Tasty Ideas for Leftover Chicken
Leftovers don’t have to be boring. With a little creativity and some kitchen know-how, you can turn leftover cooked chicken into a delicious new meal. Whether your family prefers the classic chicken salad sandwich or something more exotic like chicken enchiladas, this collection of leftover chicken recipes is sure to inspire your next meal.
Chicken Salad Sandwich
This classic sandwich is a great way to use up leftover chicken. All you need is cooked chicken, mayonnaise, celery, onion, and seasonings. Mix together and serve on your favorite bread. You can also experiment with adding different ingredients to mix things up and create your own unique flavor. Adding a few sliced grapes or diced apples is a great way to make the sandwich more interesting. If you want to make it even tastier, add a few slices of crispy bacon.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/4 cup onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 slices bread, toasted
- Optional: sliced grapes, diced apples, bacon, lettuce
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, mayonnaise, celery, onion, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Spread a layer of the chicken salad on each slice of toasted bread.
- Optional: add additional toppings such as sliced grapes, diced apples, bacon, or lettuce.
- Top with the remaining slices of bread and serve.
Nutrition:
Calories: 383; Total Fat: 21g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 52mg; Sodium: 825mg; Total Carbohydrate: 26g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Protein: 18g
Chicken Enchiladas
This Mexican-inspired dish is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. All you need is cooked chicken, enchilada sauce, cheese, and tortillas. Simply fill the tortillas with the chicken and cheese, top with sauce, and bake. You can also add other ingredients such as black beans, corn, and peppers to make the dish more interesting. Serve with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 6 burrito-size flour tortillas
- Optional: black beans, corn, peppers, sour cream, guacamole, salsa
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine chicken, 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce, and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Stir to combine.
- Spoon the chicken mixture into the center of each tortilla and roll up.
- Place the enchiladas, seam-side down, in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the enchiladas and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the enchiladas are heated through.
- Optional: top with black beans, corn, peppers, sour cream, guacamole, and/or salsa.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition:
Calories: 544; Total Fat: 22g; Saturated Fat: 9g; Cholesterol: 93mg; Sodium: 1241mg; Total Carbohydrate: 51g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Protein: 35g
Chicken Soup
This comforting soup is a great way to use up leftover chicken. All you need is cooked chicken, broth, vegetables, and seasonings. Simply simmer everything together and you have a delicious, hearty soup in no time. You can also add noodles, rice, or potatoes to make the soup even more filling. Add a few slices of crusty bread and you have a complete meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: noodles, rice, potatoes, crusty bread
Instructions:
- In a large pot, combine chicken, broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, parsley, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Optional: add noodles, rice, or potatoes and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve with a slice of crusty bread, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition:
Calories: 210; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 52mg; Sodium: 877mg; Total Carbohydrate: 15g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Protein: 23g
Conclusion
These leftover chicken recipes are just a few of the ways you can turn cooked chicken into a delicious meal. With a little creativity, you can create your own unique dishes using whatever ingredients you have on hand. So next time you’re wondering what to do with that leftover chicken, remember these tasty recipes and get cooking!
