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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Quick and Easy Leftover Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 25, 2025, updated March 25, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Leftover chicken can be a lifesaver on busy weeknights, turning into quick and satisfying meals with just a little creativity. From hearty casseroles to flavorful chowders, there are plenty of easy recipes that make the most of what you already have. These 20 ideas will help you whip up delicious dinners in no time, ensuring that your family enjoys a variety of flavors without the fuss.

    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is easy to whip up using rotisserie or leftover chicken and is full of fresh lemon and rosemary flavors. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for a cozy dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole

    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole is a comforting meal that comes together in one pot. It's perfect for using up leftover chicken along with some easy ingredients like biscuits, frozen veggies, and cheese.

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    Chicken Bacon Risotto

    Chicken and bacon risotto being spooned onto a plate.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This weeknight risotto is a simple dish that uses leftover rotisserie chicken and bacon. It's so delicious that you'll want to have seconds.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    A spoonful of Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This casserole combines creamy chicken, mixed veggies, and crispy tater tots for a satisfying meal. It can be made ahead and frozen for later, or baked right away for a dish that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines cheesy chicken and pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for using up leftover chicken and satisfying your hunger.

    Get the recipe

    BBQ Chicken Flatbread

    5 Ingredient BBQ Chicken Flatbread
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    BBQ chicken flatbread is quick to prepare in about 20 minutes using just 5 easy ingredients. It's packed with fresh flavors and is a great way to use leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken.

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    Mediterranean Chicken, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

    Mediterranean Chicken, Cucumber and Tomato Salad in a wooden bowl.
    Photo Credit: Moderately Messy RD.

    This chicken, cucumber, and tomato salad is full of fresh veggies and protein. It's easy to whip up, especially with leftover chicken, making it a great option for a quick summer lunch or a simple dinner on a busy weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Southwest Chicken Dorito Casserole

    Baked Southwest Chicken Dorito Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    This easy chicken casserole combines shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken with cream cheese, sour cream, and spicy Rotel tomatoes. Topped with Nacho Cheese Doritos and cheddar cheese, it’s a comforting dish perfect for busy nights.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    20 Minute Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This 20-minute marry me chicken pasta is a simple and satisfying meal. With rotisserie or leftover chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, it delivers great flavor in no time.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that's perfect for dinner. It's a great way to use up leftover chicken and ensures you'll have some left to enjoy later.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

    Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Courtney's Sweets.

    This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is quick to prepare and is a great way to use up leftover chicken and rice. It's a simple dish that combines everything into a tasty meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce

    Chicken enchiladas with green sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken enchiladas with green sauce are quick to prepare and are great for a cozy meal any night. This dish combines garlic-flavored chicken in soft tortillas, covered with melted cheese and delicious green chile sauce. Easy to make from scratch, or use leftover chicken and other shortcut ingredients!

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    Chicken Pasta Bake

    Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    This Chicken Pasta Bake combines cheesy tomato sauce with simple ingredients for a cozy meal. It's a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken and make something everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Smoked Mozzarella BBQ Chicken Pizza

    A smoked mozzarella chicken pizza.
    Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    BBQ chicken pizza is a flavorful dish that uses leftover chicken and smoked mozzarella cheese. It's topped with cilantro and your favorite barbecue sauce for a delicious meal.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

    Buffalo chicken quesadillas.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish brings together cheese and spice for a delicious meal. It's a great option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Buffalo Chicken Ranch Sandwich

    A buffalo chicken ranch sandwich.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo chicken ranch sandwiches come together in just 30 minutes, offering a spicy and satisfying meal. With a few easy-to-find ingredients, you can whip up a tasty feast without much effort.

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    Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles

    Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This dish features instant ramen noodles tossed in a tasty peanut sauce, perfect for a quick meal. It's a great option when you want dinner ready in under 20 minutes.

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    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza

    Chicken bacon ranch pizza.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This pizza is loaded with all the great flavors you love. It's a perfect way to use up leftover chicken and create something delicious.

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    One Pot Chicken Corn Chowder

    A bowl of chicken corn chowder.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish brings together tender rotisserie or leftover chicken, sweet corn, hearty potatoes, and crispy bacon in a rich and creamy broth. It's a cozy meal that warms you up and satisfies your hunger.

    Get the recipe

    One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup

    A bowl of chicken dumpling soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chicken dumpling soup is a cozy dish that’s quick to prepare in about 40 minutes using rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken and store-bought biscuit dough. It features classic flavors along with tasty vegetables in a creamy, herby broth.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      20 Delicious Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Picnics

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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