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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Chicken

10 Ways To Use Up Leftover Chicken

Jul 5, 2022 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 75 Comments

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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.

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

4.88 from 41 votes
This creamy Chicken Pasta Salad is packed with pretty much everything you could want out of a salad and ready in under 20 minutes.
Here's the recipe for Chicken Pasta Salad
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

5 from 2 votes
This easy Pesto Chicken Sandwich will be a lunchtime favourite. Ciabatta topped with lettuce, creamy pesto sauce, mozzarella and grilled chicken breast.
Here's the recipe for Pesto Chicken Sandwich
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

5 from 34 votes
Loaded with rice, beans, vegetables, avocado, cheese and spicy chicken, this Chicken Burrito Bowl is healthy, filling and utterly delicious
Here's the recipe for Chicken Burrito Bowl
A chicken burrito bowl next to half an avocado and some coriander.
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)

5 from 3 votes
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.
Here's the recipe for Easy Pho Ga (Chicken Noodle Soup)
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 yogurt, 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

5 from 17 votes
These healthy Asian Lettuce Wraps are filled with tasty combinations of tender meats, crispy-crunchy vegetables and tasty sauces.
Here's the recipe for Asian Lettuce Wraps
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

5 from 14 votes
BBQ Chicken Pizza is total comfort food and a takeaway pizza favourite, but really simple to make at home and can even use leftovers.
Here's the recipe for BBQ Chicken Pizza
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

4.93 from 26 votes
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.
Here's the recipe for 15 Minute Leftover Turkey Curry
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

4.91 from 21 votes
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.
Here's the recipe for Low Carb Lasagna
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!

Also, take a look at our post on how to create the Ultimate Picky Plate for ways to use up leftover chicken.

More Chicken Recipes

  • A plate of creamy chicken spinach pasta.
    Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta
  • Lemon herb chicken in a round pan topped with lemon slices and rosemary sprigs.
    Lemon Herb Chicken with Couscous
  • Pizza Chicken Breast on a plate with tomato slices and lettuce.
    Pizza Topped Chicken
  • Slow cooker salsa chicken in a round bowl.
    Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

If you’ve tried any of these recipes then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

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    Healthy Green Goddess Chicken Salad (High Protein)
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    Baked Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs
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Comments

  1. Anna @AnnaTheApple says

    January 16, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    Great ideas. I love making chicken soup. To be honest I don't get much leftover chicken as I tend to gobble it all (whole chickens are NOTHING ;) But I did use a lot of leftover turkey for things like salads and stirfries. SO good.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 3:30 pm

      Haha, you do like your whole chickens. Especially in Nandos!

      Reply
  2. Tracy says

    February 22, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Great advice. Thanks :)

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:33 pm

      You're welcome!

      Reply
  3. Kerry says

    February 22, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    I love these ideas. I am definitely going to start using them, as my food budget is ridiculous at the moment and I need to sort it out.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:33 pm

      Make sure you are not wasting anything!

      Reply
  4. Louise says

    February 22, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    Do you have any tips on how to use up leftover beans for use vegetarians? I always soak my own to save money, but I always end up with too much and I don't know what to do with them.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:34 pm

      You can make a big batch of baked beans and then freeze them.

      Reply
  5. katherine says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    We make up a big pot of chicken pasta and then portion it out and freeze it. It is nice to know that we have quick and healthy meals in the freezer for those days when we just don't feel like cooking. I am going to use some of the ideas here too.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:34 pm

      We do that too! Our freezer is filled up with portioned out meals.

      Reply
  6. Sue says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    Brilliant tips. I am definitely saving these.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:34 pm

      I hope they help!

      Reply
  7. Jo says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    How much meat would you say that you eat a week? I am just trying to work out what is a suitable amount.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:35 pm

      We try to have 2 totally meat free meals a day and on the days we eat meat, one of those meals is meat free.

      Reply
  8. Kate says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    I love your attitude towards healthy eating. A little bit of pizza is not going to do any harm and you are proof of that. Love your blog! xx

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:35 pm

      I do love me some pizza!

      Reply
  9. Rachel says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    Leftovers? What leftovers ;)

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:35 pm

      Haha - I have been known to cook enough for an army though!

      Reply
  10. Dawn says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    I always use our leftovers for the kids school lunches. It doesn't last long.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:36 pm

      I do that with my husband's lunches too :)

      Reply
  11. Melanie says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    I love your tuna lettuce boats, so I am looking forward to trying the chicken lettuce cups. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:36 pm

      I haven't made my tuna lettuce boats in ages. I love them!

      Reply
  12. Elodie says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    Those pizzas look amazing. I am going to make them for my boyfriend tonight.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:36 pm

      I hope you both enjoy them!

      Reply
  13. Nicole says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    I make chicken jalapeño nachos with any leftovers. Man....I could eat that meal all day every day.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:37 pm

      Ooooh, sounds good! I love nachos!

      Reply
  14. Linda says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    Thank you Dannii! I am always throwing away leftover chicken after we have had a Sunday roast.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      January 16, 2015 at 1:37 pm

      Oh no! Don't throw it! There is so much you can do with it.

      Reply
  15. Fran says

    February 22, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    Great tips! I am pinning these.

    Reply
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