30 Easy Leftover Chicken Recipes You'll Make Again and Again

When time is short, turn to these trusty leftover chicken recipes.

Quick Chicken and Barley Stew Recipe
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

When our time is short but the hunger is too real, we turn to the chicken dinner for a quick fix. We don't care if it's baked in a casserole dish or thrown into the slow cooker, as long as it makes our life just a little bit less stressful. And nothing makes a meal easier than leftover chicken—be it rotisserie, smoked, fried, or barbecue chicken you have sitting in the fridge. Check out these easy leftover chicken recipes and prepare to be blown away by each of these weeknight warriors.

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Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

Skillet Enchiladas Suizas
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This is our easiest enchilada recipe ever—it calls for no filling and no rolling. Using leftover chicken is just the cherry on top. Prepare the enchiladas in your cast-iron skillet in under 30 minutes.

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Chicken Tamale Pie

Chicken Tamale Pie
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

This Chicken Tamale Pie is surprisingly easy and honestly tasty. Any precooked, shredded chicken works wonderfully in this cheesy dish. Perfect for family dinner nights, this recipe takes less than an hour to make.

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Chicken Caprese Pasta

Chicken Caprese Pasta
Credit: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This recipe only takes—wait for it—20 minutes. Blistered tomatoes, pesto sauce, and torn chunks of mozzarella instantly dress up your simple chicken pasta. Buy a jar of basil pesto from the store or make your own if you have a few extra minutes.

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Chicken Bog

chicken bog in bowls - Southern Living
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This old-fashioned recipe is a family favorite. You won't get much better than a delicious pot full of chicken and rice. Our recipe is quick to prepare, and you can double the ingredients to feed a hungry crowd.

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BBQ Chicken Pizza

BBQ Chicken pizza on parchment paper
Credit:

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

With this recipe, you can use any kind of leftover chicken, from barbecued to rotisserie to smoked. They're equally delicious when baked atop a layer of sweet barbecue sauce and covered with melting smoked gouda. We recommend using a pizza stone for an extra crispy crust.

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Crispy Onions and Parmesan Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

Crispy Onions and Parmesan Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
Credit:

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Casseroles are the perfect busy weeknight meal. Delicious and nutritious, this recipe works with any cooked and shredded kitchen. Save time and use your leftover or rotisserie chicken and enjoy this yummy and cheesy meal.

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King Ranch Chicken Mac And Cheese

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Two of the South's favorite casseroles, king ranch chicken and macaroni-and-cheese, just came together in the ultimate skillet dinner. You're welcome. Use leftover chopped chicken or rotisserie chicken, stir it into your cooked pasta and other ingredients, and bake for 30 minutes.

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White Lightning Chicken Chili

White Lightning Chicken Chili
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

It's all there in the name: This classic chili only takes 30 minutes to prepare at most. Along with the leftover chicken, canned beans and chiles help speed up the process. Chop up your favorite toppings while the chili simmers on the stove.

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Chicken And Fontina Panini

Chicken and Fontina Panini
Credit: Greg Dupree

Crusty on the outside and gooey on the inside, this sandwich doesn't mess around. This recipe is ready in record time and equally good for lunch or dinner. Use a panini press or a cast-iron skillet to make it.

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Skillet Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry

Southern Living Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry in the dish with a serving out beside it
Credit:

Brittany Conerly; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Making chicken pot pie can be a lengthy process, but this version takes just 20 minutes to prepare and will be on the table in about an hour. Stir your peas and chicken into the homemade cream sauce, then top everything with overlapping squares of thawed puff pastry. Brushing them with an egg wash adds a gorgeous sheen.

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Heavenly Chicken Lasagna

Heavenly Chicken Lasagna
Credit:

Lee Harrelson; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

We call it "heavenly" for a reason. This chicken lasagna is so cheesy and delicious, you'll forget about all of the other lasagna recipes in your recipe box. With leftover chicken, you can skip the step of cooking the meat and have it in the oven in no time.

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Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches

Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Your new favorite lunch recipe includes homemade dressing and garlicky mayonnaise. Make extra dressing so you can pull it out of the fridge anytime you like. Toast your baguette in a skillet before assembling the sandwich—the extra step is well worth it.

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Chicken Noodle Bowl With Peanut-Ginger Sauce

Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce
Credit: Greg DuPree

Have this at-home version of Thai peanut sauce under your sleeve, and it'll spice up any boring weeknight. This recipe also requires no cooking, unless you count soaking the rice noodles briefly in hot water. Each fresh and healthy bowl is packed with vegetables and gets an extra crunch from chopped peanuts.

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Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly

Just a glance at this colorful, hearty pasta bake should tell you one thing: It's ready to be your new weeknight warrior. The casserole calls for cheese-filled tortellini, fresh broccoli, and chicken (which, yes, can be leftover shredded rotisserie chicken).

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Hot Chicken Salad

Hot Chicken Salad - Southern Living
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Come and get it while it's hot. This special baked version of Southern chicken salad will knock your socks off, especially since it's smothered with potato chips and two types of cheese.

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Tarragon Chicken Salad

Tarragon Chicken Salad
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Even if you already have a go-to chicken salad recipe, this one is worth a try. We dressed up classic chicken salad with lemon and tarragon. Let it chill and meld flavors for a couple of hours for the tastiest results.

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Chicken Parmesan Pizza

Southern Living Chicken Parmesan Pizza cut and ready to serve
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This low-maintenance meal has just five ingredients and will save the day anytime you're in a rush. Pull a loaf of garlic bread out of the freezer, chop up some leftover fried chicken, and you're nearly there. All that's left is to prepare a side salad while your pizza breads melt and brown in the oven.

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Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Buffalo wing lovers will appreciate this casserole recipe, which combines all our favorite things about wings and dip and transforms them into a gooey pasta bake. The casserole is loaded with Buffalo hot sauce, Cheddar, and sour cream, as well as special touches like celery and crumbled blue cheese. Even better, it can be prepped ahead of time and baked when you're ready for dinner.

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Baked Ziti With Chicken

Baked Ziti with Chicken
Credit: Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

If you're looking for a lighter alternative to sausage, shredded chicken is just as delicious. This recipe doesn't cut corners on the tomato sauce. Allow about 30 minutes to prepare it, or substitute your favorite marinara if you're in a rush.

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Sheet Pan Broccoli-And-Chicken Casserole

Sheet Pan Broccoli-and-Chicken Casserole
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

Ready for a new take on chicken and rice casserole? This recipe maximizes everybody's favorite part of the dish: the crunchy top. Spread a mixture of chicken, broccoli, rice, and cheese on a sheet pan, then top that with buttery bread crumbs and bake.

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Herbed Chicken-And-Rice Salad

Herbed Chicken-and-Rice Salad
Credit:

ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; FOOD STYLING: ALI RAMEE; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY

This recipe freshens up microwaveable rice and shredded chicken breast with sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. You can prepare the herb dressing in a food processor or blender. Toss and serve as-is or on a bed of greens.

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Chicken-And-Broccoli Skillet Pasta

Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This quick chicken pasta is as indulgent as it gets, thanks to heavy cream, six slices of bacon, and piles of cheese. Broccoli and peppadew peppers help balance the rich sauce. Most of the work is done on the stovetop, and then it's finished under the broiler, so make sure to use an oven-proof skillet.

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Chicken Tortellini Salad

Chicken Tortellini Salad Recipe
Credit:

ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

This summer salad can be yours in only 20 minutes. Cook the tortellini according to instructions, whisk together the dressing, and toss. Between the vegetables, protein, and, pasta, you have a complete meal.

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Buttermilk Alfredo Chicken Spinach Pasta

Buttermilk Alfredo Chicken Spinach Pasta
Credit:

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This pasta recipe is unbelievably fast and easy, and you may even have all the ingredients in your kitchen. Once you've whipped up the buttermilk Alfredo sauce, stir in some shredded chicken, spinach, and your favorite pasta. You can also substitute peas or cooked broccoli if you like.

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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Southern Living Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole on a plate to serve
Credit:

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett

Take the easiest-ever route—you won't regret it. Rotisserie chicken, store-bought sauces, and pre-shredded cheese make this chicken casserole so easy to throw together on busy weeknights. Stick it in the oven, and about 30 minutes later dinner will be ready to put on the table.

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Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup served with biscuits
Credit:

 Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Embrace the familiar comfort of chicken pot pie in this delicious soup dish. Rotisserie or pre-shredded chicken works for this dish versus cooking it in the soup. Just be sure to add it at the end.

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Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

Southern Living Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup in a bowl to serve
Credit:

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup is easier than it seems. You can ever prep ahead by chopping vegetables and shredding your chicken a day in advance. Before tossing the chicken carcass, put it in the stock pot to liven the flavor of your soup.

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Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas

Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
Credit: Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

Enjoy delicious, creamy enchiladas with a little kick anytime you want. Using a rotisserie chicken makes this recipe so easy, it'l become a part of your weeknight rotation. Pre-shred the chicken the day before to save time when you're cooking.

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Green Chile Mac And Cheese With Chicken

Green chile mac and cheese with chicken in white casserole dish
Credit:

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Creamy, cheesy deliciousness come together in this delectable dish made for family dinners. Rotisserie or shredded chicken make preparation easy while adding some protein to this yummy meal.

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Chicken Nachos

Southern Living Chicken Nachos on the pan ready to serve
Credit:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Use any shredded chicken for this amazingly easy recipe. Simple and delicious, these Chicken Nachos take 25 minutes total and serve eight. Salsa and chipotle pepper come together to spruce up this dish with a boost of flavor.

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