One of the cheapest ways to enjoy chicken is to cook a whole one or buy a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
But what do you do with all those leftovers?
Well, since the meat is already cooked, it’s easy to shred or chop as needed.
So it works for quick lunches, easy dinners, and those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking.
Every couple of weeks I’ll buy a rotisserie chicken or two and it’ll do us for days!
Chicken the kind of ingredient that makes throwing a meal together feel doable.
Keeping a plan for using it up makes that chicken worth grabbing every time.
So if you have some extra chicken laying around, here are some delicious ideas to use it up:
1. Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Start with cooked chicken, fresh or frozen broccoli, and a simple creamy base like cream of chicken soup mixed with a little sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Stir everything together in a big bowl, add shredded cheddar, and season it like you actually mean it with salt, pepper, and garlic.
Spread it into a casserole dish, top with more cheese or buttery breadcrumbs (that’s what I do).
Bake until it’s bubbly and lightly browned, then serve it with rice or scoop it straight into bowls on busy nights.
2. Chicken Pot Pie Noodle Skillet
This one keeps the comfort of pot pie without dealing with a crust.
Cook egg noodles until just tender and set them aside so they don’t get mushy.
In a large skillet, warm cooked chicken with frozen mixed vegetables, then stir in broth and cream to make a simple sauce.
Add the noodles back in, season with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning, and let everything cook together until the sauce coats the noodles.
Or you can transfer it to a baking dish and add crushed crackers before baking.
3. Chicken Enchiladas with White Sauce
Combine cooked chicken, green chiles, and shredded cheese in a mixing bowl.
Spoon the filling into tortillas, roll them up, and arrange them seam-side down in a baking dish.
Make a white sauce with butter, flour, broth, and sour cream, then pour it evenly over the tortillas so the sauce settles into the edges.
Sprinkle cheese over the top and bake until the sauce bubbles and the tortillas heat all the way through.
4. White Chicken Chili
Add cooked chicken, white beans, corn, onion, garlic, and chicken broth to a large pot.
Season with cumin and green chiles, keeping the spice level mild or adjusting it to suit your people.
Stir in cream or cream cheese to thicken the chili and give it a softer finish.
Let it simmer until everything tastes blended.
When I make this chili, I like to serve it with tortilla chips or shredded cheese on top.
5. Chicken Corn Chowder
Cook diced chicken with onion and garlic in a large pot until everything smells cooked and savory.
Add diced potatoes, corn, and broth, then let it simmer until the potatoes soften easily when pierced.
Pour in milk or cream and adjust the seasoning until it tastes balanced and rich.
Mash some of the potatoes right in the pot to thicken the chowder before serving.
6. Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice
Cook rice separately so it stays fluffy and doesn’t soak up too much sauce.
In a large skillet, cook chicken with onion and garlic, then stir in broth and cream to create a thick, savory base.
Add cooked rice to the skillet and fold everything together until evenly coated.
Spread it into a baking dish, top with shredded cheese if you want extra richness, and bake until hot through the center.
7. Chicken Shepherd’s Pie
Start by cooking chicken with onion, garlic, and frozen vegetables until everything softens.
Stir in a little flour and broth to create a thick filling that holds together in the dish.
Spread the mixture into a casserole dish and cover it with mashed potatoes, smoothing the top with a spoon.
Bake until the filling bubbles around the edges and the potatoes warm through, then run it under the broiler briefly to brown the top.
8. Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Prepare stuffing according to the package directions and set it aside.
In a bowl, mix cooked chicken with cream of chicken soup and a splash of broth to loosen it slightly.
Spread the chicken mixture into a baking dish, then spoon the stuffing over the top in an even layer.
Bake until the edges bubble and the stuffing turns lightly golden.
9. Fiesta Chicken Casserole
Mix up some cooked chicken with black beans, corn, salsa, and shredded cheese in a large bowl.
Spread the mixture into a casserole dish and season with cumin and chili powder to build flavor.
Add crushed tortilla chips or cooked rice on top for texture.
Bake until the cheese melts and everything heats through, then add sour cream or avocado.
10. Chicken Tortilla Soup
Cook onion and garlic in a large pot until soft, then add cooked chicken, broth, diced tomatoes, and seasoning.
Let it simmer long enough for the flavors to come together without overcooking the chicken.
Add tortilla strips directly to the pot or keep them separate for topping.
Serve it hot and let everyone add their own chips, cheese, or lime at the table.
11. Chicken Tzatziki Casserole
Cook rice or orzo ahead of time so it’s ready to use.
In a bowl, combine cooked chicken with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and oregano, then stir in the cooked grain until evenly mixed.
Spread everything into a baking dish and bake until hot through the center.
Spoon tzatziki sauce over the top after baking and add chopped cucumber, tomato, or feta before serving.
12. Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole
Combine cooked chicken with salsa verde and shredded cheese in a large bowl.
Stir in cooked rice or crushed tortilla chips to give the casserole more body.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Bake until hot and bubbly, then add sour cream or cilantro on top if you want extra flavor.
13. Chicken Noodle Soup
You can always use leftover chicken to make a classic chicken noodle soup!
Add chicken broth, onion, carrot, and celery to a large pot and bring it to a gentle simmer.
Stir in cooked chicken and egg noodles, keeping the heat low so the noodles cook evenly.
Season with salt and pepper and adjust as it cooks.
Add fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon just before serving.
14. Barbecue Chicken Casserole
Mix cooked chicken with barbecue sauce and cooked pasta or rice in a large bowl.
Spread the mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.
Bake until the cheese melts and the edges bubble slightly.
Add sliced green onions or a drizzle of extra sauce before serving.
15. Chicken Fried Rice
Cook rice ahead of time and let it cool so it fries properly.
In a large skillet, cook chicken with oil, garlic, and vegetables until everything heats through.
Push everything to the side, scramble eggs in the pan, then stir in the rice and soy sauce.
Keep cooking until the rice warms and picks up flavor, then adjust seasoning and serve hot.
16. Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Cook pasta until just tender and set it aside so it does not overcook later.
In a large skillet, combine cooked chicken with buffalo sauce, a little butter, and cream or ranch dressing to mellow the heat.
Stir in the cooked pasta and toss until everything is coated evenly.
Transfer to a baking dish, top with shredded cheese, and bake until hot and bubbly, then add green onions or extra sauce before serving.
You can also make it in the crockpot!
17. Chicken Spaghetti
Cook spaghetti and set it aside while the sauce comes together.
In a bowl, mix cooked chicken with cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese, then season with salt and pepper.
Stir the pasta into the sauce until evenly combined.
Spread it into a casserole dish and bake until the center is hot and the edges bubble.
18. Chicken Breakfast Bake
Cook diced chicken with a little oil and seasoning until warmed through.
Whisk eggs with milk and pour them over the chicken along with cooked potatoes or hash browns.
Sprinkle some shredded cheese across the top and gently press everything down so the eggs settle into the pan.
Bake until the eggs set and the center no longer jiggles when the dish is moved.
19. Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This is one of my family’s favorites!
Cook pasta or use sliced chicken as the base depending on how hearty the meal needs to be.
Spread marinara sauce across the bottom of a baking dish, then add cooked chicken and a layer of pasta if using it.
Spoon more sauce over the top and cover with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Bake until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles along the edges.
20. Chicken Cobbler
Place cooked chicken and frozen vegetables into a baking dish and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Pour warm broth over the mixture so it settles between the pieces.
Spoon biscuit dough or batter over the top without stirring it in.
Bake until the topping cooks through and the filling bubbles up around the edges.
More Leftover Chicken Ideas (Quick to Make!)
If you’re looking for quick and easy things to make with leftover chicken, I’ve got you!
Here are some more ideas that take no time to throw together:
- Chicken Caesar Wraps: Toss chopped chicken with Caesar dressing, add romaine and parmesan, then roll everything into a large tortilla for an easy lunch or quick dinner idea.
- Chicken Tacos: Warm shredded chicken with taco seasoning, spoon it into tortillas, and add whatever toppings are already in the fridge.
- Chicken Quesadillas: Layer chicken and shredded cheese between tortillas, cook in a skillet until the outside turns golden, then cut into wedges and serve.
- BLT Chicken Salad: Mix chicken with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy dressing, then serve it on bread or straight from a bowl.
- Thai Chicken Salad: Combine chicken with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a peanut-style dressing, then top with green onions or chopped peanuts.
- Avocado Chicken Salad: Mash avocado with lemon juice and salt, fold in chopped chicken, and use it for sandwiches or lettuce cups.
- Chicken Sandwich Melt: Pile chicken and cheese onto bread, add a little mayo or mustard, then toast or bake until the cheese melts.
- Quinoa and Chicken Salad: Stir cooked quinoa together with chicken, vegetables, and a simple vinaigrette for a filling make-ahead meal.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap: Mix chicken with ranch dressing and bacon, then wrap it up with lettuce in a tortilla.
- Cowboy Chicken Salad: Combine chicken with corn, black beans, cheese, and a southwest-style dressing, then serve it chilled or at room temperature.
Leftover Chicken That Actually Gets Used
Leftover chicken doesn’t have to sit in the fridge until it gets tossed.
A little planning and a few go-to ideas make it easy to turn it into meals that feel fresh without starting from scratch.
Keep a short list of wraps, soups, casseroles, or salads in mind and use whatever ingredients are already on hand to pull something together fast.
