Waste not, want not, they say! The art of cooking with leftovers is not only a savvy way to save money but also an excellent habit for reducing food waste. If you’re a home cook looking to use up rather than throw away leftovers, why not start with something many of us find lurking in the fridge—leftover chicken?
Why Reducing Food Waste is a Big Deal
Every year, a staggering amount of food goes uneaten. Tossing leftover chicken may seem small, but collectively, it amounts to a huge environmental issue. By finding creative ways to use leftovers, you not only help the planet but also stretch your food budget a little further.
Reducing food waste helps conserve your resources, too. Think of all the water, energy, and labour that go into making food that ends up in the bin. And let’s face it, nothing’s more satisfying than crafting an amazing meal from something you thought was past its prime.
Whether you’re a parent teaching kids about sustainability or a friend sharing tips, your actions can inspire others to think twice before binning those leftovers. Every little bit counts, and together we can make a difference.
Storing Leftover Chicken
Before you start to consider using leftovers, proper storage of leftover chicken is essential. Start by refrigerating your chicken within two hours of cooking. If it’s been sitting out on the counter longer, it’s best to discard it to avoid any nasty surprises or food poisoning.
When storing chicken, use an airtight container or wrap it in foil or cling film to keep it fresh. Airtight containers help preserve moisture and stop the chicken from absorbing other odours in the fridge. If you won’t be using it within three to four days, consider freezing it to extend its shelf life up to four months.
Food safety is crucial, so remember to either eat your chicken straight from the fridge or reheat your chicken thoroughly before eating. Aim for an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F) to ensure it’s safe. Whether you’re microwaving, baking, or frying, this is important.
Health Benefits of Using Leftover Chicken
Leftover chicken is not just an economic choice—it’s a healthy one too! Packed with lean protein, it supports muscle growth and repair. Protein also keeps you feeling full, helping with weight loss.
Chicken is rich in essential nutrients like vitamins B6 and B3, which boost brain health and energy levels. These nutrients are retained even after reheating so your meal from leftovers can be just as nutritious as the initial recipe was.
Using leftover chicken also helps you to add variety to your diet. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing you’ve cooked a delicious meal from what’s on hand, and no doubt saved time too.
Quick and Easy Leftover Chicken Recipes
1. Leftover Chicken Stir-Fry
This dish is a colourful medley of flavours that is quick and easy.
- Ingredients: Leftover chicken, mixed vegetables (like peppers, onions, mushrooms, beansprouts and broccoli), soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a little oil or spray oil. For an extra twist add some chilli flakes.
- Method: Toss everything into a hot pan with your oil. Add soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Stir until the veggies are tender-crisp and the chicken is at least 74°c.
- Top Tip: This is a great recipe to use left over bits of vegetables too so if you have a carrot in the fridge, slice it into thin sticks and chuck it in!
2. Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup
Warm and hearty, this soup is perfect for chilly nights.
- Ingredients: Leftover chicken, sweetcorn, chicken broth, spring onions, soy sauce, cornflour.
- Method: Boil chicken stock and sweetcorn, then add chicken and spring onions. Thicken with a little cornflour mixed in water and season with some soy sauce. Check the temperature of the chicken before serving.
- Top Tip: Use small pieces of chicken for the best soup or shred the chicken.
3. Chicken Quesadillas
Ideal for a family night, these quesadillas are cheesy and fun.
- Ingredients: Leftover chicken, tortilla wraps, cheese, salsa, jalapeños.
- Method: Layer chicken, cheese, and jalapeños on half of a tortilla. Fold, cook on a hot pan until cheese melts. Serve with salsa.
- Top Tip: Ensure chicken is shredded or small so it hits thoroughly as the cheese melts.
4. Chicken Caesar Salad
A classic that’s always popular.
- Ingredients: Leftover chicken, romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing.
- Method: Toss all ingredients in a bowl, ensuring chicken is coated with dressing. Top with more parmesan for extra zing.
5. Chicken Fried Rice
A takeaway favourite you can easily make at home.
- Ingredients: Leftover chicken, rice, peas, carrots, soy sauce, scrambled eggs, spring onions.
- Method: Cook rice, then stir-fry with chicken, peas, carrots, and soy sauce. Stir in scrambled eggs and garnish with spring onions.
6. Cheesy Chicken Casserole
Ultimate comfort food.
- Ingredients: Cooked chicken, cooked potatoes, cooked broccoli and creamy cheese sauce. Top with breadcrumbs.
- Method: Mix all cooked ingredients with cheese sauce to coat well, top with some breadcrumbs and grated cheese for an extra cheesy taste then bake until bubbly.
- Top tip: Add anything that needs using, leeks work well too!
7. Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake or Chicken Alfredo
An easy to make restaurant style meal you can make with pasta, cheese and some leftover chicken.
- Ingredients: Cooked chicken, cooked pasta (fettuccine works well but any is fine!), homemade alfredo sauce or cheese sauce, parmesan cheese.
- Method: Heat through your leftover chicken with the cheese sauce, pasta and top with some chopped parsley for an extra style!
- Top Tip: Make it however you like, if you have some peas to use up then why not pop them in too!
8. BBQ Chicken Pizza
An easy and quick way to use leftover chicken to enjoy a pizza!
- Ingredients: Pizza base (either homemade, shop bought or something like a naan bread or pizza bread also work well), BBQ sauce, onions, and cheese.
- Method: Top your pizza base with BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, red onions and cheese.
- Top Tip: Peppers also go well on the pizza or mix the leftover chicken with some cooked bacon for extra flavours.
9. Chicken sandwich filler or jacket potato topping
An easy mix for sandwiches or jacket potatoes to use up that leftover chicken on a potato or for your work lunch.
- Ingredients: Leftover chicken, low fat or fat-free Greek yoghurt, a spoonful of mustard, diced apples, and grapes.
- Method: Mix the cooked chicken with Greek yoghurt, diced apples, a small amount of mustard to taste and halved grapes.
- Top Tip: Enjoy this on its own on a bed of lettuce if you want a smaller meal.
10. Chicken Lime Tacos
Chicken tacos are a great way to use leftover chicken with my easy chicken lime taco recipe.
11. Mexican Chicken Burritos
I love making easy Mexican chicken burritos with leftover chicken. I simply use Mexican rice, leftover chicken, onions, peppers, BBQ sauce and cheese for my quick easy Mexican burritos recipe.
12. Chicken Fajita Pasta Bake
I often use leftover chicken in a chicken fajita pasta bake and simply mix cooked chicken with fajita spices, peppers, onions, tomatoes and cheese for a quick easy pasta bake!
Conclusion
Cooking with leftover chicken isn’t just about saving money and reducing waste, it’s about saving time too. With these storage tips and tasty recipes, you can turn yesterday’s chicken into a new meal today. Whether you’re a busy parent or just don’t want to spend ages cooking, these ideas offer something for everyone.
Do you make leftover chicken into anything else? Let me know in the comments below.
