Leftover chicken deserves better than another boring sandwich! These easy recipes transform cooked chicken into dinners and lunches you’ll actually be excited to make.
Whether it’s leftover roast chicken, rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breasts, these recipes transform yesterday’s leftovers into meals you’ll genuinely look forward to eating. From cheesy pasta bakes and crispy tacos to quick lunches and hearty grilled cheese, there’s no boring leftover chicken in sight.
To help you find your next favourite meal, I’ve put this collection into 4 sections:
Table of Contents
Tex-Mex (7 recipes)
If your leftover chicken is crying out for something a little more exciting, then this section is the perfect way to spice it up. Whether you’re in the mood for cheesy tacos, crispy wraps or a fakeaway-style dinner, these recipes prove there’s no reason leftovers have to be boring.
1. Jalapeno Popper Chicken Tacos
If you’re a fan of jalapeño poppers, you’re going to love these. Creamy, cheesy, just the right amount of spicy and a brilliant excuse to put that leftover chicken to good use.
2. Buffalo Chicken Crunchwraps
Some recipes are fancy. This isn’t one of them… and that’s exactly the point. Quick to throw together, packed with flavour and ideal when you need lunch on the table in a hurry.
3. Upside Down Puff Pastry Tacos
If Taco Tuesday met a sausage roll, this is probably what it’d look like. Buttery puff pastry, spicy chicken and plenty of melty cheese make these a ridiculously fun way to use up leftover chicken.
4. Chicken Pesto Burrito-Style Wraps
Pesto probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think burritos… but hear me out. Punchy pesto, melty cheese, sun dried tomato rice and crispy bacon are a match made in heaven.
5. Chicken Quesadilla Cones
They’re part quesadilla, part taco and completely unnecessary… which is exactly why I love them. Crispy, cheesy and guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.
6. Chipotle Chicken Taquitos
Golden and crispy on the outside, creamy and smoky on the inside. Fair warning though – if you’re making these to share, you might want to double the batch because they disappear fast.
7. Buffalo Chicken Wraps
These absolutely scream ‘lunch’! They’re super quick & easy to make and really pack a punch in the flavour department.
Pasta (5 recipes)
Whether you’re after something warm and comforting or a chilled pasta salad for lunch, these recipes prove leftover chicken and pasta are a match made in heaven.
1. Childhood Leftover Chicken Pasta
This one’s proof that simple doesn’t have to mean boring. It’s creamy, a little spicy, and packed with flavour!
2. Chicken, Bacon & Ranch Pasta Salad
If you’re a fan of the chicken, bacon and ranch combo, this one’s going straight on your favourites list. It’s creamy, packed with flavour and ridiculously easy to throw together with leftover chicken.
3. Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Now here’s where things get intense. Ultra cheesy mac and cheese stuffed with buffalo chicken, then topped with blue cheese & panko and baked in the oven. Food comas don’t come much more delicious than this!
4. Coronation Chicken & Bacon Pasta Salad
A proper twist on a British classic. Creamy coronation chicken meets crispy bacon and pasta for a lunch that’s just as good packed up for the next day as it is straight from the bowl.
5. Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake
Creamy, cheesy and topped with a golden garlic breadcrumb… this is the sort of dinner everyone quietly hopes there’ll be leftovers of. (Spoiler: there won’t be.)
Sandwiches & Finger Food (5 recipes)
Leftover chicken isn’t just for dinners. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, throwing together a quick lunch or looking for an easy snack, these recipes are guaranteed to hit the spot.
1. Avocado Chicken Roll Ups
Perfect for a quick and easy lunch, but also perfect for a gathering or potluck!
2. Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese
Chicken, pesto, mozzarella and sun dried tomatoes are a marriage made in heaven that we must celebrate immediately!
3. Chicken and Mushroom Sliders
These little sliders might be small, but they’re seriously big on flavour. Perfect for sharing, parties or whenever you fancy something a bit different with your leftover chicken.
4. Boursin Bakes
Today’s the day you discover just how good leftover chicken and Boursin are together. Wrapped in buttery puff pastry until golden and crisp, these disappear ridiculously quickly.
5. Classic Chicken Melt
A good chicken melt is hard to beat. Golden toasted bread, tender leftover chicken and plenty of melty cheese come together to make the ultimate comfort lunch.
Chicken Salads (4 recipes)
Leftover chicken really comes into its own here. Whether you’re making lunch for the week, packing a picnic or need something quick to throw together, these recipes have you covered.
1. Chicken Waldorf Salad Bites
These are the absolute perfect centrepiece for any spread! They’re also incredibly delicious too!
2. Coronation Chicken
A British classic for good reason. The creamy, lightly spiced dressing transforms leftover chicken into something that’s perfect for sandwiches, jacket potatoes or picnic lunches.
3. Classic Leftover Chicken Salad
A proper chicken salad never goes out of style. Creamy, crunchy and incredibly versatile, it’s just as good piled into sandwiches as it is served with crackers or a baked potato.
4. Chicken Caesar Salad Parmesan Cups
If you’re a fan of Caesar salad, you’re going to love these. Crisp Parmesan cups are filled with a creamy chicken Caesar salad to make a lunch or appetiser that’s guaranteed to impress.
And there we have it! The ultimate leftover chicken recipes your taste buds are going to thank you for. If you loved this Roundup be sure to Pin it for later! Made any of the recipes? Let me know how you got on in the comments!
