12 Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Recipes (2024)

You’ve made a delicious roast chicken, but now you have heaps of leftovers and want to turn them into a quick and easy midweek meal that tastes awesome… Then you need to check out these 12 Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Recipes… From chicken curry to chicken fried rice, chicken pasta to chicken stew – there’s so many things you can do with roast chicken leftovers!

Love your roast chicken leftovers!

I am a huge fan of roast chicken – whether is be a whole roast chicken or an easy chicken traybake. There is something semi-magical that happens in that oven when chicken is roasted. The flavours become more concentrated and, if you time things right, the texture is just perfect.

In fact, it is so good it’s worth making a little extra, as that gorgeous roast chicken flavour is so much better than using chicken breast fillets – no matter how good the recipe!

Easy Peasy Roast Chicken

Why using leftover chicken is budget friendly…

Cooking a whole roast chicken is also a much more cost effective way of cooking chicken too – you pay a premium for having someone else cut up your chicken and package it.It’s so much cheaper, not to mention quicker and easier, to cook up a whole chicken at the weekend and then use the leftovers to create delicious easy midweek meals.

But that is where so many people get unstuck. Creating the leftovers is the easy part… but what to do with them?

Lemon and Garlic Chicken Traybake with Saffron Rice Pilaf

What to do with leftover chicken?

Well you are in luck because quick and easy leftovers recipesare something I love to create! I have gathered together 12 Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Recipes from my site – many of them were originally written for roast chicken leftovers, and the rest I explain clearly below how to adapt them to use leftover roast chicken instead.

I have also included timings and quantities, so you can easily choose the perfect recipe for the quantity of leftover chicken you have, as well as the amount of time you want to spend cooking.

If you have other leftovers you need to use up, please check outmy full collection of leftovers recipes.

Easy Spanish Chicken Traybake

Roast Chicken Leftovers Curry

Get the recipe =>Roast Chicken Leftovers CurryHow to adapt using leftovers: This recipe was designed for leftover roast chicken. Follow the exact instructions in the recipe.
Total time using leftovers:30 minutes
Use 400g/14oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Leftover Chicken and Egg Fried Rice

Get the recipe =>Leftover Chicken and Egg Fried RiceHow to adapt using leftovers: This recipe was designed for leftover roast chicken. Follow the exact instructions in the recipe.
Total time using leftovers:15 minutes
Use 400g/14oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Creamy Leftover Chicken Pasta

Get the recipe =>Creamy Leftover Turkey Pasta
How to adapt using leftovers: For creamy leftover chicken pasta, simply use leftover chicken instead of leftover turkey. Otherwise follow the recipe exactly as written.
Total time using leftovers:20 minutes
Use 300g/11oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Roast Chicken Leftovers Stew with Dumplings

Get the recipe =>Roast Chicken Leftovers Stewwith DumplingsHow to adapt using leftovers: This recipe was designed for leftover roast chicken. Follow the exact instructions in the recipe.
Total time using leftovers:1 hour
Use 500g/18oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Chicken, Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

Get the recipe =>Turkey, Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
How to adapt using leftovers: For leftover chicken tacos, simply use leftover chicken instead of leftover turkey. Otherwise follow the recipe exactly as written.
Total time using leftovers:30 minutes
Use 400g/14oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Chicken, Pea and Sprout Risotto

Get the recipe =>Ham, Pea and Sprout RisottoHow to adapt using leftovers:For leftover chicken risotto, simply use leftover chicken instead of leftover ham. Otherwise follow the recipe exactly as written. (And if you don’t like sprouts just leave them out!)
Total time using leftovers:30 minutes
Use 200g/7oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Easy Chicken Jalfrezi

Get the recipe => Easy Chicken JalfreziHow to adapt using leftovers:For a leftover chickenjalfrezi, simply use your leftover roast chicken in place of the fresh chicken. Otherwise follow the recipe exactly as written.
Total time using leftovers:30 minutes
Use 500g/18oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Leftover Chicken Paella

Get the recipe =>Leftover Turkey PaellaHow to adapt using leftovers: For leftover chicken paella, simply use leftover chicken instead of leftover turkey. Otherwise follow the recipe exactly as written.
Total time using leftovers:30 minutes
Use 400g/14oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Leftover Chicken Chilli Con Carne

Get the recipe =>Leftover Turkey Chilli Con CarneHow to adapt using leftovers: For leftover chicken chilli con carne, simply use leftover chicken instead of leftover turkey. Otherwise follow the recipe exactly as written.
Total time using leftovers:30 minutes
Use 400g/14oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Leftover Chicken, Kale, Quinoa and Pumpkin Salad

Get the recipe => Leftover Chicken, Kale, Quinoa and Pumpkin SaladHow to adapt using leftovers: This recipe was designed for leftover roast chicken. Follow the exact instructions in the recipe. (If you can’t get hold of pumpkin, use butternut squash instead)
Total time using leftovers:30 minutes
Use 400g/14oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Leftover Chicken Korma

Get the recipe => Leftover Lamb KormaHow to adapt using leftovers: For leftover chicken korma, simply use leftover chicken instead of leftover lamb. Otherwise follow the recipe exactly as written.
Total time using leftovers:25 minutes
Use 500g/18oz leftover roast chicken, serves 4

Moroccan Chicken Filo Pie

Get the recipe =>Moroccan Turkey Filo PieHow to adapt using leftovers: For a Moroccan chicken filo pie, simply use leftover chicken instead of leftover turkey. Otherwise follow the recipe exactly as written.
Total time using leftovers:45 minutes
Use 650g/23oz leftover roast chicken, serves 6-8

More roast meat leftovers recipes…

Want more delicious ideas for your Sunday roast leftovers? Check out these other roast meat leftovers roundups…

10 Easy Ideas for your Roast Lamb Leftovers
10 Easy Leftover Roast Beef Recipes
10 Easy Ideas for your Turkey Leftovers

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12 Easy Leftover Roast Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to do with dry roast chicken? ›

Sauce, dress, and dip dry chicken

Spoon University says that sauce is the key to salvaging dry chicken. Again, the recommendation here is to shred the chicken so that rich sauce can get into every crevice. Pesto, BBQ, and soy sauce will impart moisture and pack a punch in the flavor department.

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How long does roast chicken last in fridge? ›

Meanwhile, cooked chicken can last in the refrigerator approximately 3–4 days (1). Storing chicken in the fridge helps slow bacterial growth, as bacteria tend to grow slower in temperatures below 40°F (4°C) (3).

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How do you make over cooked chicken better? ›

If your cooked chicken has turned out tough, there are a few strategies to make it more tender: Reheat with Moisture: Place the tough chicken in an oven-safe dish, add some chicken broth or water, cover it with foil, and reheat it in the oven at a low temperature. This helps introduce moisture to the chicken.

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Can I eat 10 day old chicken? ›

According to the USDA, cooked chicken will last three to four days in the refrigerator, and two to three months in the freezer. Eating cooked chicken after this point can result in foodborne illness — even at refrigerated temperatures, bacteria can still grow.

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How do you moisten dry roast chicken? ›

If you find yourself with too-dry chicken, heat some broth in a pot or your microwave until it's hot but not boiling. Slice the chicken, and layer it into a shallow baking dish. Pour in the chicken broth, and keep the dish warm for 10 to 15 minutes in your oven or over a low burner.

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How to make leftover roast chicken moist? ›

Grab a skillet and add just enough water to cover the bottom. Set the pan over medium heat and add the chicken as soon as the water starts to simmer. Lower the heat and gently stir the chicken, cooking until the meat has warmed through to 165°F. Once the chicken is nice and hot, make haste and gobble it up.

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Is 2 year old frozen chicken still good? ›

How long can you store chicken in your freezer? According to the USDA, frozen chicken will be "safe indefinitely" as long as you keep it continuously frozen (i.e., you're not unfreezing it and then re-freezing it because you didn't have a chance to cook or eat it).

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Can you eat 5 day old roast chicken? ›

USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth.

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Can you eat week old roast chicken? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that cooked chicken can last three to four days in the refrigerator, if stored at 40°F or less. 1 And that goes for any type of cooked chicken—store-bought, homemade, or restaurant leftovers.

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How do you add flavor to leftover chicken? ›

Just because the chicken is already cooked doesn't mean it can't benefit from a rub. Before reheating, make a custom blend of your favorite spices like paprika, cayenne, onion or garlic powder. Mix in dried herbs or a bit of sugar for beautiful caramelization, then sprinkle it evenly over the skin.

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How do you make leftover chicken taste good again? ›

cover with aluminum foil. bake on 350 for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. this is my favorite way to reheat chicken. yes, it takes a little longer, but it is so juicy, so delicious.

How to make chicken that tastes good reheated? ›

Turn the oven to 350F. Place the chicken pieces into a baking dish, add about 1 cup chicken broth or water to the dish and cover with foil. Bake for 15 minutes before removing the foil and baking for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F and the skin has a little crisp to it.

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Can 7 day old rotisserie chicken eat? ›

It is not recommended to eat rotisserie chicken a week after purchase! The USDA guidelines state that cooked chicken is only good for 3-4 days when refrigerated.

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Can you eat 11 day old chicken? ›

According to the USDA, you should eat cooked chicken within 3 to 4 days. Pretty simple. What if it's been longer—say, 5 days? Then it's up to you.

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How do I know if I ate bad chicken? ›

The most common symptoms of food poisoning are:

Diarrhea.
Stomach pain or cramps.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Fever.

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Can you make dry chicken moist again? ›

You can do this by marinating the cooked chicken in a sauce or broth for a while. This can help rehydrate the meat and add some flavor. Just be careful not to over-marinate, as the chicken could become mushy. Steam: Reheating the chicken with steam can help add moisture back into t.