Seriously so healthy and tasty and so man options!! I am a huge fan of chicken soup!! ...and chicken stuffed potatoes are AMAZING!! Seriously the best! I love that combo!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:42 am

        Chicken and sweet potatoes is the way forward!

        Reply
    18. Savita @ ChefDeHome

      January 16, 2015 at 7:18 pm

      I'm always looking for new ways to use chicken! All these ideas look great, Dannii! thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:43 am

        You're welcome :)

        Reply
    19. Gingi

      January 16, 2015 at 6:52 pm

      Lettuce wraps are my favorite way to reuse leftover chicken!! So quick and easy.. and healthy too!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 19, 2015 at 10:43 am

        I actually don't miss the bread wrap and really like the lettuce alternative.

        Reply
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