Eight ways to use up Leftover Chicken.... | The Diary of a Frugal Family

Leftover chicken is one of those brilliant ingredients that can stretch into so many extra meals without much effort at all.

Whether it’s from a Sunday roast, a midweek slow-cooker recipe or just a couple of pieces left on a tray, chicken is one of the easiest things to turn into something completely different the next day.

I’ll be honest, I’ve found so many different things to do with leftover chicken that I actually used to make big batches of Shredded Chicken in my Instant pot to pop in the freezer so I had chicken in to use in these recipes for when I didn’t have leftovers! 😁

I don’t have my Instant Pot anymore as shredded chicken and my Instant Pot chicken and rice were literally the only two meals that I ever cooked in it after the novelty wore off so I sold it on FB marketplace after a couple of months of it gathering dust in the cupboard. I really need to find a new way to make shredded chicken as some of these meals ideas are just too good to wait for leftovers for.

Here’s just a few of the dinners I always seem to fall back on when we have leftover chicken — all budget friendly, family friendly and ready in no time at all…

1. Chicken fried rice

A brilliant 10-minute tea. Throw leftover chicken into a pan with cooked rice, frozen peas, a dash or two of soy sauce and a beaten egg. Everything heats through quickly and it tastes better than a takeaway when you’ve had one of those nights.

I serve this on a regular basis as it’s so easy whilst also being healthier than some choices . 😁

2. Creamy chicken pasta

Leftover chicken is perfect in a simple creamy pasta. Mix it into a quick sauce made with soft cheese, a splash of pasta water and some herbs. Add peas or spinach to bulk it out and you’ve got a comforting midweek bowl without much effort.

I always used to have a tin of Campbells condensed soup in the cupboard to make a nice chicken-y sauce but now I prefer cream cheese but as a bonus idea, the condensed soup makes an amazing sauce for a chicken pie.

3. Chicken chow mein

Leftover chicken works brilliantly in a quick fakeaway chow mein. Stir-fry noodles with shredded chicken, soy sauce, garlic, spring onions and any veg you need using up — carrots, cabbage, peppers, bean sprouts, anything goes. It’s fast, cheap and tastes like a fakeaway.

4. Easy chicken quesadillas

Two wraps, leftover chicken, a sprinkle of cheese and whatever else you fancy — onions, peppers, sweetcorn, salsa. Fold, toast in a frying pan for a couple of minutes and you’ve got a crispy, gooey, ready-in-minutes meal.

I actually used to have a Quesadilla maker because we had this quite often when the kids were little but that’s long gone now. I think I sold it on a boot sale for about a fiver.

5. Chicken risotto

A chicken risotto is a brilliant way to stretch a small amount of chicken. Sauté onions, garlic and a handful of leftover veg, add risotto rice and slowly stir through hot stock until it becomes creamy. Stir in the shredded chicken near the end and finish with a bit of butter or Parmesan if you have it.

6. Homemade chicken pizzas

A brilliant fridge-clearer. Top flatbreads, pittas or pizza bases with leftover chicken, BBQ sauce or tomato sauce, cheese and any veg you need to use up. Quick, cheap and very family-friendly. 😊

7. Chicken soup (any version you like)

Leftover chicken makes the most comforting soup. Add it to stock with carrots, onions and whatever pasta or rice you have left. It’s perfect for freezing too, so you can batch cook a couple of portions while you’re at it.

I don’t know why I don’t make this more often!

8. Chicken wraps with whatever you have

Leftover chicken, salad bits, some mayo or Caesar dressing and you’re sorted. If you’ve got a bit more time, add rice, avocado, cheese or even leftover roast potatoes chopped up — it all works.

And again, here’s my homemade wraps recipe which is perfect for chicken wraps.

The best thing about leftover chicken is how easy it is to stretch into another meal without feeling like you’re eating the same thing twice. With a little creativity, you can turn it into so many different dinners. I hope these ideas help next time you’re staring into the fridge wondering what to make.

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